The Great Wall of Apothecary

Hawaii is home to some of the most incredible spas in the world. Most boast fresh local flora, kukui nut oils and other indigenous island ingredients upping their aromatherapy and apothecary ante. In my book, the queen of all spas can be found at the Four Seasons Hualalai, The Hualalai Spa.

The spa itself, sans treatments is the ultimate in tranquility with lush tropical gardens, quaint intimate nooks and the Water of Life garden. Quiet, serene and peaceful, you could make it a day alone with alternating stints in the sauna, outdoor steam room, Jacuzzis and cold plunge pool.

A bevy of treatments are sure to tantalize your spa whimsy. The Hualalai Macadamia Nut Scrub rejuvenates skin with moisture-balancing agents found in Hawaii’s most beloved nut. The Island Glow is sure to make you shine with its natural blend of sugar cane, coconut oil and island honey. And, the Green Tea and Ginger Wrap is perfection for dull and tired skin, transforming your canvas into a younger, tighter version.

The “Great Wall of Apothecary” (as I quickly dubbed it) is what really makes Huala’lai Spa the “Star of all Spas.” Choose from four distinctive packages including the Mud and Clay Mosaic, Hulali Scrub, Wawali Wrap and Linohau scrub, wrap and massage. I selected the Hulali Scrub that was created to make skin sparkle like the sun for my experience. And, oh how it did just that and more.

I began my interactive treatment with a walk to the “Great Wall of Apothecary,” where I had the pleasure of choosing my own ingredients for a custom exfoliating scrub. I picked the fragrant Pikake flower oil as my base. It was blended with a scoop of ginger powder and Turbinado sugar then sprinkled with dried Pikake and Hibiscus flowers. My personalized mix produced a subtly sweet smelling exfoliating scrub. My skin was then polished with the product followed by a lovely massage, resulting in shiny radiant skin.

Following my delectable treatment I freshened up with an outdoor lava rock shower before a scheduled fish dinner at Pahu i’a, the resorts fine dining restaurant. On my walk from the spa to sunset cocktails hotel staff and guests alike stopped me to complement me on my newfound glow.

The Hualalai Spa is located at the Four Seasons at Hualalai, 72-100 Ka’upulehu Drive, Kailua-Kona, www.fourseasons.com/hualalai, 808.325.8000.