JW Marriott Ihilani Resort and Spa at Ko Olina - Kapolei, Hawaii Elegant Resort on Oahu's West Coast

On the sunny leeward shore of Oahu, the JW Marriott Ihilani Resort and Spa at Ko Olina covers 640 acres. It was established in 1993 to be one of the most elegant luxury resorts on the island, complete with its own spa and fitness center and a world-class golf course.

Accommodations at the 13-story resort are nothing short of first class. The 351 guest rooms and 36 suites are spacious and well appointed, each offering an ocean, garden or mountain view.

Huge marble bathrooms with dual vanities, European soaking tubs and plush Japanese-style robes come standard, as do hair dryers, irons and ironing boards, a mini bar, radio/CD player, 2-line phone with voice mail, individual room light/temperature controls, and a large flat-screen cable/satellite television. High-speed Internet and VCRs are available for a daily fee.

Worthy of note, the JW Marriott Ihilani Resort & Spa was the first resort in Hawaii offering allergy-friendly guest rooms. The smallest unit covers 640 square feet and features a king or two double beds. Naupaka Junior Suites have 1,069 square feet of floor space and a separate living/sitting area. All units are non-smoking and have access to 24-hour-a-day room service.

Two freshwater pools are located on the premises. One is a Signature circular pool, conducive to lounging, floating and relaxing, while the other is a spa lap pool dedicated to fitness and exercise. Both have their own separate whirlpools.

The spa aspect of the resort owes itself to the 35,000-square-foot Ihilani Spa, which offers Hawaiian and Polynesian body treatments along with fitness programs. Comprising 19 treatment rooms, separate men's and women's spa areas, and relaxation lounges with personal amenities, the Ihilani Spa is a true oasis for relaxing. Massages, facials, and body wraps are complemented by access to a foot bath, plunge pool, and steam room.

Golf is a big draw here, too, thanks to the on-site Ko Olina Golf Club, an 18-hole, 6,867-yard championship course designed by Ted Robinson. It features cascading waterfalls, shimmering pools, and beautiful coastal view, making it one of the top resort courses in the United States. A pro is on duty who can offer lessons. There are also six lighted tennis courts available, for those who prefer swinging a racquet to swinging a club.

For dining, the JW Marriott Ihilani Resort & Spa offers five excellent choices. The Naupaka Terrace serves American fare and contemporary island cuisine for breakfast, lunch, dinner and a Sunday champagne brunch. Meanwhile, Japanese cuisine is the specialty of Ushio-Tei, open for dinner with sushi and sashimi topping the menu.

Azul is the resort's AAA 4-Diamond Award-winning restaurant, with a dinner menu that features steaks and fresh Hawaiian seafood. Another option is the casual Poolside Grill, where light salads, sandwiches and burgers are served alfresco together with draft beers and cocktails. Later in the evening, drinks and snacks can also be ordered at the eclectic Hokulea Lounge.

Also found on the property are a number of boutique shops, a barber, a beauty salon and a physician on call. Business-related services are offered, too, including 14 meeting rooms with 31,000 square feet of total meeting space, a car rental desk, concierge services, valet service, laundry services and dry cleaning.

For daytime entertainment, guests can enjoy the Stingray Ocean Experience, which includes shark feeding, a reef safari, and Hawaii reef fish feeding. In the evening, a guitar soloist performs nightly, and there is a free Hula show on Fridays and Saturdays. For children, the Keiki Beachcomber Club is available, with full-day activities, lunch and a t-shirt for a fee. A special Teen Disco is also available on scheduled evenings.

Located 25 minutes by car from Honolulu International Airport and 40 minutes from Waikiki, the address of the JW Marriott Ihilani Resort and Spa at Ko Olina is 92-1001 Olani Street, Kapolei, HI 96707. The nearest large town is Makakilo City, with a population of around 14,000.