Family travel and wellness travel are equally hot trends these days. So, naturally, when you put them together, you end up with a surefire recipe for healthy and happy getaways.
Nowhere is that more apparent than in Hawaii, where spas around the islands are positioning wellness as a real family affair.
“Self-care is more and more necessary to maintain balance in our lives and relationships,” said Christianna Claghorn, spa director for Fairmont Kea Lani, Maui. “Encouraging families to relax together creates a priceless experience to appreciate one another far beyond their vacation.”
Hawaii’s blissful setting, hospitable culture and distinctive healing techniques add a wow factor that’s hard to top. The following island spas allow all ages to share the feel-good vibes with their loved ones.
Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa, Oahu
Like everything Disney does, its Laniwai (“freshwater heaven”) spa at Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa on Oahu is family-friendly to the hilt. Case in point: The Ohana experience for three to six people ages 5 and up rejuvenates the body through the gentle touch of Hawaiian lomilomi sticks. Guests can even concoct their own body polish at the do-it-yourself mixology bar. During fashion makeovers, kids ages 3 to 12 can be made to look like magical characters, and athletic teens give two thumbs up to the spa’s sports massage, one of several treatments designed for those ages 13 to 17.
www.disneyaulani.com
Fairmont Kea Lani, Maui
Fairmont Kea Lani’s Willow Stream Spa presents indulgences with appeal for the whole tribe. For instance, active kiddos can learn a bit about unwinding, courtesy of a poolside foot rub or a shoulder, neck and hand massage. Meanwhile, teens get a mood boost from facials that combat acne through light therapy. Capitalizing on Kea Lani’s oceanfront location, an adult and child can enjoy a seaside, full-body massage for two, enhanced by kukui-coconut lotion and sweetened by the sounds of the surf.
www.fairmont.com
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Parents and children bond during Fairmont Kea Lani’s multigenerational spa sessions.
Credit: 2019 Fairmont Kea LaniFour Seasons Resort, Oahu
At the luxurious Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina, family relationships blossom at Naupaka Spa, named after a flowering plant. Parents and kids bond over side-by-side massages as well as manicures and pedicures, which can be enlivened with nail art. Dreams come true during a menu option dubbed Hawaiian Hula Princess, which transforms tykes into royalty through special hair styles, makeup, hula skirts and tropical leis. Meanwhile, teens gravitate toward facials that address the specific needs of young adults.
www.fourseasons.com
Grand Wailea, Maui
Spa Grande at Grand Wailea, a dazzling, 50,000-square-foot health and beauty hub, masters the art of child’s play. It calls to youngsters with alluring treats such as chocolate-coconut massages, teen-focused facials and island-style nail services. Ready to relax as a group? The family suite is equipped with four beds and attended to by a quartet of therapists. Guests ages 10 and older are invited to accompany the grown-ups for yoga sessions that inject a spirit of serenity into the vacation.
www.grandwailea.com
A massage for four is one of many family lures at Grand Wailea’s Spa Grande.
Credit: 2019 Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria ResortHilton Waikoloa Village, Hawaii Island
The Kohala Coast’s Hilton Waikoloa Village on Hawaii Island may be large, but it promotes intimate connections through parent-and-child massages, offered in a private cabana by the sea. A variety of massage techniques are available, including Swedish and Hawaiian lomilomi. In the spa’s salon, parents and kids create memories with manicures and pedicures or a personalized haircut. Fitness turns into an exercise in togetherness during the hotel’s yoga, tai chi, qi gong (a form of martial arts) and meditation classes, open to guests ages 6 and up.
www.hiltonwaikoloavillage.com
Turtle Bay Resort, Oahu
Set on Oahu’s North Shore, Turtle Bay Resort’s Nalu Kinetic Spa handles everyone’s skin care concerns, from hydrafacials for ladies and skin treatments targeting gents, to clarifying facials expressly for those ages 13 to 17. The gang can also try HorSea Yoga, which combines stretching, breathing, posture and balance with equestrian encounters. After getting to know their horses on the ground, family members saddle up for a one-of-a-kind kinship with their steed — and with one another.
www.turtlebayresort.com
