Walking distant to Aulani...

[sgentile914]

We are heading to Aulani for our honeymoon in January!

I have heard the Paradise Cove Luau is within walking distance of the resort? Thoughts and reviews on that?

Also, what else is within walking distance? Grocery store? Restaurants?

What have you found to be the best/ cheapest way to get to the resort from Honolulu International?

Thanks!

 

[Camshell]

We've been there once before, but didn't venture away from the Resort. We're going back in March 2015. If you don't mind, I'd like to tag on an additional question.

Is it possible to walk (safely) to/from the Bus Stop on the highway? If so what stop location/route did you take?

 

[lablady]

We are heading to Aulani for our honeymoon in January!

I have heard the Paradise Cove Luau is within walking distance of the resort? Thoughts and reviews on that?

Also, what else is within walking distance? Grocery store? Restaurants?

What have you found to be the best/ cheapest way to get to the resort from Honolulu International?

Thanks!

Paradise Cove is within walking distance, just down the street, past a few resorts. There is a resort shuttle that circles through Ko olina, but I'm not sure what the schedule is for that. We haven't been to it.

There is a small grocery/gift shop/liquor market right across the street. It's like a fancy version of the ABC stores all over Waikiki. There are also a couple restaurants across the street . Monkeypods is wonderful! There is a mexican food place there that is fine, nothing special. There's also Roy's, which is more upscale, at the golf course down the road. A little further walk but not too far unless you're in heels! There are also restaurants in some of the resorts nearby. We haven't tried them so I can't give any recommendations.

We've always rented a car, so no info about best shuttles to get from the airport.

You'll love Aulani! It's just gorgeous. We are going in just over a month and I can't wait!

 

[E&Cmom]

Yes, Paradise above is an easy walk. We did not go to the luau but walked over to the lagoon near it.

The little shopping area is an easy walk. As the previous posted said, there is The Country Market (ABC) and Monkeypod as well as an ice cream store, a coffee place, a pizza place, Hawaiian BBQ, a few gift stores among a few other places which I can't think what they were at the moment. Also within walking distance at the Golf Course is the restaurant Roy's and there are a few other restaurants including a Starbucks next door at the Marriot.

For airport transfers, we used Charley's Taxi with a flat fee of $55 each way but we are a family of 4. In my research , I found for 1-3 people that using a shuttle would be cheaper since the fee was $17-18 each person. For our family, it was cheaper to use Charley's . For shuttles, Aulani recommends Speedishuttle on their site. Most will tell you to rent a car though.

Enjoy Aulani! I have been home over a week now and am still thinking of it everyday.

 

[happymommy]

I highly recommend having a car if at all possible.

Yes, the glorified ABC store is within walking distance. And, Paradise Cove is definitely walking distance.

Within a 5 minute drive, though, is Target (with groceries), Super Walmart, Costco, and Safeway (my least favorite).

We cook in a lot at Ko Olina, so could never go without a car. You would be so isolated. There is also the Swap Meet on Wed, Sat, and Sundays at the stadium. Plus so much more - and in Kapolei there are some decent places to eat.

 

[Simba]

We are headed to Aulani for our honeymoon in November. We have booked a rental car as we want to see everything the island has to offer. We also want to be able to stop and get groceries, beer, wine, etc. It will also be nice to be able to come and go as we please.

We also booked Paradise Cove. I've read mixed reviews but most people seem to enjoy it. The big draw is that it is within walking distance and easy to get to from Aulani.

 

[Anal Annie]

We are heading to Aulani for our honeymoon in January!

I have heard the Paradise Cove Luau is within walking distance of the resort? Thoughts and reviews on that?

Also, what else is within walking distance? Grocery store? Restaurants?

What have you found to be the best/ cheapest way to get to the resort from Honolulu International?

Thanks!

The little shopping center area is across the street from the Marriott which is next door. It's about a 5-10 min. walk depending on your pace. We ate at Monkey Pod Kitchen (was very good) and Pizza Corner (decent large NY style pizza for $24). There is also a sushi place & a taco place which we did not try. There was also a BBQ place of some sort by the sushi place but the menu looked a little odd to us and there were never any customers in it whenever we went by. There are a few clothing & shoe shops and an ABC store where you can buy light groceries and beer & some booze. (Their prices were a lot higher tho than the Target in Kapolei and of course the selection was very limited). Going in the other direction from Aulani is Roy's which is more upscale and $$$ but also walkable. We have done luau's on other islands which I think are better than any on Oahu so we didn't do Paradise Cove but it would be an easy walk if that's what you decide to do.

