Programs: AA: PLT MM, HA: Pualani Tinfoil, UA: 125 Grocery Miles at a time!
Posts: 16,719
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ducatibiker
I just completed a stay and I can confirm
*taxi is indeed 40-45 dollars from airport to property. Next to the tourist information, there is a phone and you have to call. I only waited 2 minutes and arranged with the same taxi the return to the airport.
*Donderos has an outstanding chef - Chef Jimmy Stafford - really worth discovering as most people from the island do. He has a very personal touch and is very talented ! Stay inside as chairs in the garden are very uncomfortable.
*Service has tremendously improved at Tidepools with Eric
*Prices of wine are complete ridiculous. First time I go to a restaurant and see almost no one ordering full bottle of wine...no wonder the prices are completely off compared to West Coast.
*No more meat at the RC in the morning for Breakfast - this is a first for any Hyatt worldwide...and be sure to reserve your croissant ! This is utterly ridiculous and I suggest to promote the F&B manager to Water Slide Attendant...which I continue to enjoy tremendously with the garden, rivers, lagoons worth this trip ! This is the club which used to serve Chandon Champagne....now it is an obscure and cheap bubbling juice. The red and white wines served in the club are terrible and having the same menu for so many years made me really think this was a school cafeteria. If it is a question of profitability, then please don’t give access to all those Hyatt employees. Maybe a new F&B manager will bring some magic back in the club which is much needed to be in line with the Magic found in the gardens and at Chef Jimmy's table.
Hmmm. I was there as recently as March and they served cava (Spanish sparkling wine for those who may not know), which they have served for a couple of years, at least. I thought it was pretty good (but I don't claim to be an expert). I also don't think it's the first to not have meat, but perhaps memory fails me. I am surprised, however, that someone with your Hyatt expertise doesn't know what the clubs in Grand Hyatts are called.
How far is it from hotel to Dr. Brenecke's Beach? Can you walk along the beach to it? Is this Dr B spot sill very nice for body surfing and the generally?
Programs: AA: PLT MM, HA: Pualani Tinfoil, UA: 125 Grocery Miles at a time!
Posts: 16,719
Quote:
Originally Posted by best
How far is it from hotel to Dr. Brenecke's Beach? Can you walk along the beach to it? Is this Dr B spot sill very nice for body surfing and the generally?
It's about a mile walk. You can't walk along the beach, but there is a path from the Hyatt that takes you there. Very popular for boogie boards.
Programs: AA: PLT MM, HA: Pualani Tinfoil, UA: 125 Grocery Miles at a time!
Posts: 16,719
Quote:
Originally Posted by best
Thank you Paris. Which restaurants you recomend nowdays within the hotel?
All the food is good at the poolside grill (which is where the food you order from the roving waitpersons around the pool comes from). You can also sit at a table there if you want to be out of the sun. They have the best burger on the island. Never order more than one order of their delicious (garlic, if you wish) fries unless there are at least four of you - it's way too much food. I haven't eaten at any of the other restaurants there for quite a while, so I can't recommend anything else. (We have a condo right by Brennecke's Beach, so often eat in or at other local restaurants.) I'm sure some others will have hotel restaurant suggestions for you.
Thank you Paris. Which restaurants you recomend nowdays within the hotel?
My wife and I were there in February, and have been there in Jan or Feb each of the last 4 years. The restaurants are expensive (what isn't in Kauai) but we've enjoyed both Tidepools and Donderos We like to sit outdoors at Donderos, which gives a nice view out over their gardens. Tidepools is divided into a number of smaller 'rooms' with most of the tables being next to the pools full of fish. You can watch the fish while you eat.
Location: Greensboro, NC, USA, UA - 1K, DL-Gold, USAirways-CHAIRMAN, Hyatt- Platinum, AA-Gold, Hilton - Silver, Marriott-Gold, Hertz - Five Star
Posts: 421
headed there in Aug. 09
Headed there in August 09 with my wife and 9 months old daughter. Would love to know if there is a babysitting service and activities for a 9 month old baby as wife and I would love to break away and enjoy an evening by ourselves.
Also, I understand they have a luau there - does anyone know which nights is the luau?
Thanks
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USAirways Chairmans, Delta Platinum, Hyatt Diamond, Hilton Gold, Hrtz Five Star
Programs: AA: PLT MM, HA: Pualani Tinfoil, UA: 125 Grocery Miles at a time!
Posts: 16,719
Quote:
Originally Posted by klakhav
Headed there in August 09 with my wife and 9 months old daughter. Would love to know if there is a babysitting service and activities for a 9 month old baby as wife and I would love to break away and enjoy an evening by ourselves.
Also, I understand they have a luau there - does anyone know which nights is the luau?
Thanks
IIRC, someone posted about babysitting several months ago. You may want to do a search in this thread and/or the Hawaii forum - or just post something in the Hawaii forum. Sorry, I don't remember where I saw it. I do know they have a kiddie day camp in the hotel too (I've walked past it on the way to the spa). A call there or a search of the website be of help to you.
