Aug 20, 2018, 3:29 am
Last edit by: FlyinHawaiian
SHOPPING 1. Safeway
a. Multiple locations (2)
b. Significantly more polynesian/asian offerings in regards to food, Made in Hawaii, Grown in Hawaii goods
2. Longs Drugs
a. CVS-owned; all CVS coupons and rewards are accepted.
b. Many locations, including Lihue and Poipu https://longs.staradvertiser.com/loc...p?island=kauai
c. Stores have a more significant focus on local items and goods than Mainland CVS stores.
d. Reliable source of distilled water for CPAP users.
2. ABC Stores
a. Significant number (3) of locations, accessible.
b. They carry almost nothing but local items, and also beer
3. Costco (2.6mi from LIH):
KAUAI TOURS/SELF-GUIDED ADVENTURES
Swimming/Snorkeling
1. Poipu Beach - Massive reef offshore, with a reef onshore separating two beaches. With the closure of Tunnels/Ke'e/Lumahai beach due to landslides on Kuhio highway, Poipu beach has one of the top snorkeling spots on the island currently, and is just 5 minute drive from the hotel. Turtles and monk seal are spotted here regularly
2. Lydgate Beach - protected snorkeling spot perfect for beginners. Located on East side of the island. This looks close, but traffic in Kapaa can make this a 45 minute drive.
3. Anini Beach - Northeast on island, 1 hour to reach. Reef with significant amounts of sea life.
4. Tunnels Beach/Ke'e Beach - currently closed. 1 hour 30 minutes away. Snorkel right next to the beginning of the Na Pali coast, with significant amounts of turtles. Before Kauai restores access to the beach via Kuhio Highway, residents are strongly considering limiting access to the beach (no vehicles, only shuttles, or limited number of vehicle permits sold per day). Parking fills up fast here, and these beaches are the end of the road on island.
GUIDED TOURS
1. Wailua River + Secret Falls Hike. 30-45 minute drive from hotel. Cost $40/pp. 4 hour+ trip. 1 mile of kayaking followed by a short hike to a large waterfall. Some tours offer pineapple as a snack at the waterfall. Some offer just chips or granola bars like what you might buy from Costco.
2. Kauai Sugarloaf Pineapple. See the Huber families sugarloaf pineapple farm. Hole in the mountain farms is situated on 38 acres of land, where you will be given the rare opportunity to taste sugarloaf pineapple. An extremely low acidic pineapple that has a core that is edible, and not stringy. $65/pp w/ free pineapple and smoothie. The ARV of the pineapple you receive will be around $8-15. Sugarloaf pineapple sells for $3-4 a pound, with an average pineapple being 5-6 pounds in size. This is a once in a lifetime experience. 1 hour from GH Kauai http://kauaisugarloaf.com BOOK TOURS IN ADVANCE. We booked two weeks in advance, and at the farmers market on a Wednesday we overheard them say they were booked out for 2 weeks (so almost September). They only do tours on Thursdays.
3. Chocolate Tour. Lydgate Farms has a chocolate tour. $95/pp
4. Captain Andy's Tours. Captain Andy is currently leaving out of the south shore in Port Allen. He offers all 3 kinds of boat tours. 55ft catamaran w/ restroom, warm water rinse, cooked lunch, snorkeling, napali coast, alcoholic drinks included (up to $179 pp). They have smaller boats that do not have restrooms/rinse/cooked lunch, but will go in the sea caves. And then they have raft boats that require you to wear gloves, and are very much a thrill ride. They do beach landings in those, and basically anything. The choices are listed from most comfortable to least comfortable. 55ft catamaran is the preferred way for most
HIKING/SIGHTS
1. Kalepa Ridge Trail. 1 hour from GHK. Free. 2 hour round trip. 1.7 mile hike. Classified as hard by alltrails.com. For the time and distance you walk, this trail beats the Awaawapuhi Trail
2. Awaawapuhi Trail. 55 minute from GHK. Free. Half day. 6.7 mile hike. Classified as moderate by alltrails.com. It is a longer hike, but once you get to the end, the views are IMO better than the Kalepa Ridge Trail
3. Canyon Trail to Waipoo Falls. 50 minute from GHK. Free. 3 hours. Hike to a the top of a waterfall on the Waimae Canyon.
