The hotel has recently been renovated and is beautiful! Had an ocean view room and would definitely recommend turning off your A/C and opening the windows at night to take advantage of the cool ocean breezes. Plan to wake up early enough on one morning so that you can watch the sea turtles swim in the lagoon. What an unexpected treat! The 30 minute walk along the ocean behind the four lagoons provides more great views of the ocean and after that "exercise", having a delicious Mai Tai at the pool doesn't feel so decadent! While the facility is gorgeous, the staff really made the experience memorable. Everyone was so nice and provided great suggestions on local activities and restaurants. Make sure you also walk around the back of the hotel. A series of tidal pools contain shark, manta reys, a variety of colorful fish and starfish. Highly recommend the JW Marriott Ihilani Resort and Spa and are looking forward to a return visit!

My husband and daughter and I are at the Ihilani resort in Ko Olina after changing reservations several times and trying to compare resorts. We live a good life and travel a lot and are so thankful when we get away.

That said: the review:

1. Rooms are updated and good sized
2. Pool is nice but small pool area
3. Beach is busy but wonderful and there are 3 other beaches and a running path to walk there happily.
4. Yes- Aulani is next door and they are doing construction on a side facing the JW but JW is doing all they can to divert noise.
5. Yes- they try to sell you Vacation Club tours etc but if you say NO they will leave you alone.
6. Food is good- not fabulous but very nice. All standards are there and servers work hard to please everyone.
7. Front desk is lively- be nice to them and they will be nicer back- I've read reviews complaint about Lack of Upgrades wah wah. Every room is clean and pretty and if you can't be happy here you're probably unhappy anywhere.
8. Location is so peaceful and family friendly. If you want an ideal trip with kids- come here. If you want to be quiet hit the Ihilani Spa. Fabulous.
9. Excellent shopping is nearby but you are not in Honolulu but you came to Hawaii to get away from a city so go play tennis or golf and be happy.
10. For a big hotel the grounds are very well kept and towels are given to all guests for free beach chairs. There is no attendant to spritz you but if you rent a cabana they bring you grapes and a server who brings excellent coladas.
11. Aulani has umbrellas on the beach. JW does not. Oh well.
12. Not a lot if shops at hotel but it has a good multi purpose shop that has everything one needs. And a gorgeous jewelry store that is also at the Four Seasons Wailea.
13. There are ponds here with baby hammerheads and Koi. There are fountains and lots of foliage. This is not an icky Marriott with bad lighting. No popcorn ceilings or bad plumbing.

I say Thumbs Up. I'll come here a lot from now on.

Pay the extra money for an ocean view. What a great location and view. The service was second to none! You can find plenty to do in walking distance and many major attractions are within a 30 minute drive. The monk seals that occasionally show up on the beach within walking distance is just another bonus! The rooms are clean and staff was very friendly and many restaurants and bars within walking distance as well! We would definitely stay there again!

My family and I stayed here for 9 days in August and everyone loved it. The hotel is spacious, impeccably maintained and the staff is so friendly. The concierge and bell staff gave us ideas for different hikes and activities every day and the restaurant staff made us feel pampered every evening. My wife loved the huge, spotless room and veranda and wants bathroom/closet space like the hotel has. The stay was so good I returned again for a week in December to do more diving-- the first time I've ever returned to stay at the same resort hotel. PS. The kids loved the breakfast buffet with the fruit smoothies and eggs but I loved the sushi.