Ko Olina Sunset

We recently stayed at the JW Marriott Ihilani in Ko Olina on southwestern shore of Oahu. Ko Olina offers a very unique setting as compared to staying in Waikiki or the North Shore. So, what’s it like? Here are my views of Ko Olina.

Location
Ko Olina is located less than 20 miles from the Honolulu Airport. Timewise, that’s about a 30 to 45- minute drive depending on traffic.

Ko Olina is away from all the hustle and bustle of Honolulu and Waikiki Beach. We found it to be very laid-back and overall very uncrowded.

One of the potential downsides of Ko Olina is that it really isn’t near many of Oahu’s main attractions. If you are looking for a quiet place just to relax, Ko Olina is perfect. If you tend to spend your vacations on the go, you might end up driving a bit more to get to attractions.

Ko Olina is located on Oahu’s leeward coast, where the sun kisses the shore almost everyday. The average annual rainfall is approximately 20 inches or less per year. A sun-filled vacation can’t be guaranteed, but it’s a very safe bet.

A Ko Olina Lagoon

Resort Features
Without a doubt the beautiful blue lagoons are Ko Olina’s greatest treasure. These sheltered lagoons provide a safe swimming environment for kids. The relatively smooth water in these lagoons make it an ideal place to try stand-up paddle boarding and kayaking.

Andy and I enjoyed relaxing in loungers under an umbrella just a few steps away from the lagoon. Another great way to enjoy the lagoons is to lace up your gym shoes and hit the paved path that hugs each of the three lagoons.

A few of the resort and nearby amenities include:

• championship 18-hole golf course. We’re not currently in the swing of golfing, but this course looked gorgeous.
• top notch spa at Ihilani and Laniwai at Aulani.
• luaus (There’s the brand new and excellent Fia Fia show at the JW Marriott Ihilani. See my review of Fia Fia. Oahu’s long-running luau, Paradise Cove is located in Ko Olina.)
• catamaran sailing and snorkeling
• Outrigger canoe sailing  with great opportunities to see turtles and dolphins.
• A Roy’s Restaurant – we do love dining at Roy’s.
• Wet’n’Wild waterpark
• A lovely beach front wedding chapel.

Accommodations
Ko Olina is a planned vacation resort with a mixture of condominiums, vacation clubs, and a luxury hotel. Your options are:

• JW Marriott Ihilani – that’s where we enjoyed staying. Watch for an upcoming post.
• Marriott’s Ko Olina Beach Club (timeshare)
• New in August 2011, the first Disney resort in Hawaii, the Aulani Resort and Spa. See my recent post: Review: Aulani, Disney Resort & Spa

What to Know Before You Go
Here are some of my thoughts and advice about staying in Ko Olina:

• Unless you plan on staying on-site for your entire vacation, you will need a rental car to get around to Oahu’s attractions.
• Free shuttle buses run at regularly scheduled times throughout Ko Olina resort.
• Parking in the Ihilani resort is $29 per day

Have you stayed in Ko Olina? How would you rate your stay?