KoOlina - 2Br Mountainview - one or two entry doors

[Jwerking]

Planning on booking a 2 week stay at KoOlina for Jan 2025 on this Tuesday, when inventory is loaded.

So there is a 2 br with one entry or two entry doors and a 2 BR (master unit of 3 BR). Which of these is more desirable with Mountain view if I have a choice or makes no difference?

Do they still provide loungers free on the beach, but no umbrellas? Can you rent umbrellas now - been many years since I last stayed at KoOlina?

Thank you for any comments.

 

[kiko412]

Pretty much the same layout for the 1 entry vs the 2 entry, the "master of the 3br" has slightly different layout and different sleeping accomodations with the beds in bedroom 2 and has only 1 entry...according to the pics. For our family when they come along, we prefer the 2 entry so one family has their own entry and exit and come and go as they please without disturbing the other members...I believe loungers on the beach are free, not sure of umbrella rentals...Hope this helps.

 

[Bill4728]

When we stay at Ko Olina instead of using the lagoon right in front of the resort, we take the short walk to the next lagoon where there are lots of trees that provide shade. Also since there are a lot less people in the water,the water is clearer.

 

[Jwerking]

Thank you Koko412, very helpful.

 

[Jwerking]

When we stay at Ko Olina instead of using the lagoon right in front of the resort, we take the short walk to the next lagoon where there are lots of trees that provide shade. Also since there are a lot less people in the water,the water is clearer.

Great tip! Is this the lagoon to the right or left as you are facing the ocean from the resort? Are there beach loungers on the adjacent lagoon for Marriott use?

Are there 2 buildings at Koolina or more??

I remember when I last visited probably 10+ years ago, I dragged the Marriott loungers to shade provided by trees on the left side of the lagoon facing the ocean? I see from recent pictures of the lagoon that there are now some wooden stakes with a rope that fences off that area to the left. So I guess that means the Marriott does not want their beach loungers beyond that roped off area????

 

[Bill4728]

It is the lagoon between the MVC and the Disney resort. And no loungers for MVC people.

Also there are 3 buildings

 

[TheTimeTraveler]

Planning on booking a 2 week stay at KoOlina for Jan 2025 on this Tuesday, when inventory is loaded.

So there is a 2 br with one entry or two entry doors and a 2 BR (master unit of 3 BR). Which of these is more desirable with Mountain view if I have a choice or makes no difference?

Do they still provide loungers free on the beach, but no umbrellas? Can you rent umbrellas now - been many years since I last stayed at KoOlina?

Thank you for any comments.

I always request a two bedroom with two doors whenever possible. Why? If these are lockoff Villas (which the ones @ Ko Olina with two doors are) then you will get a extra fridge (mini fridge) and an extra microwave as well as additional dishes and silverware.





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[Jwerking]

Thanks all. Booked my two week stay at KoOlina this morning starting on Jan 4 2025 in a 2 BR mountainview with 2 entry doors - good suggestion to have the extra dishes - which comes in handy sometimes.

See my other post for booking issues I encountered with the new Abound system.

 

[frank808]

The Lagoon to the right as you are facing ocean is emptier. No chairs provided in Lagoon 2.

I will be around MKO if you would like to meet up.

Have a great stay.

 

[Jwerking]

Hey All,

Our stay at the KoOlina for Jan 4-18 in a 2 BR (2 entry door) mountain view is coming up soon and got the Plan Your Visit email from Marriott. We always like a high floor - so will request that for sure. But which building should I request for the best view and easy access to pool loungers that are mostly in the shade.

Are there plenty of free loungers on the beach for Marriott guest - we can always buy some beach umbrellas.

Thanks for any assistance.

 

[frank808]

Loungers on the beach are provided on first come first serve basis in lagoon in front of MKO.

If you want an umbrella, you will have to rent them from the beach hut at lagoon. No personal umbrellas are allowed on any of the Ko Olina lagoons.


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[ljmiii]

Our stay at the KoOlina for Jan 4-18 in a 2 BR (2 entry door) mountain view...which building should I request for the best view and easy access to pool loungers that are mostly in the shade.

IMHO the best building is Hale Nai'a (the Southernmost one) ...but it has very few 2 entry 2BR villas. Kona (the middle one) is more convenient than Moana and both share the same pools/loungers.

