Water baby heaven at Spa Montage Maui

I’ve said it before: I am a water baby. I love the water — ocean, ponds, lakes, rivers, streams, waterfalls, water parks, pools, you name it! I also don’t do very much to pamper myself. I cut my own hair, have no beauty regimen and skip the facials and manicures. The one thing I do indulge in is a massage every now and then, so when you combine massages and a water spa, you know I’m going to be there.

100 Bay Dr., Kapalua, Maui

On a recent visit to Maui (props to Melissa Chang for inviting me to be her guest at the Kapalua Wine Festival) I got to visit the Montage Kapalua Bay and check out the Spa Montage. I had never heard of the Montage before. It’s actually a year-old, all-suite luxury hotel that was formerly The Residences at Kapalua Bay. The 24-acre oceanfront resort underwent a $15 million renovation.

This sounds fancy shmancy, but you can enjoy the facilities and spa amenities without being a hotel guest by grabbing a day pass for $55 (disclaimer: My day pass was graciously provided by Spa Montage). The spa offers a kama’aina 10 percent discount. There’s also a fitness center, classes, a juice bar and all kinds of massages and beauty treatments.

Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at the Spa Montage and the cool amenities you can access with a day pass.

Here is the highlight: a hot jacuzzi with waterfall on your right and a cool, refreshing bamboo rainforest on your left. For an immunity boost they recommend going from the hot to the cold three times — which I had a lot of fun doing by myself. Sit in the jacuzzi for 4 to 5 minutes, then jump into the cold rain for 45 seconds, repeat. You feel refreshed, invigorated and alive.

They also have a dry sauna and a eucalyptus steam room. These two areas are clothing optional, so I didn’t take any photos. The steam room was delightful and opened all the senses. Once you step outside you can take an ice cold towelette to cool off.

The outside area is coed. You can relax in the jacuzzi or take a dip in the infinity pool. It was very relaxing with the sounds of rain and chirping birds. There’s lemon cucumber water, sunscreen and magazines to read. What was especially nice was there were no children, no one talking, so you could let your mind rest and drift into relaxation.

The hot waterfall into the jacuzzi was unique, a lot of fun and very relaxing. Loved this massage!

I’ve visited spas around the world. Some had hydrotherapy options and some didn’t. This was by far the best I have experienced. I loved the way the spa brought together the comfort of nature with luxury. It was private yet allowed for an open tropical setting which was a treat for the senses.

Spa Montage at Kapalua Bay
100 Bay Dr., Lahaina, HI 96761
808-662-6600