Oahu’s North Shore now has its first full-service spa.
The Spa at Turtle Bay Resort, a 8,000-square-foot health,
wellness and relaxation center, opened in September as part of a
$40 million renovation of the oceanfront resort.
Shana Ominksy, the spa’s director, said its location just 40
feet from the ocean on one of Oahu’s most rural coastlines makes it
an easy sell.
“The isolation of the North Shore makes you feel as if you are a
world away from home,” she said. “I want to make this one of the
best spas in Hawaii.”
Fittingly, the bungalow-style spa uses body products derived
from the ocean, such as seaweed and sea salts.
For the spa’s signature skin line Ominksy chose the June Jacobs
collection, available only in five-star spa properties such as
Canyon Ranch, Ojai Valley Inn and Spa and New York City’s Peninsula
Spa. “We have exclusivity with the product here in the islands,”
she said.
Ominsky sees the new spa not as a day destination, but as “an
extra essential to bring top-dollar clients to our resort, the type
of guest who expects a spa with cutting-edge services,” she
said.
Facilities include six oceanview treatment rooms, men’s and
women’s locker rooms, steam rooms and a full-service salon. Before
and after treatments, clients can relax at the spa’s bar for
complimentary tropical juices, herbal teas and healthy snacks.
According to Ominsky, the spa has services called Island Rituals
that are designed to help guests nurture their physical, mental and
spiritual selves.
Its signature treatment, the Pipeline Sports Massage, combines
sports and deep tissue massage ($115 for 50 minutes, $230 for 100
minutes).
The Sun-Kissed Hydrating Facial begins with a mask of limu
(seaweed) and noni (mulberry), followed by a blend of tropical
essences and macadamia oil and finished with a citrus blend ($125
for 50 minutes).
The resort plans to build 20 luxury guest rooms, scheduled to
open this summer, that will allow direct access to the spa.
The spa is the newest addition to Turtle Bay’s renovation. The
hotel, which first opened in 1972, had deteriorated significantly
in recent years. Oak Tree Capital of Los Angeles purchased the
880-acre resort in 2000.
By November 2001 the exterior was restored, and all 401 rooms
refurbished. The adjacent 42 oceanfront cottages have been
positioned as Turtle Bay’s luxury product.
Other improvements include the restoration of nine holes,
bringing the golf course to 36 holes. The clubhouse has been
rebuilt and a new restaurant was opened last September. The
swimming pool was improved and a new pool with waterslide also was
constructed. The resort also has a tennis center, horseback riding
and hiking trails.
It intends to expand its meeting facilities this spring.
800-203-3650.