 

[Jwerking]

Loungers on the beach are provided on first come first serve basis in lagoon in front of MKO.

If you want an umbrella, you will have to rent them from the beach hut at lagoon. No personal umbrellas are allowed on any of the Ko Olina lagoons.

Of course, I should have know that Mr Marriott does not allow your own beach umbrellas on their beach. At least, they provide free loungers, if you can grab one early enough in the morning. Wonder if they allow your own beach chairs and umbrella on their beach - if it is a public beach, don't see how they can stop you??

IMHO the best building is Hale Nai'a (the Southernmost one) ...but it has very few 2 entry 2BR villas. Kona (the middle one) is more convenient than Moana and both share the same pools/loungers.

View attachment 103262

Thanks - great graphic. It seems like there are a few Mountain view 2 Brs facing the pools on the ocean side in the middle building - are these essentially facing the opposite building with no view in the distance - probably??

So best to request the Hale Nai'a bldg and have a distant view with no nearby buildings blocking. Do you have a view of the harbor and/or Lagoon 4 in the distance if you request the south side of the building with a large parking lot right next to the building? Does this have better views than the back of the building facing the roadway?

 

[Jwerking]

Another question - will the KoOlina hold our luggage and grocery items (including refrigerated items) before the 4 pm checkin time while we return to the airport to pickup our friends arriving about 4 pm? Then deliver those items to the room when we are ready?

Great that Costco is located only about 10 min away which will be very convenient. I also see there is a Walmart not too far away. We always order staple type items ahead of time for a scheduled pick up time upon arrival on the islands - saves a lot of time shopping for those items ourselves. I have learned to schedule a time several hours in advance of estimated arrival as Hawaii pick up times are sometimes delayed. Walmart holds the items all day - so no downside to an earlier pickup time. I am impressed with the Walmart pickup system as they bring your order to the car fairly quickly upon arrival at the store. Great system!

 

[ljmiii]

Thanks - great graphic. It seems like there are a few Mountain view 2 Brs facing the pools on the ocean side in the middle building - are these essentially facing the opposite building with no view in the distance - probably??

So best to request the Hale Nai'a bldg and have a distant view with no nearby buildings blocking. Do you have a view of the harbor and/or Lagoon 4 in the distance if you request the south side of the building with a large parking lot right next to the building? Does this have better views than the back of the building facing the roadway?

So...there are no 2 entry 2BR MV villas on the south side of Nai'a. There are only 5 in the Hale and they all face southeast - one on a high floor with a beautiful view and 4 with what appear to be middling to poor views overlooking the trees and the parking structure. I can't really speak to the ocean side mountain view villas in Hale Kona except to say that they almost certainly go to owners and not those exchanging in through points.

We've stayed in a 2BR MV Penthouse in Nai'a and the views are extraordinary with the harbor, lagoon 4, and the ocean beyond in one direction and the land rising up to the mountains in the other. If you could get that one magical Nai'a lockoff 2BR with a similar view it would be wonderful...but somehow (again) I expect that goes to the Ko Olina MV owner w/the most weeks.

 

[ljmiii]

Another question - will the KoOlina hold our luggage and grocery items (including refrigerated items) before the 4 pm checkin time...

Certainly they hold luggage. When we visited last we departed Hilton Hawaiian Village just before 10:00AM and then dropped off our luggage at Ko Olina relatively shortly thereafter. But I have no idea if they have a separate area for the storage of perishable items.

 

[Jwerking]

Thanks ljmiii for the comments - very much appreciated! Just placed my request for a high floor with a preference in the Naia building. With the 2 door entry, it seems unit selection is limited, so just hoping for the best and hope we don't overlook the parking deck. Maybe they can assign us one of the 2 BR units with one entry door as it doesn't seem like it would make much difference. Since we will be on island anyway, maybe we can check in early if the unit is available which sometimes it is.

Happy Holidays!

 

[Chrispee]

Last time we were there it was no problem having our perishables stored by the bellhops in the cooler prior to check in.

 

[frank808]

Of course, I should have know that Mr Marriott does not allow your own beach umbrellas on their beach. At least, they provide free loungers, if you can grab one early enough in the morning. Wonder if they allow your own beach chairs and umbrella on their beach - if it is a public beach, don't see how they can stop you??



Thanks - great graphic. It seems like there are a few Mountain view 2 Brs facing the pools on the ocean side in the middle building - are these essentially facing the opposite building with no view in the distance - probably??

