Opinions on views

[Tracy Pratt]

what makes a pool view "better" (more expensive anyway) than an island garden view?

 

[Elima2015]

The pool views face in toward the center of the resort, overlooking the pool areas - I believe the pool views start on the ground floor and go up to like the 6th or so floor (there is a pinned thread at the top that is very detailed and has the exact breakdown). The Island garden views face the outside of the hotel and depending on where you are, look out over the spa, the island, the lawn where the luau is held. We have stayed in an Island Garden twice and been happy with the views both times - first time we were right over the spa and could even see the ocean a tiny bit if we looked that direction. Second time we actually had a great view of the ocean and the lawn - we could watch the outdoor movie and the luau from our balcony (though we couldn't hear it perfectly).

ETA: I realized I didn't really answer the question. I'm not sure what makes it a better view. I thought our last Island Garden view was ideal. It was practically an ocean view room. Probably just preference - I have heard ground floor pool view is nice as you just literally walk out your back door and are right there at the pools. Also, the activity of the pool area can be fun to watch and it is beautiful light up at night. So, my opinion is it isn't better - just what you prefer.

 

[OKW Lover]

what makes a pool view "better" (more expensive anyway) than an island garden view?

At the risk of stating the obvious, the view. The pool view is of a lush, tropical oasis. The Island Garden View is a more mundane view of the island, which is still pretty though. I'll see if I can find some pictures from our past stays to post.

ETA: I've posted some pool view pictures below. Don't seem to have any island view pictures. Perhaps others can post some.

 

[OKW Lover]

This is a pool view.

DSCN1172 by jalves_02360, on Flickr
And so is this:

DSCN1169 by jalves_02360, on Flickr
...and this:

DSCN1171 by jalves_02360, on Flickr

 

[KBinCO]

we paid for a standard view. We were upgraded to island garden, so the luau, movies, and other lawn activities were right out our door (we were on the ground floor). That was convenient for sure but besides that, we were just not in our room enough to care about what was outside the window and pay more money for that.

 

[M<3'sMickey]

How much time are you planning on spending in your room looking out the window? Both times I've been to Aulani, we stayed in a standard view because we were either out doing tourist things or we were at the pool. What was outside the window didn't matter to us at all. It only matters on what you want to see out YOUR window.

 

[Tracy Pratt]

We booked a pool view because we got such a great price since my daughter (who is traveling with us) is a cast member. It never occurred to me that we wouldn't be able to be higher than the 5th floor with a pool view. insuppose it doesn't matter that we can't be on a higher floor. I guess I was just curious why the pool view is more money than island view

 

[OKW Lover]

How much time are you planning on spending in your room looking out the window?

Not the OP, but we spend a lot of our time on our balcony taking in the view. First thing in the morning we are out there with coffee. Mid-day we are having beverages out there. In the evening we watch the sun set while having more beverages.

 

[Elima2015]

For us, the view impacts the amount of time we spend in the room. No view and we find ourselves hanging out more in public areas - finding a place to watch the ocean, sunset, find a table outside to eat, etc. With a great view, we tend to not mind going back to the room for some downtime, bringing food back to eat on the balcony. We still have kids who nap, so it was great to put them down and then sit on the balcony and watch the waves with an iced tea and a snack. We were also able to watch the luau for "free" - we got pizzas at Ulu and then sat on the balcony and watched the show.

Here are our Island Garden view pics: