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
Oct 31, 2018, 5:12 pm
#1756
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: charlotte, nc, usa
Programs: AA Gold 1MM, AA Exec Plat, Marriott Lifetime Plat, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 1,010
Some renovations started today in the guest rooms and an upcoming renovation at the Anara Spa:
1) Repairs on the external spackling of some rooms poolside. This creates for quite the racket when trying to relax by the upper pool, so we relocated.
2) In at least the Poipu Wing, all TVs, credenzas and some other furniture are being replaced/added. Depending on the size of the room, the new TVs may now be wall-mounted, so that frees up the space that they previously took up on the dresser/credenza. As for the other furniture, at least in our room, the old, faded orange chair was replaced with a new mini loveseat, but it doesn't have the ottoman like the old chair did. Additionally, dresser-like shelves were added to the closets to create more storage space.
3) The Anara Spa will be undergoing renovations to an unknown extent from 11/15-12/15.
1) Repairs on the external spackling of some rooms poolside. This creates for quite the racket when trying to relax by the upper pool, so we relocated.
2) In at least the Poipu Wing, all TVs, credenzas and some other furniture are being replaced/added. Depending on the size of the room, the new TVs may now be wall-mounted, so that frees up the space that they previously took up on the dresser/credenza. As for the other furniture, at least in our room, the old, faded orange chair was replaced with a new mini loveseat, but it doesn't have the ottoman like the old chair did. Additionally, dresser-like shelves were added to the closets to create more storage space.
3) The Anara Spa will be undergoing renovations to an unknown extent from 11/15-12/15.
Last edited by scotty00; Nov 1, 2018 at 5:54 pm
Nov 1, 2018, 7:43 pm
#1757
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: NYC/ EWR/ PHL
Programs: UA Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Gold, IHG Platinum
Posts: 2,209
Some renovations started today in the guest rooms and an upcoming renovation at the Anara Spa:
1) Repairs on the external spackling of some rooms poolside. This creates for quite the racket when trying to relax by the upper pool, so we relocated.
2) In at least the Poipu Wing, all TVs, credenzas and some other furniture are being replaced/added. Depending on the size of the room, the new TVs may now be wall-mounted, so that frees up the space that they previously took up on the dresser/credenza. As for the other furniture, at least in our room, the old, faded orange chair was replaced with a new mini loveseat, but it doesn't have the ottoman like the old chair did. Additionally, dresser-like shelves were added to the closets to create more storage space.
3) The Anara Spa will be undergoing renovations to an unknown extent from 11/15-12/15.
1) Repairs on the external spackling of some rooms poolside. This creates for quite the racket when trying to relax by the upper pool, so we relocated.
2) In at least the Poipu Wing, all TVs, credenzas and some other furniture are being replaced/added. Depending on the size of the room, the new TVs may now be wall-mounted, so that frees up the space that they previously took up on the dresser/credenza. As for the other furniture, at least in our room, the old, faded orange chair was replaced with a new mini loveseat, but it doesn't have the ottoman like the old chair did. Additionally, dresser-like shelves were added to the closets to create more storage space.
3) The Anara Spa will be undergoing renovations to an unknown extent from 11/15-12/15.
Nov 5, 2018, 6:39 pm
#1758
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Lake Oswego, Oregon or Costa Alegre take your pick
Programs: AS MVPG,
Posts: 1,066
FYI they are replacing the furniture credenza and chairs in the Poipu wing. We had a fabulous couple of weeks there. We hit the weather just right. I had never seen the property flooded. Apparently it is a regular occurrence. The landscaping is designed to make a "lake" at the west end of the property lawn. Very interesting to see why the grounds are groomed the way they are for water overflow. Love this property.
Nov 5, 2018, 7:33 pm
#1759
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: NYC/ EWR/ PHL
Programs: UA Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Gold, IHG Platinum
Posts: 2,209
FYI they are replacing the furniture credenza and chairs in the Poipu wing. We had a fabulous couple of weeks there. We hit the weather just right. I had never seen the property flooded. Apparently it is a regular occurrence. The landscaping is designed to make a "lake" at the west end of the property lawn. Very interesting to see why the grounds are groomed the way they are for water overflow. Love this property.
