Aulani vs Four Seasons Ko Olina

[JusticeDisney]

Hello all. I was wondering whether anyone has any experience at either or both of these resorts? We are planning our first Hawaiian vacation and we basically have it narrowed down to these two. I had assumed that the Four Seasons would win hands down for us, but the more we looked online and researched things the less sure we have become. The Four Seasons looks a bit sterile and maybe even stuffy? On the other hand, as much as we love WDW, we are not necessarily looking for another Disney vacation while in Hawaii. The best I can tell, the rooms look nicer at the Four Seasons, but the overall grounds seem more beautiful at Aulani. As for the dining choices, I really can’t tell who has the leg up there. Anyway, I suppose we probably can’t go wrong with either place, but I would certainly appreciate any insight that those of you with experience might have.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts!

 

[LuvtheGoof]

Hello all. I was wondering whether anyone has any experience at either or both of these resorts? We are planning our first Hawaiian vacation and we basically have it narrowed down to these two. I had assumed that the Four Seasons would win hands down for us, but the more we looked online and researched things the less sure we have become. The Four Seasons looks a bit sterile and maybe even stuffy? On the other hand, as much as we love WDW, we are not necessarily looking for another Disney vacation while in Hawaii. The best I can tell, the rooms look nicer at the Four Seasons, but the overall grounds seem more beautiful at Aulani. As for the dining choices, I really can’t tell who has the leg up there. Anyway, I suppose we probably can’t go wrong with either place, but I would certainly appreciate any insight that those of you with experience might have.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts!

We stayed at Aulani a few years ago and the Four Seasons looked like a penal colony concrete block. The rooms might be nice, but the building doesn’t. Aulani was outstanding for both the rooms and the amenities.

 

[LuvtheGoof]

So in the far right of the picture, you can see a bit of the concrete block I was referring to.

 

[JusticeDisney]

We stayed at Aulani a few years ago and the Four Seasons looked like a penal colony concrete block. The rooms might be nice, but the building doesn’t. Aulani was outstanding for both the rooms and the amenities.

I can definitely see what you are talking about. Let me ask you this, at Aulani was the Disney feel all in your face all the time? Like I said, we absolutely love WDW, but we are looking for a vacation that doesn’t feel like Disney all the time, all day.

 

[LuvtheGoof]

I can definitely see what you are talking about. Let me ask you this, at Aulani was the Disney feel all in your face all the time? Like I said, we absolutely love WDW, but we are looking for a vacation that doesn’t feel like Disney all the time, all day.

No, the Disney “feel” was not shoved at us 24x7. It was there but muted.
One of the most relaxing vacations we have ever taken.

 

[JusticeDisney]

No, the Disney “feel” was not shoved at us 24x7. It was there but muted.
One of the most relaxing vacations we have ever taken.

That’s great to hear, thanks so much!

 

[Figgy1]

Paging @StarWarsGirl

 

[StarWarsGirl]

So I have not stayed at Four Seasons. I have stayed at Aulani multiple times, as well as Hilton Hawaiian Waikiki.

I do like Aulani best for several reasons. Everyone in Hawaii is super nice, but I definitely find the staff at Aulani is nicer than any place else. I also find that they are friendlier and more laid back which I appreciate. Even though the Hilton is Waikiki is a gorgeous resort, there's definitely more of a laid back feel at Aulani.

Aulani doesn't feel like "Disney" per se. It has the level of hospitality and attention-to-detail you'd find at a WDW Deluxe resort, but you're not going to have Disney movies and such shoved in your face. You'll see some Disney characters here and there, you can get some merchandise, and you can get Mickey ears on your shave ice. Oh, and your MBs work, which I think is a high point personally.

The big selling point of Aulani is the pool area. The pool at Four Seasons is, well, a pool (which is also how I feel about the Hilton). The pool area at Aulani is spectacular. There's the two waterslides, including the waterslide that drops you into the lazy river. There's an infinity pool. There's also an adults only, two level infinity hot tub overlooking the ocean. It's spectacular, relaxing, I highly recommend it.

The beach is shared. The Four Seasons side does tend to be a little less crowded, but if you go towards that side of the beach where the Aulani chairs are, it's a bit less crowded. You can do all the same excursions at Disney that you do at Four Seasons; they use the same company. If you do choose to stay at Four Seasons, there is a stand run by Disney on the beach where you can grab a Dole Whip, and they do not care if you're a Four Seasons guest.

For the dining options:

Sit down restaurants: I do remember the sit down restaurant at Four Seasons being significantly more expensive than Aulani's options, and Aulani is expensive. You obviously do not have to stay at either of their hotels to use their restaurants. Across the street, you have Monkey Pod, which I recommend. You also have Eggs 'n Things for breakfast. There's several locations around the island; I highly recommend.

Aulani QS:
As in WDW, you can get refillable mugs. They're well worth the money here IMO, and there's Coca Cola freestyle machines, meaning you get even more variety. There's also water stations by the pool.

