Should we visit Aulani or somewhere else in Hawaii?

[OneMoreTry]

We are think of a Hawaii trip. Have never been before and may never go again. So we want to make the best of it.

I have read posts from some who feel that Aulani is not the best destination on the islands, which has made we wonder -- if we're gonna visit once, should we stay somewhere other than Aulani? We don't want to split a stay. We will pick on place and stay put.

I grew up near the Fla Keys and am passionate about snorkeling and sailing, so I would hope to be able to do those things and maybe some kayaking.

Based on $10 per point, we could probably rent the points required for an Aulani stay for about $5,000 and apply that to another resort.

I would like the opinions of those who have visited both Aulani and other places on the islands. What do you think?

 

[DVC Doctor]

Good luck renting at $10 and if you can congrats. Would also visit Maui, Kauai, and possible the Big Island in that order of preference. If this is a once in a lifetime trip then make it 2 weeks and visit all islands.

 

[Cinderpamela]

How many days are you going? as that will make a big difference in the advice.

If you truly want to make the best of it as you say .... and this is possibly the only chance/time to visit Hawaii, then after traveling all that way, you should consider either:
-island hopping to experience more than one island
or
- staying at more than one property.

We stayed in Waikiki for the first part of our trip this past December 2013 to get all the touring stuff done, then went to Aulani to relax and enjoy the resort amenities. We wish we also would have added on a few days up on the North shore as we wound up loving it up there so next time the plan will be to add at least a few days up at Turtle Bay Resort.

When we went in 2012 I found airline tickets that were actually less expensive if we stayed on Oahu for the first part of our trip then island hopped over to Maui and flew back home from Maui.
It was great to be able to experience more than one island and I would highly recommend it if you can swing it.

 

[LisaS]

Based on $10 per point, we could probably rent the points required for an Aulani stay for about $5,000 and apply that to another resort.

Rental rates have gone up a bit. You can rent your points out through David's service (a board sponsor with great reviews) and get $11 per point. You still make the reservation yourself but his service matches up renters and owners and handles the financial transaction.

You might get a bit more renting them out yourself though I'm not sure how much more. I wouldn't let them go for $10 per point unless you had to rent them quickly.

 

[amym2]

All of the islands are very different, so you need to research and decide what sounds best to you. I agree- I wouldn't go all that way and only do one island. You need to do at least two to make the most out of your trip. Experience Oahu while staying at Aulani, and visit Maui or Kauai or the Big Island as well. You'll be much better off splitting your trip than trying to do day trips to other islands. Oahu is definitely worth a visit, and Aulani is an amazing resort, but it is the most touristy island with the most traffic and people. You can snorkel and kayak (and I assume sail) there. Kauai has great kayaking and sailing, but the snorkeling isn't the best. The Big Island has some unique beaches and lots of different types of terrain. Haven't been to Maui, but I assume you'd be happy with water activities there also.

 

[Anal Annie]

We are think of a Hawaii trip. Have never been before and may never go again. So we want to make the best of it.

I have read posts from some who feel that Aulani is not the best destination on the islands, which has made we wonder -- if we're gonna visit once, should we stay somewhere other than Aulani? We don't want to split a stay. We will pick on place and stay put.

I grew up near the Fla Keys and am passionate about snorkeling and sailing, so I would hope to be able to do those things and maybe some kayaking.

Based on $10 per point, we could probably rent the points required for an Aulani stay for about $5,000 and apply that to another resort.

I would like the opinions of those who have visited both Aulani and other places on the islands. What do you think?

We haven't been to Aulani (yet) but have been to Hawaii 4x before. I haven't read anybody saying that Aulani isn't the best place to visit. Many people tho do prefer the other islands to Oahu (myself included). Even tho Oahu is our least favorite island I am looking forward to spending a full week there this summer as I've only read positive things about the resort. Oahu is still a facsinating island and is worth visiting while going to Hawaii. Pearl Harbor is not to be missed. But I would never recommend going all that way and not island hopping. Each island is unique. And you should definitely try to go for more than a week. It is too far and too expensive to get to to only go for a week. I'd recommend at least 10 days and 2 islands minimum. There are always lots of threads going here about Aulani and the different islands. Personally we love Maui and the Big Island and they are nothing alike. I would say you should plan on at least 5 nights for Aulani and then 5 nights for another island. If you can go for 2 full weeks then try out 3 islands. I would never skip Oahu based on what others have said about it being their least favorite island. Most people who dislilke it have only stayed in Waikiki (like myself). Aulani tho should be a whole different experience. In order to make the best of the trip as you said, you MUST island hop.

 

[WDW_Diane]

We are think of a Hawaii trip. Have never been before and may never go again. So we want to make the best of it. I have read posts from some who feel that Aulani is not the best destination on the islands, which has made we wonder -- if we're gonna visit once, should we stay somewhere other than Aulani? We don't want to split a stay. We will pick on place and stay put. I grew up near the Fla Keys and am passionate about snorkeling and sailing, so I would hope to be able to do those things and maybe some kayaking. Based on $10 per point, we could probably rent the points required for an Aulani stay for about $5,000 and apply that to another resort. I would like the opinions of those who have visited both Aulani and other places on the islands. What do you think?

You are likely to fly into Oahu when you go to Hawaii, regardless of your final destination. Since you are there......

Why not spend a few days at Aulani, you may not get the chance again. The Ko Olina area where Aulani sits is gorgeous. It is nothing like the skyscraper area of Waikiki. It is peaceful and calm, and you can't beat those lagoons for carefree beach days. The hotel itself is a gorgeous spectacle, and an experience you won't find anywhere else.

You will find better snorkeling elsewhere....like on Maui near the Sheraton at Black Rock, or on any number of expeditions. You can find sailing and kayaking in other places too, and on other islands. You might enjoy going in a traditional outrigger canoe. We were booked for that excursion, which is on the opposite side of the island. We cancelled because of rough water, but it would be an adventure.

The next time we go to Hawaii, Aulani might not be our main destination, because we have seen most of Oahu now, and there are still two islands we haven't seen. However, I plan to spend a couple of nights at Aulani because it's wonderful.

 

[WDW_Diane]

How many days are you going? as that will make a big difference in the advice. If you truly want to make the best of it as you say .... and this is possibly the only chance/time to visit Hawaii, then after traveling all that way, you should consider either: -island hopping to experience more than one island or - staying at more than one property. We stayed in Waikiki for the first part of our trip this past December 2013 to get all the touring stuff done, then went to Aulani to relax and enjoy the resort amenities. We wish we also would have added on a few days up on the North shore as we wound up loving it up there so next time the plan will be to add at least a few days up at Turtle Bay Resort. When we went in 2012 I found airline tickets that were actually less expensive if we stayed on Oahu for the first part of our trip then island hopped over to Maui and flew back home from Maui. It was great to be able to experience more than one island and I would highly recommend it if you can swing it.

I agree with this.. We enjoyed our time on the North Shore as well. We went to Turtle Bay for the sunset one evening but didn't go inside the hotel. There are lots of interesting things to see and do up that way.

 

[CailinFig]

Don't miss out on Oahu! It's still a beautiful island. Most people don't like Waikiki (myself included) but there's still plenty of other areas to visit! North Shore, the east side beaches are some of my favorite, and the Ko Olina area/Aulani. From now on our plan is to island hop but end with a relaxing stay at Aulani!

You should definitely see other islands if you can but I wouldn't completely rule Oahu and staying at Aulani out!

 

[Mazz519]

You can definitely get 12 to 13 a point for Aulani, don't skimp for a once in a lifetime trip the very least you should do 2 islands.....just my opinion

 

[DenLo]

A lot of people don't like Oahu period. It is mainly because Honolulu is there and traffic can cause delays getting around. And some think other islands are more beautiful. IMO they are all beautiful. And there are places to snorkel and kayak off each island.

Since you are used to snorkeling off the Keys then I would research the snorkeling for each island and decide where you want to go. But there is much more to see and do on land. Since it will be only be your one and only visit to Hawaii you might want to visit more than one island.

 

[ACDSNY]

I agree with many of the previous posts, if you can squeeze in more than one island then do so. Each island is unique in their own way.

I don't want or need to be in the Waikiki area as I don't go to Hawaii to be in a city environment. I don't mind driving to other locations during the day and come back to a peaceful and relaxing resort in the afternoon.

Only you can decide what you'd like most from your trip. The Aulani resort is beautiful and relaxing and we love to end our trips there with several nights.

Our upcoming trip is a week on Kauai with 4 nights at Aulani before coming home.

 

[wendypooh]

We are think of a Hawaii trip. Have never been before and may never go again. So we want to make the best of it.

I have read posts from some who feel that Aulani is not the best destination on the islands, which has made we wonder -- if we're gonna visit once, should we stay somewhere other than Aulani? We don't want to split a stay. We will pick on place and stay put.

