Reviewed by Sherry - Outside Sales Agent, 2008
Here’s some information on the GRAND HYATT KAUAI RESORT & SPA:
· Cabana Rentals by the Pool are $35.00 per day (8am-6pm)
· Cabana Rentals by the Beach are $100.00 per day (8am-6pm)
· Mandatory Resort Fee of $15.00 includes valet or self parking – same cost!
· Staff extremely friendly and hospitable!
· Camp Hyatt (Kid’s Club) is for 3 years of age and older. For a fee.
· Kiosk vendors in lobby change daily. Vendors are usually jewellery, photography services, hand carved wooden paddles, sun catchers, quilted Hawaiian purses, etc.
· Very nice spa. Great destination and resort for a “spa vacation”. Prices reasonable.
· Recreation Desk by the pool supplies beach towels (for free), sunscreen, water toys, etc. No need to buy water wings or tubes or loungers for the pool for the kids before holiday.
· Pools and lazy river and lagoon are absolutely spectacular and amazing. You never need to the leave the resort!
· Resort is on Shipwreck Beach which is absolutely stunning. But it seems to have a “red flag” consistently. Beach is great for those that surf. But pretty rough for the average ocean-goer. Some Locals tend to use this beach for surfing. There are nice winding paths and walkways around the resort that front the beach. There are rest stops for ocean viewing (swinging wooden chairs to sit).
· The cliff at Shipwreck Beach is from the movie “6 days and 7 nights” (Harrison Ford & Anne Heche). It’s approximately 40 feet. Great adrenaline jump but very tricky to swim back to shore because of the ocean break and rocks. You must be a good strong swimmer to be confident enough to swim the current back to shore.
· Dondero’s Restaurant (Italian) has a very romantic setting in the gardens of the Hyatt resort. Worth booking an early reservation for sunset viewing on their terrace outside.
· Tidepools Restaurant has a very romantic thatched roof Polynesian hut water setting! Some tables have waterfall view. All tables on the waters edge over look koi ponds and a swan swimming. The MOST romantic restaurant I have ever been to. Very dreamy very romantic ambiance. The best restaurant at the hotel. Book your reservation for a few meals for sure!!!
· Perfect resort for a destination wedding. Nice scenic wedding gazebo in the lush gardens of the hotel overlooking Shipwreck Beach. They have a dedicated wedding office in the hotel.
· Parrots & Macaws live in the trees in the lobby area of the hotel.
· Amazing Golf Course on-site. The Poipu Bay Golf Club was home to the “Grand Slam” from 1992-2006
· Very spacious and comfortable rooms. Large “bar” fridge for personal drinks. Lamont’s store in the lobby sells food, drink, snacks, etc.
· Request a room with pool view or oceanfront. All rooms have patio or balcony. Some patio rooms have direct pool access and possibly a hammock swinging in the tree outside their patio.
· Fish and swan swim the waters near the Ilima Terrace Restaurant & Tidepools Restaurant.
· You must get a plastic wristband from the Recreation Desk by the pool if you want to go on the waterslide (height restriction). It is manned by a lifeguard.
· There is an adult-only pool at the resort .
· Very family friendly resort. Lots of high chairs available. They provide children’s menus & crayons (paper sheet which you can also color).
· Poipu Shopping Complex is only a 2 minute drive from the resort. It has various boutiques, shops, restaurants. For example: Sunglass Hut, Puka Dog (Hot Dogs), Poipu Tropical Burgers (Hamburgers), Roy’s (Fine Dining), Keoki’s Paradise (fine dining and great casual dining lounge), Starbucks. The eating establishments are absolutely fantastic!!!
· The Beach House Restaurant is only a 3-4 minute drive from the resort. It is located in the heart of Poipu (where all of the tourist condos are). It is the best place for food in Poipu. Reservations book up early (5 – 7 days in advance) so be sure to book your reservation at the start of your vacation. They offer valet service for parking ($3.00) as there is no parking lot to park in – only street parking which is sometimes difficult to find. Book this restaurant for 6pm (first seating) to ensure sunset dining. The restaurant opens up to a grassy area and rock wall to the beach. It’s a very popular spot for sunset pictures. There is an in-house photographer that will take your sunset photos at about 7:15pm for $20.00. The photo will be ready for you to take home once you complete your dinner. The food is awesome!!!
· Safari Helicopters for the Kauai Island Tour can be booked thru the tour desk at the hotel. The Safari Helicopters office is very nice and the staff are excellent. The office is located near the Lihue Airport. They will do your check in and safety briefing there before shuttling you over to the heli-pads at the Lihue Airport. You can purchase the DVD of the actual flight for $30.00 which is available for you to pick up the day after.
· Poipu Beach (3-4 minute drive from hotel) is great for kids as there is a rock wall built to break the waves in one section of the beach. It’s a very calm swimming section of the beach for very little toddlers.
· Bring your own car seat for your car rental. The car rental companies rent car seats for approximately $50.00/week but they are crappy basic seats that do not have the “latch” system.
· Don’t book a convertible if travelling with young children. They don’t like the wind and it’s too sunny and bright for them. They would also get sunburnt way too quickly
