+ Valet or Self parking included
+ Local phone calls included (may be for GP members only)
+ Hyatt Robes in room included
+ Daily use of fitness center included
+ Newspapers not provided, but an in-house news brief and an activities sheet is placed at the door every morning in place of USA today etc.
Other items of interest:
+ Spa facility use is free if you opt for a Spa or Salon service, otherwise it's $10 for all day use if you are a hotel guest.
+ Choices of restaurants is pretty good, pricing is in line with being a resort but good quality overall.
+ There are inter-connected pools with waterfalls and a water slide which are fun. There is a salt-water lagoon complete with sandy beach and in various depths. Plenty of lounge chairs, cabanas (for a fee) and other seating available.
+ There are daily activities (mentioned in news bulletin above) for folks of all ages. Childrens activites, Fitness classes, tours of the property given by concierge staff, and a "meet and greet" with the birds that are in the hotel lobby given by their care-taker.
+ Regency Club is a pretty big deal here. It is a $100 upgrade if you wish to choose this, but there is food, beverages, and dedicated concierge in the room from early morning until about 9pm daily. I am Platnum level and tried to use one of my upgrade certificates and was told "we are only taking those for use of the amenity or 1k dining bonus right now". Only drawback is the rooms on this level are in a building that does not have and ocean views etc.
+ Used certificate for amenity and received a decent fruit bowl with Pineapple, apples, grapes, strawberries, and kiwi fruit.
+ Tennis courts are nice and easy to get to.
+ Golf course is right next door (PGA Grand Slam course)
+ Business Center is available but pricing is very steep ($10 for 15 min access to internet and/or printing from laptop)
+ Used a combination of FFN/15Kpoints/and Paid and was given the best you can get before suite (Deluxe Ocean View Double) on the eastern part of the property. Long walk from lobby, nice room (great to sleep with lanai door open to hear waves crashing etc) minimal noise from people in pool. There are very few FULL OCEAN view rooms even though they are listed ocean view/deluxe etc..it's just the nature of the property.
+ I took a few photos with a digital camera, and easily produced photos that are as nice as you see on the web site etc. I may even put together a trip report with photos when I get some down time.
+ I didnt' want to leave at the end of my stay, as it was a really nice vacation get-away and a rockin' deal for being able to use GP program nights/points.
Programs: HHonors Diamond, Gold Passport Diamond, Starwood Gold, Leaders Club
Posts: 157
Rocky start with Kauai Hyatt
I'm disenchanted with Hyatt and the value of Diamond membership in Gold Passport.
I just booked a 7-night stay at the Kauai Hyatt, but had an unpleasant experience doing it. I was told that the published award levels for Gold Passport only apply for brief periods several times a year at this property. At 15k points per night, there were only two weeks eligible for stays between now and mid-summer 2005! Otherwise, it costs you 24k points per night.
And upgrades from the "Garden View" room on the first floor that is automatically assigned to award stays? My Diamond status was brushed off by the reservations agent, who irritably replied "well, that's IF they have any upgraded rooms available." He also brusqely told me that Hyatt does not have a special line for Diamond members to call.
I understood that my former Platinum status meant jack to Hyatt. But if this experience is representative of how Diamond works, I won't be bothering to renew my status with them. I'll go back to concentrating my travel with Hilton properties, where they know how to treat guests who spend real money at their properties.
You may or may not get the upgrade since it is a resort and the policy states that it's an upgrade to the next best available room (RC not specified in resorts and non-US properties). I stayed (Platinum) with FFN/Points/Paid nights combination booked as a partial ocean view, and was denied an upgrade to RC, even with an upgrade certificate. Was given a Deluxe Ocean View room on the 4th floor of the Eastern Wing (can't remember name)
RC Rooms are Deluxe Ocean View rooms, but I was told by hotel staff that they are not beach-front/full ocean view (Poipu Wing near RC). They are Westward facing and the beach is south (not sure if I have directions correct, but what I'm hinting at is you will see the ocean, but trees, grass and landscape and parts of buildings are part of the view. Don't expect a beach-front room.
If RC is available and you are not upgraded, not able to use points or certificate, the upgrade is $100 per night.
The people who are paying for RC Oceanview should ask for a rooms on the 5th or 6th floors for the best views.
Our previous five stays had been on the fifth or sixth floors, but on our most recent stay, we took a room on the second floor. It really was pretty nice, being much closer to the ocean. Will be a tossup decision on our next stay.
Biggest drawback is that it's an even further walk from the main lobby & getting to the RC is much more of a chore. Then again, transporting luggage to the parking lot (since you have no stairs & use the trail) is much easier.
Programs: AS MVPG, DL GM, Hyatt Diamond, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 80
Go for the Hyatt
Quote:
Originally Posted by trey
I am taking a honeymoon in kauai and am trying to decide between this hyatt and a condo. My concern about the hyatt is that it is so big and possibly too kid friendly. Does anyone have any toughts? Thanks.
