Story by John Giordani, Laura Lewark, Shannon Wianecki & Diane Haynes Woodburn
*Please check spa websites for current pricing.
The Mother of All Massages
Pregnancy was an exciting time for me, but it brought major aches and pains, especially in my lower back and legs. Even my feet hurt! Combine that with trouble sleeping, and you can see why I’d jump (if only figuratively) at the chance to try the Maternity Massage (60 minutes, $175) at the new Willow Stream Spa. I hoped it would be a step up from the massage I’d had at a different spa during my first pregnancy. If you’ve been — or are — pregnant, you know that it hurts to lie flat on your back, and the therapist’s solution that first time, having me lie on my side, was less than satisfying.
Willow Stream offers a true Maternity Massage; it’s one of only a few spas on Maui that do. It features a massage table that tilts up to take pressure off your back, or reclines with a support-cushion system that molds to a pregnant tummy, so you can also lie on your stomach. It made a huge difference; although I was in my eighth month, I was comfortable the whole time.
The pampering started the moment I arrived. Jolene, my therapist, offered me a white lavender clay with Hawaiian taro, coconut oil, and vitamins to rub all over my stomach, nourishing my growing belly, and helping to prevent stretch marks. Jolene exfoliated my skin with a Maui citrus sugarcane scrub; then massaged me, using a Hawaiian herbal honey body mask, paying extra attention to the places where I’d told her I ached. She finished with a Maui vanilla-bean coconut-cocoa butter that made me feel completely relaxed and replenished. And as a nice touch of privacy, my hot shower was ready and waiting right in the same room.
When our son Caden is old enough to talk, I think I’ll ask him if he enjoyed the Maternity Massage as much as his mommy did. — LL
Willow Stream Spa
Fairmont Kea Lani Resort
4100 Wailea Alanui Drive, Wailea
808-875-2229 | WillowStreamSpaMaui.com
