Upon arriving at the Kohala Spa at Hilton Waikoloa Village on Hawaii’s Big Island, you’re greeted by the sounds of exotic birdsong and the sights of playful dolphins and graceful pink flamingos. Red, orange and yellow Japanese goldfish dart through meandering lagoons. The rush of cascading waterfalls complements the visual splendor of banyan, bamboo and palm trees. Flowers and fish peek out at every turn from the greenery and clear waters.
One visitor quipped that instead of Waikoloa (say “WHY-ko-LO-uh”), the resort should be named “Walk-a-lotta.” This isn’t quite true. Although set on 62 sprawling acres, the resort’s farthest stretches are easily accessible by its tram or mahogany slow-boats sailing through tranquil lagoons.
Spend all your vacation time unwinding at Kohala Spa and the Hilton’s sumptuous surroundings, or venture out on tours to Kilauea and Mauna Loa volcanoes, rainforests, ancient Hawaiian temples and beyond. The resort boasts two world-class golf courses, a seaside putting course for family fun, eight tennis courts (including a 432-seat stadium court) and a wide variety of water sports.
And don’t leave the kids at home. Camp Menehune (named after Hawaii’s version of trolls) entertains 5 to 12 year olds year-round with daytime and nighttime activities, including treasure hunts, water sports, making mini-volcanoes and more.
Food & Accommodations
Restaurants range from casual dining at the Boat Landing Pavilion Food Court, the Hang Ten Snack Bar or the Orchid Café, to Donatoni’s elegant Italian meals or the Kamuela Provision Company’s steaks and seafood. Imari offers Japanese food and décor, replete with Zen garden and waterfalls. Savor Chinese delicacies at Kirin, or enjoy lavish breakfast and dinner buffets at The Palm Terrace with its outdoor fish pond and cascading waterfalls. Post-massage, the shortest distance to food is one flight up at the Kohala Spa Caf é, which features casual meals and organic fruit shakes.
Accommodations vary in size and price, but all of them are to die for. On my pillow at turndown each afternoon, I would find one deep purple orchid, two copper-foil wrapped circles of chocolate and a postcard describing legends of Pele, the mighty fire goddess said to live in Kilauea volcano.
Soft colors dominated the ample room which featured a couch, cocktail table, TV and writing desk. The bathroom was lavishly decorated with marble tiles. Those ubiquitous orchids adorned my soap and towels daily. A bathrobe and slippers were provided. My balcony — or lanai, in island-speak — faced the ocean and the pounding surf lulled me to sleep at night.
Spa Treatments & Activities
Since Hawaii’s Big Island is known as The Orchid Isle, I thought an Orchid Isle Body Wrap was appropriate.
My treatment at the stunning 25,000-square-foot spa began with an exfoliation. Then the masseuse positioned six overhead shower jets above me and I was flooded in a comforting warm mist.
The steam room reminded me of a miniature Mauna Loa volcano, spouting a delicate eucalyptus-scented mist. Soon I went next door into the sauna. Before I felt like the main course at a barbecue, my masseuse came back and led me into a tranquil room with soothing background music.
Exquisitely-scented orchid oil was rubbed into my grateful pores as I breathed in the intoxicating aroma of tropical flowers. After a lengthy massage, the masseuse wrapped me in a large plastic sheet, then a shiny thermal blanket, and, finally, a woolen blanket. I lazily told her that I felt like a bouquet of wrapped flowers. She smiled, said I looked more like a sushi roll, and left me to steep.
When the masseuse came back, she gave me a soothing facial massage, followed by a divine foot rub. Shortly after came the only part I dreaded: getting up and returning to the unpampered, unoiled world.
You can visit their website at: http://www.kohalaspa.com/