4. Heritage Trail. Literally on the beach at the GHK. Free. Not necessarily a crazy cool hike
5. Wailua Falls: do some research if you plan on doing a hike down to the waterfall
6. Spouting Horn. 7 minute drive from GHK. Underwhelming, but worth it to say you've seen it. 2-3 minute drive from Spouting Horn is the Kukui'ula Village Shopping Center, which has a Bubbas Burger/Tortilla Republic/The Lanai/Merriman Fish House/Eating House 1849, Dolphin, Ruth's Chris and other restaurants. To see the spouting horn, you will walk past a 150-200ft of street vendors selling crafts, everyday of the week.
7. Queen's Bath-dangerous, slippery and muddy on way day, rocky and if you are inside you may get washed out by the waves. But go at sunset and you'll see why.
FARMERS MARKETS
1. Kukui'ula Village Shopping Center - Wednesday Evening, 3:30PM - 6PM. Kauai Sugarloaf Farms attends this, and will let you try their pineapple and buy tours here. There is supposedly a beer garden, but I didn't find it. There is also food from restaurants there, as well as a booth by the "Pie Lady" (The Right Slice).
RESORT FEE INCLUDES
1. Free self-parking (for all, not just Globalist)
2. Free laundry in each guestroom with free laundry pods
3. Towel at Valet for excursions (and after 7pm for pool)
4. Free bike use
5. Sunscreen at pool
6. Hospitality lounge for early arrival & late departing flights
7. Refrigerator in all rooms
a. Multiple locations (2)
b. Significantly more polynesian/asian offerings in regards to food, Made in Hawaii, Grown in Hawaii goods
2. Longs Drugs
a. CVS-owned; all CVS coupons and rewards are accepted.
b. Many locations, including Lihue and Poipu https://longs.staradvertiser.com/loc...p?island=kauai
c. Stores have a more significant focus on local items and goods than Mainland CVS stores.
d. Reliable source of distilled water for CPAP users.
2. ABC Stores
a. Significant number (3) of locations, accessible.
b. They carry almost nothing but local items, and also beer
3. Costco (2.6mi from LIH):
a. Gas up before dropping rental car off. It was at least $0.80/gal cheaper than anywhere else (8/20/18)
b. Kauai/Kona coffee, other gifts (e.g., macadamia nuts in multiple preparations)
c. Gift cards for local vendors are often available
d. Food court (many of the same items as continental US with same prices)
4. Walmart (1.3mi from LIH). Exceptionally busy. Busy store inside/outside/around it.b. Kauai/Kona coffee, other gifts (e.g., macadamia nuts in multiple preparations)
c. Gift cards for local vendors are often available
d. Food court (many of the same items as continental US with same prices)
a. Beach/pool toys
b. Snacks (if you don’t have a huge family staying a long time to eat Costco bulk item)
c. Souvenirs (they have a section in the front for this)
b. Snacks (if you don’t have a huge family staying a long time to eat Costco bulk item)
c. Souvenirs (they have a section in the front for this)
KAUAI TOURS/SELF-GUIDED ADVENTURES
Swimming/Snorkeling
1. Poipu Beach - Massive reef offshore, with a reef onshore separating two beaches. With the closure of Tunnels/Ke'e/Lumahai beach due to landslides on Kuhio highway, Poipu beach has one of the top snorkeling spots on the island currently, and is just 5 minute drive from the hotel. Turtles and monk seal are spotted here regularly
2. Lydgate Beach - protected snorkeling spot perfect for beginners. Located on East side of the island. This looks close, but traffic in Kapaa can make this a 45 minute drive.
3. Anini Beach - Northeast on island, 1 hour to reach. Reef with significant amounts of sea life.
4. Tunnels Beach/Ke'e Beach - currently closed. 1 hour 30 minutes away. Snorkel right next to the beginning of the Na Pali coast, with significant amounts of turtles. Before Kauai restores access to the beach via Kuhio Highway, residents are strongly considering limiting access to the beach (no vehicles, only shuttles, or limited number of vehicle permits sold per day). Parking fills up fast here, and these beaches are the end of the road on island.
GUIDED TOURS
1. Wailua River + Secret Falls Hike. 30-45 minute drive from hotel. Cost $40/pp. 4 hour+ trip. 1 mile of kayaking followed by a short hike to a large waterfall. Some tours offer pineapple as a snack at the waterfall. Some offer just chips or granola bars like what you might buy from Costco.
2. Kauai Sugarloaf Pineapple. See the Huber families sugarloaf pineapple farm. Hole in the mountain farms is situated on 38 acres of land, where you will be given the rare opportunity to taste sugarloaf pineapple. An extremely low acidic pineapple that has a core that is edible, and not stringy. $65/pp w/ free pineapple and smoothie. The ARV of the pineapple you receive will be around $8-15. Sugarloaf pineapple sells for $3-4 a pound, with an average pineapple being 5-6 pounds in size. This is a once in a lifetime experience. 1 hour from GH Kauai http://kauaisugarloaf.com BOOK TOURS IN ADVANCE. We booked two weeks in advance, and at the farmers market on a Wednesday we overheard them say they were booked out for 2 weeks (so almost September). They only do tours on Thursdays.
3. Chocolate Tour. Lydgate Farms has a chocolate tour. $95/pp
4. Captain Andy's Tours. Captain Andy is currently leaving out of the south shore in Port Allen. He offers all 3 kinds of boat tours. 55ft catamaran w/ restroom, warm water rinse, cooked lunch, snorkeling, napali coast, alcoholic drinks included (up to $179 pp). They have smaller boats that do not have restrooms/rinse/cooked lunch, but will go in the sea caves. And then they have raft boats that require you to wear gloves, and are very much a thrill ride. They do beach landings in those, and basically anything. The choices are listed from most comfortable to least comfortable. 55ft catamaran is the preferred way for most
HIKING/SIGHTS
1. Kalepa Ridge Trail. 1 hour from GHK. Free. 2 hour round trip. 1.7 mile hike. Classified as hard by alltrails.com. For the time and distance you walk, this trail beats the Awaawapuhi Trail
2. Awaawapuhi Trail. 55 minute from GHK. Free. Half day. 6.7 mile hike. Classified as moderate by alltrails.com. It is a longer hike, but once you get to the end, the views are IMO better than the Kalepa Ridge Trail
3. Canyon Trail to Waipoo Falls. 50 minute from GHK. Free. 3 hours. Hike to a the top of a waterfall on the Waimae Canyon.
4. Heritage Trail. Literally on the beach at the GHK. Free. Not necessarily a crazy cool hike
5. Wailua Falls: do some research if you plan on doing a hike down to the waterfall
6. Spouting Horn. 7 minute drive from GHK. Underwhelming, but worth it to say you've seen it. 2-3 minute drive from Spouting Horn is the Kukui'ula Village Shopping Center, which has a Bubbas Burger/Tortilla Republic/The Lanai/Merriman Fish House/Eating House 1849, Dolphin, Ruth's Chris and other restaurants. To see the spouting horn, you will walk past a 150-200ft of street vendors selling crafts, everyday of the week.
7. Queen's Bath-dangerous, slippery and muddy on way day, rocky and if you are inside you may get washed out by the waves. But go at sunset and you'll see why.
FARMERS MARKETS
1. Kukui'ula Village Shopping Center - Wednesday Evening, 3:30PM - 6PM. Kauai Sugarloaf Farms attends this, and will let you try their pineapple and buy tours here. There is supposedly a beer garden, but I didn't find it. There is also food from restaurants there, as well as a booth by the "Pie Lady" (The Right Slice).