Again, a call to the hotel or a check of the website should give you the info. you need on the luau.
Programs: United 1K , Million Mile Flyer. SPG Platinum. Hyatt Diamond. Hilton Diamond. Hertz President's C
Posts: 79
Quote:
Originally Posted by courcoison
Good Evening:
Nice to hear about salmon and Portuguese sausage .
I shall be at the Hyatt Kauai on Wednesday for 6 nights and will report.
Good Evening:
Just got back from 6 nights and 7 days at the Hyatt Kauai.
Had a suite (#2010) at the very end of the Poipu building and although I enjoy exercising it was a long way from the Grand Club even when using the outside path.
The suite was very disappointing. It was in a corner overlooking from the 2nd floor a grassy area with the Pacific Ocean as the backdrop.
The living room was very dark and the suite only had a small balcony and no other windows.
Although spacious enough the set up was awkward and I wish I had been appointed a suite with more windows, as well as a different floor plan.
I know from experience they are available (#2021) in the same category.
When pressed, the front desk manager confessed the hotel had a lot of Diamond members using Suite Upgrades and as a result I was given what was available.
Although one does not come to Kauai to watch TV, the set in the living room did not have sound and it was not replaced until a couple of days before our departure.
Apparently, the set in the living room should have been replaced a while ago but for some reason was not.
Without asking for the best, I know a good room when I receive one; in this case I certainly feel short changed.
The associates at the Grand Club, the Anara Spa and the hotel in general made up in part for my disappointment through their professionalism.
The Grand Club offered smoked salmon, boiled eggs, miso soup, Papaya, pineapple, an array of mainland fruits as well as cereals and pastries for breakfast.
No Portuguese sausages.
The Spanish bubbly was present besides the juices, coffees and teas.
In the evening the Grand Club served specialty cheeses (Roquefort, Blue Danish, Sage Derby, Cypress Grove Goat cheeses and a few others) over the six nights we spent there.
The hot food was as follow (it may not be in the right order):
Wednesday: beef
Thursday: stuffed pasta
Friday: coconut Shrimp
Saturday: chicken wings, hot and mild
Sunday: vegetarian and kalua pig spring rolls
Monday: Lamb chops (pistachio encrusted)
Tuesday: pork ribs
Full bar; I wish drinks were served rather than the "free for all help yourself" program they have on.
It would help create a connection between the guests and the staff as one can experience at the Hyatt Waikiki.
Flying back on the 9.00 PM red eye, I was given a late check out in a regular room next to the suite my family and I had occupied.
The Anara Spa offered a good size lap pool as well as a dry and steam sauna and a little tranquility away from the hustle and bustle of the main grounds.
In 7 days the beach was safe to swim only one day. The beach in front of the Sheraton Poipu offered a nice alternative.
As a side note, I saw Cary, one of the concierge at the Hyatt Waikiki, who was visiting for a birthday occasion.
Had a suite (#2010) at the very end of the Poipu building and although I enjoy exercising it was a long way from the Grand Club even when using the outside path.
The suite was very disappointing. It was in a corner overlooking from the 2nd floor a grassy area with the Pacific Ocean as the backdrop.
When pressed, the front desk manager confessed the hotel had a lot of Diamond members using Suite Upgrades and as a result I was given what was available.
Great post; lots of good info! Did you use a Dia suite confirmed upgrade to get that room? This is the kind of "Is it worth it?" info that I would look for in the Confirmed Upgrade thread.
Programs: United 1K , Million Mile Flyer. SPG Platinum. Hyatt Diamond. Hilton Diamond. Hertz President's C
Posts: 79
Good Evening:
Thank you "Cygnet" and "best" for your kind words.
I used my points to book the "suite" rather than one of my confirmable upgrades.
I did not maximize the points in terms of $ return but looking at my October free stay in Paris at the Park Hyatt Vendome I can think of a few things to spend the cash I saved "rue du Faufourg St Honore".
My point of view is you are more likely to be treated to a better room/suite if a relationship has already been established in the past with the hotel.
As I indicated some Hyatt properties I patronize regularly have always delivered regardless of rates paid/free stays ( Grand Hyatt Seattle, Olive 8, Hyatt Waikiki).
Other properties, I patronize the same way; just do not care ( Newport Beach, Irvine) or do not see a value in paying attention to their guests for whatever reason.
I think it is just poor business practice rather than an " hotel policy".
I used to work, when I was a student in Paris ( France), at the Hotel Bristol so I think I have a good understanding and certainly a very good point of reference when it comes to the hospitality business.
I hope I did not disgress too much but I just fell off my plane and find myself at home.
If you are seeking upgrade to Ocean front suites: the 3024, 4024 and 5024 are large suites and relatively close to the club lounge ( they call it: Grand Club).
