Contact: +1 (888) 605-1350
Choosing between Sheraton Princess Kaiulani and Aulani, Disney Vacation Club Villas? This in-depth comparison breaks down location, vibe, rooms, food, nightlife, price & more so you can decide which resort is the best fit for your next getaway.
Best for travelers who want a central Waikiki hotel with an all-ages atmosphere, easy access to beach, shopping, and dining, plus cultural activities on-site.
Better for families and Disney fans who want a villa-style resort experience in Ko Olina with immersive theming and a more destination-resort feel.
If you want to be in the middle of Waikiki, steps from dining, shopping, entertainment, and a short walk to the beach, Sheraton Princess Kaiulani is the easier, more flexible pick.
If your priority is a highly themed family resort with villa-style accommodations and a more self-contained vacation setting, Aulani, Disney Vacation Club Villas is the stronger fit.
Bottom line: choose Sheraton Princess Kaiulani for Waikiki convenience and cultural programming; choose Aulani, Disney Vacation Club Villas for a more immersive family resort vacation.
| Category | Sheraton Princess Kaiulani | Aulani, Disney Vacation Club Villas |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Vibe | All-ages Waikiki hotel with a practical, central base, cultural activities, a lively poolside bar, and easy access to the beach and city energy. | Disney Vacation Club villa resort experience with strong family appeal, immersive theming, and a more destination-style setting away from Waikiki. |
| Location | At Kalakaua and Kaiulani Avenue, about one block from Waikiki Beach and close to dining, shopping, and entertainment. | In Ko Olina, better for travelers who want a resort-focused west Oahu stay rather than a Waikiki city-beach base. |
| Rooms & Suites | Refreshed guest rooms in the Ainahau Tower, with a straightforward hotel-room setup suited to travelers who plan to spend time exploring Waikiki. | Villa-style accommodations designed for longer stays and families who value extra residential-style space in a resort setting. |
| Dining | One main on-site poolside restaurant and bar, Splash Bar, with Hawaiian regional cuisine, cocktails, and live entertainment. | Better for travelers who want a fuller destination-resort dining environment without relying as much on the surrounding neighborhood. |
| Pools & Beach | One outdoor pool with a shallow section for children, complimentary towels, loungers, umbrellas, and cabanas available to rent. | Stronger for families who want the pool and beach experience to be a central part of the resort stay. |
| Kids & Family | Family-friendly all-ages hotel with cultural activities such as lei-making, ukulele lessons, hula lessons, and historic tours. | More purpose-built for family vacations, especially for guests who want Disney theming and villa-style convenience. |
| Price & Value | Best value for travelers who want Waikiki access, included cultural activities, and a central hotel base rather than a full resort bubble. | Best value for families who will use the resort setting heavily and want the Disney Vacation Club villa experience. |
Rooms at Sheraton Princess Kaiulani are best understood as a convenient Waikiki base, with refreshed accommodations in the Ainahau Tower and a location that makes it easy to get out and explore.
Sheraton Princess Kaiulani is the better pick if your room is a comfortable home base and your vacation is built around Waikiki, beach time, shopping, and dining nearby.
Aulani, Disney Vacation Club Villas offers a more residential-style resort stay, making it especially appealing for families and longer vacations where the room itself matters more.
If you want the accommodations to feel like a major part of the vacation rather than just a place to sleep between Waikiki outings, Aulani, Disney Vacation Club Villas has the advantage.
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 fare.
Expect:
Aulani, Disney Vacation Club Villas is the better fit if you prefer more of your meals, snacks, and downtime to happen within the resort setting rather than in a busy city neighborhood.
If you want Waikiki’s dining variety right outside the hotel, Sheraton Princess Kaiulani is stronger; if you want dining to be part of a resort bubble, Aulani, Disney Vacation Club Villas is the better match.
Sheraton Princess Kaiulani has one outdoor swimming pool with complimentary towels, loungers, umbrellas, and a shallow section for children, plus cabanas available to rent on the pool deck.
Aulani, Disney Vacation Club Villas is better for travelers who want pools and beach time to be the centerpiece of the stay, with a more resort-focused setting in Ko Olina.
If you want quick Waikiki Beach access plus a simple hotel pool, choose Sheraton Princess Kaiulani; if you want a more immersive pool-and-resort day, Aulani, Disney Vacation Club Villas wins.
Sheraton Princess Kaiulani is an all-ages, family-friendly hotel with included cultural activities that work well for families who want a Waikiki stay with a sense of place.
Aulani, Disney Vacation Club Villas is the more obvious choice for families who want Disney theming and a vacation where the resort experience is the main event.
If your family wants to explore Waikiki and keep the hotel flexible, Sheraton Princess Kaiulani works well; if the resort itself is the vacation, Aulani, Disney Vacation Club Villas is stronger.
Sheraton Princess Kaiulani offers the most value when you want a central Waikiki location, a straightforward all-ages hotel stay, and included activities without paying for a full destination-resort experience.
Aulani, Disney Vacation Club Villas is the better value if you will spend significant time using the resort environment and want the villa-style Disney Vacation Club experience.
Choose Sheraton Princess Kaiulani if you want a central Waikiki base, an all-ages hotel atmosphere, daily cultural activities, and easy access to beach, restaurants, shopping, and entertainment.
Aulani, Disney Vacation Club Villas is the better pick for families and Disney fans who want a more immersive resort stay with villa-style convenience in Ko Olina.
For travelers who plan to be out and about in Waikiki and want a practical hotel with a pool, live entertainment, and a strong location, Sheraton Princess Kaiulani makes more sense.
If you want the hotel to feel like the destination, with Disney theming and a more relaxed resort rhythm away from Waikiki, Aulani, Disney Vacation Club Villas is the stronger choice.
Questions? Contact Us!
Explore more helpful planning guides and insider articles for Sheraton Princess Kaiulani:
