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Grand Hyatt Kauai REVIEW- MASTER THREAD - mid-2011 Forward

Old Aug 20, 2018, 3:29 am
FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides
Last edit by: FlyinHawaiian
SHOPPING
1. Safeway
a. Multiple locations (2)
b. Significantly more polynesian/asian offerings in regards to food, Made in Hawaii, Grown in Hawaii goods

2. Longs Drugs
a. CVS-owned; all CVS coupons and rewards are accepted.
b. Many locations, including Lihue and Poipu https://longs.staradvertiser.com/loc...p?island=kauai
c. Stores have a more significant focus on local items and goods than Mainland CVS stores.
d. Reliable source of distilled water for CPAP users.

2. ABC Stores
a. Significant number (3) of locations, accessible.
b. They carry almost nothing but local items, and also beer

3. Costco (2.6mi from LIH):
a. Gas up before dropping rental car off. It was at least $0.80/gal cheaper than anywhere else (8/20/18)
b. Kauai/Kona coffee, other gifts (e.g., macadamia nuts in multiple preparations)
c. Gift cards for local vendors are often available
d. Food court (many of the same items as continental US with same prices)
4. Walmart (1.3mi from LIH). Exceptionally busy. Busy store inside/outside/around it.
a. Beach/pool toys
b. Snacks (if you don’t have a huge family staying a long time to eat Costco bulk item)
c. Souvenirs (they have a section in the front for this)

KAUAI TOURS/SELF-GUIDED ADVENTURES
Swimming/Snorkeling
1. Poipu Beach - Massive reef offshore, with a reef onshore separating two beaches. With the closure of Tunnels/Ke'e/Lumahai beach due to landslides on Kuhio highway, Poipu beach has one of the top snorkeling spots on the island currently, and is just 5 minute drive from the hotel. Turtles and monk seal are spotted here regularly
2. Lydgate Beach - protected snorkeling spot perfect for beginners. Located on East side of the island. This looks close, but traffic in Kapaa can make this a 45 minute drive.
3. Anini Beach - Northeast on island, 1 hour to reach. Reef with significant amounts of sea life.
4. Tunnels Beach/Ke'e Beach - currently closed. 1 hour 30 minutes away. Snorkel right next to the beginning of the Na Pali coast, with significant amounts of turtles. Before Kauai restores access to the beach via Kuhio Highway, residents are strongly considering limiting access to the beach (no vehicles, only shuttles, or limited number of vehicle permits sold per day). Parking fills up fast here, and these beaches are the end of the road on island.


GUIDED TOURS
1. Wailua River + Secret Falls Hike. 30-45 minute drive from hotel. Cost $40/pp. 4 hour+ trip. 1 mile of kayaking followed by a short hike to a large waterfall. Some tours offer pineapple as a snack at the waterfall. Some offer just chips or granola bars like what you might buy from Costco.
2. Kauai Sugarloaf Pineapple. See the Huber families sugarloaf pineapple farm. Hole in the mountain farms is situated on 38 acres of land, where you will be given the rare opportunity to taste sugarloaf pineapple. An extremely low acidic pineapple that has a core that is edible, and not stringy. $65/pp w/ free pineapple and smoothie. The ARV of the pineapple you receive will be around $8-15. Sugarloaf pineapple sells for $3-4 a pound, with an average pineapple being 5-6 pounds in size. This is a once in a lifetime experience. 1 hour from GH Kauai http://kauaisugarloaf.com BOOK TOURS IN ADVANCE. We booked two weeks in advance, and at the farmers market on a Wednesday we overheard them say they were booked out for 2 weeks (so almost September). They only do tours on Thursdays.
3. Chocolate Tour. Lydgate Farms has a chocolate tour. $95/pp
4. Captain Andy's Tours. Captain Andy is currently leaving out of the south shore in Port Allen. He offers all 3 kinds of boat tours. 55ft catamaran w/ restroom, warm water rinse, cooked lunch, snorkeling, napali coast, alcoholic drinks included (up to $179 pp). They have smaller boats that do not have restrooms/rinse/cooked lunch, but will go in the sea caves. And then they have raft boats that require you to wear gloves, and are very much a thrill ride. They do beach landings in those, and basically anything. The choices are listed from most comfortable to least comfortable. 55ft catamaran is the preferred way for most

