 |
|
 |
|
|
It's Your World ~ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
-A Resort Review by Brian E. Smith Oahu is known for Waikiki Beach, Pearl Harbor and Diamond Head, but how about a luxury destination resort on the West side of the Island? Well now it may be with the addition of Marriott's properties at Ko Olina. We stayed for a week at the Ko Olina Beach Club late last year. It is a Marriott Vacation Club International timeshare that opened in April 2003. A unique feature is man-made lagoons that front the property between the timeshare villas and the luxurious JW Marriott Ihilani Resort and Spa located down the beach. The lagoons are great for beach play, swimming and snorkeling. The completed first phase includes 103 two bedroom, two bathroom villas. Each unit sleeps eight people in about 1,240 square feet of space. The villas have living and dining areas, as well as a kitchen and three television sets. The resort also includes 2 outdoor pools, fitness center, and beach grill restaurant. Marriott plans to complete the timeshare development in 2016 for a total of 750 two bedroom villas in multi-story structures, 3 outdoor pools, and 2 restaurants. Families not wanting to cook in their rooms have the option of eating at the beachfront grill or walking to one of the JW Ihilani's pricey restaurants. A simple breakfast alternative is a small cold food bar available in the timeshare building gift shop, featuring fresh Island fruit, pastries, and yogurt. Moderately priced family restaurants are 10 - 15 minutes away by car. For lunch one day, we strolled down the beach walk to the JW Ihilani hotel. Diners there may choose from 4 restaurants, including Azul (an elegant but expensive Mediterranean eatery). We enjoyed a wonderful fresh fish salad under the terrace at the aptly named Naupaka Terrace restaurant which provided a wonderful vantage point to view the pool and beyond.
Like two of Marriott's other Hawaii timeshare properties, there is one all year season ("Aloha" season) so that there is no need to keep track of red, yellow, or green weeks. The Ko Olina resort is a quiet change from busy Honolulu (30 minutes away by car) and offers many full-service resort amenities including golf, tennis, saunas, whirlpools, pools, massages, as well as a fitness center. Another unique feature of the resort is its location adjacent to the Ko Olina Resort & Marina, a full-service facility with 270 slips. This destination property will undoubtedly be even better when fully developed. © Copyright 2004 by Brian E. Smith. All Rights Reserved. Published August, 2004 |
||
|
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Visitors are encouraged to contribute their own stories and photos. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ CURRENT NEWS: QUICK HEADLINES © Copyright The Timeshare Beat |
