Aulani Villas & Views -- REVISED 07/22/2017

[Dugette]

Thinking of booking either a daytime sail or sunset sail for our February trip (2 adults), for those that have done these what company did you like?

After a couple of recommendations for it, we went with Hawaii Nautical (sunset sail). They are a bit up the coast from Aulani. They offer a free shuttle from Aulani or you can drive up on your own (as we did). Nice boat, not crowded, good food, friendly crew. I'd do it again. I also was able to use a discount voucher I found on the Yelp app.

As nice as the sunset was, we didn't really see any sea life. If I went again, I'd probably go during the day to see dolphins (or whales, if in season).

 

[ACDSNY]

After a couple of recommendations for it, we went with Hawaii Nautical (sunset sail). They are a bit up the coast from Aulani. They offer a free shuttle from Aulani or you can drive up on your own (as we did). Nice boat, not crowded, good food, friendly crew. I'd do it again. I also was able to use a discount voucher I found on the Yelp app.

As nice as the sunset was, we didn't really see any sea life. If I went again, I'd probably go during the day to see dolphins (or whales, if in season).

That's my dilemma since it is whale season I'm torn between wanting to see whales and watching the sunset. Thanks for the review of Hawaii Nautical as that's the company I was looking at.

 

[goracingpr]

We've been patiently waiting for the 11 month window to hit for a Dec. 2015 trip we have planned with multiple family members. We were intending to book a 3 Bedroom Grand Villa, Standard View but they don't seem to be available at all. Has anyone heard if the two that they have on property are going to be down for upgrades or anything in Dec. 2015? I can't find them available online, but haven't tried calling yet.
Our scheduled visit is Dec. 6 for a week. If we can't get this, we were planning to book a 2 BR and a studio (and save quite a few points). This won't allow all of us to be together, and the shared living space isn't as big for shared meals. Does anyone have a preference in the 2 BR -- lock off versus regular? We'll probably get the garden or pool view if we go this route. We had a 1 BR in Dec. 2013 garden view and had an awesome view of the Starlit Hue and a glimpse of the ocean and it was wonderful.

 

[iadreamer]

We have booked a 2Br Island view and am wondering if we would be able to exit and enter through the patio doors if we get a ground floor room? Just thinking through the logistics of having 4 adults and 2 kids in a room with only one entry door.

 

[kittyab]

VGF is my home resort. But we really want to go to Aulani one day. How hard is it to get a reservation 7 months out?

 

[wdrl]

We've been patiently waiting for the 11 month window to hit for a Dec. 2015 trip we have planned with multiple family members. We were intending to book a 3 Bedroom Grand Villa, Standard View but they don't seem to be available at all. Has anyone heard if the two that they have on property are going to be down for upgrades or anything in Dec. 2015? I can't find them available online, but haven't tried calling yet.
Our scheduled visit is Dec. 6 for a week. If we can't get this, we were planning to book a 2 BR and a studio (and save quite a few points). This won't allow all of us to be together, and the shared living space isn't as big for shared meals. Does anyone have a preference in the 2 BR -- lock off versus regular? We'll probably get the garden or pool view if we go this route. We had a 1 BR in Dec. 2013 garden view and had an awesome view of the Starlit Hue and a glimpse of the ocean and it was wonderful.

I would definitely call Member Services and find out if a Standard View Grand Villa is available for your dates. Maybe MS has access to inventory we can't see online.

I checked both the Resort Availability Tool and the Online Booking System and found no Standard View Grand Villas available for scattered dates through 2015. There wasn't even an orphaned day here or there that I could find, which seems extremely unusual. There are only two Standard View Grand Villas, so the demand might be stronger than the supply. But still, I would have thought I could find the odd day here or there!

Good luck in getting what you want!

 

[Twoatonce]

Villa 461 - Dedicated 2 Bedroom Standard View

Just got back from spending Christmas & New Year's at Aulani. We rarely spend much time in the room so we decided to max out our points on additional nights rather than view. Considering that our room faced the Conference Centre it was amazingly quiet. They do have a water feature outside which masks just about all other noise.

View from Master Bedroom

View from Master Bedroom along lanai toward Living Room and 2nd Bedroom

 

[Twoatonce]

Villa 1407 - One Bedroom Ocean View

We stayed at Aulani in March 2012. Here are the views from the lanai.

 

[wdrl]

Villa 461 - Dedicated 2 Bedroom Standard View

Just got back from spending Christmas & New Year's at Aulani. We rarely spend much time in the room so we decided to max out our points on additional nights rather than view. Considering that our room faced the Conference Centre it was amazingly quiet. They do have a water feature outside which masks just about all other noise.

Thanks, Twoatonce, for sharing your photos from both of your trips to Aulani. Given your screen name, I guess its only natural for you to post two villas at the same time!

 

[jtkboston]

Villa 461 - Dedicated 2 Bedroom Standard View Just got back from spending Christmas & New Year's at Aulani. We rarely spend much time in the room so we decided to max out our points on additional nights rather than view.

