Aulani versus Grand Hyatt Kauai

Anyone recently been to both and can comment on the pros and cons of each.

Overall, how do they compare?

Well, the islands are completely different. I haven't stayed at Aulani yet. However, I have visited both Kauai and Oahu. I would pick your island and its activities first and then your resort. My preference is Kauai; however, we will be returning to Oahu and probably staying at Aulani for our next Hawaii trip. Kauai is laid back and authentic Hawaii; Oahu is business and tourist Hawaii. Not that either are bad. I mean, how could Hawaii be bad

soniam said:

Well, the islands are completely different. I haven't stayed at Aulani yet. However, I have visited both Kauai and Oahu. I would pick your island and its activities first and then your resort. My preference is Kauai; however, we will be returning to Oahu and probably staying at Aulani for our next Hawaii trip. Kauai is laid back and authentic Hawaii; Oahu is business and tourist Hawaii. Not that either are bad. I mean, how could Hawaii be bad

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You're right that Oahu and Kauai are very different and a bigger decision than the hotel. In fact, I'm always a little surprised that people think about Aulani before they consider where it is located. However, I strongly disagree with your characterization of Oahu and Kauai. I'm a resident of Oahu, and spend the majority of my vacations on Kauai. The better way to differentiate them is that Oahu is more diverse, offering lots of different experiences, while Kauai has both less people and less of an ability to deal with their demands. For example, Oahu has urban spaces with high-end stores and nightlight, with bustling beaches and a wide array of food and drinks. It has the best surfing, quick and easy access to developed city/beach parks, while also offering seclusion (as long as you know where to look). Kauai offers trails deep into the forest where you won't see anyone else for hours, but it's going to cost you $20 for a small container of strawberries. Quaint, and charming road-side eateries abound, and more diverse fish and bird species can be found. Life seems quite vibrant as you drive past the chickens and constant rainbows. I love them both, but I could only live on Oahu.

The hyatt is on an open beach that can have pretty big waves that prevent going in. Aulani is on a man made protected lagoon .

I've been to both. It really depends on your situation and what you are looking for, like to do and what time of year do you want to go. Without knowing any of that it's hard to say.

If it was summer, I'd go to Kauai. But I'd go to the north shore, I like it way, way better then the south shore. I agree with longboard 55 about the surf by the Hyatt.

The snorkling and the beaches on the north shore of kauai are incredible. But in winter, there is too much surf and the weather isn't great. The Hyatt is just ok, nothing overly special that I can remember, but I'd be at the St. Regis in a heartbeat.

Aulani is great but for other reasons. Lazy river, waterslides, free daycare, and more.

If you have no other choice: With kids, Aulani. No kids, Hyatt. Especially if you are going to go at a crowded time of year.

But if you want better input, you need to provide more info. It's Hawaii, hard to go wrong with either place.

Have stayed @ the Hyatt once and Aulani twice. Both have beautiful pool areas. We are just a couple, loved the Hyatt. But we also enjoyed Aulani, enough to go twice ( on rented points). We are familiar with all the islands so we were already aware of the activities available outside of each of the resorts. I will say, customer service @ the Grand Hyatt Kauai was A +++++.
Bottom line - you can not go wrong with either choice - your in Hawaii !

Masonmj84 said:

Anyone recently been to both and can comment on the pros and cons of each.

Overall, how do they compare?

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They look both good. I feel that Alluni has very small rooms. Have you thought about Andaz, Four Seasons Maui
Montage Kapalua Bay

ehrawn said:

You're right that Oahu and Kauai are very different and a bigger decision than the hotel. In fact, I'm always a little surprised that people think about Aulani before they consider where it is located. However, I strongly disagree with your characterization of Oahu and Kauai. I'm a resident of Oahu, and spend the majority of my vacations on Kauai. The better way to differentiate them is that Oahu is more diverse, offering lots of different experiences, while Kauai has both less people and less of an ability to deal with their demands. For example, Oahu has urban spaces with high-end stores and nightlight, with bustling beaches and a wide array of food and drinks. It has the best surfing, quick and easy access to developed city/beach parks, while also offering seclusion (as long as you know where to look). Kauai offers trails deep into the forest where you won't see anyone else for hours, but it's going to cost you $20 for a small container of strawberries. Quaint, and charming road-side eateries abound, and more diverse fish and bird species can be found. Life seems quite vibrant as you drive past the chickens and constant rainbows. I love them both, but I could only live on Oahu.