Nov 5, 2018, 7:54 pm
#1760
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: charlotte, nc, usa
Programs: AA Gold 1MM, AA Exec Plat, Marriott Lifetime Plat, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 1,010
FYI they are replacing the furniture credenza and chairs in the Poipu wing. We had a fabulous couple of weeks there. We hit the weather just right. I had never seen the property flooded. Apparently it is a regular occurrence. The landscaping is designed to make a "lake" at the west end of the property lawn. Very interesting to see why the grounds are groomed the way they are for water overflow. Love this property.
Nov 5, 2018, 8:35 pm
#1761
Join Date: Nov 2013
Programs: AS Gold, Hyatt Diamond, Starriott LTPP
Posts: 341
Any idea to what extent the Poipu wing renovation is progressing this year? We are arriving mid-December, so I'm wondering if it's worthwhile to request a renovated room (over other upgrade options).
Nov 5, 2018, 11:29 pm
#1762
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: charlotte, nc, usa
Programs: AA Gold 1MM, AA Exec Plat, Marriott Lifetime Plat, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 1,010
The furniture swaps have been completed as of Friday. Basically they entailed new TVs, new credenzas, shelving added to the closets, and a sofa bed to replace the old orange single-person chairs previously in the rooms. My comments only pertain to the Poipu wing as that's the only one that I have knowledge of.
Nov 6, 2018, 12:07 pm
#1763
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Depends on the day!
Programs: Marriott/Lifetime Titanium Hyatt/Explorist, Hilton/Silver, IHG Spire,UA Gold
Posts: 17,829
I've been to this property multiple times and don't recall seeing a retention pond...what part of the property is it on?
Nov 7, 2018, 12:38 pm
#1765
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: PHX and LIH
Programs: AA: 2 MM
Posts: 85,518
FYI they are replacing the furniture credenza and chairs in the Poipu wing. We had a fabulous couple of weeks there. We hit the weather just right. I had never seen the property flooded. Apparently it is a regular occurrence. The landscaping is designed to make a "lake" at the west end of the property lawn. Very interesting to see why the grounds are groomed the way they are for water overflow. Love this property.
At any rate, I've probably been to this property every time of the year over the past several years. I've never seen this area filled with water. That may indeed be the purpose of that large green space between the ocean and the Poipu wing, but I have difficulty believing that flooding is a "regular occurrence."
Nov 7, 2018, 3:12 pm
#1766
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Depends on the day!
Programs: Marriott/Lifetime Titanium Hyatt/Explorist, Hilton/Silver, IHG Spire,UA Gold
Posts: 17,829
Not to belabor a point that you and I are probably only interested in, but I just looked on google earth and still don't see it...or by retention pond, are you talking about a flood plain that they have created to form a retention pond during flooding?
Nov 7, 2018, 5:44 pm
#1767
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Lake Oswego, Oregon or Costa Alegre take your pick
Programs: AS MVPG,
Posts: 1,066
To answer a previous question we had two weeks of gorgeous weather minus the last day when the deluge began. Fortunately we were packing and getting ready to go. It is chancy with the weather in Kauai. We love it no matter.
Nov 7, 2018, 7:11 pm
#1768
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: NYC/ EWR/ PHL
Programs: UA Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Gold, IHG Platinum
Posts: 2,209
Yes it is a grass area that quickly becomes a pool in flash floods. That said there were sand bags here and there for rain diversion.
To answer a previous question we had two weeks of gorgeous weather minus the last day when the deluge began. Fortunately we were packing and getting ready to go. It is chancy with the weather in Kauai. We love it no matter.
To answer a previous question we had two weeks of gorgeous weather minus the last day when the deluge began. Fortunately we were packing and getting ready to go. It is chancy with the weather in Kauai. We love it no matter.
Nov 10, 2018, 9:29 am
#1769
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,860
Feb 15, 2019, 5:57 pm
#1770
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
How is this hotel with suite upgrades for globalists?
They seem to have a room type called "standard suite" but from a few random searches, this room rarely (never?) seems to actually have availability. Also the room description is identical to the "deluxe suite".
They seem to have a room type called "standard suite" but from a few random searches, this room rarely (never?) seems to actually have availability. Also the room description is identical to the "deluxe suite".
