The JW Marriott Ihilani Resort and Spa officially closed its doors Tuesday, paving the way for Oahu’s first Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts hotel, something experts in the field expect to be a real game-changer in the Aloha State.
The JW Marriott, which was the first hotel to be built as part of the Ko Olina development, was originally supposed to close on January 10. Now it will soon undergo a year-long renovation before the name change to Four Seasons Resort Oahu becomes official.
"The arrival of the Four Seasons brings to Oahu the first true luxury brand name. Four Seasons has a standard of luxury and quality that people can expect and rely on," says Andrey Zakharenko of Always Travel in San Francisco, CA. "Its arrival will bring with it many global luxury customers and Four Seasons loyalists that avoided the island or thought the island did not appeal to them. This will benefit everyone."
The project will be an integrated beach resort and private residence that will be a part of the master-planned Ko Olina development on Oahu. Ko Olina is located on the sunny west side of Oahu. Originally conceived in the mid-1980s, the resort has been reaffirmed many times over the years, most recently by the notable success of Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa, which debuted in 2011.
Other hotels that call Ko Olina home include Marriott's Ko Olina Beach Club and the Ko Olina Golf Club. It is roughly 20 miles from Honolulu International Airport. Ko Olina encompasses 650 acres of land.
"Maui and the Big Island will have a perfect complement with this exciting arrival,” says Sharon Strelzer of Travel.Shop.Dine in Fairfield, CT. “The luxury end market likes to enjoy at least two islands. Now clients have a perfect option and this builds renewed demand for Oahu."
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