Aulani/ Four Seasons

[aulanidreamer]

Anyone at Aulani recently and heard any chatter about the Four Seasons opening in 2016? I see they are taking reservations starting in June. Looks amazing and will add several restaurants. However I am seeing descriptions of new pools and a private adults beach...are they somehow building an additional cove or taking over the monk seal/ turtle beach? I am a little afraid of what they are doing to the area and how it might impact Aulani. The cove shared with aulani certainly can never be described as adults only. The Ihilani pool was relatively small, so I can't envision where more pool area will go.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I wonder if they are replacing the large water feature they had with fish and was it sharks...or stingrays? We couldn't see it our last visit so it's been a few years. Beaches in Hawaii are public so I don't see how they could ever make anything termed adult only that was right on the ocean. They can restrict use in the area right in front of the hotel as I understand, but can't restrict all the way to the water.

 

[kungaloosh22]

Kat, I had the same question about the public beaches in Hawaii. This is how Four Seasons is describing it: "The Resort's Adult Pool offers a serene pool experience with an optimal westward-facing location, perfect for taking in the colourful sunsets famous on the leeward coast of Oahu. Just next to the pool is the adult-only beach, a calm, secluded area located within a private estate, Lanikuhonua."

Maybe someone who has been to Aulani can look at the photos of Lanikohonua and say whether or not that's the monk seal/turtle beach? (You may have to scroll to see all the photos, and lots of the beach photos are on page 2 of photos. You may have to scroll to see the link to page 2 as well.)

 

[aulanidreamer]

It is hard to tell but monk sea/turtle beach is small and often has volunteers there to protect the animals. I would be surprised if they were allowed to do anything there. It isn't as protected as the coves if I remember correctly, we only went twice, so I don't quite remember. I hope they don't put up some sort of barrier on the sand between their guest and aulani that will change the view. I did also notice all of their resort pictures/ press completely cut out the pics of aulani and make the beach in front look empty. I think it is kinda risky to make it appear isolated and quiet when that is the busiest part of ko olina. Overall I think the resort will be nice to have close by for the variation of dining choices, as long as they don't mess worth the beach and the view.

 

[jerseygal]

GLAD to hear that there will be more dining options very close to Aulani. BEAUTIUL BEACH AND VIEW of moutains, hope it stays that way!

 

[kungaloosh22]

It is hard to tell but monk sea/turtle beach is small and often has volunteers there to protect the animals. I would be surprised if they were allowed to do anything there. It isn't as protected as the coves if I remember correctly, we only went twice, so I don't quite remember. I hope they don't put up some sort of barrier on the sand between their guest and aulani that will change the view.

Fingers crossed!

I did also notice all of their resort pictures/ press completely cut out the pics of aulani and make the beach in front look empty.

Ha ha! I noticed that, too.

Overall I think the resort will be nice to have close by for the variation of dining choices, as long as they don't mess worth the beach and the view.

I completely agree.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Kat, I had the same question about the public beaches in Hawaii. This is how Four Seasons is describing it: "The Resort's Adult Pool offers a serene pool experience with an optimal westward-facing location, perfect for taking in the colourful sunsets famous on the leeward coast of Oahu. Just next to the pool is the adult-only beach, a calm, secluded area located within a private estate, Lanikuhonua."

Maybe someone who has been to Aulani can look at the photos of Lanikohonua and say whether or not that's the monk seal/turtle beach? (You may have to scroll to see all the photos, and lots of the beach photos are on page 2 of photos. You may have to scroll to see the link to page 2 as well.)

We did walk along the beach side in March, and I might be wrong, but I think that looks like the beach that is between the seal beach and the beach that Paradise Cove luau is on. On maps it looks like it would be easy to connect to the 4 Seasons. And if the pool is going to be west facing I wonder if they are moving it - their old one was more south facing. It'll be interesting to see!