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 26, 2022, 10:13 am
#2371
Join Date: Nov 2021
Posts: 27
In the past you could book the standard suites w/ 4 people if 1-2 were kids. I did this and they gave me two rollaways BUT several years ago they changed it to 3 people max which is why they don't show up if you are searching for 4 people. I actually had one booked for 4 already when they made this change and they tried to move me to a standard w/ two queens, I protested and they let me stay in the suite. Not sure how much they are enforcing the new policy but you only need one rollaway if you have two kids since the standard suites come w/ a really big couch, my kids preferred it over the roll away. I would just book it for 3 and not even tell them you had 4 people. I will be visiting June and am Globalist so even though I have 4 people I booked my res w/ only 3 to hopefully get upgraded to a suite from standard room, if you book 4 people you have zero chance of an upgrade.
Upon arrival they asked everyone’s names including the kids. They could clearly see we had two kids with us.
Check in was a breeze. We arrived at 1PM and our suite was ready. They provided a rollaway bed (no fee). Our room was very spacious and more than enough for us. There was a fridge and microwave. However it took us forever to walk to our room as it was all the way on the far end of the hotel. We had room 1010.
The next day I asked if they had anything closer since it felt like a waste of time to make that walk with the kids. There was something available the next day and they were super accommodating. All we had to do was pack our things and someone moved everything to the new room as soon as it was available.
Our new room was 1038 which was one of the closest rooms to the elevator. As noted above this room is a corner unit and was even larger than our original room. There were two patios in the living room versus the one patio in the original suite. And you could also walk out from the bedroom into the garden whereas our other bedroom had no windows.
Last edited by hippolife; May 26, 2022 at 10:23 am
May 26, 2022, 2:53 pm
#2372
Join Date: May 2007
Programs: UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 5,447
Our new room was 1038 which was one of the closest rooms to the elevator. As noted above this room is a corner unit and was even larger than our original room. There were two patios in the living room versus the one patio in the original suite. And you could also walk out from the bedroom into the garden whereas our other bedroom had no windows.
May 26, 2022, 4:38 pm
#2373
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Sacramento
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, HH Diamond, Marriott Platinum, Amtrak Select
Posts: 1,339
Didn't do 1038, but did have a stay in 2038 once. Was pleasantly surprised.
May 28, 2022, 9:39 am
#2374
Join Date: Dec 2018
Posts: 77
It is funny how the same categeory of suites can be so different. On my first visit in 2013 we paid cash for one night in a Deluxe Ocean View and we were upgraded to an ocean suite... it was much smaller than the other ocean suites, and overlooked the pool with the Ocean Beyond.
Didn't do 1038, but did have a stay in 2038 once. Was pleasantly surprised.
Didn't do 1038, but did have a stay in 2038 once. Was pleasantly surprised.
May 28, 2022, 11:57 am
#2375
Join Date: Nov 2021
Posts: 27
The garden suites also look like they no longer have the L shaped couch. Suite 1038 actually looks like it needs more furniture as it’s rather spacious.
May 28, 2022, 12:17 pm
#2376
Join Date: Dec 2018
Posts: 77
Thanks. How far are 1038/2038 from the lounge? We stayed in a room way at the end and the walk was so far. I’d like to request one closer to the lounge. Can you see the ocean from 1038? Definitely looks sparse for furniture. Does it have a dining table?
May 28, 2022, 5:27 pm
#2377
Join Date: Nov 2021
Posts: 27
1038 is in the first hallway after the elevators. 1010 was about 3-4 hallways away from the elevators. The lounge is on third floor between the garden suites and the lobby. It’s really not that difficult to get to from those rooms.
There is a dining table and a bar area with a sink.
May 28, 2022, 6:43 pm
#2378
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Sacramento
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, HH Diamond, Marriott Platinum, Amtrak Select
Posts: 1,339
A pleasant refresh, but I would've hoped they'd replace the L shape couch with something equally spacious. Guess this solidifies that my video of the suites are all out of date. Wont be able to visit again though until 2024/2025 (will be my 7th visit when it happens).
Still bitter about losing my amazing Ali'i suite deal (Covids fault) but there are some silver linings.
My old video of the suites, including views from outside...
Still bitter about losing my amazing Ali'i suite deal (Covids fault) but there are some silver linings.
My old video of the suites, including views from outside...
May 28, 2022, 7:19 pm
#2379
Join Date: Dec 2018
Posts: 77
You can actually see the ocean from 1038. Our other room 1010 was a little further away and we couldn’t see the ocean.
