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
Jun 26, 2018, 5:06 am
#1696
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 615
I'm not aware of anything being comped at the recreation desk, and there is no snorkeling in the immediate vicinity of the hotel.
There is some snorkeling off Kauai but it is limited and what there is can be unpredictable. I love the hotel but if seeing fish is a primary goal you are heading to the wrong island. Especially if you want walk-out snorkeling.
There is some snorkeling off Kauai but it is limited and what there is can be unpredictable. I love the hotel but if seeing fish is a primary goal you are heading to the wrong island. Especially if you want walk-out snorkeling.
Jun 26, 2018, 9:14 pm
#1697
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: PHX and LIH
Programs: AA: 2 MM
Posts: 85,553
And Capt Andy's snorkel sails are as well. https://www.napali.com/snorkel/
I have no idea how they compare with other islands.
Jul 10, 2018, 8:26 am
#1699
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: 718
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Platinum, IHG Diamond
Posts: 967
I wouldnt rely on the social media for specific hotels. Email their concierge
Jul 10, 2018, 11:32 am
#1700
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: 2,668
Have tried contacting the property via social media DM (twitter and Facebook) but no reply. Going on 4 days now. I’ve never had such a non-response from a hotel before. Are they normally like this on social media?
Jul 11, 2018, 7:36 am
#1701
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 615
Second/unrelated question...regarding beach equipment - does the hotel have boogie boards for lending out? Or is this something we should buy inexpensively once on the island? Same question goes for mask/snorkels. recommendations?
Last edited by gumercindo; Jul 16, 2018 at 7:40 am
Jul 16, 2018, 12:12 pm
#1702
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: 2,668
Yep, I do - left my reservation # and contact info. I'll keep following up!
Second/unrelated question...regarding beach equipment - does the hotel have boogie boards for lending out? Or is this something we should buy inexpensively once on the island? Same question goes for mask/snorkels. recommendations?
Second/unrelated question...regarding beach equipment - does the hotel have boogie boards for lending out? Or is this something we should buy inexpensively once on the island? Same question goes for mask/snorkels. recommendations?
The hotel will have rental equipment but not sure of it's availability or quality levels. I would guess but do not know it will be decent to good but expensive to rent. Doubt anything there is free.
There are rentals easily available from numerous local shops. Price is usually low but quality uncertain. Pick up a "Kauai This Week" or some other pulp tourist book at the airport baggage claim and you will be bombarded with coupons.
We pack in our own reasonably expensive quality snorkel sets and inflatable snorkel vests (more to keep us up off shallow reefs and not damage them). We always buy a base cheap Wal-Mart or ABC Store kickboard to use in the lagoon pool or to keep between us and the reef. Then either give them away or just leave them at departure.
For one trip the Wal-Mart or ABC quality snorkel equipment would probably do fine. We finally figured out you got what you paid for, but I mean that more in terms of durability than how it works right out of the package. We go back at least once a year and usually more so enduring quality made sense.
Be wary of full-face snorkel masks. Especially cheap ones.
Last edited by jayer; Jul 16, 2018 at 12:22 pm
Jul 17, 2018, 9:38 am
#1703
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Silver SPG Lifetime Gold
Posts: 530
Hey guys - I have two reservations coming up. The room type is similar for both reservations (ocean view), however one is on the Club Level, which gives me access to the lounge. The other room is not on the Club Level, however it includes full breakfast. The price is similar for both: 33k/points per night for the Club Level, and ~$450 + resort fees for the room with breakfast.
Any thoughts on what room is the best value? I'm traveling with wife and one year old baby.
Any thoughts on what room is the best value? I'm traveling with wife and one year old baby.
Jul 18, 2018, 3:08 am
#1704
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: USA & UK -- AA EXP 3.5MM, Hyatt Diamond, SPG Plat, Avis President's Club
Posts: 6,411
Hey guys - I have two reservations coming up. The room type is similar for both reservations (ocean view), however one is on the Club Level, which gives me access to the lounge. The other room is not on the Club Level, however it includes full breakfast. The price is similar for both: 33k/points per night for the Club Level, and ~$450 + resort fees for the room with breakfast.
Any thoughts on what room is the best value? I'm traveling with wife and one year old baby.
Any thoughts on what room is the best value? I'm traveling with wife and one year old baby.
