Spa Makaiwa

I had a 60 minute massage with Wendy on the beach. That was probably the most relaxing massage of my life, highly recommended. I’m staying next door at the Aston Islander on the Beach and it felt like I floated back to my room.

Perfect! Loved the Raindrop Therapy, 90 min! Many oils were used, don’t remember what they were, but they were awesome! Small spa but I wasn’t there to need space, that’s what the beach is for ;) The room was pretty big, so it made up for the quaint greeting area. My therapist Wendi was just brilliant! Technique was impressive. Have had many massages and this one was the best! Thank you :)

I came here even though I didn’t stay in the hotel because of the consistently good reviews.
It wasn’t cheap, especially with the poor Canadian dollar. But it was a good massage.
The website seems to indicate that each therapist has a range of techniques. From Swedish to deep tissue to even myofascial release which is what I really needed.
I ended up with a male therapist. He was very professional and seemed to know what he was doing. Pressure was excellent and really helped my sore back and legs with various techniques.
I was really happy with this choice.

Yanni was the best back therapist/​masseuse I have ever experienced a part from my doctor prescribed therapist here at home. I have an extremely sensitive and, at one time, very injured back. Yanni listened, asked great questions, and I had the best massage (once a week) for the 8 weeks I was in Kauai. The injury muscles are healed, not giving me at issues at all, and my masseuse here in California is totally impressed with his technique, his suggestions for here at home, and he was so professional and kind! A wonderful, healing experience that I will repeat when we are in Kauai this coming Summer.

A friend and I had previously booked spa/​massage packages with another location, but the owner/​manager experienced a death in the family close to our trip. She opted to close down her spa location for time she’d be away to deal with family matters; in turn, my friend and I were in a bit of a rush to schedule a replacement spa appointment. Spa Makaiwa seemed like it would be a great replacement, so we booked it after a bit of researching, but I ended up less than impressed.
For what it’s worth, the staff here is very nice… but the spa is small. Very small. Like… I think it was only 2 or 3 treatment rooms, and the waiting area before appointments (or between treatments) is a tiny hallway with a bench. Not what I had in mind.
My friend and I each booked the Polihale Glow treatment package. I worked with staff at the spa to get the timing down as effectively as possible, considering the staff they had available that day and how everything would overlap. It ended up working out fine, but there was initially going to be a 20 – 30 minute break for one of us between treatments. Additionally, I had asked if it was possible to have our massages by the beach, since the website notes «Have a true Kauai experience with a massage on the beach!» I was told that this wouldn’t be an option because we were getting additional treatments, so it’d be too difficult for the staff to account for the transition for each of us — i.e. going from a massage to body scrub/​facial or the other way around. *sigh*
With timing worked out though, my friend and I were excited for our spa day. The resort that the spa was in looked lovely. Once we got inside the spa, the staff was very welcoming… it’s just that everything feels very cramped. The rooms are simple as well, with open shelving holding all the supplies for the treatments. My friend and I ended up having to switch rooms between treatments, since massages were in one room and the body scrub/​facial in another. Both of us picking up all our stuff and shuffling from one room into another was also a bit odd… but eh, whatcha gonna do.
As for the quality of the treatments themselves, the body scrub/​facial treatment was fine. I had a bit of a headache by the end of my facial because one of the oils or such was somewhat floral (rose — a migraine trigger). I still tried to enjoy myself though. The massage… it was, ugh, just not my favorite experience. I like more intense pressure during my massages, and I’m usually very happy with treatments I get. My skin got pinched a lot during this particular massage though, and the woman’s nails were pretty consistently digging into skin during parts of the massage. Not pleasant, and I didn’t feel very relaxed by the end of that part of the experience.
TL;DR Small spa, and I didn’t get the best massage. Facial/​body scrub treatment was fine. Overall though, the experience was lacking. Sad. :(
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Update in Reply to Wendi L’s comments —
As someone who has visited plenty of spas — in different locations, of different spatial designs, and of various levels of ownership (some locally owned, some in high chain hotels, etc) — I want to advise that I have no issues with smaller and locally owned spa establishments. As a matter of fact, I often prefer them and seek out locations of the type because high-​end spas within hotels often charge exorbitant amounts for generic experiences. The smaller/​non-​hotel-​related spa location that I visited in Maui, for example, was an AMAZING experience… and very little of that had to do with the space itself, especially since the spa was not connected to a hotel, etc.
As for the issue of massage pressure, there was communication in the beginning of my massage and at various points throughout, but I try to avoid spending too much of my time speaking during a session — I’m there to relax. I would think that would be true with most people. While periods of the massage were fine, I weighted my rating of this spa experience against many other spa/​massage experiences I have had in the past (and many with the same level of communication). Other folks who utilize your location would certainly do very much the same.
Finally, know that my reviews are thought out and provided with what I consider to be applicable details about my experience at the given location. I don’t just post reviews — negative or positive — for the sake of it. I aim to be honest, and as someone who utilizes Unilocal for my own travel planning purposes, I want to be as effective as possible in providing reviews to other Unilocal users. Ultimately, any user will do what they will with the information provided and their own desires for an experience.