We rented cars on Oahu and Maui thru Costco.com and were happy to be able to plan our own excursions and shopping that way. I had to hawk their website on a regular basis to find a good deal but evenually ended up with a "standard size" for $141 for our 7 nights on Oahu. It was very convenient. I can't imagine being all the way out there and "stucK" with no car.

 

[aclov]

It probably depends how long you are staying and what your plans are if you need a car but you can probably wing it not having one. Ko'Olina is growing and there is plenty nearby as far as eating and drinking. We loved Monkeypod for happy hour, the Mexican place was ok and Roys was a nice dinner out. The luau is within walking distance as others have mention. I like having a car to get around but if you are doing the spa which I recommend or just relaxing than the resort is beautiful and you won't want to leave!

 

[SingingMom]

We just spent 9 nights at Aulani without a car. Paradise Cove Luau was cute - we did the deluxe package so we didn't have to stand in a buffet line of 800 of your new friends. Lol. The walk was pleasant. Across the street we also ate Monkeypod (save room for the pies!!) and the Mexican restaurant. Next door at the Marriott we ate at their Italian restaurant. The coffee shop across the street had specialty hot & cold drinks that were delicious.

AMA AMA was delicious, but not enough variety for a second visit. Their breakfast however was fabulous!

Something we missed & was disappointed is we didn't eat at the spa. We loved our massages and rain showers outside, but checked out the menu too late. It looked great!

 

[lovetotraveltx]

We rented through discount hawaiian rentals on Oahu and Costco on Maui. Both are good prices and free to cancel.

We really enjoyed Paradise Cove. We were skeptical, but since we were drinking we really wanted to walk. Were pleasantly surprised.

We did Monkey pod for happy hour 1/2 off most drinks and appetizers and discounted pizzas. This was our light dinner that night. Didn't knock my sock off.

We did Chucks steakhouse one night in the Koolina Marriott and Beach club. Enjoyed our meals and the salad bar.

On our last night we discovered
Naupaka Terrace Pau Hana Dinner! Wonderful dishes created by our Executive Chef, with choices from a select menu for $30 and a select bottle of wine for only $5 based on two entrees! Limited time offer, Wednesdays and Fridays only. Expiration: October 31, 2014.

I see it expires soon, but see if they extend it or have another special. Best deal on Hawaii and food great!

On our north shore day we brought home huli huli chicken and food from a shrimp truck and ate in our villa which was really nice.

Not enough characters or interaction but loved the food at the Character breakfast. We did that our last morning which is our disney tradition!

 

[moonlightgraham]

Sort of off-topic but does the spa offer any type of day pass to use the facilities without having to get a treatment, much like the Disney cruise ships offer?

 

[Girimama33]

Sort of off-topic but does the spa offer any type of day pass to use the facilities without having to get a treatment, much like the Disney cruise ships offer?

Currently, they do not offer day passes. You have to get a service that is 50+ minutes in order to go into the Hydrotherapy Garden.


OP - this is a great site that includes that is in the Ko'Olina area: http://www.koolina.com/experience/dining

 

[Queenofthecastle]

Don't discount the ABC Country Store for hot foods. There is a deli there that makes quite delicious dishes! I personally love their ham fried rice with egg they have for breakfast. Only $4! Haven't tried their dinner items yet, but they all looked good.

 

[apple9117]

Great tips here!

 

[BKelly]

We are heading to Aulani for our honeymoon in January!

I have heard the Paradise Cove Luau is within walking distance of the resort? Thoughts and reviews on that?

Also, what else is within walking distance? Grocery store? Restaurants?

What have you found to be the best/ cheapest way to get to the resort from Honolulu International?

Thanks!

Congratulations! We just returned from our honeymoon at Aulani earlier this month.

