Go Back  FlyerTalk Forums > Miles&Points > Hotels and Places to Stay > Hyatt | World of Hyatt
Reload this Page >

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

Community
Wiki Posts
Search
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
Print Wikipost

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

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 5, 2021, 3:40 pm
  #2146  
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: SFO
Posts: 4,914
Originally Posted by cebee
We used the Club as breakfast and dinner for 8 days. You had to be there during the designated times. At mid-day, instead of lunch, there were cookies, coffee, sodas, juice and waters.
Originally Posted by dkc192
The club, as with most clubs in the US and around the world, never provided any meaningful food during midday.
very limited international clubs provide “lunch” let alone US clubs…
3rdworldresident likes this.
myperks is offline  
Old Aug 6, 2021, 10:20 am
  #2147  
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 61
For a mid-day stop at the club, I would get some combination of a pineapple juice, a latte, a diet pepsi, and a bottled water. Even without food, still a very enjoyable stop.
cebee is offline  
Old Aug 6, 2021, 1:03 pm
  #2148  
 
Join Date: Nov 2018
Posts: 64
I was told today by Hyatt that I could not use my Club certificate for a stay at the end of the month and to keep trying, and that the luau was sold out even though the concierge told me she'd call me before tickets went on sale. Disappointing but I guess I can keep trying and hoping for the best.
bds123123 is offline  
Old Aug 8, 2021, 11:22 am
  #2149  
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: SEATAC
Programs: AS MVP Gold
Posts: 186
Originally Posted by bds123123
I was told today by Hyatt that I could not use my Club certificate for a stay at the end of the month and to keep trying, and that the luau was sold out even though the concierge told me she'd call me before tickets went on sale. Disappointing but I guess I can keep trying and hoping for the best.
Had the same experience calling once a couple weeks before the stay re: club cert. At check-in, asked the front desk employee who checked with manager, confirmed availability, and then we called Hyatt to load the certificate. Had to then go back to front desk to confirm access. Was certainly worth the little hassle as the club breakfast and evening snacks were a great resource for our family!
mightyducksman is offline  
Old Aug 8, 2021, 12:52 pm
  #2150  
 
Join Date: Nov 2018
Posts: 64
Originally Posted by mightyducksman
Had the same experience calling once a couple weeks before the stay re: club cert. At check-in, asked the front desk employee who checked with manager, confirmed availability, and then we called Hyatt to load the certificate. Had to then go back to front desk to confirm access. Was certainly worth the little hassle as the club breakfast and evening snacks were a great resource for our family!
Great to hear was definitely going to give that a shot to save costs on lazy days at the resort. The room has a fridge that I could stock with drinks/leftovers, correct? Thinking I may stop at a brewery.
bds123123 is offline  
Old Aug 8, 2021, 2:32 pm
  #2151  
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: ATL
Posts: 143
Originally Posted by bds123123
Great to hear was definitely going to give that a shot to save costs on lazy days at the resort. The room has a fridge that I could stock with drinks/leftovers, correct? Thinking I may stop at a brewery.
Yes, but it's definitely a mini-fridge/freezer, with mini being the key because you can't store much beyond a few drinks, yogurts, etc. Moreover, the top/flat part, where you might be able to store a to-go container, is in the freezer section and we'd wake up the next day to find frozen food, drinks, etc...even drinks we stored in the bottom part came out frozen at times. We weren't able to find a temperature control either.
ahself is offline  
Old Aug 10, 2021, 1:54 pm
  #2152  
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: DL, AS, Marriott, Hyatt, National
Posts: 862
Has anyone successfully tried digital check-in and the digital room key at this property? I'm trying to avoid the long check-in lines after my incoming flight if possible and just go straight to my room.
trek87 is offline  
Old Aug 10, 2021, 2:25 pm
  #2153  
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Programs: Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 422
I didn't try when we were there two weeks ago, but I also never saw a line at reception.

I'd also recommend asking for a room that isn't near the club unless you'll be getting up early and/or not trying to relax in your room at any time in the mid-afternoon. Our room was just above the club and it was annoying wanting to have our lanai door open and having to listen to the clanking of dishes as people ate on the club patio at breakfast and mid-afternoon.

Unrelated, the person in the room below us was smoking on their lanai, and while security eventually caught them, they apparently just gave them a warning because the next night they started smoking *again* and playing loud music/yelling. This time, even though security knew who it was, it took 45 minutes at 10:30pm for them to stop the behavior. They never followed up with us on whether the people were kicked off the property... maybe it took so long because they were waiting for police to show up to enforce a trespass. I hope so.
Lomic is offline  
Old Aug 11, 2021, 6:13 am
  #2154  
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Washington, DC
Posts: 694
Any ideas how the Governors new mandate will effect operations at the hotel, restaurants and club lounge? 50 pct indoor dining and limited to a gathering of 25 people outside. Little worried about our stay next week with a sold out hotel. Restaurant reservations were already hard to get and guessing most will now get canceled.
slariz is offline  
Old Aug 12, 2021, 8:28 am
  #2155  
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: MCI
Programs: Hyatt Diamond, Hilton, Marriott, Starwood, Intercontinental, Avis Chairman's Club
Posts: 157
Originally Posted by slariz
Any ideas how the Governors new mandate will effect operations at the hotel, restaurants and club lounge? 50 pct indoor dining and limited to a gathering of 25 people outside. Little worried about our stay next week with a sold out hotel. Restaurant reservations were already hard to get and guessing most will now get canceled.
It probably depends on the restaurant. Places that are more spacious were able to increase the amount of seating when they went from 50% to 75% capacity, but smaller restaurants that are "cozy" during normal times couldn't add any more seating because they still had to meet the "stay 6 feet apart" rules.
ryandc99 likes this.
huskergreg is offline  
Old Aug 14, 2021, 5:49 pm
  #2156  
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 61
Originally Posted by trek87
Has anyone successfully tried digital check-in and the digital room key at this property? I'm trying to avoid the long check-in lines after my incoming flight if possible and just go straight to my room.
They needed to see the Safe travels information for each adult at check in so I don't think digital check in is possible at this time.
cebee is offline  
Old Aug 16, 2021, 12:49 am
  #2157  
 
