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
Sep 23, 2016, 3:34 pm
#1321
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: RDU
Posts: 1,491
Thanks skj. I wrote to the concierge a short while back but no response yet. Since the email address given for the concierge, from the GHK's own web site, has an expedia.com domain name, I'm not hopeful about using the GC for other activities. Guess they have outsourced the concierge staff.
Sep 23, 2016, 4:57 pm
#1322
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: IAH
Programs: UA 2MM, Hyatt Diamond, SPG Gold
Posts: 2,164
Thanks skj. I wrote to the concierge a short while back but no response yet. Since the email address given for the concierge, from the GHK's own web site, has an expedia.com domain name, I'm not hopeful about using the GC for other activities. Guess they have outsourced the concierge staff.
Sep 26, 2016, 12:53 pm
#1323
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: RDU
Posts: 1,491
Add father-in-law to car rental in Hawaii as additional driver
Sorry if this is off topic but I'm in a pickle. My father-in-law wants to be added as an additional driver on my Thrifty car rental. He's a better drive than me and I'm personally fine with it. However:
* I decline all of Thrifty's own rental insurance. I'm covered by my regular auto policy at home and I pay with my Chase Sapphire Preferred card to get primary insurance
* Father-in-law is insured for any rental car through his own insurance
* I'm a resident of North Carolina and he's a resident of NY State
I know there's a nominal charge of around $10 a day per driver to add, but figured that was typically for a spouse to keep insurance simple and not having to buy the rental company's insurance.
What would happen if my Father-in-law was driving and got into an accident--either him hitting something or someone hitting him?
I have a feeling it could be complicated. This is for a one day car rental on a day trip to Hilo--just flying out one day to see VNP and he'd like to drive.
My counter was to try to book something completely in his name so I wouldn't have to worry about insurance. Wife is saying, oh, it's unlikely an accident would happen. But if someone rear-ends you, that's an accident. Think that's why they call it an accident--could happen anywhere, anytime. Anyway, thanks and sorry this is a bit off topic. Heading out soon for the day and the trip is tomorrow.
* I decline all of Thrifty's own rental insurance. I'm covered by my regular auto policy at home and I pay with my Chase Sapphire Preferred card to get primary insurance
* Father-in-law is insured for any rental car through his own insurance
* I'm a resident of North Carolina and he's a resident of NY State
I know there's a nominal charge of around $10 a day per driver to add, but figured that was typically for a spouse to keep insurance simple and not having to buy the rental company's insurance.
What would happen if my Father-in-law was driving and got into an accident--either him hitting something or someone hitting him?
I have a feeling it could be complicated. This is for a one day car rental on a day trip to Hilo--just flying out one day to see VNP and he'd like to drive.
My counter was to try to book something completely in his name so I wouldn't have to worry about insurance. Wife is saying, oh, it's unlikely an accident would happen. But if someone rear-ends you, that's an accident. Think that's why they call it an accident--could happen anywhere, anytime. Anyway, thanks and sorry this is a bit off topic. Heading out soon for the day and the trip is tomorrow.
Sep 26, 2016, 1:35 pm
#1324
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: 2,669
Sorry if this is off topic but I'm in a pickle. My father-in-law wants to be added as an additional driver on my Thrifty car rental.
Sep 26, 2016, 2:03 pm
#1325
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 44
My wife and I will be staying Oct 1-7 (our second time here) on 4x chase free nights and 2x 25k hyatt points. We're currently booked for a standard room & are both platinum courtesy of Hyatt Visa. Last time we stayed I "hoped for the best" at check-in & didn't explicitly ask for an upgrade. We ended up with a room facing the parking lot.
I've read through several posts on this thread and see a lot of recommendations to e-mail the GM for room requests, but no one seems to post how to do this? I've googled it to death with no avail and hyatt's website only has a link to e-mail "[email protected]". I just called the front desk and got reservations and asked for an ocean view upgrade. She said she could note the request and then I should ask at check-in. I'm not going to die if I don't get one, but obviously it would be nice.
Any tips on what I can do to better my chances would be much appreciated.
Thanks!
I've read through several posts on this thread and see a lot of recommendations to e-mail the GM for room requests, but no one seems to post how to do this? I've googled it to death with no avail and hyatt's website only has a link to e-mail "[email protected]". I just called the front desk and got reservations and asked for an ocean view upgrade. She said she could note the request and then I should ask at check-in. I'm not going to die if I don't get one, but obviously it would be nice.
Any tips on what I can do to better my chances would be much appreciated.
Thanks!
Sep 26, 2016, 2:17 pm
#1326
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Florida
Programs: Amex, AA, BA, Delta, True Blue, Hyatt, Fairmont, Marriott, HH, IHG
Posts: 136
We enjoyed a few days there last October, very nice place to be. I called the hotel same as you and they noted the request. We got a pool view, higher floor, very nice. No guarantees but this time of year your chances should be good. ^
Sep 26, 2016, 3:37 pm
#1328
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 7
I just saw room availability and it seems that hotel has several rooms available so you should be good.
