Spa Spotlight: Four Seasons Maui
- Published: Tuesday, June 21st 2011
- in Travel & Play
Wellness, Luxury and Modern Family at Four Seasons Maui
Adults-only area at Four Seasons Maui
If you’ve seen the vacation episode of the wildly popular ABC TV sitcom Modern Family, then you’ve actually already caught a glimpse of the luxurious, award-winning Four Seasons Maui at Wailea. In the “Hawaii” episode, the gang lounges poolside (shot at the not-to-miss, adults-only pool area) and takes part in a wedding ceremony (shot on a manicured lawn overlooking the ocean and three new oceanfront traditional Hawaiian spa hales). What’s only captured in person are the stunning vistas and a very cool swim-up bar, plus fully loaded private cabanas. After my own visit last fall, I can attest, the sunset views in this area (complete with the VIP-feel and kid-free calm) are simply breathtaking. In addition, the standout five-star hotel is now offering innovative wellness-oriented special event weekends.
The section of the island known as Wailea is Maui’s expansive, luxury, oceanfront resort area and home to some of the best hotels for romantic and family getaways. Though the TV show’s taping might now suggest a family-centric vibe at the Four Seasons Maui, it stood out to me as an idyllic getaway for honeymooners and romantics, and as of more recently, a place to embrace wellness in island paradise. After visiting five major resorts in Maui, I found the sophisticated accommodations to be quite standout at the Four Seasons (likely on account of a $50-million renovation in 2007, including an accumulation of a museum-quality original art collection by Hawaii’s finest artists). All of the resort’s 380 guest rooms and suites are fitted with an oversized marble bathroom with a deep soaking tub (L’Occitane bath products to boot!), as well as a furnished lanai (a veranda or roofed patio) with fantastic views of the Pacific Ocean.
Private hales at the spa at Four Seasons Maui
Last year, the Four Seasons Maui created the unique Wellness Series centered on physical and spiritual wellness practices that bring about personal growth, an innovation that has further differentiated the resort from the top luxury hotels in Wailea and appealing to its many wellness-minded guests. Various wellness modalities are explored including qigong, reiki, Pilates, energy healing, meditation, sound and vibrational healing, fitness, green lifestyle and more. The series has continued this year; several additional innovative events are planned, with top practitioners leading the four-day weekends (Pilates expert Mari Windsor is one of them!). The best part? Wellness series group discussion events are open and free to hotel guests! Some upcoming weekends include:
Greening Your Family’s Routine − Stacy Malkan −July 28-30, 2011
We may have learned to green our pantry and kitchens by avoiding certain cleaning products and choosing organic foods to avoid toxic chemicals. Now discover if your bathroom is a minefield of toxins. Stacy Malkan, author of Not Just a Pretty Face, wellness speaker and spokesperson for Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, discusses the hot topics of choosing healthy options for personal care products from head to toe, and everything from baby shampoo to men’s cologne. She’ll talk about the sunscreen we slather on our skin and whether it’s safer at fighting cancer than the sun’s rays. Malkan is also available for personal analysis and consultation.
Full Moon Labyrinth Walk − Eve Hogan − August 11, 2011
Join Eve Hogan, a speaker on personal and spiritual growth and author of five books including Way of the Winding Path: A Map for the Labyrinth of Life, for a compelling session on the pristine tiki-lit oceanfront lawn. Hogan’s charismatic speaking style ignites listeners’ enthusiasm and joy for life. After an inspirational talk session, she uses the labyrinth to help people discover their own inner resources and leaves audiences empowered with the skills to effect positive change and strengthen life skills.
Exercise is Not a Chore, It’s a Privilege − Mari Winsor − August 17-19, 2011 and November 23 – 25, 2011
Join Mari Winsor, one of the top names in Pilates when she returns to Four Seasons Resort Maui and the 2011 Wellness Series. Mari is a dancer, teacher, author and owner of two Pilate studios in the Los Angeles area, with thousands of devotees including celebs such as Jamie Lee Curtis, Sandra Bullock and Vanessa Williams. Spend time learning about her successful methods of body conditioning—harnessing the power of both mind and body—and work with her one-on-one in closely supervised instruction sessions.
Four Seasons Maui
“Wellness is a lifestyle choice. Many of our guests are already practicing preventive healthcare,” says Pat Makozak, senior spa director at The Spa at Four Seasons Resort Maui. “This Wellness Series provides guests with the latest information from some of the nation’s top practitioners, helping people integrate the information into daily practice.”
Related:
Watch a Video on the Spa at Four Seasons Maui
