NEWS RELEASE
The reimagined retreat allows guests to connect with self and surrounding through Asaya® Spa and activities in nature
July 01, 2023
Rooted in deep local culture and tradition, Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort and its range of guest experiences take visitors on an immersive and rejuvenating journey. Situated on the sacred shores of the Kona Coast, the area lends its own healing and revitalizing powers to anyone who visits. The resort’s Asaya® Spa, the first North American outpost of Rosewood’s integrative wellness concept, is inspired by the spiritual quality of Kaʻūpūlehu, the property’s sacred land, and the elements that have forged life in the area over its many years. In keeping with Rosewood’s A Sense of Place® philosophy, the spa draws from its breath-taking surroundings and incorporates the ethos and offerings of the Big Island into the holistic experience it extends. From Asaya’s wellness rituals, to water activities within Kahuwai Bay, to guided excursions up and down the Kona Coast, the resort’s thoughtfully curated programming celebrates the natural splendor of the destination and refreshes guests through its gifts.
Personal Wellbeing Journeys at Asaya Spa
Built into the black lava flow with views of the Hualālai volcano, Asaya Spa at Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort addresses the brand’s five key pillars of wellness – emotional balance; fitness and nutrition; physical therapies; skin health; and community – for a holistic experience tailored both to the individual and the location. Upon arrival, guests are welcomed into the serene oasis that is Asaya Spa’s meditative reception area. Down an exterior pathway, guests continue to the locker rooms, each equipped with a sauna, steam room, and sun deck complete with hot and cold plunge pools. Two tranquillity areas offer a peaceful environment to relax and revel in the experience pre- or post-treatment. The juxtaposition of the black rock and the natural wood and stone palette of the spa facilities presents a striking contrast representative of the Big Island landscape that visitors are encouraged to explore.
“Asaya Spa was thoughtfully developed to support the physical, spiritual, and emotional regeneration of both the land and all the people who pass through it,” said Tiffany Abercrombie, Director of Spa. “We are incredibly fortunate that our location has such a palpable and healing energy, and we are honored to introduce this unique spirit to our visitors through all our wellness offerings at Asaya Spa.”
Guests of Asaya embark on “Journeys” that go beyond the spa walls and expose them to the healing powers of the landscape. Designed to awaken inner power and being, the treatments support guests in the restoration of lōkahi, or internal harmony. Standout therapies include the Kahuwai Journey, which begins with a gratitude ritual on the shores of the Bay to provide a safe harbor for a subsequent canoe excursion across the waters. Back at Asaya, guests enjoy a hydrotherapy foot ritual and a restorative massage that relaxes, reduces muscle tension, and overall rebalances the body. By demonstrating the strength of the ocean, its history in relation to ancient Kaʻūpūlehu, and its power to restore and renew, the Kahuwai Journey invigorates mind, body, and soul. Also of note are the Mana Awakening Journeys, which immerse guests in the unique earth, fire, water, and wind of Kona Village. Inspiring a true sense of renewal, the experiences aim to foster a connection between people and place while guiding guests closer to their well-being goals.
The treatments on offer at Kona Village utilize local ingredients central to Hawaiian culture, and an emphasis has been placed on working with local purveyors whenever possible. Featured partners include the Kona Salt Farm, where ancient techniques are employed to harvest the salts used in the spa’s body scrubs, and Little Hands, an ocean-safe sunscreen that perpetuates Hawaiian values for the entire ’ohana, or family. Beyond local products, Asaya Spa uses a range of sustainable skincare lines such as Evidens de Beaute, Dr. Barbara Sturm, Ground, and Prospect Farms, in order to incorporate the finest products into each regenerative experience.
Ocean Pursuits and Recreational Activities
As the heart of Kona Village, Kahuwai Bay is the launchpad for the resort’s Kilo Kai, or Ocean Pursuits program. A protected marine sanctuary, Kahuwai Bay is teeming with life, and during any ocean activity, explorers can expect to see schools of colorful tropical fishes and the occasional whale gracefully breeching from the surface. Much more than an offering of watersports equipment on the sand, Kilo Kai educates guests on the concurrent delicacy and power of the wai. Trained on the nuances of the Bay by the legacy team of the original Kona Village Resort, dedicated watermen, harbor vast knowledge and experience of ocean life and how to enjoy it through sport while protecting its priceless resources. This appreciation of the ocean and land is a value that is woven throughout all water activities at Kona Village, from guided sunrise paddles, the traditional Hawaiian canoe that has been used by voyagers for centuries, to surfing, snorkeling, and boating excursions. All equipment has been blessed to be kindly welcomed by the water.
