10 Reasons to Escape to Oahu's JW Marriott Ihilani

The Sunny Side of the Island

The JW Marriott Ihilani Ko Olina Resort & Spa is ideally located on the sunny, south-western side of the island. The lush mountains create micro-climates, so the north-eastern side tends to be cooler and wetter. When visiting Oahu, your best bets for total year-round sunshine are the Ko Olina coast and Waikiki Beach. With all that sunshine, enjoy all the outdoor activities the resort offers within 640 oceanfront acres. JW Marriott Ihilani features the most complete array of resort activities on Oahu: beautiful beaches, tranquil lagoons, 35,000 square-foot Spa, fitness, golf course, rooftop tennis, marina, and more.


Sunrise Yoga and Morning Walks

Appreciate the tranquil mornings with a sunrise yoga class on the oceanfront lawn followed by an invigorating 2.3 mile walk on the path alongside the four lagoons of the Ko 'Olina Resort. I loved doing this every day!

©2013 Christine Gray. Hawaiian monk seal contentedly napping on the beach.

Nature & Wildlife

At the JW Marriott Ihilani, we found unexpected and awe-inspiring wildlife encounters with sea turtles, dolphins, whale watching, and this adorable Hawaiian monk seal. Walking in the opposite direction from the man-made lagoons we came to a beautiful natural lagoon next to the resort with a lush mountain backdrop. We were pleasantly surprised to see a rare Hawaiian Monk Seal napping on the beach! As we admired this 'secret' cove we also noticed large sea turtles swimming in the shallow surf. From November to March, humpback whales can be seen frolicking right off shore from your private balcony. This natural setting is incredibly exhilarating!

In addition, cruises are offered from the Ko Olina marina to get up close with dolphins. The whales are seasonal, but the monk seals, sea turtles and dolphins are here year round!

©2013 Christine Gray

Big waves & Surfing

Take a drive up the western coast or to the fabled North Shore to be mesmerized by the big waves and brave surfers. The resort offers a Hertz rental car location for your convenience, or rent at the airport.


Picturesque lagoons

Ko Olina offers four picturesque man-made lagoons so you can enjoy the ocean in a more tranquil environment.


Ko Olina golf course

The resort at Ihilani provides a superb golf experience. Walk outside the hotel and along the ocean's edge to one of Hawaii's most highly ranked golf courses. Manicured greens and verdant fairways give way to dramatic ocean views and towering mountains. As an added bonus, the golf course features a Roy's restaurant.


Rooftop tennis (and basketball)

The rooftop tennis courts, part of the Ihilani Spa complex, afford the same awe-inspiring views of dramatic oceanscape and towering mountains. The rooftop courts are part of the stand-alone Ihilani spa. After tennis, relax at the Spa's rooftop pool and hot tub with some Spa Cuisine or pamper yourself with Thalasso therapy treatments.


The Presidential Suite

Worth the splurge of $7,000/night (2013 rate), this is one of the most beautiful Presidential Suites we've ever seen! The million dollar wrap-around views alone are worth the price, but the 4,000-square-foot interior is also gorgeous. This two-bedroom suite is situated on the top (17th) floor and offers complete privacy. President Obama stayed here during the 2011 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum.

For elegant entertaining or an exclusive romantic celebration, the Presidential Suite includes a promenade deck, which encircles the suite with unending views of Ko Olina's spectacular Hawaiian sunsets.

©2013 Christine Gray

Jaw-dropping Sunsets

Possibly the best feature of all -- the JW Marriott Ihilani is situated on the west side of the island so sunsets are incomparable. Depending on cloud formations and where you're standing, you can get countless amazing photos.

©2013 Christine Gray

Visit website: www.ihilani.com