Aug 20, 2018, 3:29 am
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):
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
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.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)
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)
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
- Self-parking
- Two complimentary refillable water bottles
- Purified water stations
- Poipu Bay Golf Course and Clubhouse shuttle service
- Coffee maker in room with Hawaiian coffee and tea
- Complimentary self-service washer, dryer and detergent
- Reusable logo tote bag located in closet
- Access to 24 hour Anara Spa fitness center
- Fitness and yoga classes at Anara Spa
- See daily activities schedule, 14 years and older
- Hospitality lounge for early arrival & late departing flights
- Welcome lei greeting
- Guided sunrise walk Monday - Saturday
- Hawaiian crafters daily in lobby
- Wildlife Walk twice weekly
- Hydroponic Garden tours twice weekly
- Entertainment and hula at Seaview Terrace
- Torch lighting ceremony three times per week
- Ukulele, lei-making and hula lessons
- Koi fish feeding and parrot talk
- Sunscreen samples at pool recreation desk
- Mountain Bike use - based on availability
- One hour tennis court time daily
- Reservations required, equipment rental available
- Complimentary boarding pass and incoming fax printing
- Unlimited local and toll-free calls
- In-room safe
Grand Hyatt Kauai REVIEW- MASTER THREAD - mid-2011 Forward
May 11, 2018, 3:02 pm
#1621
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,860
You got it. Taking an extra water bottle per person, per day, is about the maximum people should take from the lounge for external use. By the rulebook, this might not even be allowed. Trying to walk out of there like it is a take-out market is in poor taste, and is likely to ruin it for the rest of us.
I booked a "1 King or 2 Queen beds Club Access" room with Hyatt points for a trip at the end of April. In the description, it says "Stunning ocean views featuring one king or two queen Hyatt Grand Beds". Is this not true?
Will we just be at the mercy of whatever room the front desk gives us? We only have Discoverist status but we will be on our honeymoon/babymoon so we were hoping to get a nice room. Is it possible that we could be stuck with a crappy view?
Will we just be at the mercy of whatever room the front desk gives us? We only have Discoverist status but we will be on our honeymoon/babymoon so we were hoping to get a nice room. Is it possible that we could be stuck with a crappy view?
May 11, 2018, 4:31 pm
#1622
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 160
Yes, you're right, club rooms have full ocean view rooms. Doesn't seem like an outlandish use of points to get club access along with a view!
May 11, 2018, 5:15 pm
#1623
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Hermosa Beach, CA
Programs: AA EXP, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 67
I've stayed at this property four times -- both with and without the Club -- and feel that the Club room upgrade is indeed worth it. The oceanfront rooms are quite awesome. Ask for one at the far end of the Poipu wing (about where the #1 is on this map and past the Club) and you'll likely hear sounds of the waves crashing all night, if you're into that sort of peaceful relaxation! The Club itself is nothing much but if you save about $27+/pp on breakfast (the going rate at 'Ilima Terrace for brunch buffet), maybe a few snacks throughout the day and a dinner or two, then you probably break even. But the real reason to go for this is the upgrade to an Oceanfront rooms, IMO.
Alternatively, you cantry to weasel your way ask very nicely, and see if they're willing to upgrade you upon checkin.
Alternatively, you can
May 11, 2018, 5:53 pm
#1624
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: San Francisco, CA
Posts: 1,394
club itself is not worth that many extra points. Go out for breakfast a couple days (we loved the brekkie sandwiches at the living foods market about a 5 minute drive away) Also loved dark roost coffee stand a bit further afield). It's your anniversary so treat yourself to room service one morning. Way better use of the cash equivalent of the points.
That being said, i can see why some might see value in the oceanview room upgrade. And i bet between what the cash upcharge for the room would be and the convenience of the club, this is a closer call if you really value the view from the room.
That being said, i can see why some might see value in the oceanview room upgrade. And i bet between what the cash upcharge for the room would be and the convenience of the club, this is a closer call if you really value the view from the room.
May 14, 2018, 11:46 am
#1626
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Texas
Programs: Hyatt Glob (Barely); Marriott Plat Life; AA Up and Down Now Plat; Hilton, UA, BA, HA Peasant
Posts: 2,667
Are the fridges in the standard rooms the usual small sized ones? Any different in the club rooms?
May 14, 2018, 12:27 pm
#1628
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: SFO
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Platinum (LTG), Hilton Gold, United 1K, AA EXP, AS MVP 75K
Posts: 207
In the past, the staff let us borrow sand toys that were left behind by past guests, but there isn’t a formal loaner system in place. They also sell beach toys (floaters, shovels, etc).
