One of my favorite destinations is Hawaii’s island of Oahu. There’s something about getting off the plane at Honolulu’s airport that triggers a mind/body reaction in me…something like this…Ahhh! I immediately go into relaxation mode.
Whether we visit any of Hawaii’s islands by ourselves, with family, or with friends, we always stay in resort where we can feel at home, kick back, spread out, have our morning coffee, maybe cook a meal, and relax in our own private oasis. We also want it located on the beach with incredible views. Don’t you? The Ko Olina Beach Club is that resort! Here’s some of our memorable moments.
Day 1
Ko Olina sits on the dramatic western shore of Oahu. We rented a car at the airport (something I highly recommend doing in Hawaii), and drove a short 30 minutes to this island oasis on a secluded beach. Our first impression was of a tropical Hawaiian paradise with shimmering lagoons, waterfalls, fountains and all the vibrant colors and sweet, floral scents of the island!
Since it was just the two of us this time, my husband and I had booked a one bedroom villa (two- and three-bedroom villas are also available). The first thing I noticed was the stunning ocean view from the balcony! The villa was attractively appointed with a fully equipped kitchen, separate living and dining areas, king size bed, and a bathroom with an oversized soaking tub and separate shower.
We quickly settled in and decided to explore the grounds of our new home, and find something to eat (food is always a main concern for us)! Strolling through the resort grounds, we were pleasantly surprised by the oversized “Lagoon Pool,” one of 3 outdoor pools on the property. This huge pool meanders through the property and provides a bird’s eye view of the resort to swimmers as they float along.
The concierge encouraged us to take the beach path to one of the on-site restaurants, Longboards Bar & Grill. Not only does the path offer spectacular views of the beach and ocean, the restaurant does too. We started our late afternoon with a signature island cocktail and Hawaiian-style appetizers. It was easy to forget the time in this picturesque setting, and soon we were watching the sun set in paradise. We couldn’t bring ourselves to leave, so we stayed for a delicious dinner too!
Day 2
After leisurely enjoying morning coffee on our balcony, we were faced with so many choices of activities at the resort and nearby, it was difficult to decide. Should we golf, kayak, snorkel, or sail? Play tennis, hike, mountain bike, or surf? We took the easy choice and stayed at the resort. We start at the resort’s window-enclosed fitness center. The views from the windows made exercising on the cardio-equipment and in the complimentary fitness class so much easier.
Next it’s the breakfast buffet at Longboard’s. There’s many delicious options to choose from. Then we’re off to the beach to swim and sun, and enjoy the beauty of the area. On our way, I notice the onsite Market Place Store. We stock up on snacks and iced coffee from the Starbucks inside the store. You don’t have to go far to find the perfect Hawaiian souvenir…this store has a great selection. I couldn’t help but buy several of them!
Day 3
In the evening, we booked a Sunset Sail from the gorgeous Ko Olina Marina. With the Waianae Mountains as a backdrop, and spinner dolphins frolicking in the waters around the boat, the colors of the sunset turned from orange to pink to red. At nightfall, we enjoyed a sumptuous Hawaiian Style buffet and watched the lights twinkling from the shore. It was a perfect ending to a perfect day!
Day 4
My husband is an avid golfer, me not so much, but I do enjoy walking the beautiful courses and my game is getting better. Today we drive (did I mention there is complimentary parking for your car at the resort?) to the Ko Olina Golf Club only a mile a way. This 18-hole course is magnificent with multi-tiered greens and great water features. We definitely got our exercise for the day.
Day 5
If it’s Tuesday, it must be Fia Fia Polynesian Dinner Show day! And it was, so we went. This award winning show offers a real taste of Polynesian culture, including dance, music, comedy and authentic Hawaiian/Polynesian cuisine. We had been to luaus before, but this was so different and so much better! My particular favorite was the very exciting Fire Dance. It’s unbelievable! It has to take great skill to manage an intricate dance while holding lit torches. Meet on the Great Lawn of the resort at 4:30 p.m. for this special event.
Day 6
On our last day, we’re once again glad we have a car. It’s only 28 miles to the North Shore, and off we go to catch some awesome waves at one of the surfing mecca’s of the world. Well, maybe we aren’t going to catch them, but we will watch the surfers who do. Do the names Sunset Beach, Banzai Pipeline, and Waimea Bay ring a bell? These legendary beaches are the sites of world-class surfing competitions. It’s a beautiful drive there, and after we get our fill of watching the surfers, we head to Hale’iwa, a classic surf town with many buildings from the early 1900’s.
Dinner tonight is at Chuck’s Steak and Seafood House, the other restaurant on the resort property, and a legend in its own right. It’s Chuck’s flagship restaurant and it does not disappoint. The fresh fish and seafood is grilled to perfection. We end our night by “clinking our glasses” to a great vacation!
We definitely plan to come back to Ko Olina. We are always impressed by the great value of a timeshare vacation, and this resort lived up to our expectations. Joining RedWeek has enabled us to find the best vacation options. Studio through three-bedroom timeshare rentals are available, starting at $136/night (as of posting date).
For more information try Hawaii’s Official Tourism Site.
Aloha!
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The content of this article was submitted by Denise, an active traveler from San Diego, California. Want to submit your own detailed resort review? Post a comment below and we’ll get you the details!