- Joined
- Oct 1, 2000
- Messages
- 9,464
Arrived about 10:00 PM yesterday after a long day of island hopping. Glad that Alamo gave us a paper with directions because it was better than phone app. Resort was beautifully lit at night.
My first 3 experiences were less than magical but undoubtedly influenced by the fact that I was very tired:
1). It felt like we were being taken hostage as we drove in. I am obsessive about guarding rental cars after reading online horror stories about valets/car damage/rental car damage claims denied because a non-authorized (valet) driver had caused damage. The valet practically grabbed our keys, started unloading our luggage before I even put the car in park. I was tired and they had no other guests but it rubbed me the wrong way.
2). I had made a request for a particular area for our 1 bedroom ocean view. I had done online checkin and the assigned room was not where I requested. I politely asked if there might be a room available where I wanted and there was. it took 20 minutes to make the change. So if it was available, why was it not assigned in the first place? My crabbiness was surely a factor here.
3). I had been bragging for MONTHS to DSis about Aulani and couldn't wait for her to be greeted with a flower lei. Not. After our half hour checkin process the bell person offered kukui nut leis (the male version) to us. It is ridiculous, I know, to be so disappointed about such a small thing, but I was.
Friday, a new day after some sleep. The resort is as beautiful as all previous threads have indicated. I walked around taking photos and I already know that lots of our points in the next few years will be going to provide rooms for many family members. I can see different age levels enjoying different aspects of the resort. If this resort were on the mainland it would be booked at 11 months every single day.
A few things about the room that I really like:
- Lots of hooks for hanging stuff in the bathrooms
- Heavy sliding doors to the lanai that block noise
- Screens on the lanai doors
- Sheers on the lanai doors
- A rechargeable flashlight mounted in the master bedroom closet
- Lovely carvings and other attention to detail
- Nice toiletries, including lotion
A few disappointing things:
- Zero drawer storage in the living room area. Anyone sleeping on the pullout or pull down bed has to use drawers in the master bedroom. Total PITA.
- I am sure that cost dictated the failure to use the Kidani/BLT bathroom design in 1 bedrooms but DSis and I miss having totally separate bathrooms.
I am trying to drink in every moment here because DH's health will prevent me from returning. I feel unbelievably blessed to be here with DSis, who has never been to Hawaii. The rainy weather that was predicted has so far not materialized on Big Island, Maui or here. DVC is not perfect but I would be hard-pressed to name dollars I have spent that have brought me more joy. Aulani is the latest joy.
If anyone has an upcoming trip and needs info, I will try to help. Post questions.
My first 3 experiences were less than magical but undoubtedly influenced by the fact that I was very tired:
1). It felt like we were being taken hostage as we drove in. I am obsessive about guarding rental cars after reading online horror stories about valets/car damage/rental car damage claims denied because a non-authorized (valet) driver had caused damage. The valet practically grabbed our keys, started unloading our luggage before I even put the car in park. I was tired and they had no other guests but it rubbed me the wrong way.
2). I had made a request for a particular area for our 1 bedroom ocean view. I had done online checkin and the assigned room was not where I requested. I politely asked if there might be a room available where I wanted and there was. it took 20 minutes to make the change. So if it was available, why was it not assigned in the first place? My crabbiness was surely a factor here.
3). I had been bragging for MONTHS to DSis about Aulani and couldn't wait for her to be greeted with a flower lei. Not. After our half hour checkin process the bell person offered kukui nut leis (the male version) to us. It is ridiculous, I know, to be so disappointed about such a small thing, but I was.
Friday, a new day after some sleep. The resort is as beautiful as all previous threads have indicated. I walked around taking photos and I already know that lots of our points in the next few years will be going to provide rooms for many family members. I can see different age levels enjoying different aspects of the resort. If this resort were on the mainland it would be booked at 11 months every single day.
A few things about the room that I really like:
- Lots of hooks for hanging stuff in the bathrooms
- Heavy sliding doors to the lanai that block noise
- Screens on the lanai doors
- Sheers on the lanai doors
- A rechargeable flashlight mounted in the master bedroom closet
- Lovely carvings and other attention to detail
- Nice toiletries, including lotion
A few disappointing things:
- Zero drawer storage in the living room area. Anyone sleeping on the pullout or pull down bed has to use drawers in the master bedroom. Total PITA.
- I am sure that cost dictated the failure to use the Kidani/BLT bathroom design in 1 bedrooms but DSis and I miss having totally separate bathrooms.
I am trying to drink in every moment here because DH's health will prevent me from returning. I feel unbelievably blessed to be here with DSis, who has never been to Hawaii. The rainy weather that was predicted has so far not materialized on Big Island, Maui or here. DVC is not perfect but I would be hard-pressed to name dollars I have spent that have brought me more joy. Aulani is the latest joy.
If anyone has an upcoming trip and needs info, I will try to help. Post questions.
