My DH works out every day at the gym while we're there- and I had a massage in Sept when we went, after the refurb. Do you have specific questions I can try to answer?
My spa critique:
The facilities are small. The day I was there the hot tub was broken so I couldn't use it. I like to arrive an hour and a half before my massage to really get my mind relaxed because I tend to be a bit high strung and it takes me awhile to settle down.
There is this "lounge chair" type thing that is heated inside the waiting area. Imagine a lounger that is made up of tiny square tiles, that are heated. You lay back on it, just like a lounge chair (with a towel or robe of course
) and it heats you up and lulls you into a state of relaxation. In front of the lounger (there are two of them) is a waterfall that provides a wonderful backdrop to listen to. I laid there for an hour with my eyes closed and was almost asleep when they came for me. I was perfectly relaxed by the time it was my turn, even though I didn't have a chance to go in the water.
My masseuse was really wonderful, she listened to me explain my issues and asked what type of pressure I wanted. I had an 80 minute swedish massage ($195) and it was good. Not the best I ever had, but good. I felt refreshed by the time I left.
I think your experience depends on what you're used to in a spa. I can't say I'm a spa junkie but I have been to some really fabulous ones, including the Spa at Pebble Beach the month before I went to the GF. If Pebble Beach was ranked a 9 in my mind, and the Spa Grande at the Grand Wailea Hotel in Maui is a 10 (it really is that great), then I will rank the GF around a 4. The massage was fine, the facilities just really don't provide a total package relaxation experience that so many other places offer.
Would I return? Yes. If I had a few hours of down time and needed to relax I would. I know what to expect now and can temper my expectations accordingly and possibly even enjoy it more. I *do* feel like the price is high, for the facilities they offer. (Just for reference, the Grand Wailea has 5 different water therapy baths that you can get into, along with a therapist scrubbing you down before your massage. An 80 minute swedish massage there is $220- here's a link to compare-
http://www.grandwailea.com/pages/vacation-and-getaways/spa.html )
I hope that helps anyone looking for spa experiences. I'll try to answer any questions you might have.