When did you book the room (how far in advance)? Did you arrive before/after Christmas; did you depart before/after New Year's?

 

[carissa1970]

I'm curious...can you hear the morning chant from the balconies of standard or island view rooms? I know I asked a while back, and I can't remember if anyone responded. Sitting on my balcony sipping coffee and listening to the 7 am chant is my favorite thing to do. I'm afraid to book anything besides pool view because I don't want to give that up, but I'd love to save on points!

 

[apple9117]

The pictures here are so beautiful, can't wait for our trip!

 

[Mtkgal]

We've been patiently waiting for the 11 month window to hit for a Dec. 2015 trip we have planned with multiple family members. We were intending to book a 3 Bedroom Grand Villa, Standard View but they don't seem to be available at all. Has anyone heard if the two that they have on property are going to be down for upgrades or anything in Dec. 2015? I can't find them available online, but haven't tried calling yet.
Our scheduled visit is Dec. 6 for a week. If we can't get this, we were planning to book a 2 BR and a studio (and save quite a few points). This won't allow all of us to be together, and the shared living space isn't as big for shared meals. Does anyone have a preference in the 2 BR -- lock off versus regular? We'll probably get the garden or pool view if we go this route. We had a 1 BR in Dec. 2013 garden view and had an awesome view of the Starlit Hue and a glimpse of the ocean and it was wonderful.

We wanted the same thing for our upcoming August trip, but no Std GV were available at all and we were watching for months. I think you'll be able to get some 2 bedrooms. We were going to try to get 2- 2bdr garden views, but at the 7mo. window they were snatched up quickly. Right at 11 months you should be able to get them.

Good luck and let us know what you get.

 

[goracingpr]

Thank you both. There was no explanation as to why it appears there's no 3 BR GV standard view available this morning when I called to book. We are on the 7 day waiting list, so we'll see -- but I'm not going to hold my breath.
Was able to book a 2 BR and studio, both pool view for less than the 3 BR, so I'm satisfied. Besides, in hindsight I think it will be a nice break away from the in-laws and maybe our two small children will want to camp out with then one night .

 

[jillmc40]

I would like to post pictures from room 567/569 (2 bedroom lock-off). This resort was so wonderful! We had an amazing time, if only for one night I requested high floor and near pool - I was happy with what I received! We had a standard view. Is 5th floor highest you can get for a Standard view? I think I heard that somewhere...

Water feature right below the balcony:

This is my DS5 (who is tall for his age). I just wanted to give a reference for how big the pull down bed is. This was a huge hit for the kids who both wanted to sleep on it...

I Have more pictures of the room if you need them but though the view as the most important...All the rooms seem to be the same pretty much, right?

 

[DenLo]

I would like to post pictures from room 567/569 (2 bedroom lock-off). This resort was so wonderful! We had an amazing time, if only for one night I requested high floor and near pool - I was happy with what I received! We had a standard view. Is 5th floor highest you can get for a Standard view? I think I heard that somewhere...

There were two more floors above your room that are standard view. You can check the maps on the first page of this thread. The top floor for standard view is the 7th floor. But not all the buildings and wings have standard view rooms.

Love the photo of your son on the murphy bed.

 

[jillmc40]

There were two more floors above your room that are standard view. You can check the maps on the first page of this thread. The top floor for standard view is the 7th floor. But not all the buildings and wings have standard view rooms.

Love the photo of your son on the murphy bed.

Thanks My dd8 "called it" for our trip to VGF in April - haha!!

 

[wdrl]

I would like to post pictures from room 567/569 (2 bedroom lock-off). This resort was so wonderful! We had an amazing time, if only for one night I requested high floor and near pool - I was happy with what I received! We had a standard view. Is 5th floor highest you can get for a Standard view? I think I heard that somewhere...

I Have more pictures of the room if you need them but though the view as the most important...All the rooms seem to be the same pretty much, right?

Thanks for posting your photos, jillmc40!

Not all villas are identical at Aulani. We discovered on our last trip that the layout of the studios with angled balconies is slightly different than the studios with the non-angled balconies. The former has a nightstand on both sides of the bed, while the studios with non-angled balconies have just one nightstand. Another difference is that the lock-off two-bedroom has the Murphy bed in the living room, but the dedicated two-bedroom does not.

 

[wdrl]

The amount of Aulani's Transient Accommodation Tax has changed for 2015. The tax is based on a timeshare's yearly maintenance fees, so whenever they go up the tax goes up as well. Click here for an explanation of the tax and the formula used to compute the tax.

 

[TreesyB]

Thanks to all the great advice on this board, we were able to have a partial ocean view when we booked a one bedroom Island/Garden view. We ended up in 1571 which overlooked the Starlit Hui lawn. Which was great because we were able to watch the Starlit Hui from our balcony.

Here's the partial ocean view at sunrise



Here's the murphy bed and what it looks like for a 6 ft tall teenager. Lucky for him I didn't make him sleep there.



Here's my artsy photo with Mickey cookie and cup.