A lot have been posted here, we were there at Grand Islander two weeks ago for 4 days as part of a VIP package stay, original assignment was a 2Br resort view room on 8th floor. The front desk lady was nice enough that she upgraded us to 1909 (a ocean view handicap room right next to elevator, though non of us are handicaped, LoL)
For us, it did feel a little bit smaller compare to Grand Waikikian 2BR, but that's OK as the room is definitely more morden and bright.
Oh, the evelvator is well doced, if the systme is so smart, why do I still need to input floor number? Also I want to added, in the evelvator there should be at least one bottom for Lobby, or even another for LL where the bus station is. During my stay, I watched an old lady rush into my elevator on the lobby floor, then got totally lost. I can't explain to her as she only speak japanese. I had to call a evalator for her to send her back to lobby...
The Ocean view is very similar to this one, just that its even farther from the ocean from our room, in my own book that's partial OV at best.
The various Grand Islander room views posted on TripAdvisor and Yelp
The equipments are nice, fancy fans, remotes for window shades(the living room's remote control setting was mess up, as some one in another room keep open our living room's shades, we just thought it's funny, but it maybe scare if someone is sleeping on the sofabed in the middle night), self open/class balcony door(is this handicap room only?), King sofa bed enough for 3 kids, washlet(only in master bath though), washer/dryer all-in-one. We just hope they also come up with better lighting contral, maybe a central contral panel or even a remoter, at least for a handicap room. Building qulity is so-so, we already see some sign of faults on the wood trims and countertop, crackers, noises....
Access to the shopping area and beach does require a good 3mins walk.
One more
tip for anyone looking to stay at the complex, to reduce the parking cost, there is a parking area right between the lagoon and the ocean lagoon, where parking free for 3 or 6 hours(but do close in midnight, saying they'll tow you) and a near by parking lot charge reasonable $1/hour parking overnight. Just search
Ala Moana Bowls Parking Lot on google map. To the lagoon tower it's even more close then on-site selfparking, for GI it going to be 10mins beach walk LoL. We did notice it when walking aroudn the lagoon.