Aulani - dining reservations - which restaurants?

[JsJk2014]

Hi!
Just wanting to make sure I understand which restaurants on-site you can make reservations at and which you can't:
Can make reservations: AMA AMA, Makahiki
Can not make reservations: Off the Hook, Olelo room
Is that right? We will be there last week in June - does the above change at all during a busy time of year like that?
Thank you!

 

[cgattis]

Hi!
Just wanting to make sure I understand which restaurants on-site you can make reservations at and which you can't:
Can make reservations: AMA AMA, Makahiki
Can not make reservations: Off the Hook, Olelo room
Is that right? We will be there last week in June - does the above change at all during a busy time of year like that?
Thank you!

Bumping this up for you. Yes those are correct and no I don’t believe they ever change. And if you miss your shot at reservations, you can walk up the morning of and ask about cancellations. We added a breakfast this way one day.

 

[Paul Stupin]

Hi!
Just wanting to make sure I understand which restaurants on-site you can make reservations at and which you can't:
Can make reservations: AMA AMA, Makahiki
Can not make reservations: Off the Hook, Olelo room
Is that right? We will be there last week in June - does the above change at all during a busy time of year like that?
Thank you!

You are correct! I suggest doing a deeper dive into the Makahiki experience. My wife and I did not have a good experience there in Feb, when we were giving it a second chance after a below average meal in December. Perhaps their breakfast is better, which we have not tried but, honestly, their dinner is overpriced, with the offerIngs ranging from subpar to awful.

I would go to Longhi’s instead, a ten minute walk down the beach path at the Marriott. It’s fantastic! Ama Ama is also a wonderful experience and delicious. We put off going their for awhile because it’s so pricey, but for us we now think it’s totally worth it, and will go once every trip.

Mina’s Fish House and Noe, both at The Four Seasons, are both really good as well, and both need reservations.

 

[Stormalong Smiths]

I'll add another recommendation for Longhi's. Other off-site wins for us were Monkeypod and Roy's, both easy walks off property.

Not excited about the dinner menu and having read the mixed reviews of Makahiki, my husband and I decided to have dinner at the Olelo Room one evening during our February trip. It ended up being one of our favorite meals of the trip. The bartenders are required to speak Hawaiian, were extremely friendly, and had so much to share about their culture and working at the resort. Highly recommend!

 

[Paul Stupin]

I'll add another recommendation for Longhi's. Other off-site wins for us were Monkeypod and Roy's, both easy walks off property.

Not excited about the dinner menu and having read the mixed reviews of Makahiki, my husband and I decided to have dinner at the Olelo Room one evening during our February trip. It ended up being one of our favorite meals of the trip. The bartenders are required to speak Hawaiian, were extremely friendly, and had so much to share about their culture and working at the resort. Highly recommend!

Hi!
Just wanting to make sure I understand which restaurants on-site you can make reservations at and which you can't:
Can make reservations: AMA AMA, Makahiki
Can not make reservations: Off the Hook, Olelo room
Is that right? We will be there last week in June - does the above change at all during a busy time of year like that?
Thank you!

For us, Roy's has always disappointed. Its in an old building on the golf course with no view, and feels old and stodgy. Service was particularly below standard, and prices high. So would recommend you get some other opinions on that before you book.

I know some people speak highly of it. Frankly I don't get it.

We absolutely love the Olelo Room as well! Great food, great service, the musicians/singers are always wonderful!

 

[Stormalong Smiths]

For us, Roy's has always disappointed. Its in an old building on the golf course with no view, and feels old and stodgy. Service was particularly below standard, and prices high. So would recommend you get some other opinions on that before you book.

I know some people speak highly of it. Frankly I don't get it.

We absolutely love the Olelo Room as well! Great food, great service, the musicians/singers are always wonderful!

Good points. I should clarify re: Roy's that we walked up to the bar on the back patio, which has lovely views of the golf course and very outgoing, funny bartenders. We shared several appetizers and planned to order dessert, but before we could I was surprised with a complimentary birthday dessert with a chocolate inscription and my name (we had mentioned casually in chatting with the bartender that we were in Hawaii celebrating my birthday). Turned out to be a pretty cost-effective meal as far as Ko Olina goes! We loved the convenience of not needing a reservation and enjoyed the atmosphere out back tremendously.

 

[J-Dog]

Sorry, I don't mean to hijack this thread, but based on the recommendations here, I was perusing the website and menu for Longhi's, and noticed that they mention that they charge a 4% "restaurant surcharge to support State of Hawaii mandated employee health insurance"

Is this a common thing in Hawaii?

I'm certainly not against paying to help an employee get health insurance or a living wage, but these constantly-worsening hidden fees turn me off. Just increase the prices!

 

[kboo]

We went to Roy’s last night and really enjoyed it! Service was excellent and timely, they brought our older daughter the kids’ appetizer and dessert even though she ordered off the adult menu.

 

[Paul Stupin]

Good points. I should clarify re: Roy's that we walked up to the bar on the back patio, which has lovely views of the golf course and very outgoing, funny bartenders. We shared several appetizers and planned to order dessert, but before we could I was surprised with a complimentary birthday dessert with a chocolate inscription and my name (we had mentioned casually in chatting with the bartender that we were in Hawaii celebrating my birthday). Turned out to be a pretty cost-effective meal as far as Ko Olina goes! We loved the convenience of not needing a reservation and enjoyed the atmosphere out back tremendously.

I think the view at Roy’s might be better during daylight hours. At night, since the golf course is not lit, there’s no view other than a huge black void, like outer space!

 

[Lilsia]

Sorry, I don't mean to hijack this thread, but based on the recommendations here, I was perusing the website and menu for Longhi's, and noticed that they mention that they charge a 4% "restaurant surcharge to support State of Hawaii mandated employee health insurance"

Is this a common thing in Hawaii?

I'm certainly not against paying to help an employee get health insurance or a living wage, but these constantly-worsening hidden fees turn me off. Just increase the prices!

They are legally allowed to do this but I don't think that many place actually do. I have never seen it. I think most just factor that into the price. Sounds like the Marriott is getting greedy.

 

[cedricandsophie]

We too love longhi. Try to go on Tuesday which is their luau. The right table gets you a perfect view of the luau.
At the four seasons at the fish house they have happy hour from either 3 or 4 for a couple hours. Half price for sone appetizers and specialty drinks. We have gone at 430 and basically had dinner for very reasonable price. The patio is lovely.
We like the monkey pod although it always feels like we spent more than we should have based on what we got.

We have been to Roy’s twice. Not good experience either time.
If you have a car or want to taxi or Uber Kapolei has several restaurants. It’s about a 10 minute drive.
We haven’t been to Ama Ama so nice it reopened but will probably try it in Oct when we are there.
I personally do not like makhiki since they changed to a pre fix breakfast.