1038 is in the first hallway after the elevators. 1010 was about 3-4 hallways away from the elevators. The lounge is on third floor between the garden suites and the lobby. It’s really not that difficult to get to from those rooms.
There is a dining table and a bar area with a sink.
1038 is in the first hallway after the elevators. 1010 was about 3-4 hallways away from the elevators. The lounge is on third floor between the garden suites and the lobby. It’s really not that difficult to get to from those rooms.
There is a dining table and a bar area with a sink.
A pleasant refresh, but I would've hoped they'd replace the L shape couch with something equally spacious. Guess this solidifies that my video of the suites are all out of date. Wont be able to visit again though until 2024/2025 (will be my 7th visit when it happens).
Still bitter about losing my amazing Ali'i suite deal (Covids fault) but there are some silver linings.
My old video of the suites, including views from outside...
https://youtu.be/HBHjeAj0pYY
Still bitter about losing my amazing Ali'i suite deal (Covids fault) but there are some silver linings.
My old video of the suites, including views from outside...
https://youtu.be/HBHjeAj0pYY
May 29, 2022, 9:10 am
#2381
Join Date: Sep 2021
Posts: 307
May 29, 2022, 9:28 am
#2382
Join Date: Dec 2018
Posts: 77
Does anyone know if there are suites located between the lounge and lobby that fall into the suite upgrade award category? Preferably with ocean view. First time staying there last year we were in a room at the far end past the lounge. I have mobility issues so hoping for something closer to lobby. Planning to reach out and request a certain room but don’t know what to ask for. Thanks.
Jun 12, 2022, 4:02 pm
#2383
Join Date: Feb 2005
Programs: Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, Hyatt Globlist, Hilton Silver, Amtrak Select Plus, UA Silver
Posts: 2,022
Golf feed qualifying spend?
Was just here and had golf fees charged to the room. The charges were on the bill but it did not translate to points earned. Just wondering if it should. Anyone had similar experience?
.... I hear you!!!! This may be one reason why we may not go back. It took so long to go from the parking lot to our room 5007. We learnt to take the path by the spa as a semi short cut but is still a long walk. The rooms by the parking lot tended to be busier with lots of kids (and nosier) and that would be an issue for me. I noticed a lot near our end, behind the spa. It had spaces with solar panel on top. I am thinking it is an employee lot. I would consider dropping my family off in that lot and then go park in the guest lot. It would be a 30 sec walk to the build for them.
.... I hear you!!!! This may be one reason why we may not go back. It took so long to go from the parking lot to our room 5007. We learnt to take the path by the spa as a semi short cut but is still a long walk. The rooms by the parking lot tended to be busier with lots of kids (and nosier) and that would be an issue for me. I noticed a lot near our end, behind the spa. It had spaces with solar panel on top. I am thinking it is an employee lot. I would consider dropping my family off in that lot and then go park in the guest lot. It would be a 30 sec walk to the build for them.
Jun 13, 2022, 8:47 am
#2384
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
Was just here and had golf fees charged to the room. The charges were on the bill but it did not translate to points earned. Just wondering if it should. Anyone had similar experience?
.... I hear you!!!! This may be one reason why we may not go back. It took so long to go from the parking lot to our room 5007. We learnt to take the path by the spa as a semi short cut but is still a long walk. The rooms by the parking lot tended to be busier with lots of kids (and nosier) and that would be an issue for me. I noticed a lot near our end, behind the spa. It had spaces with solar panel on top. I am thinking it is an employee lot. I would consider dropping my family off in that lot and then go park in the guest lot. It would be a 30 sec walk to the build for them.
.... I hear you!!!! This may be one reason why we may not go back. It took so long to go from the parking lot to our room 5007. We learnt to take the path by the spa as a semi short cut but is still a long walk. The rooms by the parking lot tended to be busier with lots of kids (and nosier) and that would be an issue for me. I noticed a lot near our end, behind the spa. It had spaces with solar panel on top. I am thinking it is an employee lot. I would consider dropping my family off in that lot and then go park in the guest lot. It would be a 30 sec walk to the build for them.
I understand that some people don't like the walk...I find it enjoyable, but know I'm in the minority.
Jun 13, 2022, 10:04 am
#2385
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: JFK / LGA.. EWR is not part of NYC!
Programs: Brand loyalty is for suckers
Posts: 1,046
Stayed here in April and played a lot of golf along with range time and buying in the pro shop...none of it counted for points. It's likely an independent set up on the Hyatt property so it does not qualify.
I understand that some people don't like the walk...I find it enjoyable, but know I'm in the minority.
I understand that some people don't like the walk...I find it enjoyable, but know I'm in the minority.