So best to request the Hale Nai'a bldg and have a distant view with no nearby buildings blocking. Do you have a view of the harbor and/or Lagoon 4 in the distance if you request the south side of the building with a large parking lot right next to the building? Does this have better views than the back of the building facing the roadway?

It is not a marriott thing. It is the resort HOA of Ko Olina that has established that. It has to do with insurance and the fact that it can be windy. HOA is scared of lawsuits from umbrellas flying and stabbing someone. You are more than welcome to bring your own beach chairs.

Ko Olina is a lagoon developed by private groups. Access to the beach is provided to the general public for posted hours. Ko Olina Resort is able to set rules on what is allowed on the beach since beach was created by a private entity. Public is guaranteed access to beach but it is not a public park. No private umbrellas and bar b que grills are allowed in the parking lot, grassy areas, lagoon, etc.

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[SChiam]

Thanks all. Booked my two week stay at KoOlina this morning starting on Jan 4 2025 in a 2 BR mountainview with 2 entry doors - good suggestion to have the extra dishes - which comes in handy sometimes.

See my other post for booking issues I encountered with the new Abound system.

I am surprise that there’s 2 weeks stay availability in less than a month out for Jan 4 2025 at Ko Olina.

 

[Jwerking]

I am surprise that there’s 2 weeks stay availability in less than a month out for Jan 4 2025 at Ko Olina.

No, this was booked last year 13 months in advance on the day the reservations opened for points reservations. I was hitting the redial button on the phone at 9 am EST. Nice to be able to book with points instead of playing the II roulette wheel - but sure does take Megapoints for HI bookings in the winter. Our Marriott maintenance fees for this stay are probably about $5500 - not cheap for 2 weeks.

 

[SChiam]

$5500 for two weeks at 2B KoOlina is not bad. MF for 2025 is $3348 per week (2024 $3134) for 2B KoOlina.

 

[kiko412]

Of course, I should have know that Mr Marriott does not allow your own beach umbrellas on their beach. At least, they provide free loungers, if you can grab one early enough in the morning. Wonder if they allow your own beach chairs and umbrella on their beach - if it is a public beach, don't see how they can stop you??



Thanks - great graphic. It seems like there are a few Mountain view 2 Brs facing the pools on the ocean side in the middle building - are these essentially facing the opposite building with no view in the distance - probably??

So best to request the Hale Nai'a bldg and have a distant view with no nearby buildings blocking. Do you have a view of the harbor and/or Lagoon 4 in the distance if you request the south side of the building with a large parking lot right next to the building? Does this have better views than the back of the building facing the roadway?

 

[Jwerking]

$5500 for two weeks at 2B KoOlina is not bad. MF for 2025 is $3348 per week (2024 $3134) for 2B KoOlina.

Okay, makes me feel better - thanks! But of oldies - who purchased our Marriott weeks 30 years ago when maintenance fees were probably $500. Wow, those were the days! I use to trade our 2 weeks in for Marriott rewards points and use those points to obtain the Marriott packages with 100K frequent flyer miles and 8 nights of hotel stay. They allowed you to return the 8 night hotel certificate for a substantial amount of points - so that the 100K frequent flyer miles ended us costing a relatively small amount of Marriott reward points. It was relatively easy in those days to book award tixs for travel to HI, Caribbean, and Mexico where we would travel with our kids in the summer, Easter, and Xmas holidays. Then we would just use our RCI weeks to book timeshare stays - great vacations for us and our kids! One time, we even got summer trades to the Allen House in London and the Regency in Paris. Ah, those were the good old days!

Honestly, we gotten phenomenal use of both our RCI and Marriott timeshares over the 30 to 35 years of ownership. Now we use our timeshare weeks annually to go to Hawaii for January and February - been doing it for about 10 years now since retirement. Actually, we are getting tired of HI - plus, the car rental costs kills us now for 2 months! So next winter, we are going to do FL and the Caribbean. I have Jan and Feb 2026 weeks booked in Palm Beach and Grand Cayman. We will drive to Fl for our first week , fly to Grand Cayman from MIA for a 3 week stay, and then return to Palm Beach for a month. Save some $$ by using our own car and airfare to Grand Cayman is pretty cheap from MIA vs the mid-Atlantic. Just hope that it will be warm enough in FL!