Almost the first news I heard about Ihilani when it opened in December 1993 was that its six artificial grass courts had been built atop a parking garage. That hardly seemed to bode well for the resort's interest in tennis. Suspending disbelief, however, I picked up a rental car in Honolulu Airport and drove west—in the opposite direction from Waikiki—on a lightly trafficked highway. Less than 25 minutes later, I was looking up at a six-story parking tower thinking this just can't work.

But it does, in quite unexpected ways. Laid out end to end in two lines the three, the courts cascade down a series of terraces. A central walkway separates the two banks and has room for wooden tables and chairs and planters full of flowers. Windscreens along the outside fences were taken down for a photo shoot and never put back up because everyone was thrilled by the views west along the coast over the Ted Robinson golf course—views all the better for being higher up. Staff delivers pitchers of ice water to the courts, there's a tiny cafe for light breakfasts and lunches and a small but full-service pro shop. Meanwhile the spa, fitness center and its outdoor swimming pool are just one floor below, while the opulent 17-story hotel—designed by the same architect as the Phoenician and Mauna Lani Bay Hotel—is just a short walk away behind a sublime lagoon lined with a thick horseshoe of sand.

Ken Nakama, who played for Chapman University in southern California, runs the program. At the moment that consists primarily of an adult and a junior clinic, private lessons, and game matching. However, once the courts have been resurfaced (slated for early in 2002), he plans to expand what he offers. When he does, I'll update the information here.

Your Call

This is your opportunity to rate and review the resorts and camps you've visited. As material comes in I'll post it here, so you can read what others think.
So far, I haven't received any written feedback on JW Marriott Ihilani Resort & Spa. If you've taken a tennis vacation there, I'd like to hear your reactions.

See Also

If you like the sound of the JW Marriott Ihilani, also look at:

• Fisher Island Club, Florida
• Four Seasons Resort Hualalai, Big Island, Hawaii
• The Phoenician, Arizona though only if you can manage without a beach

Travel Essentials

Season. Year-round.

Rooms and suites are available.

JW Marriott Ihilani Resort & Spa
Ko Olina Resort
92-1001 Olani St.
Kapolei, HI 96707
808-679-0079
Toll-free: 800-626-4446
Fax: 808-679-0080
Web Link: JW Marriott Ihilani Resort & Spa

NEW!

Book Online: JW Marriott Ihilani Resort & Spa

 

General Tourist Information. Visit the Oahu Visitors Bureau web site or contact them at 733 Bishop St., Honolulu, HI 96813. Phone: 808-524-0722 or Fax: 808-521-1620. Or for information about Hawaii as a whole, visit the Hawaii Visitors Bureau web site or contact them at 2270 Kalakaua Ave. #801, Honolulu, HI 96815. Phone: 808-923-1811 or Fax: 808-924-0290.

Links: Home | Index | Search | Specials | Calendar | Juniors | Join Our Mailing List | Contact TRO | Site Map | Rate This Resort

Maps: Northwest | Southwest & Hawaii | Midwest & South | Northeast | Mid-Atlantic | Southeast & Caribbean | Europe & North Africa

©Copyright 1999-2008 Roger Cox