Kahala resort VS. JW Marriott Ihilani

From what I gather Kahala resort is closer to Waikiki. Is there anything near the JW Marriott? Also, is are either of the resorts and nice as their website states?

Kahala resort VS. JW Marriott Ihilani

The Kahala is very nice. The rooms are good size and the bathrooms are bigger than my first apartment. It%26#39;s also tucked away in a quiet upscale neighborhood. The biggest drawback IMO is that you can%26#39;t walk anywhere, but they do have a shuttle. It%26#39;s only about 10 or 15 minute drive to Waikiki and even less to Hawaii Kai and the Kahala Mall.

I%26#39;ve never actually been to the JW Marriott, but I can only assume it%26#39;s a nice hotel because that%26#39;s where the Pro Bowl players stay. However, I%26#39;m not crazy about the location. It%26#39;s right in between an industrial port area and what is basically the bad area of Oahu.

Kahala resort VS. JW Marriott Ihilani

JJP

I%26#39;ve stayed at the Kahala twice (once while it was a Mandarin Oriental property). It%26#39;s now an older hotel, built I believe in the 1960%26#39;s and operated for many years as an upscale Hilton resort.

Because of its age some parts of the resort are getting pretty worn. I believe the new owners are slowly investing in upgrades. The rooms are nice (if dated) and the bathrooms are superior (with separate His and Hers sections.) Service is generally very good. The primary restaurant, Hoku%26#39;s is among Honolulu%26#39;s best, but my preferences were the morning buffets at the beach side Plumeria restaurant and the evening meals in the also beachside Cabana%26#39;s.

If you watched any of the recent SONY golf tourney you may have caught glimpses of the Kahala right beside the golf course. This resort is situated in a very nice residential neighborhood where access to the beach is limited by the lack of vehicle parking. If you are not staying at the hotel or the adjacent condo%26#39;s or nearby homes there%26#39;s nowhere to park a car - so the hotel has what amounts to a very nice private beach.

Access to Waikiki and the Ala Moana Centre is easily available on a shuttle bus.

Others will have to report on the JWM. It certainly looks like an attractive property - somewhat like the Hyatt in Kauai with extensive pools and lagoons.

Both resorts are really great. The JW Marriott is Quite a distance

from Waikiki. The Kahala is a 15 minute ride from Waikiki.

When you arrive at the airport the taxi fare to the Marriott is about 65.00

and to the Kahala abour 40.00. Theirs more to do in Waikiki. If you stay

at the Marriott a rental car is recommended. Taxi fare to Waikiki

from that property is about 80.00

If you want a large Holiday Inn type of expereince stay at the JW, if you are looking for a Hawaiin experience stay at the Kahala. The Kahala is a little old but is one of the most beautiful and private locations you will find in hawaii.

I%26#39;ve stayed at the JW Marriott and its a solid 4* place and the rooms are a good size 450-500 sq ft] and exactly like the photos on the website. Lanais are large and comfy. There%26#39;s a luau right next door. The lagoon is a great spot for easy swimming. Aside from the obvious distance from the nightlife at Waikiki, the construction at the Beach Club timeshares would be annoying to many. The pool is way too small for the resort but there is a second one at the spa. I didn%26#39;t use the spa, but it gets great reviews and there%26#39;s a golf course right there. My room faced west northwest so it was very quiet and tropical. The other direction the higher floors will have partial views of a large power plant - which is actually pretty interesting at night. Restaurants are fair to very good. Sunday brunch at Azul is worth the price.

Stayed at the JW Marriott and loved it. We wanted to be away from Waikiki some anyway. Only thing about it is the pool is small. If you are planning on going to the pool for the day, get out there early 7-8am for chairs.

Eating at Roy%26#39;s nearby was great also.

We ate lunch at the Kahala resort last Thursday. Seaside Cabana%26#39;s Grille. Wonderful Food. Nice dining lunch location (beach side). Weather wonderful. We walked the outside grounds and a little inside. Appeared to be a nice, upsale resort - Although we didn%26#39;t stay there so I can%26#39;t comment on the rooms. Location is great if you are looking for privacy and serenity.

Jenn

Haven%26#39;t stayed at the JW Marriott but did stay at The Kahala two years ago, when it was the Kahala Mandarin. My friends and I really enjoyed the resort. While the JW Marriott is away from the hustle and bustle of Waikiki, it%26#39;s too far out of the way. The Kahala was just 15 minutes from Waikiki, the hotel provides a shultle that runs frequently, and you can drive along the backside of Diamond Head to get into the city.

While the Kahala could use some updating, the overall appeal of the hotel is upscale and traditional - it does feel like ';old'; money. I%26#39;ve stayed in some of the best hotels and I still haven%26#39;t found a hotel with the large room size provided at the Kahala unless it%26#39;s a junior suite. And the bathroom is second-to-none, very large and one of the best soaking tubs ever.

The pool is rather small but the beach is the best... rent a cabana, which I think is $30 for the full day, order the pineapple drink and enjoy the fantastic beach. The amentities are great, the best hotel gym with a view to die for.

wrinkles