JW Marriott Ihilani Resort and Spa

The drive to Ko’ Olina is worth the wait! As you drive up the driveway to the JW Marriott Ihilani, leave your cares behind, as this luxury resort is lush and located on 640 acres of tropical opulence. The Spa is located in a separate building near the entrance to the resort.

Once you make your way to the locker room and put on your robe and slippers, it’s easy to slip into the nearby hot Roman tub, set at about 103 degrees. Nearby, also is a steam, sauna, and Vichy shower.

My first spa experience was the Thallaso tub, 125 jets rotating on your bottom-side, starting up by my neck and pulsating on my upper back, then moving down to the undersides and sides of my thighs, calves, and then feet.

There are bars in the Jacuzzi-like tub, to hold your feet in place and hand bars to hold onto. It is one of the only two Thallaso tubs in the USA. It is fed by filtered sea water. There are options colors to chose, to enhance your bathing experience. Each color has a different significance. Red for energy, orange for joy, yellow for wisdom, green for harmony and love, blue for calm and peace, indigo for awakening intuition and violet for awareness and creativity.

They are meant to enhance and realign the spirit. It was such a soothing, relaxing experience! My attendant, Lee, was so serene and caring. She left me to the music and the jets. What a wonderful feeling and experience!

Lee came back and led me to the wet treatment room for my Pua Kai (Flower by the Sea) signature scent scrub and wrap. It is meant to express the romantic nature of the naupaka, one of Hawaii’s most common beach plants. One of Hawaii’s most famous legends is built around naupaka, in which early Hawaiians believed it was based on a love story of a couple, one from royalty and another a commoner.

As it was strictly forbidden for members of royalty to marry people from the common ranks, the two lovers were separated. There are different versions of the naupaka legend, but all carry the same theme: lovers that are separated forever, one banished to the mountains, the other to the beach and that when the beach flower and the mountain flower are once again brought together, the couple would be together again.

Lee scrubbed my body gently with this lovely scent – reminding me of bits of jasmine, roses, orange blossoms, coconut and ginger. After thoroughly rubbing my body with this mixture, she then showered me down with the overhead vichy-shower arm. I was then led to a large vichy shower to rinse off completely, and then into another room to make a choice of a masque lotion or oil mixture for the wrap portion of the treatment.

After my relaxing treatments, I made my way out to the lanai and ordered a refreshing lunch, relaxed for a while afterwards and then made it back into the amenities area and got freshened up before my walk around the grounds.

Suggested improvements:
The lanai where I had lunch was right off of the hotel, meaning that if it’s a high-traffic time, one has to deal with the hotel traffic.

With that said, they say at the Ihilani Spa that they will do everything they can to make sure your visit is not only relaxing, but uplifting. This 35,000 square-foot oasis offers state-of-the-art facilities, helpful conveniences, and service intended to cater to your wellness. There is a fitness center, tennis courts, Pilates room and Yoga is offered on the ocean-front lawn.

This beautiful resort by the sea is set away from the hustle and bustle of Honolulu. Golf (Ted Robinson 18-hole course), snorkeling, whale and dolphin excursions are offered from the property. There is a 43-acre marina with 270 full-service slips imbedded into the Ko ‘Olina community. While on my stroll, I crossed bridges with small hammerhead sharks, rays and assorted fish below. The property offers unique interactive and interpretive guest activity programs here, utilizing this ocean water pond — Reef Shark Feeding, Hawaiian Fish Feed, Seafari Hunt, Hawaiian Ray Experience and the Keiki (children’s) program. There are kids and teens programs, also tennis lessons and clinics for young adults and adults.

The JW can accommodate your small group or a several-course dinner for 1100.

Get away, relax, and enjoy at this oasis as their motto is: Every Step Reveals Paradise…

Here the ocean does not care where you’ve been, the cascading sun does not care where you are going. All that matters is that you are right here.

Review by: Sherrie Strausfogel “Hawaii’s Spa Experience”

Kauai Marriott Resort & Beach Club

Kauai “The Garden Isle” is a tropical Hawaii oasis, so make sure the hotel you select for your vacation or business stay matches that level of allure. The incredible Kauai Marriott Resort on Kalapaki Beach definitely exceeds the high standards one expects in a luxury hotel … and more!

Kauai Marriott Resort is paradise unleashed, set amidst 800 waterfront acres and residing on one of the island’s most picturesque beachfronts. This high-end, luxury hotel is truly the epitome of what Hawaii stands for.

In 2010, the Kauai Marriott Resort on Kalapaki Beach completed a nine-month long, $50 million renovation that makes it one of the elite vacation properties anywhere in the world.