RESORT FEE INCLUDES
1. Free self-parking (for all, not just Globalist)
2. Free laundry in each guestroom with free laundry pods
3. Towel at Valet for excursions (and after 7pm for pool)
4. Free bike use
5. Sunscreen at pool
6. Hospitality lounge for early arrival & late departing flights
7. Refrigerator in all rooms
- Self-parking
- Two complimentary refillable water bottles
- Purified water stations
- Poipu Bay Golf Course and Clubhouse shuttle service
- Coffee maker in room with Hawaiian coffee and tea
- Complimentary self-service washer, dryer and detergent
- Reusable logo tote bag located in closet
- Access to 24 hour Anara Spa fitness center
- Fitness and yoga classes at Anara Spa
- See daily activities schedule, 14 years and older
- Hospitality lounge for early arrival & late departing flights
- Welcome lei greeting
- Guided sunrise walk Monday - Saturday
- Hawaiian crafters daily in lobby
- Wildlife Walk twice weekly
- Hydroponic Garden tours twice weekly
- Entertainment and hula at Seaview Terrace
- Torch lighting ceremony three times per week
- Ukulele, lei-making and hula lessons
- Koi fish feeding and parrot talk
- Sunscreen samples at pool recreation desk
- Mountain Bike use - based on availability
- One hour tennis court time daily
- Reservations required, equipment rental available
- Complimentary boarding pass and incoming fax printing
- Unlimited local and toll-free calls
- In-room safe
Grand Hyatt Kauai REVIEW- MASTER THREAD - mid-2011 Forward
Jun 15, 2015, 7:15 am
#1021
FlyerTalk Evangelist, Ambassador: World of Hyatt
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: NJ
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Fairmont Lifetime Plat, UA Silver, dirt elsewhere
Posts: 46,919
That is correct. The only issue I see is that if award rooms are not available when you go to make the change they may not allow you to as it may risk losing the award completely.
Jun 15, 2015, 7:19 am
#1022
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Michigan
Programs: Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 503
Jun 15, 2015, 7:26 am
#1023
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: berkeley, Ca, USA
Programs: Hyatt globalist, Alaska mvp gold, Marriott platinum, ihg diamond
Posts: 438
Jun 15, 2015, 3:25 pm
#1025
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: berkeley, Ca, USA
Programs: Hyatt globalist, Alaska mvp gold, Marriott platinum, ihg diamond
Posts: 438
Jun 15, 2015, 7:03 pm
#1026
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Texas
Programs: Hyatt Glob (Barely); Marriott Plat Life; AA Up and Down Now Plat; Hilton, UA, BA, HA Peasant
Posts: 2,672
That's good news, thanks for the update. Will be going there in July and prefer a strong gin & tonic!
I seldom have a mixed drink, but in Hawaii you have to have a mai tai. Mrs. Jayer and one of the club angels looked up a recipe on the phone. It was . . .close. . .resembled a mai tai. . .and they both had fun.
Jun 16, 2015, 11:08 pm
#1027
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 755
Jun 23, 2015, 8:43 pm
#1028
Join Date: May 2006
Location: DC
Programs: AA Exec Plat, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Plat
Posts: 597
Hi all. I am a Diamond with a C+P stay coming up in August. The reservation shows as a standard guest room. I know that Diamonds will have access to the Club, but does anyone think that there is a decent chance to be upgraded to a room better than:
"Room Description: 500 Sq Ft: Private lanai w/garden view or mountain vw or tree-lined parking lot vw"
I will try to email the reservations manager and ask in advance for one of the 6021-6025 rooms but wants to see what the forum thought before I did.
Thanks all.
"Room Description: 500 Sq Ft: Private lanai w/garden view or mountain vw or tree-lined parking lot vw"
I will try to email the reservations manager and ask in advance for one of the 6021-6025 rooms but wants to see what the forum thought before I did.
