The JW Marriott Ihilani resort hotel is the preeminent place to stay on the west coast of Oahu for many reasons, not the least of which is that a luxury vacation there can be seemingly tailor fit for any preferred style of travel. Romantic couples, families, travelers with a soft adventure bet; they all have a place at the JW Marriott Ihilani Resort & Spa at Ko Olina.
The Ihilani is a beautiful, truly luxurious place to stay on the west coast of Oahu. The Ko Olina resort area is notable for its four (manmade, but lovely) lagoons, and the JW Marriott Ihilni both faces and fronts the first lagoon. This provides a mellow swimming area for children and adults who may not want to deal with the rougher surf. Kayaks are available for tooling around in the lagoon as well. There are 387 guest rooms including 36 spacious suites. The grounds are spectacular; well tended-to baby hammerhead sharks swim in shallow lagoons around the resort, as do brightly colored tropical fish. The Ihilani resort hotel is open and airy yet elegant; a perfectly Hawaiian-style 5-star resort.
It was lovely before, but the Ihilani redesign -- in progress and on schedule to be completed in late 2010/early 2011 -- brings the resort up to date with the highest luxury standards and smooth, cool decor reminiscent of the Pacific Ocean. The sea blue and sand colors impress and relax immediately. Guests should hopefully appreciate the Hawaiian touches that lend a sense of place to the resort rooms and suites; this isn't one of those resort chain hotels that could be "anywhere." the authentic, finely crafted Hawaiian kapa patterned fabrics are just one of many small touches that go a long way to creating the South Pacific feel of the JW Marriott Ihilani Resort & Spa at Ko Olina.
Modern additions to the Ihilani redesign include 42-inch flat screen LCD televisions and a technology jack pack to recharge and connect handheld devices like iPads, iPods and smart phones. This is Hawaii, though; don't spend too much time inside watching TV!
The temporary spa area is perfectly adequate for massages, facials, and other pampering spa treatments. Once the renovation is complete, the Ihilani Spa will be in a separate, specially designated building with a fitness center that's open 24 hours a day. Also planned is a special romantic treatment room for couples, and a salon with a bridal suite. The lomi lomi massage is especially recommended; even before the new Ihilani Spa opens, the traditionally Hawaiian lomi lomi massage is utterly transformative and relaxing.
Besides in-room dining and the Fia Fia luau show -- which has typical luau-style options -- there are several options for dining at the Ihilani in Ko Olina. Azul is the signature restaurant of the resort, with creative, succulent entrees that blend native Hawaiian ingredients with European and Asian cuisine. This is a somewhat formal restaurant (by Hawaii's relaxed standards, of course). Reservations are recommended, and dress appropriately. Ushio-Tei is a Japanese restaurant on the Ihilani property, with sushi, sashimi, and a pretty great all-you-ca-eat buffet option called the Tabehodai Buffet. Naupaka Terrace is a lovely, casual dining area overlooking the pool, and poolside dining itself has family-friendly fare. The Hokule'a Bar has a fresh take on bar food, with creative cocktails and a refreshing absence of beer nuts.
The Ko Olina Golf Club is very near the Ihilani grounds, and the Hokulani and Ocean ballrooms are very popular for weddings and corporate meetings. The JW Marriott Ihilani Resort & Spa at Ko Olina is the finest sort of luxury resort in Hawaii -- the type that easily accommodates any preferred type of luxury travel. The JW Marriott family of luxury hotels in Hawaii include resorts on Maui, Kauai and the Big Island as well. All are great vacation lodging options. The Ihilani, though, is special. It is most highly recommended for a sumptuous vacation in Oahu.
JW Marriott Ihilani Resort & Spa at Ko Olina Overview
The Ihilani is a beautiful, truly luxurious place to stay on the west coast of Oahu. The Ko Olina resort area is notable for its four (manmade, but lovely) lagoons, and the JW Marriott Ihilni both faces and fronts the first lagoon. This provides a mellow swimming area for children and adults who may not want to deal with the rougher surf. Kayaks are available for tooling around in the lagoon as well. There are 387 guest rooms including 36 spacious suites. The grounds are spectacular; well tended-to baby hammerhead sharks swim in shallow lagoons around the resort, as do brightly colored tropical fish. The Ihilani resort hotel is open and airy yet elegant; a perfectly Hawaiian-style 5-star resort.
JW Marriott Ihilani Resort & Spa at Ko Olina Redesign
It was lovely before, but the Ihilani redesign -- in progress and on schedule to be completed in late 2010/early 2011 -- brings the resort up to date with the highest luxury standards and smooth, cool decor reminiscent of the Pacific Ocean. The sea blue and sand colors impress and relax immediately. Guests should hopefully appreciate the Hawaiian touches that lend a sense of place to the resort rooms and suites; this isn't one of those resort chain hotels that could be "anywhere." the authentic, finely crafted Hawaiian kapa patterned fabrics are just one of many small touches that go a long way to creating the South Pacific feel of the JW Marriott Ihilani Resort & Spa at Ko Olina.
Modern additions to the Ihilani redesign include 42-inch flat screen LCD televisions and a technology jack pack to recharge and connect handheld devices like iPads, iPods and smart phones. This is Hawaii, though; don't spend too much time inside watching TV!
Ihilani Spa
The temporary spa area is perfectly adequate for massages, facials, and other pampering spa treatments. Once the renovation is complete, the Ihilani Spa will be in a separate, specially designated building with a fitness center that's open 24 hours a day. Also planned is a special romantic treatment room for couples, and a salon with a bridal suite. The lomi lomi massage is especially recommended; even before the new Ihilani Spa opens, the traditionally Hawaiian lomi lomi massage is utterly transformative and relaxing.
JW Marriott Ihilani Resort & Spa at Ko Olina Dining
Besides in-room dining and the Fia Fia luau show -- which has typical luau-style options -- there are several options for dining at the Ihilani in Ko Olina. Azul is the signature restaurant of the resort, with creative, succulent entrees that blend native Hawaiian ingredients with European and Asian cuisine. This is a somewhat formal restaurant (by Hawaii's relaxed standards, of course). Reservations are recommended, and dress appropriately. Ushio-Tei is a Japanese restaurant on the Ihilani property, with sushi, sashimi, and a pretty great all-you-ca-eat buffet option called the Tabehodai Buffet. Naupaka Terrace is a lovely, casual dining area overlooking the pool, and poolside dining itself has family-friendly fare. The Hokule'a Bar has a fresh take on bar food, with creative cocktails and a refreshing absence of beer nuts.
The Ko Olina Golf Club is very near the Ihilani grounds, and the Hokulani and Ocean ballrooms are very popular for weddings and corporate meetings. The JW Marriott Ihilani Resort & Spa at Ko Olina is the finest sort of luxury resort in Hawaii -- the type that easily accommodates any preferred type of luxury travel. The JW Marriott family of luxury hotels in Hawaii include resorts on Maui, Kauai and the Big Island as well. All are great vacation lodging options. The Ihilani, though, is special. It is most highly recommended for a sumptuous vacation in Oahu.
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