Grand Hyatt Kauai - Koloa

Stayed Apr 26 - Apr 30 (4 nights)
Room upgrade: Yes, from pool view (single king bed) to partial ocean view (double king bed)
Early checkin: Not used
Late checkout: Offered, not used
Daily breakfast: Buffet at Ilima Terrace (see notes below)
Special amenity: $100 resort credit applied to folio at checkout

I posted photos of the view from the partial ocean view room at http://imgur.com/a/LfJJw.

At the time of this writing the rates shown on the FHR site are room-only. Add another $30 / day for the resort charge, then tack on another 12.5% for accommodation & excise taxes.

The hotel was running a "pay for 3 nights, get an additional night free" promo. Neither the daily room rate, nor the resort fee, nor the accommodation & excise tax showed up on my folio for the fourth night.

FHR includes daily breakfast for 2 adults in the form of the breakfast buffet at Ilima Terrace. This is a hot buffet which includes meats, an omelet bar, waffles and pancakes, and rotating specials in addition to standard continental breakfast buffet items. The breakfast buffet and non-alcoholic beverages and tax are covered by FHR breakfast benefits. FHR does not cover gratuity, which runs around $5 per person. Ilima Terrace also offers an à la carte menu; this is not covered by the FHR breakfast allowance and must be charged separately.

Wi-Fi access is complimentary to all guests since it's included in the resort fee. I know that FHR entitles us to partial reimbursement of the resort fee in this scenario, but the hotel didn't proactively offer this and I didn't press the issue.

I won't give a general review of the hotel here since you can find ample commentary on this on review sites. But I will say that it's one of my favorite hotels in the world. This isn't going to be the absolute pinnacle of luxury where somebody will be at your beck and call 24/7, but the staff are very welcoming and helpful, and they go out of their way to make you feel comfortable.

Good to know before you go:

• Self-parking is complimentary.
• If you want a spa treatment, it's suggested that you call and reserve a slot ahead of time. Walk-ins are difficult to come by.
• Speaking of spa treatments, the in-room bath amenities are some of the same products used in the spa and are quite nice. Leave extra room in your toiletry kit to steal the little hand lotion tubes. Housekeeping will replenish them in your bathroom daily.
• Though the resort is oceanfront property, the beach is rocky and not really amenable to swimming. Poipu Beach Park is a few minutes (by car) west of the hotel and is more appropriate for swimming.
• Or forget the beach and just stay at the gorgeous on-site pool! The resort boasts a gigantic heated three-tier pool complete with lazy river and waterslide. The pools meander and are landscaped so that you're not just looking at a horde of people, even during busy times of the day. There are three hot tubs nestled around the pool. There's also a saltwater lagoon between the bottom tier of the pool and the ocean. The pool, hot tubs, and saltwater lagoon are open 24/7. (The waterslide is only open during the day.)
• Pool / beach towels are available from the rec desk near the bottom of the pool. If the rec desk is closed, you can get towels from the parking valets at the front of the lobby.
• There's a scenic hiking trail that begins at the pool area and heads east past Shipwreck Beach, following the coastline. The total trek is around 3.5 miles round-trip.
• If you want to go off-site for shopping or food you'll probably want to make your way to The Shops at Kukuiula. It's around five minutes by car. Parking is free.