Thanks all.
Jun 23, 2015, 11:16 pm
#1029
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Sacramento
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, HH Diamond, Marriott Platinum, Amtrak Select
Posts: 1,345
Hi all. I am a Diamond with a C+P stay coming up in August. The reservation shows as a standard guest room. I know that Diamonds will have access to the Club, but does anyone think that there is a decent chance to be upgraded to a room better than:
"Room Description: 500 Sq Ft: Private lanai w/garden view or mountain vw or tree-lined parking lot vw"
I will try to email the reservations manager and ask in advance for one of the 6021-6025 rooms but wants to see what the forum thought before I did.
Thanks all.
"Room Description: 500 Sq Ft: Private lanai w/garden view or mountain vw or tree-lined parking lot vw"
I will try to email the reservations manager and ask in advance for one of the 6021-6025 rooms but wants to see what the forum thought before I did.
Thanks all.
Jul 2, 2015, 7:43 pm
#1030
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Depends on the day!
Programs: Marriott/Lifetime Titanium Hyatt/Explorist, Hilton/Silver, IHG Spire,UA Gold
Posts: 17,833
Couple of quick questions. We are thinking about heading back this year over Thanksgiving. I'm still a bit shy of being able to get a suite on all points. I did a quick search and found some reasonable rates for that time of year. What does it cost to upgrade a regular room to a suite? Also, I don't see any C&P rates...are those limited by date?
Jul 2, 2015, 10:59 pm
#1031
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Sacramento
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, HH Diamond, Marriott Platinum, Amtrak Select
Posts: 1,345
Couple of quick questions. We are thinking about heading back this year over Thanksgiving. I'm still a bit shy of being able to get a suite on all points. I did a quick search and found some reasonable rates for that time of year. What does it cost to upgrade a regular room to a suite? Also, I don't see any C&P rates...are those limited by date?
C&P is only available through phone bookings. Call HGP for availability.
Jul 5, 2015, 10:33 am
#1032
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Depends on the day!
Programs: Marriott/Lifetime Titanium Hyatt/Explorist, Hilton/Silver, IHG Spire,UA Gold
Posts: 17,833
Need some help on how to best use my points!
Just booked a trip to Kauai over Thanksgiving for my family (2 kids, 2 adults, and my in laws). Typically we get a suite for my family and an adjoining room for my in-laws, and that is what I plan on doing this time.
I have two rooms booked just to have them, at a rate of $331 for 7 nights.
I have in my account (Diamond) 213K points and two suite upgrades and my father in law (no status) has 90K in his account.
So the question is, what is the best way to go about this and maximize the use of my points and lessen the amount of money spent? In the past, we have transferred his points to my account and I've done everything from my account, so we all get the diamond amenities.
Would love some advice on this, as maff isn't my strong suit!
Thanks in advance to my flyertalk peeps! ^
I have two rooms booked just to have them, at a rate of $331 for 7 nights.
I have in my account (Diamond) 213K points and two suite upgrades and my father in law (no status) has 90K in his account.
So the question is, what is the best way to go about this and maximize the use of my points and lessen the amount of money spent? In the past, we have transferred his points to my account and I've done everything from my account, so we all get the diamond amenities.
Would love some advice on this, as maff isn't my strong suit!
Thanks in advance to my flyertalk peeps! ^
Jul 5, 2015, 11:10 am
#1033
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2003
Location: AA Plat / UA NOTHING / Alaska 75K / Hyatt Diamond / SPG LT Plat / Marriott Gold / Priority Club Plat / Hertz Pres
Posts: 24,716
Just booked a trip to Kauai over Thanksgiving for my family (2 kids, 2 adults, and my in laws). Typically we get a suite for my family and an adjoining room for my in-laws, and that is what I plan on doing this time.
I have two rooms booked just to have them, at a rate of $331 for 7 nights.
