JW Marriott Ihilani Resort & Spa ~ Oahu, Hawaii

A Luxury Spa Camp for Adults!

The JW Marriott Ihilani Resort & Spa is located 25 minutes northwest of Honolulu, on the leeward side, in the town of  Ko Olina. In addition to the Resort, there is a marina with boat rentals, four large lagoons, water activities, walking paths, a wedding venue, an 18-hole golf course, restaurants, other resorts, condos and timeshare properties.

The JW Marriott Ihilani was one of the first properties built on this spectacular site in the quaint town of Ko Olina—originally known for its 18-hole Ted Robinson golf course, four lagoons and marina/boat rentals.  The Resort remains an elegant enclave in this prime leeward location. The Resort features 387 rooms, including 36 suites, expansive meeting space, three restaurants, two lounges, a dramatic circular pool, and of course….a luxurious Spa.

The Spa was refreshed in early 2011, offering improved facilities, access to the fitness center in the evening, and a larger relaxation room & gardens. Also added was a Ho’onanea— a new private suite for bridal parties and other special group events. The response to the Spa has been quite positive, and was recently voted “Best Spa” in Honolulu Magazine’s “Best of” issue.

The 35,000 square foot Spa is contained it its own building just steps away from the Resort. The Spa  is truly a multi-level playground for adults. Guests enter on the third floor of the Spa building, with a reception area and boutique for ease of checking in at the Spa. Female guests are escorted downstairs to the second floor, and men enter through a separate door on the third floor to the men’s spa. But wait, there’s more…. The Spa building includes a fifth floor outdoor (and very secluded) lap pool and lounge area, an indoor salon, and on the sixth floor are 2 tennis courts & basketball hoops and a complete fitness center that is open 24 hours.

As I stepped down a staircase to the Women’s Spa, I was greeted by a hidden garden with a wall of glass, and light showering down from the street level above.

As we passed the treatment rooms, I enjoyed the naming of each treatment room with a flower grown here in Hawaii, and each flower was carved in wood, painted and placed on each door with care. The relaxation area is quite expansive, and offers comfortable chairs and lighting for reading and relaxing. An outside terrace with large chaise lounges and lush landscaping is there for outdoor enjoyment as well.  The whirlpool is in the center of the Spa as an elevated retreat with candles and soft lighting. The steam room, sauna, showers and lockers are just beyond the whirlpool, and all are conveniently accessible—yet seemingly tucked away.

The Spa features a full complement of massages, body wraps, scrubs and facials, using products from the honua earth and from the moana ocean. It was hard to make a selection, however I chose to spend some down-time in the Spa and then enjoyed a wonderfully relaxing 50 minute Lomilomi Massage. This is a  Hawaiian-style massage using both gentle and vigorous kneading strokes with body manipulation to release and relax the muscles. The motion is made in series of three, to replicate the tide. The massage was excellent, and worked out many of the kinks in my neck and lower back. The relaxation room was the perfect next stop, with the large windows, lush greenery and soft lighting. Perfect for curling up to relax and read. A group of ladies were outside enjoying the terrace, and sipping on tea. Another woman was in the whirlpool enjoying the glow of the candles. The vibe was quiet and warm, with enough space for everyone to enjoy their own cocoon of relaxation.

And for those looking for some special activities while enjoying the Resort, the Daily Newsletter includes more fun than I found hours in the day. To name a few: a “Walk In Paradise” meeting at the hotel pool in the early morning, taking a fast-paced walk around the lagoons with insights about Hawaii from the guide; fish feeding in the lagoon in the morning and Yoga at the pool. Personal training sessions and other fitness classes are also available. Kayaks and other beach equipment are for rent all day on the beach.

The Details:
The JW Marriott Ihilani Resort & Spa is located 25 minutes northwest of Honolulu, on the leeward side, in the town of  Ko Olina. In addition to the Resort, there is a marina with boat rentals, four large lagoons, water activities, walking paths, a wedding venue, an 18-hole golf course, restaurants, other resorts, condos and timeshare properties.

JW Marriott Ihilani Resort & Spa
92-1001 Olani Street
Ko Olina • Oahu, Hawaii 96707

Web Sites:
-JW Marriott Ihilani Resort
http://www.ihilani.com/

-JW Marriott Ihilani Spa
http://www.ihilani.com/Oahu-Hawaii-Spa-Resort/Ihilani-Spa-4.html