- water and drinks from the club.
- Some people might have lots of points but little cash.
- restaurant breakfast will be much better than the club breakfast.
- 33K is a poor redemption value when rooms can be bought for $450.
- Avoiding the "Club Level" also avoids the irritating hoity-toity professional traveler types like, um, for example, meeee.
Jul 18, 2018, 7:50 am
#1705
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 615
Hi all:
We are a party of 6 across 2 rooms staying for 5N. Looking for good (cheaper) alternatives to on-prem breakfast options. TBH, we're looking for simple things like bagels, coffee, croissants, fruit, egg sandwich, etc. Is Living Foods Market the best option if we want to go off-prem that's nearby? Or does the resort provide those kinds of things at a reasonable price?
TIA!
We are a party of 6 across 2 rooms staying for 5N. Looking for good (cheaper) alternatives to on-prem breakfast options. TBH, we're looking for simple things like bagels, coffee, croissants, fruit, egg sandwich, etc. Is Living Foods Market the best option if we want to go off-prem that's nearby? Or does the resort provide those kinds of things at a reasonable price?
TIA!
Jul 18, 2018, 8:24 am
#1706
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: PHX and LIH
Programs: AA: 2 MM
Posts: 85,553
Hi all:
We are a party of 6 across 2 rooms staying for 5N. Looking for good (cheaper) alternatives to on-prem breakfast options. TBH, we're looking for simple things like bagels, coffee, croissants, fruit, egg sandwich, etc. Is Living Foods Market the best option if we want to go off-prem that's nearby? Or does the resort provide those kinds of things at a reasonable price?
TIA!
We are a party of 6 across 2 rooms staying for 5N. Looking for good (cheaper) alternatives to on-prem breakfast options. TBH, we're looking for simple things like bagels, coffee, croissants, fruit, egg sandwich, etc. Is Living Foods Market the best option if we want to go off-prem that's nearby? Or does the resort provide those kinds of things at a reasonable price?
TIA!
Jul 18, 2018, 9:24 am
#1707
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 615
Gotcha.
Last question, for occupancy of 4 in one room (2 adults and 2 children), what possible configurations of the room (rollaway, etc) are there if 2 queen beds (with 2 persons each) is not feasible?
Last question, for occupancy of 4 in one room (2 adults and 2 children), what possible configurations of the room (rollaway, etc) are there if 2 queen beds (with 2 persons each) is not feasible?
Last edited by gumercindo; Jul 23, 2018 at 7:37 am
Jul 24, 2018, 7:38 pm
#1708
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 3,838
Anyone want to go in mid-August? I have a P+C booking for two adults, 6 nights stay in club room. $340 TOTAL all-in (or minus $220 in resort fees if you're a Globalist). I won't be able to make it and would hate to cancel it. PM if interested.
Jul 24, 2018, 8:35 pm
#1709
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Philadelphia
Programs: SPG Gold, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Loews Platinum
Posts: 629
Costco
Hi all:
We are a party of 6 across 2 rooms staying for 5N. Looking for good (cheaper) alternatives to on-prem breakfast options. TBH, we're looking for simple things like bagels, coffee, croissants, fruit, egg sandwich, etc. Is Living Foods Market the best option if we want to go off-prem that's nearby? Or does the resort provide those kinds of things at a reasonable price?
TIA!
We are a party of 6 across 2 rooms staying for 5N. Looking for good (cheaper) alternatives to on-prem breakfast options. TBH, we're looking for simple things like bagels, coffee, croissants, fruit, egg sandwich, etc. Is Living Foods Market the best option if we want to go off-prem that's nearby? Or does the resort provide those kinds of things at a reasonable price?
TIA!
Costco Kauai has got to be one of the cheapest places in the USA to get really good coffee beans!! I brought back 5 bags when I went last and wish I had gotten more.
Jul 25, 2018, 3:42 pm
#1710
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Philly, Madrid
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold
Posts: 2,591
Heading to Kauai again after more than a year and I just found out they recently refurbished the lounge again earlier this year. Last time was what, 5 or 6 years ago, and they took away about 70% of the food offerings, reduced seating, and eliminated free alcohol. I guess it was about that time they also took away the concierge and made it an Expedia sales desk. So I’m really ‘looking forward’ to seeing just how much worse they could have possibly made it this go around.