Last edited by tigerwong; May 14, 2018 at 2:46 pm Reason: Badly misspelled words
May 14, 2018, 12:31 pm
#1629
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: PHX and LIH
Programs: AA: 2 MM
Posts: 85,502
For air mattresses and other inflatable toys, I'd go to K-Mart, Costco or the Whaler's General Store about a mile away in the Poipu Shopping Village. The Hyatt will inflate them for you for no charge. To buy them at the Hyatt, you'll pay about 4X the price.
May 14, 2018, 9:43 pm
#1630
Moderator, Hertz; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: KRK
Programs: UA 1MM, BA GGL, Hyatt Glob, Hilton Diamond and others
Posts: 12,689
If you got a Costco card, bring it. There's a Costco and Walmart near the airport where you can get things like inflatables, snacks, etc.
May 15, 2018, 5:50 am
#1631
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,860
FWIW, The Walmart was a real mess when we were there. The only one on the island, and maybe the busiest Walmart I have ever seen. To add to this, when we went to look for inflatables (we checked twice over a 9 day period), they only had a single adult inflatable left, and the second time we had went to look for more, there were none for adults in stock at all. You can rent a ton of stuff at the island snorkel shops, and it wouldn't surprise me if pool toys were rented. Next time we are there, we will probably go to Safeway, or even pay the 3x for what the Hyatt charges.
Shopping in busy retail centers & stuck in traffic is not a fun way to spend vacation. Nothing is quick on the island. The GH Kauai is 20 minutes one way from the Walmart; so when you make this trek to the supermarkets, make it count. I can only imagine how crazy the Costco is inside, the food court is probably insane.
Shopping in busy retail centers & stuck in traffic is not a fun way to spend vacation. Nothing is quick on the island. The GH Kauai is 20 minutes one way from the Walmart; so when you make this trek to the supermarkets, make it count. I can only imagine how crazy the Costco is inside, the food court is probably insane.
May 15, 2018, 6:20 am
#1632
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: IAH
Programs: UA 2MM, Hyatt Diamond, SPG Gold
Posts: 2,156
Based on numerous visits, the Costco in Lihue is no worse than one on the mainland. Yes, if you go at lunch time, there is a queue for a hot dog, but in general, they handle the number of shoppers well. It's in a convenient location, just 2 or 3 blocks off the only route between the GHK and the airport and north and east sides of the island.
May 15, 2018, 8:12 am
#1633
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: PHX and LIH
Programs: AA: 2 MM
Posts: 85,502
FWIW, The Walmart was a real mess when we were there. The only one on the island, and maybe the busiest Walmart I have ever seen. To add to this, when we went to look for inflatables (we checked twice over a 9 day period), they only had a single adult inflatable left, and the second time we had went to look for more, there were none for adults in stock at all. You can rent a ton of stuff at the island snorkel shops, and it wouldn't surprise me if pool toys were rented. Next time we are there, we will probably go to Safeway, or even pay the 3x for what the Hyatt charges.
Shopping in busy retail centers & stuck in traffic is not a fun way to spend vacation. Nothing is quick on the island. The GH Kauai is 20 minutes one way from the Walmart; so when you make this trek to the supermarkets, make it count. I can only imagine how crazy the Costco is inside, the food court is probably insane.
Shopping in busy retail centers & stuck in traffic is not a fun way to spend vacation. Nothing is quick on the island. The GH Kauai is 20 minutes one way from the Walmart; so when you make this trek to the supermarkets, make it count. I can only imagine how crazy the Costco is inside, the food court is probably insane.
Weirdly, I have learned that some pool equipment (air mattresses, noodles, etc.) is in short supply in the winter and early spring because it's "off season."
Last edited by ILuvParis; May 15, 2018 at 8:19 am
May 15, 2018, 9:09 am
#1634
Moderator, Hertz; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: KRK
Programs: UA 1MM, BA GGL, Hyatt Glob, Hilton Diamond and others
Posts: 12,689
I haven't tried this, but could you just do a Walmart online order and store pickup? And get the inflatables that way.
May 16, 2018, 5:45 am
#1635
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,860
Possible.
Another alternative that is popular; check an additional bag, especially if you have free checked luggage. Toss in pool inflatables, SPF sunblock, aloe vera, after sun lotion, water shoes, and other non-essential yet bulky/vacation items. Sunblock is not as cheap as the mainland and your preferred brands might not be there. Sunblock is about 20-30% more expensive on the island as well. Some even go as far as to bring their own snorkel gear and collapsible coolers
Another alternative that is popular; check an additional bag, especially if you have free checked luggage. Toss in pool inflatables, SPF sunblock, aloe vera, after sun lotion, water shoes, and other non-essential yet bulky/vacation items. Sunblock is not as cheap as the mainland and your preferred brands might not be there. Sunblock is about 20-30% more expensive on the island as well. Some even go as far as to bring their own snorkel gear and collapsible coolers
