Normally we don't have a problem with groups. The previous time we were in Kaua'i there was a conference of anesthesiologists and the group was nearly invisible because they were at seminars all day. This left the pools empty and the resort very peaceful. The only problem I had with that many MDs around that week was getting a tee time at Poipu Bay- and I did end up playing a round with 3 anesthesiologists!
But this time the groups were evidently given a reward trip, so they had no agenda in the day but then took over the hotel's public areas at night. As mary2e mentioned, Kaua'i shuts down early and late parties are just not conducive to relaxing.
But the thing that gets me is there was really no escape. Last Sunday there was the regular Hyatt luau down on the lawn by the beach, a welcome reception for the Reynolds group up on the lawn by the ballroom, and one of the other groups had a reception down by the pool/lagoon that closed that area off after 3:30pm. And somewhere there was a group from UCSF arriving as well (they all were carrying their bright yellow INFECTIOUS DISEASE binders around). I never thought of this hotel as a convention destination but it seems like it is headed that way, which (in my eyes) is very disappointing for one of their best properties.
I was in Kaua'i last week and my room had the same old red nylon(?) comforters that have in the rooms each time I have visited since 2003.
That seems odd. I've been twice in the last 2 years and the 2 normal rooms had upgraded bedding, but we also had a suite on the trip 2 years ago and it had the red comforter and old type mattress. I assumed everthing was upgraded by now. Hopefully they have upgraded beds for my 10 night suite trip in October.
With regards to the hotel being a conference hotel, they have plenty of large conferences (it is there bread and butter, and pays for my award stays). I don't think I've every been there when alot/majority of the people there are not with a conference. This has never really bothered me. Conference people normally don't use the RC, and often leave the pool alone.
Called there to see about early check-in and the front office manager was very pleasant and indicated I was pre-booked into a 6th floor Ocean View Regency Club room (I booked RC). Also said that if a Suite opened up overnight or during my stay that they could certainly move me there. Pretty impressed so far and haven't even arrived yet Is 6th floor a good location?
__________________ Hyatt excels in customer service
We got here on Thursday and I'm still speechless (I can still type, though. ). We are staying on points and are in a 5th floor RC room (I'd call it a 50/50 Ocean view room with the other 50 overlooking the area where Luau is held....btw, there was a Luau the night we got here and it wasn't intrusive at all. I'll see what happens on Sunday.
I don't know what the suit upgrade policy is for stays on points but we like our room fine. So far, with kids under 10, the two queen beds work well. The beach is beautiful, the grounds are amazing and my kids don't want to leave the pool (they kayaked in the saltwater lagoon yesterday). I agree with folks about the RC. The open air aspect of just about every public area is very relaxing. O.K., enough typing, I'm headed to the gym and then we're going to take a boatload of pictures at the canyon (Waimea?) and then go look at Kauai's "old faithful".
As an aside, I am almost eternally grateful for the folks here who insisted that we purchase the island guides by wizard publishing. Spot on, everytime!
Oh, and now I have develped a full blown addiction to 100% Kona Coffee. I'd say that at least one of our bags will be full of it (from Sam's Club and Walmart, of course) for our return trip next week.
Yup.. that's the Hyatt in Kauai. It makes you want to never leave.
Imagine, on our first trip, we stayed on FFN and managed to get upgraded to a suite. I thought I died and went to hotel room heaven... and there are nicer suites than the one we were in.
Enjoy your stay.
I can now understand your plan (if I understood it correctly) to essentially achieve Diamond during the FFN promotion and then spend the free nights here (rather than points). So far, I'm just a few nights shy of Diamond renewal for 08 but I can definitely see the benefit of spending around $1500 to cover what business travel doesn't to get enough free nights to get here once per year.
At the moment, I'm earning miles faster than we are burning them so getting here won't be a problem.
One of the things that has amazed me, a Hawaii firsttimer, is how it can be 88 and bright but very comfortable. When it is 88 back home, it is not so fun. I think I'd like to live somewhere where the word "tradewinds" appears in the daily weather forecast. We'll probably reserve our stay for next June or July in a month or so.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ILuvParis
Not to mention the spa (with, as far as I'm concerned, the best massage therapist on earth) and the Coco Mango!
Here's my problem: I get full body massages (the proper, decent type) when I travel in China. 2 hours costs me the equivalent of $18. I'm sure that the spa here is much better...but probably not 20x-40x better.
The massages and all other services are pretty expensive. I just loved the spa for the ability to use the sauna and steam room and to be able to shower in the outdoor showers every day. I AM addicted to Coco Mango.
If you don't know it... as a diamond, your access to the spa facilities is free.
Yes, you fully understood my plan... earn diamond and points cheap - spend at Kauai (or Waikiki).
__________________
Mary Life is too short to spend it being angry
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Quote:
Originally Posted by macj86
Here's my problem: I get full body massages (the proper, decent type) when I travel in China. 2 hours costs me the equivalent of $18. I'm sure that the spa here is much better...but probably not 20x-40x better.
I completely understand. I resisted for a long time because of the expense. I couldn't very well say no, however, when I treated to a massage there. Then, I was hooked. I have had a variety of massages over the years (I used to have a chronic back problem) and I have never experienced anything quite like this.
