Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa

“A home away from home!”

After our third stay at Aulani, I realised that walking through the front door felt like coming home. It is such a cosy, welcoming space, and everyone is so warm and friendly that you can't help but feel at ease. We've stayed in both a studio apartment and a one-bedroom suite, and both were extrem… more

After our third stay at Aulani, I realised that walking through the front door felt like coming home. It is such a cosy, welcoming space, and everyone is so warm and friendly that you can't help but feel at ease. We've stayed in both a studio apartment and a one-bedroom suite, and both were extremely comfortable and equipped with all the amenities needed for a long or short stay. The rooms are thoughtfully designed, blending Hawaiian charm with modern conveniences, making every visit special. Located on the serene Ko Olina coastline of O‘ahu, Aulani is ideally situated for a relaxing holiday while still offering access to some of Hawaii’s most popular attractions. The resort sits about 40 minutes from Honolulu and Waikiki Beach, and it’s a short drive to the stunning beaches of the North Shore, the hiking trails of Waimea Valley, or the must-see experience of the Polynesian Cultural Center. Closer to the resort, you’ll find Ko Olina Lagoons—calm, picturesque beaches perfect for a day of sunbathing or snorkelling—and the Ko Olina Golf Club. As a resort and a Disney resort, Aulani does lean toward the pricier end of the spectrum. Food and beverages are on the more expensive side, but the quality is generally excellent, with a variety of dining options to suit different tastes. For those seeking flexibility or wanting to save a bit, the rooms with kitchenettes are fantastic for preparing your meals. Just a short walk out of the resort, you will also find a few restaurants, a convenience store and a few other interesting shops. While Aulani offers plenty to keep you entertained within the resort, I highly recommend hiring a car to explore the island fully. Having a car gives you the freedom to discover hidden gems like Lanikai Beach, the local farmers' markets, or the vibrant food trucks along the highways. O‘ahu has so much to offer, and Aulani is a perfect base for these adventures.

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“Disney in paradise”

This had been on our disney bucket list for a long time and safe to say it did not disappoint. Tropical disney heaven. It's the only way to explain it. Great choice of restaurants, stunning location. The staff can't do enough to help you. We loved it so much we bought dvc when we were there and mad… more

This had been on our disney bucket list for a long time and safe to say it did not disappoint. Tropical disney heaven. It's the only way to explain it. Great choice of restaurants, stunning location. The staff can't do enough to help you. We loved it so much we bought dvc when we were there and made it our home resort despite living in the UK.

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“Pros and Cons”

Hit and Miss - Pros and Cons. Beautiful resort in a stunning location, but quite far off from the main parts of Oahu if you want to get around anywhere outside it. It's visually stunning, details in every area just waiting to be found and noticed, lovely greenery, and high quality looking artistic… more

Hit and Miss - Pros and Cons. Beautiful resort in a stunning location, but quite far off from the main parts of Oahu if you want to get around anywhere outside it. It's visually stunning, details in every area just waiting to be found and noticed, lovely greenery, and high quality looking artistic elements and design. Comfortable room and amenities, very tall beds and bath (I'm short so this was a bit of a struggle lol!) and I found the water pressure not great in the shower. I found the staff very friendly and attentive everywhere we went. Super lovely people working hard. I was not impressed with the HeleHele transport drivers, the greeter we had was amazing, and the staff who called were nice and helpful - but the drivers were gruff, unimpressed and clearly hadn't communicated with the actual base staff. So it's not a good look that this resort recommends them. I did find the seating in food areas to be less than ideal. For instance in Ulu Cafe there's literally just 3 picnic tables and one bench. Nowhere else to sit and eat your food. That's just not good enough. I found the pizza here to be bad and the chicken tenders and fries also basic. At Off The Hook there is seating but again, could get congested quickly during peak time periods. But the Mickey Waffles were amazing! There's no real coffee bar after 10AM. That seems like a super huge missed opportunity. There's drip coffee, but again not ideal at all. The Luau entertainment was amazing, but the staff there were not engaged organised or considerate IMHO. I also found the food there basic and not impressive at all. The prime rib was tough and chewy, macnut salad was tasteless, so was the fish, teriyaki chicken was very nice, so was the brownie. Nothing else really stood out to me. Uncles storytelling was a must do, highly recommend that. Our last meal dinner was spent at Makahiki onsite, attentive staff with delicious quality food I would recommend.

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“Aulani - Great for families.”

There is a lot to do here for families, the location is pretty amazing and the service is great. The food at the resort is alright, but that’s pretty standard for Disney. The kids club is great and there are a ton of kid friendly activities so if you have a family with children, this resort makes… more

There is a lot to do here for families, the location is pretty amazing and the service is great. The food at the resort is alright, but that’s pretty standard for Disney. The kids club is great and there are a ton of kid friendly activities so if you have a family with children, this resort makes your life very easy. The rooms are just OK, but far from luxury. The staff are all wonderful but the resort does seem to be a bit understaffed compared to our last visit.

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