YOur opinions on the J W Marriott in Ko Olina
 

Has anyone stayed here recently and what did you think of the resort as well as the area? Was it easy enough to get into Waikiki? Also, has anyone who stayed here driven to Kailua area? Can this be done or is it too far away?

I heard Kailua is very nice just don't know where to stay.

Forgot to ask one more thing:
Are the beaches on the Leeward side as nice as the ones I hear about on the Windward side? I heard Lanikai Beach on the Windward is one of the most beautiful in Hawaii. Is this a better area to stay in?

Stayed here a year ago October. Have included a link (hope it works) to some previous discussion about this hotel and comments I posted. I LOVED IT!!!!

http://fodors.com/forums/threadselect.jsp?fid=1

Also, posted comments on tripadvisor.com

I live near there and it is an okay drive to Waikiki on off hours - maybe only 20 minutes, but if you hit the traffic it can take forever. We go to Kailua once and awhile but that is about a 30 minute trip. In Kailua you would have to stay in a vacation rental. Leeward beaches are not nice for swimming. The lagoons at the hotel are nice.

Hey islandmom, you make it from Ko Olina to Waikiki in 20 minutes???

Jeff Gordon's got nothing on you!

:D

Hi, didi. I LOVE the Ko'Olina area. We bought a timeshare at the Marriott Ko'Olina Beach Club, which is a sister property down the beach from the hotel. We were there again in July, and 3 other couples who were with us also bought. The lagoons are incredibly beautiful and calm. Just perfect for kids because there are no waves or strong currents. It took us about 25-30 min to get into Waikiki, with traffic about 40 max. It's a perfect combination of seclusion and beauty, but with the option of driving into Waikiki for the shopping, dining and action. You will love the place, I have no doubt!

Thanks everyone! I've been to Big Island, Maui and Kaui but not to Oahu so have no idea on the resorts. My husband and I are coming from NJ and a conjusted area so we like to stay in more secluded areas when we travel just to get away from the traffic we are constantly surrounded by. Although we love to go into the city at night to some good restaurants and it looks like Waikiki has tons of them.

The reason why I mentioned Kailua was because I heard it was more tropical and we both love to stay in areas like that.

Thanks everyone!! It sounds like the J W Marriott is lovely and a good choice.

Hi, didi. We love that resort. The lagoons look like a postcard. You can walk to the different lagoons, and it's a beautiful walk. When we were there a few years there weren't many places within 5 or 10 minutes to eat, but further out there are, and there are also restaurants at the resort (although I thought they were pretty expensive). We plan to go back there one day; it was beautiful.