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Thanks for the great description and comparison of each! Very helpful.

pate59 said:

Have stayed @ the Hyatt once and Aulani twice. Both have beautiful pool areas. We are just a couple, loved the Hyatt. But we also enjoyed Aulani, enough to go twice ( on rented points). We are familiar with all the islands so we were already aware of the activities available outside of each of the resorts. I will say, customer service @ the Grand Hyatt Kauai was A +++++.
Bottom line - you can not go wrong with either choice - your in Hawaii !

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brimorga said:

I've been to both. It really depends on your situation and what you are looking for, like to do and what time of year do you want to go. Without knowing any of that it's hard to say.

If it was summer, I'd go to Kauai. But I'd go to the north shore, I like it way, way better then the south shore. I agree with longboard 55 about the surf by the Hyatt.

The snorkling and the beaches on the north shore of kauai are incredible. But in winter, there is too much surf and the weather isn't great. The Hyatt is just ok, nothing overly special that I can remember, but I'd be at the St. Regis in a heartbeat.

Aulani is great but for other reasons. Lazy river, waterslides, free daycare, and more.

If you have no other choice: With kids, Aulani. No kids, Hyatt. Especially if you are going to go at a crowded time of year.

But if you want better input, you need to provide more info. It's Hawaii, hard to go wrong with either place.

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How do the prices compare?

I would go through a non disney travel agent to do a comparison. Why those two hotels?

MouseOfCards said:

How do the prices compare?

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For us, we rented points for both Aulani stays. Made a big difference in the final cost. Trying to remember the final total. Arranged with an owner @Aulani before the 11 month mark - may average $300.00 per day for a studio (?) Staying on points also allows no charge for parking - last May, parking was $35.00 per day. A car is handy for the area. Hyatt maybe in the $400.00 per day range with a deal - not including taxes, fees etc..
Aulani is awesome but we would only return if fortunate enough to rent points again. For us, for a cash reservation - Hyatt all the way.

MouseOfCards said:

How do the prices compare?

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I assume you are asking about all costs and not just the hotel since I've not stayed at the Hyatt. Most goods and services throughout the state in tourist areas are priced the same: from surfing lessons and gear rentals, to snacks and sunscreen. However, normal-people goods like groceries differ greatly on the neighbor islands. Look to pay 50% to 100% more for things on Kauai.

We've stayed at both resorts, once each. They're both great. I agree with the general assessment above stating kids equals Aulani vs adults only equals Hyatt but you can't really lose with either resort either way. Costs were relatively the same for us. Both spas are excellent! Pools are awesome, more shade and chairs at Hyatt. We would pick Kauai over Oahu every time unless you're a "foodie".

We stayed at both on our trip to Hawaii this summer. Grand Hyatt Kauai was my favorite. Much more lush, relaxing and tranquil. Aulani seems very crowded to me... People everywhere, no pool chairs anywhere.

I could get a prime seat overlooking ocean & pool at the Grand Hyatt any time of day. Although the ocean seems dangerous for swimming, it provided great views & there was a sand bottom salt water lagoon for swimming at GH in addition to pools. Poipu is a nice surrounding area without the bad traffic of Oahu and many great dining options nearby. And the Napali Coast was stunning!

Aulani has the advantages of more programming for young children, better water slides/lazy river and a nice lagoon for swimming. I also felt like there were better onsite dining options at Aulani that were affordable.
Less rain at Aulani than Kauaii, but rain showers were brief.

Overall, I liked the Grand Hyatt much better. If you do both, do GH last!! More relaxing after the crowds and lines at Aulani.

brimorga said:

I've been to both. It really depends on your situation and what you are looking for, like to do and what time of year do you want to go. Without knowing any of that it's hard to say.

If it was summer, I'd go to Kauai. But I'd go to the north shore, I like it way, way better then the south shore. I agree with longboard 55 about the surf by the Hyatt.

The snorkling and the beaches on the north shore of kauai are incredible. But in winter, there is too much surf and the weather isn't great. The Hyatt is just ok, nothing overly special that I can remember, but I'd be at the St. Regis in a heartbeat.

