A New $1.5 Billion Atlantis Resort Could (Finally) Be Coming to Hawaii

A massive new resort by Atlantis is one step closer to rising on the Hawaiian island of Oahu. It will be located at Ko Olina, which is already home to the Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina; Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa; and Marriott's Ko Olina Beach Club, among others.

"What they're trying to do is they're trying to take that property they have in Dubai on the Palm Island and replicate it in Hawaii in a gorgeous setting," TravelPulse founder Mark Murphy told CBS. "We're talking about massive aquariums, wildlife, great experiences. It's a fantasy world."

Chinese developer China Oceanwide acquired several parcels of land in Ko Olina back in 2016 and tapped Atlantis for a new luxury resort with around 1,400 rooms and Atlantis-branded residences, an aquarium, restaurants, bars, gyms, conference facilities and outdoor pools. Though there has been little news of the project's progression since then, it seems that the resort's construction is on track to move ahead, barring any further setbacks. And the resort is still far from taking shape.

In January, the state Commission on Water Resource Management approved a water use and well construction permit for the project, according to the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. The city is currently reviewing Oceanwide's application for a building permit to construct a retaining wall and significant shoreline path improvements.

Atlantis also recently opened a new resort on the Chinese island of Sanya — which has been frequently compared to Hawaii — and the brand already operates two other over-the-top resorts in Dubai and the Bahamas.

Several resort within the latter are considered members of Marriott's Autograph Collection (the Beach, the Coral, the Reef, the Cove and the Royal), so you can earn or redeem Marriott Bonvoy points during a stay there. It's not clear at this time whether or not the new Hawaiian-based Atlantis will also join the collection.

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Details about the new mega-resort on Ko Olina are scant and the opening date has not yet been set. Assuming the project goes ahead as planned, it will likely take several years to build. But if you're hoping to visit Hawaii, we've got plenty of tips on how to get there with points and miles, plus the mistakes to avoid making if you go and the most outrageous experiences you can have during your stay (until the doors to Atlantis open, of course).