Has anyone stayed at the Ko Olina Beach Club in Hawaii?

[disneymagic316]

My son is getting married next August and wants to go to Hawaii on his honeymoon. We want to do an exchange through Interval International and this is one of the resort they are on the waiting list for. Thanks!!

 

[rocketriter]

A tip if you have trouble getting an exchange: it's usually pretty easy to exchange to the Kona Coast II on the big island. In fact, it's so much easier than the other resorts that if you put it on your list, it's probably what you'll wind up with. The resort is quite nice and rather condo-ish, although you have to walk across a golf couse to get to the beach. The big island has a different feel from the beachy islands like Maui or cosmopolitan Oahu. Lots of ranches, plantations and volcanic sightseeing. Keep it in mind if you need a fall-back. (Even there, you'll still need a few months to land your trade.)

 

[dvc_john]

I haven't stayed here, but have toured the resort and grounds. If you're lucky enough to get a trade here, you'll love it.

There are two Marriott buildings open, with more under construction. The property is on a series of 4 man-made lagoons, and overlooking the ocean. The JW Marriott hotel is nearby, as is Paradise Cove luau. This is on the west side of Oahu (not near Waikiki), and the sunsets here are spectacular!

 

[mj2vacation]

we have stayed there. It is the best non Disney timeshare. The service is absolutely great.

It is not as hard of a trade as some make it.

There is a costco not too far away.

 

[kimberh]

I am subscribing to this thread, I have heard of this resort and have interest in learning about this.

 

[aclov]

DH and I stood there a couple of years ago through a timeshare promotion when the resort first opened. It's beautiful. It's away from all the hustle and bustle, and a bit of a drive to Waikiki. The JW Marriott is next door, we were able walk over. You definately need a car to get around.

The staff was friendly, the only complaint we had was that we couldn't stay longer.

 

[chris1gill]

We stayed here the week prior to Christmas last year, it was GORGEOUS... IMHO it is the only place I would stay on Oahu... it was just outstanding... the protected coves were outstanding, the rooms were the most beautiful that I have seen... I'd stay there in a heartbeat!

 

[erikthewise]

While we did not stay there I did investigate this resort in advance of our recent Hawaii trip. I refer you to http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotels-g29222-Oahu_Hawaii-Hotels.html for Oahu hotels in general; just click on the link for the Ko Olina Beach Club for reviews of that particular resort. It certainly seems like an excellent choice.

I know that Adventures by Disney used the JW Marriott at Ko Olina for their Hawaii tour (no longer available). This seems to be the timeshare component of the same resort.

 

[WDWLVR]

So glad to hear great reviews. We won an II trade-out on the Member Cruise and got an exchange for this resort for February. Really looking forward to staying there. One question for those who have stayed there - can you get tours to places like the Polynesian Cultural Center and Waikiki from either the Beach Club or JW Marriott. We don't mind getting a car, but would like not to have to drive to those two locations.

 

[disneymagic316]

I"m so glad to hear the great reviews. It's their first choice so I hope it comes through. They're hoping for a 1 bedroom villa. Thanks!

Does the resort do any excursions?

 

[chris1gill]

Does the resort do any excursions?

The resort does do an excursion, they have their own sailboat docked I believe, but the cost IMHO was exhorbitant (for a family of 4)... Now if I was on my honeymoon, perhaps I would have paid the $$ for it

This is the best resort on the Island in my unbiased opinion

WDWLVR, I am totally jealous! Have a wonderful time... I'd call the JW to ask about the tours (or is it on their website?)

 

[JLitfin]

We stayed two weeks this pass summer at KoOlina. It was beautiful and had such a great time. We own two Marriotts and where able to exchange in through II. You will need to rent a car since the resort is about 35 minutes from the airport. The island is very easy to get around, we drove all over the island and had no problems. The resort does sell tours through private tour companies, I believe you will have to meet the bus for the tour. Don't believe there was any hotel pick-up since KoOlina is outside of Waikiki. We didn't do any tours, so I don't know for sure, we prefer driving ourselves and being on our own time schedule. If you do Pearl Harbour, make sure you arrive early. We arrived around 7:00am and the line was already wrapping around the front yard. Our tour wasn't until 10:30am, we were finished and left around 12:30. Costco and WalMart was close by, where we did all our shopping, less expense than the regular stores. I purchased the Costco membership just before our trip and it was worth it, saved us lots of money.

Hopefully you will receive your exchange, it's a wonderful resort. If you have any other questions feel free to PM me.

 

[chris1gill]

Coincidentally, I just received my American AAdvantage frequent flyer mailing & they have an offer for the Ko'Olina that I thought was quite good....

It's six days/five nights and a 25.00 resort certificate.... the big bonus is that you get 25,000 miles, that's nearly enough to get you back to Hawaii or Latin America.... Anyhow, there's a standard 90 minute timeshare tour.... and the package price was 850.00 (we did a similar type package when we stayed there & they upgraded us to a 1 bedroom in advance complimentary)

http://www.marriottvillas.com/american/ko/default.asp

Make sure you sign up for a free AAdvantage account if you want to use the promotion There's also an additional 20K miles if you open the AAdvantage mastercard & first year is free....

This got to be a little OT....

 

[disneymagic316]

Thanks everyone for your replies! I was able to book my son and his fiancee in the Ko Olina using Marriott points we earn from a credit card! I booked a 1 bedroom villa. They really wanted to stay here especially after reading the great reviews (I'd love to go myself) and I wasn't sure if the waitlist would come through for this particular resort. They are very excited.

How far is Diamond Head?

 

[momsgoofy]

A tip if you have trouble getting an exchange: it's usually pretty easy to exchange to the Kona Coast II on the big island. In fact, it's so much easier than the other resorts that if you put it on your list, it's probably what you'll wind up with. The resort is quite nice and rather condo-ish, although you have to walk across a golf couse to get to the beach. The big island has a different feel from the beachy islands like Maui or cosmopolitan Oahu. Lots of ranches, plantations and volcanic sightseeing. Keep it in mind if you need a fall-back. (Even there, you'll still need a few months to land your trade.)

Hi! Sorry for being slightly OT...just want to grab the chance to ask about the resort you mentioned. We are wanting to exchange out for stay in Hawaii and since I have an email pal on the big island I've been looking at those options...including the Kona Coast you mentioned. Do you have some more info about it? Or anything you might be able to share? I would greatly appreciate it. We are looking at 2008-2009 use year and would love to make the trip close to Christmas...know that is hard time...Thanksgiving or mid March during our spring break. I'd add early June, but with DS's school schedule that is the end of year if they take snow days and he'd miss final exams...not good. Any idea of when is considered the low, middle or high season?...think that is what it's called.

Thanks so much! If you would prefer to PM me with any info rather than stay OT on this thread that would be fine.

 

[llp479]

We own at Ko'Olina and I would be happy to answer any questions. There are currently 2 buildings open, with a third under construction. There is only one restaurant currently open on property, with a second steak/seafood place scheduled to open early 2007. It's an easy walk to the JW for the spa and restaurants there. The Market Place shop is more than adequate, and the prices are not that out of line with what you will find at the local Safeway in Kapolei.

The staff here exceeds my expectations everytime. We have stayed in several timeshare properties owned by MVC, and hands down they are the best. Many other MVC owners echo this feeling. There is a concierge in the lobby that can help with arranging tours etc.

I'm sure they will have a wonderful honeymoon!