They certainly make every effort to extract more money (or points) than any other Hyatt that I have stayed at. "Unfortunately" it is my favorite Hyatt too. I was there the first year, the "3" after the hurricane and last year. I found what you get being Diamond (both diamond the first stay) has eroded each visit.
Prices for everything have skyrocketed too. Drinks, food, events.
My pick of the best of the chain, but you will pay for every step, so enjoy every minute.
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Only God does not have to travel
I think this is an excellent hotel for using up some of those hard earned Gold Passport Points. I've spent 24 nights over the course of the last 4 years there all on awards. $400 for a Mountian view room, or $660 for RC is a bit steep.
If you are a Diamond on a paid night I would probably go for the Mountain view room since you will probably be upgraded to a oceanview or partial oceanview room. I don't know if you can really count on being upgraded from Oceanview to a Suite.
Location: DEN (Boulder) ~ UA 1K, Hyatt Diamond, US Gold, Marriott Platinum, Starwood Gold, LH SEN
Programs: Hyatt, United, Starwood, USAir, Marriott, Lufthansa, Hilton
Posts: 1,539
Hye TransWorldOne...I think Mr. Boulder and I and my folks would all agree you would be loony to pick any place BUT Kauai... If you have them and can use them, THIS is where you use them...
(It should also be noted that parents and brother and I -- Mr. Boulder was not anywhere near the picture -- went to Cancun in 1996 for a weekend and that was too long. It was Feb. so the weather was awesome, but really did not have the best stay in memory.)
That being said, if you can do Hawaii, DO HAWAII!!!
I would just call Christine or Jennifer at the Regency Club there. I think they had a shuttle, but when we went in 2000 we rented a car for 10 day for $108 on yahoo. Usually a cheaper rental car situation and nice to explore with. It is about a 15-20 minute ride from the airport. You pass a strip with Hilo Hattie and Borders, amongst other things.
That being said, the resort is SO amazing. You can just lose yourself for days there! The pool is fun when you want fun (lagoon in one pool, slide in one pool, volleyball in one pool, separate area where most of the adults hang...)
Also should be noted there is a night club.
If you are feeling up to it, take Captain Andy's snorkel trip. We had SUCH an amazing time. Ask Jennifer to book it for you, since her husband works for them. He is great! They have those snorkel vests so you don't even have to float, the vests float for you...
TIP::: Buy fish food somewhere and feed the fish. Makes snorkeling a lot easier when the fish come to you!!!
This is heaven without a passport or customs or even that long a flight... It is SO amazing. (Sorry I know I have said that too many times, but CANNOT be stressed enough.)
This is definitely the place to burn points and DEFINITELY worth the upgrade. Suites are nice, but not a necessity for Mr. Boulder and I. REGENCY CLUB IS! It is the best, with maybe the exception of Grand Club Grand HKG. Very relaxed. Very happy. Feel free to check out all of our pictures...
Location: PHL, but moving back to SIN this summer!
Programs: UA1K, Hyatt Diamond, SPG Gold (along with the rest of the world...)
Posts: 3,059
Quote:
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by TransWorldOne:
This being said, would I (a single young male) be better relaxing at the Grand Cayman property (Hyatt's best Carib resort?) instead of Kauai?
Thank you.</font>
The Hyatt Regency Kauai is an awesome hotel. Great facilities and the RC is incredible. As Boulder states, Jennifer and Christine are two of the best!
However, I too am a SYM and I'm not sure I would have enjoyed this property too much if I'd been alone-- I took my parents and sister and we had a blast. It's a little family-ish and I don't think the place lends itself to meeting people (though I find that most 5-star hotels tend to be this way....)
When alone, I'd much rather be a backpacker in a guest house somewhere where I can meet other travellers, etc.
Never been to Cayman, so can't give any advice there.
Like most high end resorts it is mostly Couples and Families. I have never seen the night club open, it is mostly used for groups, so if you are looking for nightlife I don't think you'll find to much at the Hyatt.
If you play golf, they had a special 3 rounds for $300 at the Poipu course when I was there a few months ago. That is a great rate for that course.
Also If you don't want to get a car there is an onsite rental agency, so you could go out for a day excursion. There is a lot to do at the hotel, but the island is great to explore, so if you are going to be there for more than a few days I think you may want the use of a car.
Location: PHL, but moving back to SIN this summer!
Programs: UA1K, Hyatt Diamond, SPG Gold (along with the rest of the world...)
Posts: 3,059
I second 1K in SEA's advice here... unless you book the Suite award at 23K, it's very expensive/difficult to get the suite.
If you have the points, the 23K is very much worth it -- the suite they'd give you is an ocean suite at about 1200 sq. ft.
If you can't do that, go with the cheapest rate and they'll take care of you as a Diamond. With the new rules, they should also give you a continental breakfast or access to the RC which is first-rate and the facilities are fantastic so you can spend more of your time outside the room. It's a wonderful hotel and Kauai is magnificent if you haven't been.
You will have to report back on if they give you automatic RC access, or only the continental breakfast under the new Diamond rules. If they don't give you RC, you should offer to use points for the upgrade, it is well worth it.
If you are going to try a luau, you might try the one at Gaylords (you'll see it on your right as you drive to the Hyatt)instead of the one at the Hyatt, I thought it was more authentic, although I must admit I'm not a big luau guy. Gaylords is also nice for dinner, and most people consider the Beach House a must for dinner.
