The Two Wings

The Aulani Resort and Spa's hotel component features two hotel wings that open out to frame the central Wakolohe Valley, the tropical pool, water slide, lazy river, and water play feature that opens onto the Lagoon #1 and the Pacific Ocean beyond.  Using a winged layout is common for large resort hotels, as they can maximize views and space in an efficient footprint.  Aulani's hotel wings break up the scale of the large 15 story towers, bringing some coziness to the building facades and creating a unique and tribute-paying architecture that evokes elements of traditional Hawaiian vernacular.  And it's all pretty great to behold from across the lagoon!