I grew up near the Fla Keys and am passionate about snorkeling and sailing, so I would hope to be able to do those things and maybe some kayaking.

Based on $10 per point, we could probably rent the points required for an Aulani stay for about $5,000 and apply that to another resort.

I would like the opinions of those who have visited both Aulani and other places on the islands. What do you think?

I may be wrong, but the way I read your post, is that you are saying YOU would be renting YOUR own pts. for $10 pp - and using that to pay for another place to stay ranther than staying at Aulani... If that IS what you are saying, then my response is this : I would absolutely stay at Aulani for at least a few days, the resort is gorgeous, we loved it last May and are going again in a few weeks. I think you'd kick yourself if you missed it. We also stayed in Waikiki and enjoyed that as well. Our son who lives on Oahu recently stayed at Turtle Bay for the weekend and loved it. We have not yet island hopped, but plan too on this trip, Maui & the big island. There is a lot to do on Oahu - you won't be bored!! So, my advice, DEF go try Aulani for a few days, then maybe if you sell your other pts. (and if you are selling them for $10pp - PM ME - I may want to buy some!!! ) then use that for another resort either on Oahu or another island. Our son also recently visited Maui, he absolutely LOVED it. Either way, have a wonderful trip - we are counting down the days very impatiently.... aloha

 

[T4K]

A lot of people don't like Oahu period. It is mainly because Honolulu is there and traffic can cause delays getting around. And some think other islands are more beautiful. IMO they are all beautiful. And there are places to snorkel and kayak off each island. Since you are used to snorkeling off the Keys then I would research the snorkeling for each island and decide where you want to go. But there is much more to see and do on land. Since it will be only be your one and only visit to Hawaii you might want to visit more than one island.

You hit the nail on the head with those first two sentences.

Honolulu and Waikiki aren't all that great. My absolute favorite part of Oahu is Kailua. I haven't been to Aulani but I can't imagine a better beach than Kailua. It rivals my time spent in upcountry Maui. You can rent a house in Kailua fairly reasonably. We were just there over Thanksgiving.

 

[Carrie in AZ]

I am obviously in the minority, but I don't feel like you need to island hop to have a truly amazing trip to Hawaii! Our trips have been:

13 nts Kauai condo Princeville/2 nts Grand Hyatt Poipu

3 nts Aulani/10 nts Kauai condo

Last summer we stayed for 9 nights on Oahu: 1 nt Aulani, 3 nts Turtle Bay on the North Shore and then 5 nts at The Kahala near Diamond Head. WE HAD AN AMAZING VACATION!! I realize the OP doesn't want to do a split stay and move from place to place on Oahu. Even so, there is SO MUCH to do on Oahu. We went on total adventures all around the island and really loved it. We totally fell in love with North Shore. Also fell in love with Kailua as someone else mentioned, what a gorgeous beach! As much as we loved staying at Turtle Bay and The Kahala -- which felt like a residence to us, it was awesome, I would never pass up the opportunity to stay at Aulani. It is such a beautiful resort!!

If snorkeling is your passion, then you want to visit Shark's Cove up on the North Shore. Make sure you go early or you may not find a place to park. It was not to be missed.

The one thing we did miss on Oahu was boogie boarding. The boogie boarding was much better at a few beaches on Kauai. There is amazing kayaking on Kauai also.

Sure, I would island hop if you can swing it, but if you can't, then I would not hesitate to take advantage of all Aulani and Oahu has to offer. If anyone has any questions about Turtle Bay or The Kahala, PM me so I see your inquiry and I will be very happy to reply.

Good luck with all of your decisions!

 

[Fuhnuh]

I am also in the minority (with Carrie and perhaps a few others) in that I can find enough variety in Oahu to make twice yearly 10-11 day vacations there. We go to Aulani for a few days and stay the rest in Waikiki. We have found that when visiting other parts of the island we are usually traveling opposite the heavy flows of traffic and have not really had a problem getting anywhere on the island. I agree that whether you have a preference for a particular island or for island hopping is a personal question and one that is hard to answer on your first visits. Next year we may add turtle bay or another island to are trip. There is a lot of tourism to Hawaii and I find touristy elements exist at all of them available to tour. I guess it depends on what you call touristy. I think if you check the web or Hawaii travel guides you can get a fairly good idea if a particular island will prove enjoyable for your vacation. Although I enjoy Waikiki, Oahu has a lot more to offer than it and the city of Honolulu.