I am staying Nov 10 -16 and as Diamond, Iam guaranteed best room. However, the hotel is sold out for one of the nights so it appeared I was going to be out of luck. The Reservations Manager also said they 'might' be able to move me into Partial Ocean view on 11th.
What I did was that while going back and forth with the manager, I booked couple of nights at Club room (paying 9k extra points). Then, I requested if I could be at Ocean view. He said he'll try to ensure I am in the same room for the duration of my stay. After all, they wouldnt want to do full housekeeping 4 times as club nights were intermingled with regular award stay. Maybe you will be lucky by spending some extra points.
I am staying Nov 10 -16 and as Diamond, Iam guaranteed best room. However, the hotel is sold out for one of the nights so it appeared I was going to be out of luck. The Reservations Manager also said they 'might' be able to move me into Partial Ocean view on 11th.
What I did was that while going back and forth with the manager, I booked couple of nights at Club room (paying 9k extra points). Then, I requested if I could be at Ocean view. He said he'll try to ensure I am in the same room for the duration of my stay. After all, they wouldnt want to do full housekeeping 4 times as club nights were intermingled with regular award stay. Maybe you will be lucky by spending some extra points.
Sep 26, 2016, 4:06 pm
#1329
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 44
That's great news. Just curious: did you ask to speak with the reservations manager, or have you been communicating via e-mail? Do you feel the chances of being upgraded improve by communicating with the manager, or is the front desk just as capable / enabled to handle routine upgrades for platinums? (my status)
Last edited by davelux; Sep 26, 2016 at 4:09 pm Reason: better clarify my questions
Sep 26, 2016, 4:36 pm
#1330
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 7
I am a newbie at this so I am sure someone can easily counter my opinion so take it with grain of salt.
From what I have read, if the hotel is full, the front desk wont be able to do anything. If its not, and you ask nicely, front desk can do wonders. However, if the hotel is full, their hands are tied as there arent any 'better' rooms to book you at.
I was communicating via email. Asked the general email to forward to reservation manager. I feel email is better as it gives both sides to think through the answers and compromise. If I was on the phone, he wouldve said no option and that would have been the end of it.
Also, I just remembered that the first time I emailed them, nothing happened and I received a random email to upgrade to ocean view room for 200/night. I ignored the email and sent my original email again after couple of weeks when things began to move.
From what I have read, if the hotel is full, the front desk wont be able to do anything. If its not, and you ask nicely, front desk can do wonders. However, if the hotel is full, their hands are tied as there arent any 'better' rooms to book you at.
I was communicating via email. Asked the general email to forward to reservation manager. I feel email is better as it gives both sides to think through the answers and compromise. If I was on the phone, he wouldve said no option and that would have been the end of it.
Also, I just remembered that the first time I emailed them, nothing happened and I received a random email to upgrade to ocean view room for 200/night. I ignored the email and sent my original email again after couple of weeks when things began to move.
Sep 27, 2016, 12:21 am
#1332
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: RDU
Posts: 1,491
Mahalo Jayer.
Sep 29, 2016, 12:39 pm
#1333
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 2,363
Staying here in December (16 - 25 ) on points. A few questions for those of you that have been:
1. they don't charge a resort fee on point stays do they?
2. If they don't charge a resort fee on point stays...is parking still free?
3. Any idea how the surf will be at the end of December? Am travelling with kids, not sure if it will be safe or if we will have to drive somewhere for that
4. Any GM contacts for the property? I have a vegan in my crew and I would like to ask them for some vegan options in the club if possible
Thanks for the help!
1. they don't charge a resort fee on point stays do they?
2. If they don't charge a resort fee on point stays...is parking still free?
3. Any idea how the surf will be at the end of December? Am travelling with kids, not sure if it will be safe or if we will have to drive somewhere for that
4. Any GM contacts for the property? I have a vegan in my crew and I would like to ask them for some vegan options in the club if possible
Thanks for the help!
Sep 29, 2016, 1:31 pm
#1334
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: IAH
Programs: UA 2MM, Hyatt Diamond, SPG Gold
Posts: 2,164
I can help with a few questions, based on our points stay a few months ago ...
No resort fee charged ...
Yes, the large lot on the mauka (inland) side of the resort is free ...
No resort fee charged ...
Yes, the large lot on the mauka (inland) side of the resort is free ...
Sep 29, 2016, 7:01 pm
#1335
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: 2,669
In April there were vegetable offerings and organic grown-onsite salad offerings in the club most every night. Whether vegan or just vegetarian I would not know.
Last edited by jayer; Sep 29, 2016 at 7:45 pm