The moment your plane touches down on Hawai`i Island, the demands of the fast-paced world evaporate, and you instantly feel a sense of the calm, tranquil ‘aloha’ spirit.
Here, health and wellness are a natural way of life. After all, Hawai`i has consistently been ranked by national publications as one of the happiest states in America due to residents’ high lifestyle satisfaction and exemplary physical health.
At Waikoloa Beach Resort, this lifestyle is celebrated. The resort is basically your playground, with swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, canoeing and kayaking within steps of your accommodations, and Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail meandering throughout. Golfing, bicycle riding and long walks are easily within reach, and two extensive spas offer dozens of treatments to help you recharge.
WAIKOLOA BEACH MARRIOTT RESORT & SPA
Anaeho’omalu Bay is just steps away from the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa, and outdoor adventures abound. Water-oriented experiences can be booked through Ocean Sports, such as snorkeling the vibrant reefs, paddleboarding or simply spending time together, looking for dolphins on one of their catamarans or glass-bottom boat. Snorkel gear, boogey boards, kayaks and stand-up paddleboards (SUP) are available to rent, and the ocean adventures are offered daily.
At the same beach, Hawaii Nautical offers snorkel and sunset sailing outings. Private charters are also available.
As a home base for families, poolside cabanas are located near the resort’s family pool, where keiki delight in the waterslide and dedicated children’s area. Nearby, scenic pathways wind through the ancient fishponds, offering families a chance to slow down, explore and connect with the natural surroundings at their own pace.
If you’re wanting to recharge after all the excitement, Mandara Spa offers a serene retreat for adults. Blending traditional Hawaiian techniques with global healing traditions, their curated treatments are inspired by the elements of earth, air, fire and water, designed to restore balance in both body and mind.
A distinctive treatment is the New World Journey, which begins with a gentle acupressure ritual to awaken the body, followed by a deeply relaxing coconut poultice massage that eases tension and promotes circulation. An exfoliating frangipani monoi salt glow renews the skin, while a nourishing facial restores radiance and hydration. The journey concludes with a restorative manicure and pedicure, leaving guests feeling polished, renewed and completely at ease.
HILTON WAIKOLOA VILLAGE
You’ll get plenty of exercise simply walking the museum-like hallways of the sprawling Hilton Waikoloa Village. But so much more awaits. In addition to playing at the beach and exploring the hotel’s extensive saltwater lagoon by kayak, there are three swimming pools, two with waterslides, throughout around the property. Innovative class offerings include SUP Yoga in the Lagoon. It’s held near a waterfall, where green sea turtles glide gracefully beneath the surface as you move through your yoga flow atop a standup paddleboard. This 60-minute class is thoughtfully designed to strengthen your core, challenge your stability and connect you with the natural rhythm of the island.
The 25,000-square-foot Kohala Spa at Hilton Waikoloa Village provides a comprehensive, ocean-inspired wellness experience. As you unwind in an open-air seaside cabana, the rhythmic pulse of waves meeting the shoreline sets the tone as you relax for a 75-minute Seaside Euphoria Massage.
Using a combination of temperature-controlled water and healing salts, the DreamPod Float treatment is unique. As you float weightlessly in a tank of therapeutic warm water, calm lighting and soothing sounds bring a deep state of relaxation.
GOLF
For a few hours of uninterrupted fun in the Hawaiian sun, golf can be therapeutic at Waikoloa Beach Resort. Surrounded by stunning mountain and ocean views, the Beach Nine, Lakes Nine and Kings’ Nine play through distinctive lava fields lined with coconut palms. The Beach Nine emerges at the ocean for one of the most stunning sequence of holes in the state.
No matter which of the activities you choose to experience during your stay, the feeling of wellness you attain in Hawai`i will be remembered long after you return home.
SPOTLIGHT
`ONO BREAKFAST
Melanie Fraser and her best friend Matthew Dinger had long toyed with the idea of opening a restaurant together and jumped on the opportunity when the former Sansei’s space became available at Queens’ Marketplace, opening Kona Biscuit Co. there in February.
The extensive menu features traditional, scratch-made breakfast, brunch and lunch items with Hawaiian influences. Popular dishes are the Kalua Pork Benedict, The Moa (biscuit with fried chicken), Honey Bird (Benedict with fried chicken), lilikoi ricotta pancakes and a giant house-made ube roll with cream cheese frosting. You can also BYOB (build your own biscuit) with choice of meat, cheese and your favorite style of eggs. Friendly staff, fresh juices, coffee drinks and brunch cocktails complete the experience.
All of the baking and bread recipes have been passed down in Melanie and her husband Bill’s families, and many ingredients are sourced from nearby farms.
“Most of our ingredients are local, from eggs and produce to honey. We get our coffee from Misma Lani Farms,” says Melanie, who was raised in Nā‘ālehu. “We want locals to feel like this is a place they can come and enjoy breakfast without it being a tourist trap. And we want visitors to feel like they’re getting a bit of Hawai`i.”
On Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, the restaurant is transformed into The Roost — a steakhouse with Hawaiian flair. Local fish, Molokai venison, steak, prime rib and an impressive wine list are highlights.