Aulani has tons of dining options. Ulu café is my go-to. They have the most variety, and their menu rotates. Here's the description from the app.

You also have the Wailana pool bar, which is my other go-to for lunch.

Off the Hook was where we'd go if we didn't feel like leaving for dinner.

There's also another small location that serves coconut shrimp daily, another place that serves shave ice, and a shack out by the beach where you can get Dole Whip. I got watermelon, which I've never found at WDW.

I do recommend renting a car for at least part of the time, so for days when you're not at the resort, I recommend going elsewhere on the island for dinner. Ko'olina is laid back and far away from the hustle and bustle of Waikiki...but you definitely have fewer dining options.

 

[StarWarsGirl]

Here's some other pictures...
This is in the lagoon shared by Aulani and Four Seasons

Sunset taken near the main pool at Aulani

Taken from a lawn beyond Aulani

Four Seasons

Aulani

Both resorts

Water play area at Aulani

View from our room. That is the lawn where the luau takes place (extra charge). They also show movies there on non-luau nights.

 

[StarWarsGirl]

We stayed at Aulani a few years ago and the Four Seasons looked like a penal colony concrete block. The rooms might be nice, but the building doesn’t. Aulani was outstanding for both the rooms and the amenities.

I think Four Seasons wasn't always a Four Seasons. I know the first year that we stayed there it wasn't. Then there was one year that it was gutted and closed, and then it reopened as a Four Seasons. It probably would have been a prettier building if Four Seasons had actually been the ones to build it instead of acquiring it, but it kind of looks similar to some of the other buildings on the lagoon. Aulani's definitely a prettier building.

I wanna say this is a Marriot. It's on another lagoon. Also not nearly as pretty.

 

[JusticeDisney]

So I have not stayed at Four Seasons. I have stayed at Aulani multiple times, as well as Hilton Hawaiian Waikiki.

I do like Aulani best for several reasons. Everyone in Hawaii is super nice, but I definitely find the staff at Aulani is nicer than any place else. I also find that they are friendlier and more laid back which I appreciate. Even though the Hilton is Waikiki is a gorgeous resort, there's definitely more of a laid back feel at Aulani.

Aulani doesn't feel like "Disney" per se. It has the level of hospitality and attention-to-detail you'd find at a WDW Deluxe resort, but you're not going to have Disney movies and such shoved in your face. You'll see some Disney characters here and there, you can get some merchandise, and you can get Mickey ears on your shave ice. Oh, and your MBs work, which I think is a high point personally.

The big selling point of Aulani is the pool area. The pool at Four Seasons is, well, a pool (which is also how I feel about the Hilton). The pool area at Aulani is spectacular. There's the two waterslides, including the waterslide that drops you into the lazy river. There's an infinity pool. There's also an adults only, two level infinity hot tub overlooking the ocean. It's spectacular, relaxing, I highly recommend it.

The beach is shared. The Four Seasons side does tend to be a little less crowded, but if you go towards that side of the beach where the Aulani chairs are, it's a bit less crowded. You can do all the same excursions at Disney that you do at Four Seasons; they use the same company. If you do choose to stay at Four Seasons, there is a stand run by Disney on the beach where you can grab a Dole Whip, and they do not care if you're a Four Seasons guest.

For the dining options:

Sit down restaurants: I do remember the sit down restaurant at Four Seasons being significantly more expensive than Aulani's options, and Aulani is expensive. You obviously do not have to stay at either of their hotels to use their restaurants. Across the street, you have Monkey Pod, which I recommend. You also have Eggs 'n Things for breakfast. There's several locations around the island; I highly recommend.

Aulani QS:
As in WDW, you can get refillable mugs. They're well worth the money here IMO, and there's Coca Cola freestyle machines, meaning you get even more variety. There's also water stations by the pool.

Aulani has tons of dining options. Ulu café is my go-to. They have the most variety, and their menu rotates. Here's the description from the app.
View attachment 692245
You also have the Wailana pool bar, which is my other go-to for lunch.


View attachment 692246
Off the Hook was where we'd go if we didn't feel like leaving for dinner.
View attachment 692248

There's also another small location that serves coconut shrimp daily, another place that serves shave ice, and a shack out by the beach where you can get Dole Whip. I got watermelon, which I've never found at WDW.
View attachment 692249View attachment 692250

I do recommend renting a car for at least part of the time, so for days when you're not at the resort, I recommend going elsewhere on the island for dinner. Ko'olina is laid back and far away from the hustle and bustle of Waikiki...but you definitely have fewer dining options.

Wow, thank you so much for sharing all of that info with me! I cannot tell you how much I appreciate it and how helpful that will be to our planning process. Aulani really does sound awesome! Thank you again!

 

[StarWarsGirl]

Wow, thank you so much for sharing all of that info with me! I cannot tell you how much I appreciate it and how helpful that will be to our planning process. Aulani really does sound awesome! Thank you again!

You're quite welcome!