Aulani is great but for other reasons. Lazy river, waterslides, free daycare, and more.

If you have no other choice: With kids, Aulani. No kids, Hyatt. Especially if you are going to go at a crowded time of year.

But if you want better input, you need to provide more info. It's Hawaii, hard to go wrong with either place.

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I am also considering going to either the Grand Hyatt Kauai or the Aulani Disney Resort on Oahu with my six year old son in January. Which would you choose? What more information would you need to help point me the right way?

Thank you,

Jon

Masonmj84 said:

Anyone recently been to both and can comment on the pros and cons of each.

Overall, how do they compare?

Click to expand...

I am also considering going to either the Grand Hyatt Kauai or the Aulani Disney Resort on Oahu with my six year old son in January. Which would you did you end up going to?

Thank you,

Jon

We went to Kauai and Aulani this past summer. We walked through the Hyatt one day (we were staying at a resort condo through Airbnb). The Hyatt seemed quite nice with a great pool. If you are compelled to choose a hotel experience for kids in Kauai, yes, you’ll be happy.

I will say this about the whole experience: the kids loved Kauai way more than they ever would’ve imagined. By the time we got to Aulani (our 2nd time there and what they thought would be the highlight), they were missing Kauai already. We had gone hiking and beaching and exploring at an island pace.

Aulani was of course beautiful but a bit isolated over there in the SW part of the Oahu and so crowded when trying to enjoy the amenities. My lasting memory after the second trip was the crowds.

They are for sure different experiences which will trump the differences of each hotel.

Sepo said:

We went to Kauai and Aulani this past summer. We walked through the Hyatt one day (we were staying at a resort condo through Airbnb). The Hyatt seemed quite nice with a great pool. If you are compelled to choose a hotel experience for kids in Kauai, yes, you’ll be happy.

I will say this about the whole experience: the kids loved Kauai way more than they ever would’ve imagined. By the time we got to Aulani (our 2nd time there and what they thought would be the highlight), they were missing Kauai already. We had gone hiking and beaching and exploring at an island pace.

Aulani was of course beautiful but a bit isolated over there in the SW part of the Oahu and so crowded when trying to enjoy the amenities. My lasting memory after the second trip was the crowds.

They are for sure different experiences which will trump the differences of each hotel.

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Thank you. I wonder if Aulani is crowded all the time? If we go it will be in early January. My friend in Honolulu often goes there for a staycation. He says a lot of locals do that so maybe that is why it is always crowded. Which one do you think there is a better opportunity for my son to meet other kids?

jpriceboulder said:

I am also considering going to either the Grand Hyatt Kauai or the Aulani Disney Resort on Oahu with my six year old son in January. Which would you did you end up going to?

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I literally just spent four days at each (got back two nights ago ). My parents spent 11 nights at Aulani, and my sister and I (29 and 33) joined them at the end. Then the two of us went off to Kauai by ourselves for a little adventure.

The biggest advice I can give you is to choose one island or the other if you only have a week. I left both places feeling like I had so much left to see (just another reason to go back, I guess).

Aulani was wonderfully quiet while we were there...although we spent 95% of our time on the beach, it never seemed impossible to find chairs near the pools, even though the main pool is still under construction at the moment. The Grand Hyatt was the same. I assume both are slightly less enjoyable during peak seasons when the crowds are larger.

We are huge Disney fans, and missed the "vibe" of Aulani the entire time we were at the Hyatt. I loved how there was music playing on the grounds all day that we could hear while we sat on our patio (ground level). We had a 2 BR villa while I was there, and the space and kitchen were awesome. The Hyatt rooms are definitely a bit more luxurious (Nespresso machines, marble tiles, very large TV), but I wasn't complaining about Aulani's. Our room at Aulani was very central, and since we were ground level we could leave via the patio door and be at the pools or Ulu cafe in 30 seconds. The Hyatt is massive. We also had a very central room there, but some wings seemed to be VERY far from the lobby/pool areas. I felt like there were more off-property food options near the Hyatt than Aulani, but Aulani had more affordable options on site AND the benefit of a kitchen/kitchenette if you're staying in a villa. There is a Costco within easy driving distance to each, if you need some groceries. Agree with a previous poster that if you are a foodie, Oahu has more choices in general (if you wanna trek into Honolulu).