Located on the east coast of Kauai near Lihue, the Kauai Marriott Resort on Kalapaki Beach overlooks beautiful Kalapaki Bay. This premier resort is surrounded by lush landscaping, consisting of large trees & palms, colorful tropical flowers and mature native bushes.

Marriott Kauai Resort tropical garden & pond

The entrance to the hotel is incredible. As you descend down a long escalator (the only one on Kauai) you feel like you’re leaving all your worries behind. The open lower area is stunning. In the middle is a beautiful tropical garden with waterfalls, foot paths and bridges, as well as a large pond with koi fish and beautiful swans.

The lower area is also ringed with a variety of high-end shops offering clothing, jewelry, art, general sundries, and island activities. For the ultimate luxury experience, get pampered with a massage, hair or beauty treatment at Alexander Day Spa and Salon.

Checking in was efficient, as we were greeted by a polite and professional reception staff. The lobby is surrounded by massive, pink-marble columns which showcases a large wooden Koa Canoe named “The Princess” in the grand atrium.

Koa Canoe – lobby

Offering its guests 356 elegant rooms and suites, the Kauai Marriott Resort features luxury rooms with a variety of sweeping ocean, mountain and garden views.  The Marriott Kauai Beach Club, located within the resort, offers spacious two-bedroom timeshare units for those interested in vacation ownership.

Each guest room plus the amazing Presidential Suite were completely transformed last year. The decor is modern and stylish yet retains its timeless island elegance. All rooms also offer a large lanai (balcony) to relax and take in the lush Kauai island views.

For a casual dining experience, the Kauai Marriott Resort offers several excellent restaurant choices. The open-air Kukui’s Restaurant serves both breakfast and dinner and features a permanent buffet plus a wide selection of Exotic Pacific Rim cuisine and mainland entree choices. Enjoy your meal overlooking a lush poolside setting.

For sushi lovers, you’ll enjoy the new Toro-Tei sushi restaurant featuring local ingredients, in addition to handcrafted specialty rolls. Other resort and nearby dining options include: Kalapaki Grill, Duke’s, and Cafe Portofino.

Toro-Tei sushi restaurant

Be sure to relax on the mezzanine overlooking the expansive swimming pool area. Aupaka Terrace lounge offers continental breakfast service and an espresso bar. At night enjoy your favorite cocktails, socialize with others and listen to the sounds of local musicians. During the day, you will see local vendors offering native jewelry, art, wood carvings, etc…

Of course, the main feature of the Kauai Marriott Resort on Kalapaki Beach is the signature 26,000-square-foot outdoor swimming pool. It is a terrific place to relax, swim or just lay out under the warm Hawaii sun. There are also five hot tubs that make for a perfect way to end your day.

Marriott Kauai Resort pool

For families, you can’t beat the newly built children’s pool. The scenic pool area features a long slide and various water spout features.

Kalapaki Beach is one of the finest beaches on the entire island of Kauai. White sand and warm surf make it ideal for a variety of activities. There are three sand volleyball courts and plenty of beach chairs to soak in the island environment.

You’ll also find five seaside cabanas that you can reserve. They’re perfect for a romantic meal, cocktails or just escaping the Hawaiian sun. Whether it’s a girls-getaway, honeymoon, or social gathering, these cabanas are prefect for any occasion. The special meal dinners offer the ultimate dining experience as you gaze over picturesque Kalapaki Bay.

The Kauai Marriott Resort also offers a variety of services and amenities, including copy service, fax service, full-service business center, babysitting, cash machine/ATM, concierge desk, foreign exchange, housekeeping service daily, onsite laundry (coin operated), local restaurant dinner delivery, newspaper in lobby, room service 6:00 AM-11:00 PM, safe deposit boxes, plus valet dry cleaning.

The magnificent Kauai Ballroom is the largest on Kauai. The ballroom can be divided into three different sections and is perfect for receptions, meetings, banquets, in addition to other large gatherings.

For golf fans, you are in luck. Experience the return of the Kauai Lagoons Golf Club on May 23. After several years, the much anticipated re-opening of the Kiele ocean holes is near. The original Kiele course was designed by Jack Nicklaus in which he also oversaw the recent renovation work. The ocean nine will be paired with the original Kiele front nine holes, the Kiele Mauka Nine, to create a fabulous 18-holes of Jack Nicklaus inspired Kiele golf. When fully completed, Kiele will consist of three renovated nines and a total of 27 amazing holes of golf.

For a taste of true Hawaiian paradise, be sure to stay at the Kauai Marriott Resort on Kalapaki Beach. It’s an experience you will never forget.

To make reservations or get additional information on the Kauai Marriott Resort on Kalapaki Beach, please visit: http://www.kauaimarriott.com