I'm already making plans to come back in the Spring if there is a FFN this Fall. I only need 7 more stays to requalify but I'm sure I'll do several more to get another week here.
We did Snuba yesterday. Brilliant! Everyone enjoyed it. I think I'll also go get SCUBA certified back home (for a fraction of the price here) so when I come back, I can do this for real. Of course, next time we'll have to the boat tour of the Na'pali coast, the helicoptor tour, SCUBA diving off of Nihau (sp?) island....oh, and I've promised Mrs. macj one of those insanely priced massages at the spa here.
What is the best guide book for Kauai and where can I get it?
We are heading there early next year for first time. Thanks for all of your posts.
Flyfarfar
About 8 months ago, we purchased "The Ultimate Kauai Guidebook: Kauai Revealed" from Wizard Publications (you can probably find it for a better price at amazon). We enjoyed reading it so much that we purchased the Oahu guide from the same folks about 3 months later.
After 7 nights in Kauai, I am firm believer in these books. There are several places that we would not have seen or experienced had we not studied "Kauai Revealed" beforehand. The website is also quite helpful in providing updates and changes that occured after the publish date.
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Posts: 16,733
Quote:
Originally Posted by macj86
About 8 months ago, we purchased "The Ultimate Kauai Guidebook: Kauai Revealed" from Wizard Publications (you can probably find it for a better price at amazon). We enjoyed reading it so much that we purchased the Oahu guide from the same folks about 3 months later.
After 7 nights in Kauai, I am firm believer in these books. There are several places that we would not have seen or experienced had we not studied "Kauai Revealed" beforehand. The website is also quite helpful in providing updates and changes that occured after the publish date.
Your link is not accurate. One too many https methinks.
Programs: NW Gold, HHonors Diamond, IC Ambassador, Hyatt Platinum, Avis regular guy, National Emerald
Posts: 1,776
Benefits for Plat at GH Kauai
I looked back a year and saw nothing posted about benefits received as a Plat. I am not a Plat now, but could become one for not too much more money/time.
Right now, it looks like my wife and I will be staying 3 nights at the end of October.
1) What are the benefits? Any chance at RC?
After reading this thread, I wished I'd started working on Hyatt status a little sooner.
Remember, if it's worth doing, it's worth overdoing.
Mary2e, I can see your point of getting Diamond on less expensive stays and using the points in Kauai.
Programs: Hyatt Diamond, Marriott Platinum, Starwood and Hilton Peasant (Fallen Away from Status)
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That's the one place in the world I might pay the upgrade fee just to get the RC area, if only for spa access. I think Mrs. Jayer would make it back just slathering on the CocoMango in the dressing room.
What is the best guide book for Kauai and where can I get it?
We are heading there early next year for first time. Thanks for all of your posts.
Flyfarfar
As some of the other posters noted, by far the best Kauai guidebook is Kauai Revealed: Ultimate Kauai Guidebook. They have one for each of the Islands. We've lived on Oahu for 2 years and didn't know about the books until we were here for a year. Wish we found out right when we moved here.
Well, Mrs Bikeguy and I are headed to Hyatt Kauai this Thursday night for 4 nights. I'm very excited.
Two last minute questions.
1) Does the valet parking trigger the resort fee? I know I've read people weren't charged all the resort fee in the past. This is more out of curiosity than it will actually influence my decision.
2) For the people that only took showers outdoors at the spa, was that after a workout, or it was fine to go to the spa just for the shower?
My wife and I are really looking forward to this trip. We honeymooned there 11 years ago, with no status. Looking forward to kicking it up a notch.
I really want to thank the helpful people on this board for the great advice on how to put this vacation together so far.
1) I was told that as a Diamond I could technically opt out of the Resort Fee and pay for each of the Resort Fee benefits individiually. In that case, valet is $10 and self-parking is $8, although I guess you could "forget" to tell them that your car is self-parked and they'll never know the difference. But it is kind of nice to roll up and get that nice lei greeting and all while the valet whisks away your car rather than wheeling up your rollerbags from the self-parking lot up thru the tennis courts and up to the front desk and half the time missing the lei greeting. That's half the fun of going to GH Kauai!!!!
2) As the others said, it's fine to go in there whenever you want, just to shower. In fact, you can ask for a room near the RC on the ground level just to be close to the spa, once I was a few doors down from the RC and I'd shower there everyday twice a day and go wild with all the free Coco Mango products. But when we've been farther away from the RC it's almost not worth the walk to the spa and we'd have to lump it together with our trek to the RC to even make it worth it....................
And how about the shower with the 12 (or whatever it is) different heads spraying you everywhere?
Yep, I love that one too!!!! I save that one for my night time shower after RC hor'douerves and before RC dessert. It does wonderfully to get all the sand off the whole body since the showerheads are spraying everywhere.....................
Is 6th floor a good location?
Hyatt excels in customer service
But it is kind of nice to roll up and get that nice lei greeting and all while the valet whisks away your car rather than wheeling up your rollerbags from the self-parking lot up thru the tennis courts and up to the front desk and half the time missing the lei greeting. That's half the fun of going to GH Kauai!!!! 