Go for the Hyatt. It's an incredible resort, and you'll have plenty of space. My wife and I have had two one-week stays there in the last five months (Sept. 2004 and Feb. 2005) and we haven't felt crowded either time. In fact, both times we wondered where everyone was. There were definitely people there, and the weekends felt more crowded than the week, but it never felt crowded. There are plenty of private places, an adult pool and the resort is one of the prettiest we've ever seen. If you go during the summer, it's likely to be more crowded, but I doubt you'll be disappointed.
Location: Los Angeles - Hyatt Lifetime Diamond/Courtesy Card, UA 2M
Posts: 1,015
Quote:
Originally Posted by trey
I am taking a honeymoon in kauai and am trying to decide between this hyatt and a condo. My concern about the hyatt is that it is so big and possibly too kid friendly. Does anyone have any toughts? Thanks.
I think you can be kid friendly and still cater to honeymooners as well. There are likely to be as many or more kids at a condo, as they are usuually equipped with kitchens to feed the monsters.
You might find the whole island to be "too kid friendly." It really depends on what your tolerance is to the little buggers. You are going to see tham everywhere all over Hawaii.
BTW, congratulations on your impending nuptials. Have you and your fiance discussed having children? I only ask because it may not be considered "kid friendly" to call anything "too" kid friendly!
Last edited by divaof travel; Feb 15, 05 at 4:46 am.
Lush landscaping, romantic onsite restaurants, a fantastic spa, beautiful pools with intimate little nooks, onsite shopping, room service etc. Those are not the types of problems you want to have to deal with on your honeymoon.
I’m not to sure where this notion of the Kauai Hyatt being too kid friendly comes from. IMO it is too honeymooner friendly.
I would definately go for the Hyatt as opposed to a condo. You will be more pampered here. Great lounges and restaurants. Beautiful beach (although not always swimable) Fun pool. Lots of places to discover. The spa is one of the best!! The resort is large but not highrise like the Marriott so it is still intimate. Have fun.
I know that you're both new here, but just for future reference boomer22 + trey, all of the following can actually be asked under one thread:
hawaii upgrade for honeymoon!
another kauai hyatt question
kauai hyatt
Kauai
You really don't need to start a whole new thread for each individual thought you have on the same property over the course of a single day. And I would suggest that you search but unfortunately the search function is disabled currently.
To answer your question, there is virtually no way you are getting a suite upgrade. And there's a very slim chance that you'll get an upgrade to RC without Diamond status. LOTS of people honeymoon at the Hyatt Kauai and definitely not all of them could be accomodated for RC access. You can ask at checkin or possibly contact the hotel early, but I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for that upgrade if I were you. If I were you I'd hope that I got moved from tennis court view to Partial Oceanview and if I got that I would be happy. If you are going there during a non-busy time though, anything is possible, maybe you'll get a better room. In my opinion though, I could get put in the broom closet at HR Kauai and I'd still be extremely happy. The grounds there are magnificent and most of the time you probably won't be in your room anyways. And remember, you're in Hawaii!!! You could be stuck back on the mainland like us.
And they will provide you with a packet that includes a certificate for free bottle of champagne (through room service) and a coupon for $50.00 credit on your next visit (within one year). I'm also sure you'll have a nice little amenity waiting for you in your room on arrival as well.
The new GM, Doug Sears, is doing a fantastic job. I recently proposed to my now-fiancee on our last visit, and they really took care of us. While it may have had something to do with out fifth visit in the past two years, I'm sure their honeymoon package is available to all who ask.
I just returned from a 2 night FFN stay here and have to say it was one of the best Hyatts I've ever been to. I had been at the Hyatt Oahu and upon check out at 6:30am asked them to call Kauai and request early check in for me. Upon my arrival at the Hyatt Kauai (at 9am), I was warmly greeted by the manager and told my room would be ready in about 10 min, but that I was welcome to use the RC while I waited. Sure enough my room was soon ready and I was escorted up to my Ocean Front Room (5047), and while the room itself was nothing special (typical 2 queen beds, ok bath etc), the view was spectacular. As others have said, flowers were strewn everywhere in my room, and as a Diamond, my amenity was delivered promptly. The grounds are beautiful and the lack of ocean for swimming (there were RED warning flags up on the beach) didn't make a difference, as there are 5 or 6 different pools. I was there over the holiday weekend, and honestly found the place to be very quiet and peaceful, the few children I saw were all well behaved. The RC lounge was also one of the better ones, with a very good selection set out for breakfast (including champagne) and one hot dish + lots of appitizers with a full bar set out in the evening. I would heartily reccommend this hotel to anyone going to Kauai. While on the island I did drive up to the Starwood hotel in Princeville (since that was my other choice), and while in a nice setting--I found it a much longer drive, and the rooms didn't seem any nicer.
(I always peek into rooms when the housekeeping staff is doing their cleaning). The Hyatt's property is much much nicer and both had great ocean views.
With 'Search' function still disabled, I'll just start a new Thread with some pics from my recent FFN stay. As a Diamond, I had no trouble getting an early check in (9am), access to RC (fantastic) and overall general service-- all while on a 2 nite FFN!
My room 5047 was near the main building, and thus a bit of a walk to the RC, but did have a great ocean view. http://www.ofoto.com/I.jsp?c=xcyf847...7&x=0&y=kq4t3l
