What resort did you book? I booked a week at the Marriott’s Ko Olina Beach Club (resort code MKO). MKO is an absolutely stunning, elite-rated resort on the western side of the island of O’ahu.

What accommodations did you book? How many people did your unit sleep? The resort offers guestrooms (efficiency/studio), one-bedroom and two-bedroom villas. I booked a one-bedroom villa, which slept up to four people in total. The unit was equipped with a full kitchen, washer/dryer, and a spacious lanai.

What amenities were available at the resort? Marriott’s Ko Olina Beach Club offers a range of amenities, including multiple swimming pools for children or adults, whirlpool spas, a spa (Spa by the Sea) with massage services, a fitness center, beach access, a shopping arcade, and a children’s activity center. We could have not left the resort all week and had no shortage of things to do! For dining options, there is an on-site luau (Fia Fia Lu’au), Longboard’s Bar and Grill, an Italian restaurant called Longhi’s Ko Olina, and a pool bar called Nai’a.

Was it difficult to find availability through Interval International? Yes, definitely. Being the only elite-rated resort in O’ahu, Marriott’s Ko Olina can be very difficult to find available. Occasionally, you will find live availability, but it is typically in their smaller, efficiency-sized unit. If you are looking to book, especially a one-bedroom residence or larger, your best course of action is to set up a request list, ideally at least a year in advance.

What was Ko Olina like? Paradise! Ko Olina is located on the southwestern side of the island, in the Kapolei region. In Ko Olina, right in front of the resort, are the four lagoons- Kohola (whale), Honu (sea turtle), Nai’a (dolphin), and Ulua (fish) where you can swim or paddleboard. This leeward side of the island is the perfect spot for perfect weather- little rain and lots of sun! The Ko Olina marina is nearby if you plan to take an adventure on the water- there are plenty of snorkeling, sailing, and wildlife tours available. Being on the west side of the island, Ko Olina is a great spot to watch the Hawaiian sunset after your day’s adventure.

What did you do during your week? My family and I spent the week adventuring and relaxing. The lagoons are a great spot to swim, but not the best spot to snorkel. We snorkeled at Hanauma Bay, Aweoweo Beach, and Kuilima Bay. The coral was incredible and we saw so many turtles! We spent a day visiting the North Shore, which being on the windward side is much more lush. There are tons of waterfalls to explore and hiking to do. We took the trip in February so we even got to see some big wave surfing. Of course, we couldn’t skip a trip to Pearl Harbor and Waikiki in Honolulu. We hiked to Diamond Head- a short trail, but super steep! Probably my favorite activity of the week was taking a catamaran cruise to Turtle Canyon.

How did you get to your resort? Do you recommend a rental car? I would definitely recommend getting a rental car for the week! While Ko Olina is only 20 or so miles from the airport, it is far from other destinations on O’ahu and Ubers are very expensive. You are better off renting a car so that you can have the freedom to hit all the beaches and stop at every poke shack you see!

Is the area family-friendly or more adult-oriented? Ko Olina is very family-friendly! The man-made lagoons are perfect for young swimmers, creating a safer environment with minimal waves. The resort itself has tons of fun activities for families and there were tons of children staying at the resort.

Any restaurant recommendations? If you planning to visit the North Shore (you should), you have to stop at Killer Tacos! They have incredible fish tacos and it’s always a good spot to stop. Here is their menu if you need any further convincing!

Would you go back? I would go back in a heartbeat! Oahu will always have a special place in my heart!