HIKING/SIGHTS
1. Kalepa Ridge Trail. 1 hour from GHK. Free. 2 hour round trip. 1.7 mile hike. Classified as hard by alltrails.com. For the time and distance you walk, this trail beats the Awaawapuhi Trail
2. Awaawapuhi Trail. 55 minute from GHK. Free. Half day. 6.7 mile hike. Classified as moderate by alltrails.com. It is a longer hike, but once you get to the end, the views are IMO better than the Kalepa Ridge Trail
3. Canyon Trail to Waipoo Falls. 50 minute from GHK. Free. 3 hours. Hike to a the top of a waterfall on the Waimae Canyon.
4. Heritage Trail. Literally on the beach at the GHK. Free. Not necessarily a crazy cool hike
5. Wailua Falls: do some research if you plan on doing a hike down to the waterfall
6. Spouting Horn. 7 minute drive from GHK. Underwhelming, but worth it to say you've seen it. 2-3 minute drive from Spouting Horn is the Kukui'ula Village Shopping Center, which has a Bubbas Burger/Tortilla Republic/The Lanai/Merriman Fish House/Eating House 1849, Dolphin, Ruth's Chris and other restaurants. To see the spouting horn, you will walk past a 150-200ft of street vendors selling crafts, everyday of the week.
7. Queen's Bath-dangerous, slippery and muddy on way day, rocky and if you are inside you may get washed out by the waves. But go at sunset and you'll see why.

FARMERS MARKETS
1. Kukui'ula Village Shopping Center - Wednesday Evening, 3:30PM - 6PM. Kauai Sugarloaf Farms attends this, and will let you try their pineapple and buy tours here. There is supposedly a beer garden, but I didn't find it. There is also food from restaurants there, as well as a booth by the "Pie Lady" (The Right Slice).

RESORT FEE INCLUDES
1. Free self-parking (for all, not just Globalist)

2. Free laundry in each guestroom with free laundry pods

3. Towel at Valet for excursions (and after 7pm for pool)

4. Free bike use

5. Sunscreen at pool

6. Hospitality lounge for early arrival & late departing flights

7. Refrigerator in all rooms
  1. Self-parking
  2. Two complimentary refillable water bottles
  3. Purified water stations
  4. Poipu Bay Golf Course and Clubhouse shuttle service
  5. Coffee maker in room with Hawaiian coffee and tea
  6. Complimentary self-service washer, dryer and detergent
  7. Reusable logo tote bag located in closet
  8. Access to 24 hour Anara Spa fitness center
  9. Fitness and yoga classes at Anara Spa
    1. See daily activities schedule, 14 years and older
  10. Hospitality lounge for early arrival & late departing flights
  11. Welcome lei greeting
  12. Guided sunrise walk Monday - Saturday
  13. Hawaiian crafters daily in lobby
  14. Wildlife Walk twice weekly
  15. Hydroponic Garden tours twice weekly
  16. Entertainment and hula at Seaview Terrace
  17. Torch lighting ceremony three times per week
  18. Ukulele, lei-making and hula lessons
  19. Koi fish feeding and parrot talk
  20. Sunscreen samples at pool recreation desk
  21. Mountain Bike use - based on availability
  22. One hour tennis court time daily
    1. Reservations required, equipment rental available
  23. Complimentary boarding pass and incoming fax printing
  24. Unlimited local and toll-free calls
  25. In-room safe
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Grand Hyatt Kauai REVIEW- MASTER THREAD - mid-2011 Forward

