Magic happens in a peaceful haven just steps from the bustling porte cochere of the Halekulani in Waikiki.
This summer, feeling stiff, achy and exhausted from a particularly hectic time in my life, I paid a visit to the luxury resort's SpaHalekulani to experience that magic firsthand.
SpaHalekulani reopened a little over a year ago, totally reimagined with new services, treatments and facilities. It is not Hawaii's largest or grandest wellness retreat; rather, it is intimate and understated with elements that reflect its connection to nature: wood, stone, water features, live plants and fresh flowers.
Three suites, each with its own special features, are among the highlights of the spa's renovation. The Uahi Wai Suite is furnished with a steam chamber. In the Puuwai Suite, couples can enjoy simultaneous massages and an herb-infused soak in a furo, a traditional Japanese tub. A vibroacoustic table manufactured by Gharieni, a German company renowned for its innovative wellness technologies, is the focal point of the Nahe Wai Suite.
Guests' journey begins a day or two before they arrive at the spa, when a wellness advisor calls them to discuss their preferences, ensure the treatment they've selected aligns with their goals and answer any questions they might have. The advisor can also help them complete their intake form, sent via email along with confirmation of their reservation.
The SpaHalekulani experience begins in the serene boutique and reception area. Photo Credit: Halekulani
Readying for relaxation
Because my booking was made at the last minute, I filled out the form on a tablet when I checked in. My answers were shared with Yuri, my therapist, as I enjoyed organic dark chocolate-covered blueberries in the reception area and looked forward to a full-body massage and vibroacoustic therapy.
Although I had received massages many times before, I wasn't familiar with this sort of therapy, which is why, intrigued, I chose it and read a bit about it prior to my visit.
Norwegian therapist and musician Olav Skille developed it in the 1980s by combining color, vibration and low-frequency sounds to slow down mental activity. He asserted doing this would have therapeutic benefits, including relieving pain, reducing stress and improving sleep quality and mental clarity.
My treatment in the Nahe Wai Suite began with a 60-minute massage on the vibroacoustic table using lavender-infused CBD oil, which I had chosen thinking CBD would alleviate the tension in my neck, back and shoulders.
Grasping warm, smooth river stones, Yuri loosened my taut muscles and stubborn knots with the long, flowing strokes of Hawaiian lomilomi massage. The pressure was just right: firm enough to be effective but not painful. When she gently put headphones over my ears for the vibroacoustic part of my treatment, I was already half asleep.
SpaHalekulani's four vibroacoustic programs -- Focus, Dream, Relax and Restore -- have different audio accompaniments blending instrumentals; sounds from nature such as rain and birdsong; and nonverbal human voices, including humming and vocal toning. A scant five hours of sleep had been my norm for months, so I had picked Restore, drawn by its description as "the ultimate power nap." Water cushions inserted between heated pads on the vibroacoustic table created subtle vibrations as the soothing track played.
The Nahe Wai Suite is furnished with a table for vibroacoustic programs that promote relaxation. Photo Credit: Halekulani
Enter sounds and colors
At first, I heard single piano notes with a background of droning and ... was it chirping? Then I realized trying to identify the sounds was activating my brain, resisting what was supposed to be accomplished, so I stopped thinking and just yielded to the auditory sedative.
Colored lights also play an integral role in vibroacoustic therapy. Since my eyes were closed, I didn't actually see them emanate from the table throughout the suite. I was later told the colors gradually transitioned one to the next during the 30-minute session: red to revitalize, blue to calm, purple to relax, orange to encourage positive thoughts and green to promote balance and harmony.
In my drowsy state, as with the audio and vibrations, my reactions to the changing spectrum must've occurred on a subliminal level.
In recent years, vibroacoustic therapy purportedly has been growing in popularity at spas worldwide as people seek holistic wellness practices. SpaHalekulani is one of the few spas in Hawaii that offer a complete vibroacoustic experience.
Massage always does my body good, but did the vibroacoustic therapy work? As with most things, there are no guarantees, and results will vary. But I can say this: That night, I got a blessed seven hours of sleep instead of my usual five.
After treatment, spa suite guests enjoy complimentary tea service on SpaHalekulani's lanai. Photo Credit: Halekulani
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Early next year, SpaHalekulani will introduce an Integrated Wellness Program that will incorporate spa experiences and complementary services. During private consultations, wellness advisors will devise a customized plan for optimum well-being based on guests' needs and interests. Options will include astrology, acupuncture, feng shui and gemstone healing.
To learn more about all HalekulaniSpa has to offer, visit halekulani.com/spa-and-wellness.