Guided by foundational Hawaiian values, Kona Village welcomes guests to tap into a sense of purpose through a selection of recreational activities, ranging from guided stargazing workshops to art classes to island adventures. A highlight is Moon Light yoga, a seasonal fitness experience inspired by the phenomenon of the simultaneous visibility of the sun and moon. Creatively conceived by the team at Asaya Spa in collaboration with local experts of exercise and sport, outdoor group fitness classes offerings include functional training, cardio, and boot camps. Additional recreational facilities include tennis, paddle, and bocce ball courts, a state-of-the-art fitness center, and two swimmable resort pools, one of which has been designed specifically for families.
For offsite excursions, Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort has partnered with Hawaiʻi Forest and Trail, a Kailua-Kona-based adventure company dedicated to sharing the splendor of Hawaiʻi and inspiring a deep connection with the natural world. Destination highlights include the Maunakea Summit & Stars Experience, a journey from sea level to the nearly 14,000-foot summit of Maunakea, revealing the wonders and stunning clarity of the Hawaiian night sky. As part of this outing, guests will get to glimpse the awe-inspiring Hawaiʻi sunset at the top of Maunakea, the highest point in the Pacific, before descending to a lower elevation for a private star show with an 11” Celestron telescope.
Asaya’s Global Expansion
The opening of Asaya Spa at Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort marks the Asaya brand’s expansion into the western hemisphere. Created by Rosewood to deliver integrative wellness offerings for both guests and the local communities, Asaya has previously been experienced only in Asia and Europe, with outposts at Rosewood Hong Kong, Rosewood Phuket, Rosewood Guangzhou, and Rosewood Vienna. The debut of the first Asaya concept in the United States seeks to channel the brand’s guiding principles while creating an experience that is authentic to the Big Island of Hawaiʻi.
About Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort
Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort, is an iconic hideaway rooted in Hawaiian legacy, where the rhythm mirrors the slow, rolling waves along the secluded Kahuwai Bay. Immersed in the moʻolelo (stories) of the Native Hawaiians who came before, this ancient fishing village upholds their long-etched values, carrying a deep commitment to ʻohana (family) with profound Hawaiian hoʻokipa (hospitality of complete giving). Spanning 81 acres of stunning geologic landscape on the Kona Coast, this reimagined classic channels inspiration from the land’s storied history, local sensibilities, and natural elements to illuminate the ancient Kaʻūpūlehu’s past, present and future. Every element of the property has been carefully curated to celebrate the quintessential elements of the original Kona Village Resort that made it so beloved and to demonstrate a profound connection to and appreciation of the habitat and heritage of its one-of-a-kind location. Spearheaded by Hawaiʻi-raised architect, Greg Warner of Walker Warner Architects, and designed by San Francisco-based interior design firm, NICOLEHOLLIS, these offerings include 150 traditional guest hale; five restaurants and bars, including the original resort’s beloved Shipwreck and Talk Story bars; and Asaya Spa, Rosewood’s integrative wellness concept designed to support mind, body and soul. A commitment to sustainability is evident throughout the property. The resort is powered 100% by solar energy, and several buildings have been designed for LEED Gold Certification, while an on-site cultural center further provides both visitors and locals with perspective into the rich natural and cultural significance of the surroundings.
About Rosewood Hotels & Resorts
Rosewood Hotels & Resorts manages a global collection of 31 one-of-a-kind luxury hotels, resorts and residences in 18 countries. Each Rosewood property embraces the brand’s A Sense of Place® philosophy to reflect the individual location’s history, culture and sensibilities. The Rosewood collection includes some of the world’s most legendary hotels and resorts, including The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel in New York, Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek in Dallas and Hôtel de Crillon, A Rosewood Hotel in Paris, as well as new classics such as Rosewood Hong Kong and Rosewood São Paulo. For those who wish to stay a little longer, Rosewood Residences offer a distinct opportunity for the ownership or rental of properties co-located with a Rosewood hotel or resort and of standalone for-sale residences. Rosewood Residences are defined by the brand’s commitment to Enriched Living through thoughtful details and experiences that enhance the quality of life while evoking a sense of discovery and inspiration.
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