Old Dec 13, 2019, 12:07 pm
  #1846  
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Houston,Texas,USA
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Posts: 961
Originally Posted by patmcpsu
Perhaps book a club room, which guarantees an ocean view?
Ocean view can simply be that you see ocean , a sliver , over a roof , etc. Typically ocean front is what to hope for. With that said there are ocean view rooms that are guide good also.
martinplas is offline  
Old Dec 25, 2019, 12:25 pm
  #1847  
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
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Considering a stay here, how is the Club lounge and Is access to the spa complimentary for Globalists?
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Old Dec 25, 2019, 6:19 pm
  #1848  
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Houston,Texas,USA
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Originally Posted by navatwal
Considering a stay here, how is the Club lounge and Is access to the spa complimentary for Globalists?
I often just let the Club presentations be my dinner. Liquor selection with honor bari s all well stocked.
The breakfast is decent also.
Globalists also can access spa.
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martinplas is offline  
Old Dec 26, 2019, 5:40 pm
  #1849  
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
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Thanks for the tip, I have booked this property for an upcoming stay in Feb

I have used a TSU to guarantee a suite, I was asked by the Hyatt representative if I would like the Pool or Deluxe Suite (i chose the the Deluxe), when they actually contacted the hotel to block the suite I was told that they only clear into the Garden Suite on the 1st floor, there is no description of this Garden suite online?

Any feedback on the standard Garden suite? What is the size and does it have 1.5 bathrooms for example?

On another note I would like to consider upgrading to a more premium suite (wife's 40th birthday), what are the options? Have fellow Globalists had a comp upgrades to a Premium Suite?

Also does the hotel offer a decent up-sell to a Premium suite?
navatwal is offline  
Old Dec 26, 2019, 6:25 pm
  #1850  
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Houston,Texas,USA
Programs: Starwood Gold, HH Diamond,Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 961
Originally Posted by navatwal
Thanks for the tip, I have booked this property for an upcoming stay in Feb

I have used a TSU to guarantee a suite, I was asked by the Hyatt representative if I would like the Pool or Deluxe Suite (i chose the the Deluxe), when they actually contacted the hotel to block the suite I was told that they only clear into the Garden Suite on the 1st floor, there is no description of this Garden suite online?

Any feedback on the standard Garden suite? What is the size and does it have 1.5 bathrooms for example?

On another note I would like to consider upgrading to a more premium suite (wife's 40th birthday), what are the options? Have fellow Globalists had a comp upgrades to a Premium Suite?

Also does the hotel offer a decent up-sell to a Premium suite?
Speak to your Concierge. Mine calls the Hotel and they might upgrade you for additional money if they have availability. The garden suite they are talking about is in the back by there greenhouse and parking lot.
martinplas is offline  
Old Dec 27, 2019, 12:13 am
  #1851  
 
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: SFO/ATL/MEL/BKK
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Posts: 2,678
Just stayed here as a Globalist. Was given an awesome ocean front suite (Bit of a hike to the pools) Great staff all in all, and great property. Was a random drunken conversation that brought us there, well worth it.
ryan754 is offline  
Old Dec 27, 2019, 3:05 am
  #1852  
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Originally Posted by martinplas
Speak to your Concierge. Mine calls the Hotel and they might upgrade you for additional money if they have availability. The garden suite they are talking about is in the back by there greenhouse and parking lot.
garden suite is the standard suite. It is actually quite nice and looks out to a grass lawn. I actually like staying in it compare to pool suite which can be much more noisy
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Old Dec 27, 2019, 9:34 pm
  #1853  
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Join Date: Jul 2014
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Originally Posted by navatwal
Thanks for the tip, I have booked this property for an upcoming stay in Feb

I have used a TSU to guarantee a suite, I was asked by the Hyatt representative if I would like the Pool or Deluxe Suite (i chose the the Deluxe), when they actually contacted the hotel to block the suite I was told that they only clear into the Garden Suite on the 1st floor, there is no description of this Garden suite online?

Any feedback on the standard Garden suite? What is the size and does it have 1.5 bathrooms for example?

On another note I would like to consider upgrading to a more premium suite (wife's 40th birthday), what are the options? Have fellow Globalists had a comp upgrades to a Premium Suite?