Paradise Cove is lots of fun- and why not! It's within walking distance which is a nice treat after driving to all other excursions. No worries about having one to many mai tai's.. (or my new favorite, the lava flow)! We bought the orchid package, which was the middle-of-the-road seating, I would do that again as it was close to the stage but I was also able to put my own plate together.

Others have done a great job with reviews on the surrounding area. We really loved Monkeypod (not everyone does) and ate dinner there three times. We also visited Sushi Yuzu, which was very good as well as Makahiki on the Aulani property (it was ok).

I would not recommend trying to walk to a bus stop. Once I started looking at transportation with shuttles or car service, I quickly saw that renting a car was the way to go. Originally we had a small SUV through Discount Hawaii Car Rental (GREAT service) for $225 and then we added another night (one night in Waikiki-yay!) and found another rental for 8 nights, $250 (economy size) through Hotwire (Avis). Depending on the length of stay, a car may come in handy. I don't see myself every staying here without one. Parking however may be your deciding factor... stays via DVC points have free parking available ($35/night for valet), otherwise it is $35 nightly.

Have fun!

 

[yitbos96bb]

We are heading to Aulani for our honeymoon in January!

I have heard the Paradise Cove Luau is within walking distance of the resort? Thoughts and reviews on that?

Also, what else is within walking distance? Grocery store? Restaurants?

What have you found to be the best/ cheapest way to get to the resort from Honolulu International?

Thanks!

I'd consider renting a car from the rental company onsite at Aulani for the times you want to go off site. Going to be a lot better than the buses. If you're DVC consider a rental for your stay... Discount hawaiian car rentals gives great rates and DVC gets free parking. If it DVC, then look at the single day rentals.

 

[yitbos96bb]

Currently, they do not offer day passes. You have to get a service that is 50+ minutes in order to go into the Hydrotherapy Garden.


OP - this is a great site that includes that is in the Ko'Olina area: http://www.koolina.com/experience/dining

We were disappointed they stopped doing day passes this year but booked a massage. We actually just ended up staying from about 8:00Am (our APPT time) to 5:00pm. It was fantastic, not too crowded and very relaxing. We ordered lunch and they set us up at the cabana. Felt like we maximized our value by staying and just relaxing there.

 

[lovetotraveltx]

I'd consider renting a car from the rental company onsite at Aulani for the times you want to go off site. Going to be a lot better than the buses. If you're DVC consider a rental for your stay... Discount hawaiian car rentals gives great rates and DVC gets free parking. If it DVC, then look at the single day rentals.

I reiterate if you can get free parking, get a car for the length of your stay. It will be great to have for groceries, meals, etc. Plus exploring the north shore of the island and getting in to Waikiki.

If you are a member of Costco they have great prices as well. Sometimes they beat discounthawaiicarrentals.

We weren't knocked out by Monkey Pod, but just ate heavy appetizers and did drinks during their happy hour!

We do recommend Paradise Cove though. Since Roy's is a chain and we have eaten there a few times, we didn't splurge on Roy's. Did enjoy our dinners at both Marriott's.

There is a shuttle to go to Roy's and the two Marriotts, the bellman has a schedule that is convenient, especially if it's raining!

 

[huhwhat]

rent a car !! There is a Target and a Costco the exit before Aulani.....Be sure to Visit the Pearl Harbor Memorial....Go to the North SHore to see the pipeline !


BTW there is also a Dennys, Wendys and McDonalds at that exit too

 

[disneygal55]

We stayed at the JW Marriott, which is very close to Aulani, about 7 years ago. The walk to Paradise Cove was pretty short from our resort. We enjoyed the luau show and the beautiful shore views at its location but we did not like the food...at all. Maybe the menu choices and amounts of food have changed but we left there starved. Small piece of cold bony chicken thigh, cold sticky white rice, some kind of fish, (salad and rolls), and a tiny piece of cake. The drinks were really good though lol. We rented a car and drove around the island, enjoying the gorgeous shore views and mountains. We visited Pearl Harbor, The Polynesian Cultural Center, the Dole Plantation, the north shore (Turtle Bay Resort) is kind of neat...its where some of the "Lost" actors stayed and ate at the restaurant there. With a car we could drive where we wanted and eat at restaurants around the island. Congratulations on your marriage and have a wonderful time on your honeymoon!