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: San Francisco, CA
Programs: SPG Gold, Hyatt Plat, Fairmont Premier
Posts: 173
I just returned a few days ago from the Grand Hyatt Kauai, so thought I'd throw in a few tidbits that I have not seen addressed previously:

Room/resort layout: We stayed in a Standard Suite using a Suite Upgrade Cert, out in Room 1010 (way out in the boonies!). It was quite a bit of a walk, and my watch tracked the distance from the self parking lot to the room at 1/3 of a mile! I didn't mind the walk too much, and it was definitely nice to take the shortcuts that go directly out to the lawn and pool areas. Per the debate a few posts above, the bones of the property and the rooms themselves (very few power outlets!) do show their age, but the hotel is generally well-maintained and feels very Hawaiian. We stayed at the Hanalei Bay Resort beforehand - much better views from there than at the Grand Hyatt, but you could tell it was a timeshare property and not as nice as the Hyatt. It appears that the bathrooms in the suites have received recent renovations, and they seem to be much nicer than even the standard rooms- the bathtub was larger and deeper than ones you would find at home, which my kids appreciated.

Below is a picture of the floor layout for the Poipu Wing, 1st floor, where all the standard suites are located. I've read elsewhere that there are 4 standard suites, so that appears to be 1007, 1010, 1026, and 1029. Room 1038 is the nicer standard suite located on a true corner, but I was unable to secure it since it was already occupied for a longer guest stay. There are also free laundry machines for guests across from Room 1016 - we did not use them, but I think there were 3 or 4 sets of washer/dryers there.

Club: The club lounge is located on the third floor, but it is a hike from the standard suites and involves a long walk through the interior hallways, plus an elevator ride up to the 3rd floor. We missed the evening appetizers, but were generally happy with breakfast and desserts. We did not feel safe sitting inside the lounge due to COVID, so there were about 4-5 tables outside. Unfortunately there's not much shade out during early AM hours, so we ended up asking for our food in takeaway boxes and just brought food back to our suite. I did try to see if there was an outdoor path from the patio outside the club lounge to the 1st floor, and unfortunately there was no practical way to make it down there (without jumping down the lightwells to the interior hallways and breaking a leg).

Pool: I believe the hotel was near sellout capacity when we were there, but generally it did not feel overly crowded given the size of the resort. However, it was virtually impossible to get any chairs poolside at a reasonable hour (9 to 10am). We ended up finding chairs that were unshaded next to the saltwater lagoon, but ended up splurging on a poolside cabana for $200 for the day. Cabanas range from $100 to $400 depending on their location and amenities. The only perk of the poolside cabana was getting a cooler of drinks, which ended up being 2 cans of Hawaiian juice (POG) and 4 bottles of water - a bit cheap in my opinion. We were not able to order drinks or food poolside likely due to COVID - overall the cabana was somewhat worth it for the convenience, but felt a bit overpriced. I honestly think getting a discount on cabanas or having dedicated poolside chairs for Globalists would be a better perk than the $150 laundry credit. The pools themselves were great, and our kids had a lot of fun on the water slide and the long, meandering shape of the pool.

Overall, this is one of the best, kid-friendly resorts to stay at in Kauai and all of Hawaii. It's likely the most luxurious resort in Kauai (but there are higher end options on Maui and the Big Island), and it is especially great if you have kids and have Globalist status to secure a suite and club lounge access. One more note - I knew from the moment we arrived that my kids would want to spend all their time at the Grand Hyatt's pools, so definitely split up your stay on Kauai and stay on the North Shore or East Side of Kauai so you can explore all the wonderful beaches and local eating options there rather than spending all of your time at the Grand Hyatt or South Shore.
jch636 is offline  
Old Aug 20, 2021, 11:20 am
  #2158  
 
Join Date: Jul 2021
Posts: 4
I booked the standard room on points, is it worth trying to use my club certificates to get a room with a better view? I am already a Globalist so I know I get access to the Club Lounge but was hoping for a better room with a nicer view if possible.
Teedub37 is offline  
Old Aug 20, 2021, 11:26 am
  #2159  
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: ATL
Posts: 143
Originally Posted by Teedub37
I booked the standard room on points, is it worth trying to use my club certificates to get a room with a better view? I am already a Globalist so I know I get access to the Club Lounge but was hoping for a better room with a nicer view if possible.
Your Globalist status is what will give you a room with a better view (plus club access). I don't think there's any need to use (waste) the certificates.
Teedub37 likes this.
ahself is offline  
Old Aug 20, 2021, 11:32 am
  #2160  
 
Join Date: Dec 2018
Posts: 77
Originally Posted by Teedub37
I booked the standard room on points, is it worth trying to use my club certificates to get a room with a better view? I am already a Globalist so I know I get access to the Club Lounge but was hoping for a better room with a nicer view if possible.
I’m a Globalist, booked a standard room with points and am here now. Didn’t get any kind of room upgrade so yes, I’d use your certificate if you want any kind of view.
Phoebe25 is offline  


Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

This site is owned, operated, and maintained by MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Designated trademarks are the property of their respective owners.