Also does the hotel offer a decent up-sell to a Premium suite?
I've had a rough time securing anything more than a couple weeks out. If a premier suite hasn't otherwise sold by the time you arrive though, you can typically negotiate a price for an upgrade.

Comp upgrades are not the norm here IME. I've stayed 6 times PLUS hosted my wedding here, and oddly was comped an upgrade just once- on my first stay, as a lowly Platinum (back during HGP) from a deluxe ocean view to a small-version standard suite. Since then as Diamond and Globalist, no comp upgrades. All my stays were between September and October.

OTOH I have had some incredible luck securing paid upgrades to Deluxe and Presidential.
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Old Jan 12, 2020, 2:11 am
  #1854  
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: CVG
Programs: Hyatt Giraffe
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Originally Posted by navatwal
I have used a TSU to guarantee a suite, I was asked by the Hyatt representative if I would like the Pool or Deluxe Suite (i chose the the Deluxe), when they actually contacted the hotel to block the suite I was told that they only clear into the Garden Suite on the 1st floor, there is no description of this Garden suite online?

Any feedback on the standard Garden suite? What is the size and does it have 1.5 bathrooms for example?
My family and I spent 16 days in a garden suite over this last Christmas/New Year's. The standard suites are all in the Poipu wing, and are mostly where the building is making a turn between L, so there's a little extra space for the living room area. There are suites like this on the 1st and 2nd, which is a block that juts from the main building. Floor 1 walks out to the green area (really nice for kids to go play) but has no ocean view because of dunes. Floor 2 has a slightly better view of the ocean. It's a little complicated to get to the Club, especially since the far elevator was closed, so you have to navigate through a maze of stairwells unless you walk nearly back to the lobby and go up.

There are also suites that walk out on the 3rd floor ground level. I'm not sure those are in a higher category but the 4/5/6 levels probably are considered the ocean front ones even though the size is the same.

Room wise, the GHK has generous size rooms to begin with, but the suite is really nice for kids. Table that seats 4, a sectional, an extra TV, and a microwave (big plus) and wet bar/sink area. No extra half bath though. The regular bath is also larger, with a shower and a jetted tub. There are two doors, one into the bedroom, and one out into the living area if you want to close off for privacy.
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sam_goh is offline  
Old Apr 1, 2020, 8:31 pm
  #1855  
 
Join Date: Mar 2020
Posts: 81
Are there usually no availability in June? Tried to look for a 10 day stay but no availability. Also when I looked for one or two night stays, it costs 33,000 points from the normal 25,000.
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Old Apr 1, 2020, 10:14 pm
  #1856  
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Originally Posted by avidchurner
Are there usually no availability in June? Tried to look for a 10 day stay but no availability. Also when I looked for one or two night stays, it costs 33,000 points from the normal 25,000.
June is one of the biggest months of the year. When west coast schools let out, Kauai gets very busy. What will happen this year is anyone's guess, however.
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Old Apr 2, 2020, 2:00 pm
  #1857  
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Is it possible for a family of 5 (2A3C) to stay at this property without paying for 2 separate rooms or a Presidential suite?

LAX
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Old Apr 2, 2020, 6:37 pm
  #1858  
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Originally Posted by avidchurner
Are there usually no availability in June? Tried to look for a 10 day stay but no availability. Also when I looked for one or two night stays, it costs 33,000 points from the normal 25,000.
That is the rate for club rooms.
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Old Apr 2, 2020, 8:44 pm
  #1859  
 
Join Date: Feb 2018
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Originally Posted by LAX
Is it possible for a family of 5 (2A3C) to stay at this property without paying for 2 separate rooms or a Presidential suite?

LAX
I did exactly that in 2018 in a 2Q room. We never had the 1 year old on the reservation and it never seemed to be an issue during the stay.
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Old Apr 2, 2020, 9:28 pm
  #1860  
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Originally Posted by LAX
Is it possible for a family of 5 (2A3C) to stay at this property without paying for 2 separate rooms or a Presidential suite?

LAX
How old are the children?

David
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