I have in my account (Diamond) 213K points and two suite upgrades and my father in law (no status) has 90K in his account.
So the question is, what is the best way to go about this and maximize the use of my points and lessen the amount of money spent? In the past, we have transferred his points to my account and I've done everything from my account, so we all get the diamond amenities.
Would love some advice on this, as maff isn't my strong suit!
Thanks in advance to my flyertalk peeps! ^
I have two rooms booked just to have them, at a rate of $331 for 7 nights.
I have in my account (Diamond) 213K points and two suite upgrades and my father in law (no status) has 90K in his account.
So the question is, what is the best way to go about this and maximize the use of my points and lessen the amount of money spent? In the past, we have transferred his points to my account and I've done everything from my account, so we all get the diamond amenities.
Would love some advice on this, as maff isn't my strong suit!
Thanks in advance to my flyertalk peeps! ^
I have a points reservation coming up in a couple of weeks and attached to my email confirmation is a link to "show my custom upgrade".
So, per my link, a "pool view" is an extra $35 per night. A "top floor" room is $45. A "partial ocean view" is $109. "Grand club access $125 (not sure if that's for 1 or 2). "Deluxe ocean view room" is $189. A "garden suite" will set you back $399. An "ocean suite is $699. And the Mac daddy (stayed in one a couple years ago - crazy nice) "Deluxe suite" is $899 per night. Ouch.
Please be aware - the above options are REQUESTS only and if you use the link for your request, it is (my understanding of the mechanics) all based on what is available on your arrival day. They don't confirm these requests in advance.
If a suite was important to me, I'd pick up the phone and call about the cost to confirm a suite in advance.
Jul 6, 2015, 10:28 am
#1034
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Sacramento
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, HH Diamond, Marriott Platinum, Amtrak Select
Posts: 1,345
Just booked a trip to Kauai over Thanksgiving for my family (2 kids, 2 adults, and my in laws). Typically we get a suite for my family and an adjoining room for my in-laws, and that is what I plan on doing this time.
I have two rooms booked just to have them, at a rate of $331 for 7 nights.
I have in my account (Diamond) 213K points and two suite upgrades and my father in law (no status) has 90K in his account.
So the question is, what is the best way to go about this and maximize the use of my points and lessen the amount of money spent? In the past, we have transferred his points to my account and I've done everything from my account, so we all get the diamond amenities.
Would love some advice on this, as maff isn't my strong suit!
Thanks in advance to my flyertalk peeps! ^
I have two rooms booked just to have them, at a rate of $331 for 7 nights.
I have in my account (Diamond) 213K points and two suite upgrades and my father in law (no status) has 90K in his account.
So the question is, what is the best way to go about this and maximize the use of my points and lessen the amount of money spent? In the past, we have transferred his points to my account and I've done everything from my account, so we all get the diamond amenities.
Would love some advice on this, as maff isn't my strong suit!
Thanks in advance to my flyertalk peeps! ^
Jul 6, 2015, 10:36 am
#1035
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Depends on the day!
Programs: Marriott/Lifetime Titanium Hyatt/Explorist, Hilton/Silver, IHG Spire,UA Gold
Posts: 17,833
I think your best option is to pay cash for your room and use DSU, and use P+C for your in-laws room (87.5K Points and $1050). You could have your in-laws transfer their points to you, but unless you want to spend 175K points for the guest of honor benefit so they would have lounge access, I would suggest not doing that and just paying for one of the rooms. TPG values Hyatt at 1.8cpp, and your room would have to be $450+ a night to meet that valuation. If you really don't have plans to use the points elsewhere, go ahead and use the 175K, but those points could go a lot further in places like Paris, Sydney, Maldives, etc.
Right now, what I've done is to use points for one room (200K) and have put in for using a suite upgrade. Unfortunately, all they have right now is ocean view suites and can't upgrade us...hoping to see some cancellations so we can get an upgrade! Fingers crossed!!!