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Choosing between Sheraton Princess Kaiulani and Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa? This in-depth comparison breaks down location, vibe, rooms, food, activities, price & more so you can decide which resort is the best fit for your Hawaii getaway.
Best for travelers who want an all-ages Waikiki hotel with easy beach access, cultural activities, and a central Honolulu location.
Better for families who want a full Disney resort experience in Ko Olina with immersive theming, resort-style pools, a lagoon beach, and spa time.
If you want to stay in the heart of Waikiki, walk easily to the beach, and keep the trip focused on Honolulu dining, shopping, and classic beach days, Sheraton Princess Kaiulani is the more practical pick.
If your priority is a destination-style family resort with Disney character touches, a protected lagoon setting, bigger pool energy, and an on-site spa, Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa is the stronger choice.
Bottom line: choose Sheraton Princess Kaiulani for Waikiki convenience and a more straightforward hotel stay; choose Aulani for a more immersive, resort-centered Disney vacation in Ko Olina.
| Category | Sheraton Princess Kaiulani | Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Vibe | Classic all-ages Waikiki hotel with a lively central location, refreshed rooms, poolside dining, and daily Hawaiian cultural activities. | Immersive Disney resort experience with family-focused theming, landscaped pool areas, a lagoon beach setting, and a more self-contained vacation feel. |
| Location | At Kalakaua and Kaiulani Avenue in Honolulu, about one block from Waikiki Beach and close to dining, shopping, and entertainment. | In Ko Olina on Oahu’s west side, better for travelers who want a quieter resort setting away from the busiest Waikiki streets. |
| Rooms & Suites | Refreshed guest rooms in a large Waikiki hotel setting, best for travelers who plan to spend much of the day out exploring. | Resort rooms and villa-style accommodations with a more vacation-resort feel, especially useful for families who want to stay on property longer. |
| Dining | Splash Bar is the main on-site poolside restaurant and bar, with Hawaiian comfort food, tropical drinks, breakfast, lunch, dinner, and live entertainment. | More destination-resort dining variety, including character-meal appeal and family-friendly options woven into the Disney resort experience. |
| Pools & Beach | One outdoor pool with loungers, umbrellas, towels, rentable cabanas, and a shallow section for children; Waikiki Beach is a short walk away. | Larger resort pool environment with water features and a Ko Olina lagoon beach, better for guests who want the pool and beach to be the centerpiece. |
| Kids & Family | All-ages and family-friendly, with cultural activities such as lei-making, ukulele lessons, hula lessons, and perks like kids eating free in qualifying programs. | Built around families who want Disney storytelling, character moments, kids’ programming, and an easy resort day without leaving the property. |
| Price & Value | Best value for travelers who want Waikiki location, beach access, and included cultural activities without paying for a full Disney resort experience. | Best value for families who will use the Disney theming, pools, kids’ activities, lagoon setting, and spa enough to justify the resort-focused stay. |
Rooms at Sheraton Princess Kaiulani work best for travelers who want a comfortable Waikiki base rather than a stay where the room is the main event. The Ainahau Tower refresh was completed in Spring 2024, adding refreshed guest rooms and new Junior Suites.
Sheraton Princess Kaiulani is the better pick if you want your hotel room to support a busy Waikiki itinerary, not replace it.
Aulani delivers a more immersive resort-room experience, with accommodations designed for families who may spend more time on property between pool time, dining, character experiences, and the beach lagoon.
If you want your room and resort setting to feel like part of the vacation experience, Aulani has the edge over a more location-driven Waikiki hotel.
Dining at Sheraton Princess Kaiulani centers on Splash Bar, the hotel’s poolside restaurant and bar serving Hawaii Regional Cuisine, Hawaiian comfort food, tropical cocktails, and casual resort-style meals.
Expect:
Aulani offers the stronger on-property dining setup for families who want meals to be part of the resort experience, especially if Disney character dining and easy resort-day meals are priorities.
If dining is mainly a convenient break between Waikiki outings, Sheraton Princess Kaiulani works well; if dining is part of the Disney resort experience, Aulani is the better fit.
Sheraton Princess Kaiulani has one outdoor pool with complimentary towels, loungers, umbrellas, and cabanas available to rent. Waikiki Beach is about one block away, making the beach easy to reach without staying directly on the sand.
Aulani is built more around the pool-and-beach day, with a landscaped resort pool environment and a Ko Olina lagoon beach that make it easier to spend full days on property.
If you want Waikiki at your doorstep, choose Sheraton Princess Kaiulani; if you want the pool and lagoon to anchor the vacation, Aulani is the clear winner.
Sheraton Princess Kaiulani is an all-ages, family-friendly hotel with cultural activities that work well for families who want a taste of Hawaii between beach time and sightseeing.
Aulani is the stronger family-programming choice if you want Disney characters, themed activities, and a resort environment designed around keeping kids engaged throughout the day.
If your family wants Waikiki exploration with some hotel activities, Sheraton Princess Kaiulani is easier; if the trip is built around Disney resort magic, Aulani is the better match.
Sheraton Princess Kaiulani offers the most value when you want to be close to Waikiki Beach, shopping, dining, and entertainment while still having a pool, cultural activities, and a recognizable full-service hotel setup.
Aulani is the better value if your family will actively use the Disney theming, pools, lagoon beach, kids’ activities, character experiences, and spa-style resort amenities.
Choose Sheraton Princess Kaiulani if you want Waikiki convenience, a short walk to the beach, poolside dining, daily cultural activities, and a hotel that works well as a central base for exploring.
Aulani is the better pick for families who want Disney immersion, a more self-contained resort stay, a Ko Olina lagoon setting, and kid-focused activities built into the vacation.
For travelers who care most about staying in Waikiki, walking to restaurants and shops, and keeping the hotel experience simple and flexible, Sheraton Princess Kaiulani makes more sense.
If you want the resort itself to be the highlight, with Disney character touches, family programming, pools, beach lagoon time, and spa appeal, Aulani is the stronger choice.
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