Aulani Grandvilla

[ays114]

It is soon time for us to make our reservation at Aulani 7mths out. We are undecided which type of room to reserve. There are two families going with a total of 10 (4adults, 2 young adults and 4 children). We are looking at 2 one bedroom ocean front or a grandvilla with standard view. Did anyone stay in the grandvilla with standard view? We stayed in a grandvilla at Animal Kingdom and loved it but I don't know if I want to give up ocean front. Any advice would be appreceiated.

 

[bwvBound]

We had a lovely 1BR OV for 8 nights in Sept and walked about considering options for "the next time." We were rather shocked at the lousy placement of the standard-view GVs and easily decided we'd never want those units. The standard view GVs face right into the queue for walk-up, poolside dining. The balconies have zero privacy and I'm guessing the guests in those units will hear every word spoken by folks waiting for the counter-service dining, "Hey Jill -- did Mikey want fries?; Samon't forget napkins!; Carol - wait! Annette changed her mind. She wants the taco."

 

[CarolMN]

Even if they allow it, 10 people is too many for a 2 bedroom unit - just too crowded. You'll have people sleeping in the living room/kitchen area.

Go for the Grand Villa and the extra space. If you are staying for more than 2 or 3 nights, you will be glad that you did.

 

[ays114]

It would be 5 people each in a one bedroom. Would that be crowded with 4 adults and one child for a week?

 

[CarolMN]

It would be 5 people each in a one bedroom. Would that be crowded with 4 adults and one child for a week?

A 2 bedroom has one king bed in the Master bedroom and in the second bedroom you will have either one queen bed and a queen sleep sofa (lock off 2 bedroom) or two queen beds (dedicated 2 bedroom).

The living room will have a queen sleep sofa and 1 pull down bunk (twin size).

If any of the children are infants, there will be a Pac 'n Play portable crib available.

There will be two bathrooms.

So 2 adults in the Master, 2 adults & one or two children in the second bedroom, and 2 adults in the living room with possible one child on the Murphy.

That's too crowded for me, but some would not mind.

In the GV, you'll have 3 bedrooms. Master has a king and the other two bedroom each have two queen size beds. There will be 3 bathrooms.

 

[taaren]

Instead of 2 one bedrooms, would a 2 bedroom and a studio work? Probably be a similar amount of points then you could still get ocean view. Then you'd have a king, three queens, two pull-outs, and a murphy plus four bathrooms for 10 people. (Bathrooms become important when everybody wants to shower after the beach before dinner!) And with three bedroom doors that can be closed, a little more privacy all the way around and places to put your stuff then you can gather together in the living room of the 2 bedroom which is designed to seat 9 anyways for in room meals, etc.

 

[CarolMN]

I misread your post. Sorry.

5 people in a 1 bedroom would work. It would not be my first choice to have 3 people sleeping in the living room and the Aulani 1 bedrooms only have 1 bathroom.

A 2 bedroom and a studio would be better, and a GV, if you can afford it, would be best.

 

[boscoj]

Just FYI, the one bedroom at Aulani actually has 1 1/2 baths....if that makes a difference for you.

 

[wdrl]

Another FYI: At this time, there is only one Grand Villa at Aulani that has a Standard View. It is villa #101 and is located on the first floor of the second building, directly facing the ocean.

When Phase 3 opens in 2013, two more Standard View Grand Villas will become available.

 

[bwvBound]

Just FYI, the one bedroom at Aulani actually has 1 1/2 baths....if that makes a difference for you.

The 1BR OV we had in Sept did NOT have the extra half bath.

 

[ays114]

Did anyone stay in the GV standard view

 

[wdrl]

Did anyone stay in the GV standard view

The only Grand Villa at Aulani that is Standard View (Villa #101) is in the Phase 2 building. Aulani's Phase 2 building is not suppose to open until November 15, 2011. Thus, its possible no one has yet stayed in that villa.

Someone posted a few days ago that they stayed in villa #906, which is also in the Phase 2 building. So perhaps the villas in Phase2, including the Standard View GV, are available for bookings.