"I am a travel agent and I am finally going to Hawaii for the first time in April. While its my job to know where to go, where to stay, and all the other minor details, I really don't know that much about how Hawaii (thankfully my clients don't know that!). Anyway, I bought the Oahu and Kauai books last week to look into the island activities in a bit more detail. I wanted something that wasn't being sold to me--they way I would with a client! I have found your books to be incredible. You have answered many of my questions, and your unbiased reviews are so helpful to our decision making process. We've been able to put together our Oahu itinerary and are now working on Kauai as we are reading your book. I send a lot of clients to Hawaii and have not really been able to recommend a good guide book to them until now. Its also a great gift idea for me to give to a honeymooning client with their tickets. Not only is it easy to read, but its enjoyable too! I enjoy your sarcastic comments sprinkled here and there. Good Job!"
-- S. Cerny

JW Marriott Ihilani Resort & Spa at Ko Olina
(800) 626-4446 or (808) 679-0079
92-1001 Olani St., Kapolei

387 rooms, 6 lighted tennis courts, 3 restaurants, pool and spa, valet parking, room service, hi-speed Internet access in rooms, Wi-Fi in lobby, child care program, lu'au. If you're looking to stay outside of Waikiki and want luxury, this is the place. Not because of the rooms, which are nicely sized but not sumptuous, except for the well-appointed bathrooms. It's the surroundings that make it a winner. The resort oozes a luxurious, tropical feel. They are next to one of the manmade Ko Olina lagoons, and views overlooking it (the higher the better) are utterly fantastic and worth the upgrade if you can swing it. (Ocean view rooms facing north are nice but not nearly as droolable.) They have live music and a hula show at the pool some nights (except Sunday or when it's raining), and it's wonderful to listen to the music drifting up to the lagoon-facing rooms. There's a meandering pond with Manta rays cruising around--a nice touch--and a "Reef and Ray Adventure" for kids where they get in the pond and touch the rays.

There are a few annoyances beyond the priciness. For instance, there are no ice machines. If you want ice, you call, and they'll bring it. Most people feel obligated to tip for everything, but that's an instance where you shouldn't think of yourself as cheap if you're unwilling to tip for something that you should be able to get for yourself. And it's $20 per day to park, valet or not. (So naturally you'll tend toward using the valet and feel the same obligation to tip--and this time you should, or you may be taught a lesson by the valets.) And perhaps the ultimate example of nickel-and-diming is that they have mini-bars with the usual confiscatorily priced Snickers bars and sodas. If you want to use the mini-bar for your own stuff, they charge you $25 to empty it or $5 per day to bring you an empty one. (You should at least get to keep all those goodies for that price.) Coffee makers on request, and laundry is valet only.

But overall, the resort sparkles because of its location. Rooms (640-680 sq. ft.) are $485-$645. Suites (913-1,440 sq. ft.) are $850-$4,500.

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