Some Aulani Disappointments

[Iceman93]

I haven't been to Aulani yet, but I don't understand the back and forth sometimes on whether or not a resort is "worth it" or "going downhill." If you don't enjoy it anymore, stay somewhere else. If you do, then keep going there as long as you enjoy it. We all appreciate different things and it's as simple as that.

While I generally agree with this sentiment, some of us bought into DVC at Aulani at a time when a certain level of service was graciously provided. Of course nothing is guaranteed in the legal fine print besides a room with a bed, but I think NO ONE who went to Aulani in the first few years of operation and then goes now will claim the place has not "gone downhill" in some ways. But it's not just a simple matter of staying somewhere else--we bought into fifty years of vacations up front. (And before someone points out that we can simply use our DVC points elsewhere, while true, I didn't buy into DVC at Aulani to use points elsewhere, I bought into it at Aulani because I loved Aulani.)

 

[scoobdoo]

How is this screenshot - which doesn't mention Leis anywhere, prove that the post you quoted (which was contradicting your statement that all other hotels do a lei greeting), is a lie?

Purposefully being obtuse? Poster claimed said hotel no longer did room service.

 

[mahna2022]

Purposefully being obtuse? Poster claimed said hotel no longer did room service.

That poster said they no longer offer leis. I said that many hotels no longer offer room service, but have no info about room service specifically at Halekulani.

 

[Paul Stupin]

Why lie?View attachment 891724

Please explain to me why you think my statement was false. We stayed there in June. No leis. And what is the significance of your attached trip report, which has nothing to do with the topic being discussed?

 

[Paul Stupin]

Purposefully being obtuse? Poster claimed said hotel no longer did room service.

If you’re referring to me, my post had nothing to do with room service. In your words, why lie?

 

[Paul Stupin]

Ooooohhh, if you'd like to have a debate between whether Halekulani or Ritz Turtle Bay is the highest end hotel on Oahu, I would be more than happy to do some field research for you. I've stayed at the latter, which is amazing, but not the former. Game on?

(BTW: Turtle Bay did have leis and room service. We did not get the room service, because those menus are always overpriced and limited. The leis were wasteful)

Never stayed at Turtle Bay, but had lunch there once, and it was wonderful! The property is beautiful as well, so you might win that debate. The Four Seasons in Ko Olina right by Aulani and the Kahala might be in the running too, but haven't stayed at them either. That said, The Halekulani is super nice too!

 

[mahna2022]

Never stayed at Turtle Bay, but had lunch there once, and it was wonderful! The property is beautiful as well, so you might win that debate. The Four Seasons in Ko Olina right by Aulani and the Kahala might be in the running too, but haven't stayed at them either. That said, The Halekulani is super nice too!

Turtle Bay was just purchased by Marriott. Sale went through in early August, and it's Ritz-branded now.

And I think the Turtle Bay-Halekulani debate is one that no one loses, to be honest!!! Hoping to be lucky enough to stay at Halekulani one day. My friend went recently and adored it.

 

[Tigger's ally]

Except Aulani had room service from day one through march 2020

And maybe realized that it was a losing venture.......

 

[SirDuff]

Purposefully being obtuse? Poster claimed said hotel no longer did room service.

Are you purposely lying? Look at what YOU quoted. Nothing about room service.

 

[Paul Stupin]

While I generally agree with this sentiment, some of us bought into DVC at Aulani at a time when a certain level of service was graciously provided. Of course nothing is guaranteed in the legal fine print besides a room with a bed, but I think NO ONE who went to Aulani in the first few years of operation and then goes now will claim the place has not "gone downhill" in some ways. But it's not just a simple matter of staying somewhere else--we bought into fifty years of vacations up front. (And before someone points out that we can simply use our DVC points elsewhere, while true, I didn't buy into DVC at Aulani to use points elsewhere, I bought into it at Aulani because I loved Aulani.)

But, after the first few years of operation, an entirely new, large infinity pool, beautifully themed with rock work, with a waterfall, was added. I hardly think that would represent going downhill.

 

[Pyxie]

While I generally agree with this sentiment, some of us bought into DVC at Aulani at a time when a certain level of service was graciously provided. Of course nothing is guaranteed in the legal fine print besides a room with a bed, but I think NO ONE who went to Aulani in the first few years of operation and then goes now will claim the place has not "gone downhill" in some ways. But it's not just a simple matter of staying somewhere else--we bought into fifty years of vacations up front. (And before someone points out that we can simply use our DVC points elsewhere, while true, I didn't buy into DVC at Aulani to use points elsewhere, I bought into it at Aulani because I loved Aulani.)

I get it, and while it isn't necessarily an easy or simple fix, you can sell if you are no longer happy with the resort and have no use for your DVC points elsewhere.

