Many times in our lives we just need to find that quiet space that is nurturing, peaceful and rejuvenating. Claire, the owner of the Garden spa has created such a place, and this special retreat in Wailuku Maui, has everything you need to calm yourself and become refocused on what is truly important. Let go of your daily stresses, forget about your cell phone and just be for a while.  Claire has been practicing the art of healing touch, herbs and natural oils for the past 20 plus years. The Garden Spa has a lovely setting with the west Maui Mountains as its backdrop.

 I waited until I was 30 years old until I had my first massage, and after wards I wondered why I waited so long. I was on vacation with my girlfriend at the time and she wanted to try a couple’s massage.I thought they were just about pampering and only for women, but boy was I wrong. And this treatment not only was a nice romantic thing to do on vacation, but it allowed us to come down many notches and really know that our vacation had started. Combine that with an awesome tropical sunset, and this was a great evening. I started reading about the health benefits of massage when I got home, and massage can lower blood pressure, create peaceful relaxation,  really work out the kinks we get in day-to-day life and so much more. In our touch starved society. massage can also be very nurturing and healing.

 Arriving at The Garden Spa, you have an excellent view of Wailuku and the North shore of Maui’s coastline. You walk towards this intimate cabin, and start your special journey of relaxations. Claire likes to talk story and figure out what’s going on with you and where you are. 

 After a wonderful conversation with Claire for a while, you lay down on the massage table and she uses her intuition for what is needed for healing and rejuvenation using varying pressure points on the areas in most need of attention. Next is a wonderful salt scrub, which really stimulates the blood circulation and feels great.  The salt used is organic and is used like a loofa to exfoliate the skin. This is the second part of her treatment and the salt smells clean and fresh. 

 The next treatment is a very special cleansing bath to follow.  Claire chooses from an array of herbal infusion, all the while laying down in a comfortable French style claw foot bathtub, and sipping a nice hot cup of herbal tea. This Allows for the alkalizing salt bath and aromatherapy to blend as one.

 To truly get the most out of this experience, you must come to the Garden spa with an open mind and as I’m sure most guy's  rarely  take a bath in place of a shower, unless you have sport injuries, but I’ll tell you this is a great part of the experience. After soaking for 20-30 minutes, it’s recommended that you “air dry”. This is a more natural way to keep the essence of the oils on you longer along with just making the process more enjoyable and your not in any hurry.

 After you are dry, Claire comes back in, and gives you an excellent massage. I believe the massage was about 75 minutes, and the fact that you’ve had the other treatments prior; your body is more ready to receive the massage and get to a deeper mode of relaxation. Again, Claire uses her intuition and knowledge of Massage and figures out where your body needs the most work. She uses very high quality oils in her work, and when she was completed, I was relaxed, peaceful and very mellow.

 The great thing about combined treatments is that you feel very satisfied, and you had enough time to really feel relaxed and nurtured so you can enjoy your day at a very peaceful pace. Don’t plan too much for the rest of the day and these treatments will stay with you for the ultimate experience.

 I highly recommend the Garden Spa and will tell you this is truly a mini-retreat right here on Maui. Claire felt like an old friend that I’ve known forever by the time that I left and boy was I mellow.  I’ve never combined multi-treatments at one time, and I felt they all complimented each other to create a truly unique experience, that makes you feel special and cared for.

 The Garden Spa, is a very special place and truly unique. Reservations are required and because it’s so intimate that only a few treatments per day can be completed. This is something that is a great and unique gift for a Bride and Groom, a birthday, or anytime that you to get back to your soul and just get to that special relaxed place that we rarely get to as adults.

 If you want to feel truly pampered and cared for and are ready to experience a high level of relaxation, then The Garden spa is the place for you. This is a great Maui Escape, whether you are a tourist or a local. I give The Garden Spa 5 out of 5 shaka’s and I can’t wait until I experience the Garden Spa Again. You can Contact Claire at the Garden Spa at (808) 244-9831 or by e-mail at gardenspa@hawaii.rr.com