The Kahala Spa (Oahu)

Located inside The Kahala Hotel on Oahu, The Kahala Spa is a relaxing escape from the hustle and bustle of life. Here's a recap of our recent visit, plus insider tips (like monthly promotions and kama'aina discounts!) to know before you go.

We recently celebrated a friend's birthday with a spa visit to The Kahala Hotel. It was pretty much the ideal day for two busy (and very tired) moms. I haven't been back to the Kahala spa in years and wooow it was relaxing. I wish we could figure out a way to do this monthly ^_^

Booking The Treatment

Here's a recap of our visit! We booked the Ho‘ola Hana Hou, a 90-minute treatment that combines a massage and facial. It's a great choice if you can't decide between massage or facial.

We called and booked a week in advance. They email a confirmation along with a medical history form to complete (this is where you can specify preferences and particular sore areas you want them to work on).

Cost

The Ho‘ola Hana Hou treatment was $305 at the time of booking. They had a September promotion featuring 20% off any 90-minute treatment (read more about the monthly promotions in our "Insider Tips" section below). The spa automatically adds a 20% gratuity.

Spa Check In

Then comes the day of the treatment ^_^ Check in at the spa shop 15 minutes before your appointment time. There are a few seats to relax and wait. It's also fun to explore all the stuff at spa gift shops (look at all those Aloha bags!)

Everyone is so kind and friendly there. It's a welcoming experience. I only wished that they had offered water or something to drink while we waited for our treatment to begin. By the end of the treatment both of us were extra thirsty!

...downstairs to the individual treatment rooms. The treatment rooms are large. This is because they used to be hotel rooms, but have since been converted to individual spa rooms.

So instead of changing in one general room and then walking to a smaller room for the actual treatment, each guest has a private "suite." Changing and treatment both take place in the same room.

Spa Time

The esthetician preps the room while you change into the bathrobe. There are dividers separating the treatment area and the changing/bathroom area. Once you're changed, it's time to really relax.

The Ho‘ola Hana Hou treatment begins with a foot scrub and massage. The rest of the session is split between a hot stone massage followed by a facial and scalp massage.

Scalp massages are my favorite thing in the world!

In the medical history form, I requested extra strong pressure for the massage and she delivered. My muscles haven't felt that relaxed in ages. I slept so good that night...it was one of the first nights in a long time where I slept completely through the night. Boy if only every night could be like that ^_^

Cabana (and Snack) Time

After the treatment is complete and you change back into your clothes the esthetician leads out of the suite and into a cabana located right outside.

Note: if you're staying at the hotel you can just stay in the spa bathrobe.

There's a stretch of several cabanas, all of which seat two and can be enclosed (important not just for privacy but for sun protection). The cabanas face the golf course though there are plenty of trees dividing the two areas.

Whether you're doing a solo treatment or one with a friend, you're welcomed into the cabana with peach iced tea, shortbread cookies (they taste similar to the ones given afternoon tea parting gifts at Moana Surfrider, I think they're baked by the same company) and a refreshing cold towel. Sit and relax, you can hang out there for as long as you'd like.

We caught up on life and work (some much deserved quality time 🙂 and then went back to the spa shop to check out.

Lunch at Plumeria Beach House

From there we walked downstairs to Plumeria Beach House for lunch. It's The Kahala Hotel's main lunch restaurant. Open air, oceanfront, gorgeous views. Makes you feel like you're on vacation! We saw a 50/50 mix of tourists and locals there.

One of their most popular dishes here is the Kahala Signature Bento. It's a sampler of all their signature items.

In the bottom right compartment of the bento box there's ahi poke musubi and slices of ahi sashimi. On the left is the rib eye steak, ginger scallion jasmine rice (I need to figure out how to make this, so tasty!) and misoyaki butterfish (which you can definitely make at home). There's a simple salad of local Kula greens on the top right. Dessert is a chocolate macadamia nut tart.

Note: If you visit on a Friday or Saturday, you can also have afternoon tea at The Veranda (it's served from 2-3:30pm on Friday and Saturdays).

Insider Tips

Kama'aina Discount.
They spa offers a 15% discount for Kama'aina. Bring your Hawaii state ID card as proof of residency.

Free Parking.
Free 4 hour parking. You can self park or valet. The valet is free, just make sure to tip the valet.

Monthly Promotions.
The spa runs monthly special promotions. Check the spa website for details on the monthly specials.

Spa Shop Discount.
All spa guests receive 10% off any purchases made in the spa shop.

Book In Advance.
If there's a specific date or time that you want, book at least a week in advance. The original time that we wanted wasn't available so we ended up booking an hour early. It was no big deal for us, but if you need the treatment at a specific date/time, it's better to book earlier.

Cancel In Advance.
If you need to cancel, make sure to give 24 hour minimum notice. They charge for the entire service if you don't cancel at least 24 hours in advance.

The Kahala Hotel Spa: Info

• Address: The Kahala Hotel, 5000 Kahala Avenue, Honolulu, Hawaii 96816
• Phone: (808) 739-8938
• Spa Hours: 9am-5pm daily