Aulani's waterslide is better. The lagoon makes it easy and relaxing to swim in the ocean. Plus, you can check out boogie boards for free daily, and the chairs and umbrellas are also free. Shipwreck Beach next to the Hyatt is very pretty, but the we had red flag warnings about the surf our whole stay. We enjoyed wading in and playing in the waves, but it would be tough to dangerous for kids on their own. I heard mention that Salt Pond Park a few miles away had good swimming. We spent most of our time there in the saltwater lagoon, where you can also grab chairs and umbrellas for free.

If I remember correctly, a hotel room at Aulani during our dates would have been about $120 more than a room at the Hyatt. We are DVC, so stayed on points. We also stayed on points at the Hyatt. If you have any credit cards that earn Chase Ultimate Rewards, you can transfer them 1:1 into World of Hyatt. A double queen room with a garden view was 25,000 points a night and since we paid with points the $37 resort fee (which includes self-parking), was waived.

I loved all the activities we did on Kauai, but there were definitely more kids around on Oahu. If your son enjoys the pool/ocean, I think Aulani is a no-brainer. Six may be a little young to enjoy all the hiking, boating, etc that you can do in Kauai to the fullest (but then again, maybe that's exactly what he would like!).

DonnerB said:

I literally just spent four days at each (got back two nights ago ). My parents spent 11 nights at Aulani, and my sister and I (29 and 33) joined them at the end. Then the two of us went off to Kauai by ourselves for a little adventure.

The biggest advice I can give you is to choose one island or the other if you only have a week. I left both places feeling like I had so much left to see (just another reason to go back, I guess).

Aulani was wonderfully quiet while we were there...although we spent 95% of our time on the beach, it never seemed impossible to find chairs near the pools, even though the main pool is still under construction at the moment. The Grand Hyatt was the same. I assume both are slightly less enjoyable during peak seasons when the crowds are larger.

We are huge Disney fans, and missed the "vibe" of Aulani the entire time we were at the Hyatt. I loved how there was music playing on the grounds all day that we could hear while we sat on our patio (ground level). We had a 2 BR villa while I was there, and the space and kitchen were awesome. The Hyatt rooms are definitely a bit more luxurious (Nespresso machines, marble tiles, very large TV), but I wasn't complaining about Aulani's. Our room at Aulani was very central, and since we were ground level we could leave via the patio door and be at the pools or Ulu cafe in 30 seconds. The Hyatt is massive. We also had a very central room there, but some wings seemed to be VERY far from the lobby/pool areas. I felt like there were more off-property food options near the Hyatt than Aulani, but Aulani had more affordable options on site AND the benefit of a kitchen/kitchenette if you're staying in a villa. There is a Costco within easy driving distance to each, if you need some groceries. Agree with a previous poster that if you are a foodie, Oahu has more choices in general (if you wanna trek into Honolulu).

Aulani's waterslide is better. The lagoon makes it easy and relaxing to swim in the ocean. Plus, you can check out boogie boards for free daily, and the chairs and umbrellas are also free. Shipwreck Beach next to the Hyatt is very pretty, but the we had red flag warnings about the surf our whole stay. We enjoyed wading in and playing in the waves, but it would be tough to dangerous for kids on their own. I heard mention that Salt Pond Park a few miles away had good swimming. We spent most of our time there in the saltwater lagoon, where you can also grab chairs and umbrellas for free.

If I remember correctly, a hotel room at Aulani during our dates would have been about $120 more than a room at the Hyatt. We are DVC, so stayed on points. We also stayed on points at the Hyatt. If you have any credit cards that earn Chase Ultimate Rewards, you can transfer them 1:1 into World of Hyatt. A double queen room with a garden view was 25,000 points a night and since we paid with points the $37 resort fee (which includes self-parking), was waived.

I loved all the activities we did on Kauai, but there were definitely more kids around on Oahu. If your son enjoys the pool/ocean, I think Aulani is a no-brainer. Six may be a little young to enjoy all the hiking, boating, etc that you can do in Kauai to the fullest (but then again, maybe that's exactly what he would like!).

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Thank you very much!! Kauai sounds a lot more interesting and beautiful to me. You had a good point that maybe at my son's age we won't be able to enjoy all the hiking, surfing and boating. I read that the pools at Disney are not heated and are cold. And they are too shallow. Any truth to that?