Just finished with the most AMAZING massage! We went in for a couples massage (Lomi Lomi) and it did not disappoint. Both of us came out feeling so relaxed and happy. I would definitely recommend to anyone looking for an incredibly thorough, completely relaxing massage!

Quite possibly the best massage of my life. No exaggeration. If you’re hesitant don’t be. I initially was and so glad I took the plunge. At home I see the same massage specialist once every two weeks for chronic back and hip pain. I expressed my needs over the phone. Was able to book a massage within two hours of calling right before they closed. Was delighted to be fit in on such short notice.
Yannah (possible incorrect spelling) my massage therapist was spectacular! This gentleman has a gift. He bestowed me with the best experience I felt on the island. I highly recommend Yannah. He was professional, thoughtful, courteous and massaged with concise precision.
The spa setting was quiet, relaxing and intimate. Beautiful candles and aromatherapy illuminated the event. Everything was clean and luxurious from the sheets to the face pillow. I came into the spa in extreme pain and left in utter bliss all thanks to Yannah. Thank you, Yannah and I apologize if I’m incorrectly spelling your name. Many blessings to you!

After my husband suggested I take a break and do something nice for myself I booked a 60 minute massage and a 75 minute facial at this spa.
It was one of the loveliest mornings I have had in a very long time. Although small, the spa is very peaceful and serene with a fresh, crisp feel to it, it’s easy to relax when you walk in. The woman at the desk was the owner Wendi and she was very warm and welcoming, offering me water before my treatments.
Julie was the massage therapist who worked on me — I had a 60 minute massage and she was excellent. I’m in my third trimester of pregnancy and her pressure was perfect — she mentioned that she used to specialize in prenatal massage and made me very comfortable on the table with plenty of support. She asked me if I had any specific areas I’d like to have worked on, which I appreciated. She had me breathe in specific areas of my back and belly as she worked on me so that I could relax more, she was great.
I then had the 75 minute chemical-​free facial they offer and it was incredible. The aesthetician was Abigail and she was also fantastic. The product line was so incredible and my skin feels like new. My whole family commented on how good I looked!
Abigail has a wonderful touch and was very gentle yet thorough. As the facial mask was was drying she did a lovely hand/​forearm and foot/​calf massage. It was a really great facial and comparable to the facials I’ve had at Pratima Raichur’s spa in NYC.
I would definitely return and would highly recommend this spa and the services.

My husband and I both got a 60 minute massage from Wendy and another gentleman. Both therapists were very good but customer service from the owner «Julie» was poor. After our massage, we noticed a holiday special sign tucked behind some brochures for 30% off one service with the purchase of two. We were told to come back to speak with Julie in order to get a credit. She refused to honor the discount because she didn’t «think» the special was running that day. She doesn’t even know what specials she has on what days. The day after, when we had to come back, the sign with the special discount had been removed… how coincidental. We come and stay here at least a couple times a year but I can’t support a business where they don’t value your business… especially for repeat customers. We recommend Dolphin Touch in nearby Kapaa where we will go from now on.