 

[monsterkitty]

Guess the Marriott Ko Olina is also a slum because it does not have room service or leis.

 

[Paul Stupin]

I guess the addition of a beautiful new themed pool area a few years after opening was just another part of Aulani’s downhill descent, along with the return of Ama Ama, the new casabellas, the new DVC area, the new acaii bar at the Ulu cafe, the new breakfast options at Off The Hook, the return of the adult pool area, etc.

All this said, times and economic conditions inevitably change, and, though as a more recent owner (since 2020) my wife and I haven’t witnessed anything particularly bothersome to us, I’m sure some nice touches Aulani originally had at opening are no longer around. But get over it! They added a pool! Complaining about the missing leis to me sounds ridiculous and entitled. And if the lack of room service is a deal breaker, the poster who expressed such a sentiment should either come to terms with the situation or sell their points.

 

[mahna2022]

I guess the addition of a beautiful new themed pool area a few years after opening was just another part of Aulani’s downhill descent, along with the return of Ama Ama, the new casabellas, the new DVC area, the new acaii bar at the Ulu cafe, the new breakfast options at Off The Hook, the return of the adult pool area, etc.

All this said, times and economic conditions inevitably change, and, though as a more recent owner (since 2020) my wife and I haven’t witnessed anything particularly bothersome to us, I’m sure some nice touches Aulani originally had at opening are no longer around. But get over it! They added a pool! Complaining about the missing leis to me sounds ridiculous and entitled. And if the lack of room service is a deal breaker, the poster who expressed such a sentiment should either come to terms with the situation or sell their points.

It's also not like this is isolated simply to Aulani. This is an industry-wide occurrence. I can't imagine what hotels would be like if they never adapted to changes in demographics or financial realities. I, for one, was disgusted to see so many people vaping at Aulani and another hotel we stayed at in Oahu, especially when the law says it's forbidden. But it's everywhere now (including in Disney parks), and you just have to roll your eyes and move on. Times change; people change; you have to roll with stuff. Some of us have really big challenges we deal with in our everyday lives. I've learned the hard way to put things like hotel changes into perspective. If not getting a lei is a dealbreaker, I'd encourage you to look at the things about the place that you DO love, or to move on and cherish the memories.

 

[eandt]

Guess the Marriott Ko Olina is also a slum because it does not have room service or leis.

Puppies/dogs are the best pets …. Change my mind

 

[Paul Stupin]

Puppies/dogs are the best pets …. Change my mind

Do you have an opinion re Aulani?

 

[eandt]

Do you have an opinion re Aulani?

Nah how about those puppies though

 

[monsterkitty]

Puppies/dogs are the best pets …. Change my mind

If they have four legs, they are the best pets

 

[J-Dog]

While I generally agree with this sentiment, some of us bought into DVC at Aulani at a time when a certain level of service was graciously provided. Of course nothing is guaranteed in the legal fine print besides a room with a bed, but I think NO ONE who went to Aulani in the first few years of operation and then goes now will claim the place has not "gone downhill" in some ways. But it's not just a simple matter of staying somewhere else--we bought into fifty years of vacations up front. (And before someone points out that we can simply use our DVC points elsewhere, while true, I didn't buy into DVC at Aulani to use points elsewhere, I bought into it at Aulani because I loved Aulani.)

Comments like yours are probably true, but they lack context in the hospitality industry as a whole. Guests at Aulani have lost perks like free leis, room service, and apparently the tiki torches are no longer lit. Resorts in Vegas (Cosmopolitan, for example) still have some room service, but it' gone from high-quality food under a cloche to low-quality food coming in a bag and Styrofoam box. They also have tacked-on exorbitant resort fees, and they all close their gyms and pools at 5-6pm now. And these kinds of things have happened at other timeshare companies as well as cash resorts.

Complaining about resorts going "downhill" is one thing, but citing Aulani as somehow being the only one going downhill is disingenuous.

 

[Paul Stupin]

Comments like yours are probably true, but they lack context in the hospitality industry as a whole. Guests at Aulani have lost perks like free leis, room service, and apparently the tiki torches are no longer lit. Resorts in Vegas (Cosmopolitan, for example) still have some room service, but it' gone from high-quality food under a cloche to low-quality food coming in a bag and Styrofoam box. They also have tacked-on exorbitant resort fees, and they all close their gyms and pools at 5-6pm now. And these kinds of things have happened at other timeshare companies as well as cash resorts.

Complaining about resorts going "downhill" is one thing, but citing Aulani as somehow being the only one going downhill is disingenuous.

All good points. I would also add that when buying 50 years worth of vacations in advance, primarily for a single destination, common sense would dictate the high probability of at least some changes to the facility over the years that might not be to one’s liking.