Location: DEN (Boulder) ~ UA 1K, Hyatt Diamond, US Gold, Marriott Platinum, Starwood Gold, LH SEN
Programs: Hyatt, United, Starwood, USAir, Marriott, Lufthansa, Hilton
Posts: 1,539
Read my most recent post (we were there 9/26-9/29) and this is SO amazing...
Beach House is a must, however Mr. BHH and I did not find the scallops to be quite as good as we remember. Still incredible (actually sidebar...Mr. BHH says try them at Bloom here in the US!)
I had already used 1K in SEA's suggestion of calling the hotel directly and taking 3K out, before the August 28th letter came out. For 3K points, I would rather KNOW that I had RC there.
The one thing I am not sure I mentioned...MAJOR construction on the "outside doors" (where you can walk out of the RC and sit outside and eat and drink) All covered, so there is currently NO view! Plus you cannot go outside to sit.
We did the Hyatt Luau, two reasons, we were too lazy to find a different one on our honeymoon (plus we didn't want to have to drive...) and the most OBVIOUS reason..."Was it love, or was it the miles?" (I love those Mastercard ads!!! I especially love the red shoes...)
Spa is a must. Free access with RC. Must take a shower in the outdoors!!! Even if you do it on your last day and check out and go to the pool, take a nice shower... You will be hooked. (Plus you will want to buy some goodies to take home...)
Make sure you get Spa ANARA lotion in your room or ask Housekeeping for it. YUM!
We were too lazy to leave the pool for a minute in our short trip in September, but our long honeymoon, for a cheap lunch check out the Hyatt's golf club. Seriously. It is as short a walk from our lounge chairs as RC is and the food is REALLY cheap. Fish sandwich was less than $5, I think??? Typical bar-ish food, but hey save the bucks for the Beach House!
Be sure to ask the concierge for coupons. Even if you just get Hula Pie!!! YUM!
Ask for Christine Castillo. She transferred from RC to "the birds" as she calls it. She is in Wildlife and "talks to the animals..."
Samantha will take incredible care of you at the RC. Be sure to thank her again for us (Shannon and Jeff from Colorado). I believe Stefanie is still there and she is GREAT as well...
Aria bubbly at dinner and at breakfast... When they run out, they switch to Friexenet.
Multiple choices of wine...
Food is amazing... (Did I put out the menu guys??? Remind me if I didn't!)
BHH - thanks for all the great info - I've read about the Beach House restaurant, so I'll definately be heading there.
I just called the hotel directly (reservations), and they said I would get access to the Regency Club, but not an upgrade w/Diamond.
When you use the 3,000 points, do you get a ROOM on the regency club floor, or just a key to the club? Not quite sure how it works there.
As for points...I've pretty much obliterated my points - I'm sad to say I'm down to 2,400 (although I'll be earning a bunch during my stay - plus there's a 2,000 point bonus going on now at that resort).
Again, thanks everyone for the input - it's all GREATLY appreciated!
Location: DEN (Boulder) ~ UA 1K, Hyatt Diamond, US Gold, Marriott Platinum, Starwood Gold, LH SEN
Programs: Hyatt, United, Starwood, USAir, Marriott, Lufthansa, Hilton
Posts: 1,539
Thought of another little tip...
If you like to read...there is a BIG borders right on the way to the airport. I love to read, so it will save room in your suitcase. There are a couple of books you can check out of the RC, including Tuesday with Morrie.
We would suggest the shrimp for lunch at the pool. YUM!
If you need "stuff", such as sunscreen, there is a BIG K-mart. Just don't buy milk, it is $6 / gallon. Of course I learned from Christine, that is 1/2 what anyone else charges.
Try captain andy's if you want a snorkel boat tour...but be sure to buy underwater disposable cameras. They are about the same price there at K-Mart as the US, so just buy them there.
If you buy fish food, the fish will swarm you when you snorkel. You are not supposed to do this, because of a risk of sharks...
There is a Macy's in the same strip.
If you go to church on vacation (which we always do...), we go to Saint Raphaels. Christine and Samantha (cousins) both got married there. Fr. Fritz is great. We have met the Bishop during our honeymoon, because it was confirmation.
We like Roy's in Poipu. I think it's a very good restaurant on Kauai. I've also heard good things about the Beach House, but I've never been there.
Sunday brunch at the Hyatt is also great, if you like shrimp. (Think Forest Gump here ... lots of different types of prepared shrimp.) I agree with BHH about the shrimp at the pool bar. They are really good.
-David
Ammended in an attempt to stop this thread from becoming a restaurant debate.
[This message has been edited by LIH Prem (edited 11-11-2002).]
Last time I visited (New Year 2001), A Pacific Cafe was much better than Roy's Poipu. I think it depends, other times, Roy's has been the best hands-down. You won't go wrong at either!
In general, though, I think Roy's on the Big Island is better than Kauai or Maui.
I eat at Pacific Cafe twice a year for several years. And I spend far more time on my food chat board than this one.
Pacific Cafe is excellent. I stay on the north side, so I never made it to Roy's Poipu, but I've been in other Roy's and I find Pacific Cafe to have a slight edge.
It isn't perfect, but the chef closed his other restaurant on another island and spends much more time in Kauii.
Just got back on Wednesday. They automatically give Diamond's RC access now - saved us a TON of money on breakfasts. I would HIGHLY recommened their Sunday brunch - people staying at various hotels around the island came down to the Hyatt for it. It's pricy (with tax @$75 for the two of us, but it's fabulous).
Even better, their restuarants are great - TidePools, Ilima Terrace, Dondero's (good, but not great), and the restuarant at Poipu Bay Golf Course (oh...those garlic fries....)
I would highly recommend the resort & I can't wait to go back!