I got a deep tissue massage from Lisa and I must say, it was one of the best massages that I’ve ever had. She was able to find where my kinks were without me telling her and was very diligent and loosening then up. My only regret is that I should have got the 90 minutes instead of the 60 because just as I was starting to relax it was already over! Highly recommend.

Small spa. Intimate secluded room where you can lay down and let the magic fingers work miracles, or just about. I was able to make an appointment right away in the middle of the week and it wasn’t busy. Staff was very friendly. I left pleasantly relaxed like jello from head to toe.

Scheduled a 90 minute massage. The spa is a very small spa inside a small hotel. Belinda was my massage therapist and was pretty good. Used stone on my feet for no additional charge. The problem was I was in room one and the reception desk was right by this room. I was trying to get into the music and relax and the lady at the reception desk talked for at least 45 minutes on the phone on a personal call. I could hear every word and it really messed up my relaxation. I mentioned it to the massage therapist and she agreed but did nothing to stop it.

My husband and I did the 90 min oceanside couple’s massage. It went by too quickly! The spa had a deal on 90 min massages so I opted for that rather than 60 min. While hearing the crashing waves was so relaxing, the trade winds were whipping about so it might be wise to consider that before booking an oceanside massage which is more expensive than the indoor version.

Since my brother took a part time job here for the benefits i got to also experience some of the benefits from a dope cabana w/​kitchen for the weekend which was only $ 35 a night, discount at the famous Hukilau café for dinners and my graduation dinner and most importantly the deep tissue massage with hot stones that I’ve got done twice at Spa Makaiwa!
I’ve gotten massages before and this was one of my fave places to go too! The lady that I had the first time was super sweet and tiny with such strong hands. She used her hands on my body with wonders! It made me feeling so brand new, my brothers girlfriend also loved it! The room was spacious with soft calm music and a warming vibe with magnificent scents from the oil. My favorite part of the massage was not only that she firm and didn’t hold back when getting all my knots but it was when she used the hot stones to massage and rub my back!
Upon my previous trip this past weekend my brother once again paid for a deep tissue massage with both me and my mom. I had a different lady this time name Julie who also worked on my brother. She was very sweet and sociable. She also worked on my knots and muscles really well… but not as hard as I wanted her too, guess she thought I couldn’t handle? I was a bit bummed that she never used the hot stones to massage me but I still walked out feeling as if I just had the best sex of my life! ;) My mom was so impressed with their massages that she told my brother she wants to start coming here once a month… If I was still on Kauai I would be doing the same also hehe
Parking is always available, the place is always clean and smelling super good. And the lady’s there know how to work those hands!

Hubby and I stayed at the Kauai Coast Resort for our honeymoon, and first thing we wanted to try was this spa when we saw it.
He had an hour massage while I got a facial. My facial was really good. Heidi is the sweetest person ever and she made it so relaxing and enjoyable. She kinda went all out on me, spending more time with me than normally alloted, but without charging me more. My skin looked so good when I came out.
We stopped in again before leaving Kauai for Oahu. Decided to end our stay with a beachside massage, which is only $ 10 more than a regular massage. So relaxing to hear the crash of the waves while the tension melts away with a lomi lomi massage.
Since we had already checked out of our room and couldn’t shower after the massage, Heidi provided hot towels for us back at the resort to wipe off a bit. Again, just the sweetest person ever.
The work done on us was good. The service was excellent. Great place to start and end a vacation.

This spa is inside the Kauai Coast Resort. My wife and I both received lomi lomi massages here. I had a male therapist and my wife had a female. Both were knowledgable and had good technique. We both felt totally relaxed at the end of the 90 minutes. Shoulda started the vacation with one of these instead of waiting til near the end.