Mandara Spa
The name “Mandara” is said to have come from an ancient Sanskrit legend about a god’s quest to find the elixir of immortality and eternal youth. Whether this is true or not is irrelevant, because if there ever was a place that made one feel completely alive, it’s the Mandara Spa at the Wailea Marriott Resort.
From the moment one enters, the attention to detail is readily apparent. In order to assure the therapists are fully apprised of one’s potential needs and physical condition, a thorough personal medical history is requested. Once this is done, you are escorted into the changing area. The attendant takes you on a tour of the area showing all of the amenities, from the steam room to the relaxation lounge.
Mandara Spa Manager Nancy Mitchell is a devotee of aromatherapy. She believes fragrance is integral to the overall spa experience. In an uncanny, unintended homage to the great modern artist Marcel DuChamp, the urinals are topped with foot-long sticks of fresh cinnamon.
The Mandara Spa has the best steam room west of the Russian Baths. When you walk into the room, you are immediately engulfed in a cloud of invigorating steam. No need to wait for the steam to come up like some other places, it’s just right there. Sit and breathe the moist, cleansing steam and feel revitalized.
This is just the beginning of the delights that await patrons of the Mandara Spa. After a half-hour of hydrotherapy, frolicking in the steam and a wonderful refreshing shower, you can then repair to the aesthetically pleasing relaxation lounge. With its comfortable chairs, gorgeous bamboo curtains, subdued lighting and indoor waterfall, the room more than lives up to its name.
There are both couple- and single-treatment rooms–some with ocean views. The Rolls Royce of these is Treatment Room Four: a corner room overlooking the resort’s fabulous infinity edge pool with a two sided ocean view.
Some of the amenities include a multi-head oversized shower and a Jacuzzi bathtub for two. In fact, the whole of this room is set up for a romantic couple encounter.
If one prefers the privacy of a dark interior space, that’s available as well. Understated lighting and Asian-influenced furnishings are the hallmarks of these areas.
Throughout this world-class spa, no detail has been left unattended. When you lie on the massage table, you will notice it is heated. If you never missed such an amenity before, once experienced, it’s something you will never want to do without.
Mandara has spas from Shanghai to Aruba, so the menu of bodywork available at the Mandara Spa is an eclectic variety. True to its Balinese roots (the first Mandara Spa was founded there in 1995), one-third of the massage menu features Balinese techniques, the other third is European- and Asian-influenced and the final third is influenced by the locale of the spa.
On Maui, the local offerings are lomi lomi and hot rocks. While you can get lomi lomi just about everywhere on the island, you cannot get the invigorating Elemis Refreshing Gel the therapists slather on after they finish each side of the massage. This secret blend of arnica, birch, witch hazel, camphor and menthol is reputed to relieve aches and pains and is even recommended for headaches!
As if that were not enough, the treatment concluded with an amazing foot massage that featured Elemis Devil’s Mint Body Scrub, a magical combination of seaplant particles, devil’s apron seaweed and peppermint essential oils. Then the therapist wraps your feet in hot towels. Your feet will never be so clean nor so relaxed and well-cared for.
Of course the spa has a salon as well, where Mitchell said, “Guests can get a La Therapie facial using galvanic current which goes down four to five layers of skin.” According to Mitchell, the most exotic treatment is the lime and ginger scrub followed by a body scrub, exfoliation, culminating in a massage.
Massages are available for 50 or 80 minutes, and for the truly sybaritic experience, one can have a Madara Perfect Day of Bliss. This five-hour-and-45- minute series of treatments includes a massage, facial, manicure, pedicure, shampoo and styling and make-up.
Unlike some other spas that cater only to hotel guests, Mitchell welcomes kama‘aina. Bring in your Hawai‘i I.D. for a 20 percent discount. This generous offer makes the experience within reach of those who ordinarily don’t pamper themselves and makes a great gift for that special someone.
The spa is open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Call 891-8774 for more information or visit the Website at www.mandaraspa.com. You’ll be glad you did.
Source: Maui Weekly
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