by VICTORIA HENLEY
CTFashionMag.com
Experienced massage therapists, beautifully curated, comfortable facilities, only the best locally sourced scents for oils and various body products have cemented Luana’s status as a hidden gem of Waikiki, Hawaii having accumulated an ardent fan and client base of locals and tourists alike.
Owned and operated by a visionary woman entrepreneur, Luana features an all-female staff of highly skilled and accomplished massage therapists, many with more than a decade of experience in their respective fields of expertise.
Located in the heart of Waikiki, Luana offers a vast assortment of diverse and extremely affordable spa packages, sure to accommodate the needs of a wide range of customers. Highly recommended for birthdays, girls-day-out, and other special occasions, our visit to this dynamic business was made even more special in that Lynn (photographer for Backstage Pass with Victoria ) and Ramona (Victoria’s adventure- loving “Mimmie”) joined me for a special spa day, custom tailored for the three generations.
Upon arrival to Luana’s bright, welcoming cheerful lobby area, I was asked to take a seat and smell an assortment of locally-sourced, handmade scents, many featuring glorious smells of pineapple, mango, hibiscus and other island scents. Ultimately, I chose Pikake, a scent exclusive to Hawaii with a strong, fresh, floral overtone, followed by a sharp , lingering sweetness. Following my selection, my immensely talented masseuse, Takami, gave me an extremely relaxing foot massage, and since our visit nearly immediately followed our flight (which, including layovers, totaled to approximately 20 hours), her keen attention to detail and professional skills worked wonders on my muscle tension.
Takami, feeling my extreme muscle tension, also took special care of my calf muscles, then finished the foot spa experience with a rejuvenating, exfoliating scrub, which washed away dry, dead, skin, and had me feeling silky smooth. Following my foot spa experience, we made our way to the private massage room, featuring an extremely comfortable bed, posh comforter, relaxing, tranquil instrumental music, and an absolutely breathtaking view of the Waikiki skyline from the window. Once I was settled for the massage, Takami returned to the room and applied various calming lotions and essential oils, filling the room with the blissful Pikake scent I had selected earlier.
Her plethora of experience within the massage field was evident in her technique, and she moved with a symbiosis of grace and sharp precision that created a sublime experience. She communicated only briefly throughout the massage to inquire whether or not I needed additional pressure, and as someone who enjoys a stronger, firmer massage, I was pleased by her ability to take direction and her lack of trepidation to deliver a more assertive massage that I needed to relieve my severe muscle tightness.
Meanwhile, Lynn, who prefers a softer, more delicate massage experience, reported back that hers was easily one of the best massages she has ever experienced in her life and that the techniques employed by the professionals for the head and neck massage portion of her experience sent her into a idyllic state of relaxation, where she said that she saw the color blue and could feel her airwaves open up for easier breathing. “Mimmie”, who at 88 years of age cannot handle an intense massage, noted that the therapists did an outstanding job with her message, giving her a gentle, soothing, relaxing experience that she said she will remember for many years to come.
Special thanks to the owner, the incredible staff, and the absolutely amazing Kei Segawa, our liaison for many of the outstanding restaurants, shopping, and activities we experienced and highlighted during our visit to Waikiki.)
WEBSITE: https://www.luana-waikiki.com/en?utm_source=google&utm_medium=map
PHONE NUMBER: (808) 955-6000
INSTAGRAM: @luana_waikiki
Luana Waikiki (spa day)
My masseuse
Takami Malish
