Nothing more pleasant than a stay at the Grand Hyatt in Kauai.
The Grand Hyatt Kauai, Hawaii
About The Grand Hyatt hotel
The Grand Hyatt is set on the south side of the island known as the sunny side. This is the epitome of a five star family resort with its huge pool, open air lobby overflowing with tropical plants, Camp Hyatt kids program, six restaurants and six bars, four tennis courts and world class golf course.
The hotel is set on fifty acres fronting a white sand beach which is not ideal for swimming but if you know how to cut back and pull into a barrel then this mean shore break is for you. Swimmers will find nirvana in the five acres of pools meandering throughout the resort.
Two thirds of the 602 rooms have views out over the ocean and sunny Keoniloa Bay, made possible by only building as high as the tallest coconut tree. The resort prides itself on its eco-friendly initiatives such as photovoltaic panels, organic herb garden, waste diversion program, offering of hybrid vehicles and free range eggs on all menus.
Unique features – Five acres of saltwater swimming lagoons
This is swimming pool heaven. There are five acres of saltwater swimming lagoons with islands, a man made beach, enchanting river pools which wind through waterfalls and grottos in which you can hide as well as a 150 foot water slide. Your children will never ever want to leave. Pools are heated by recapturing heat from the airconditioning system with ozone used for purification which means water free from the odour of chlorine and skin as soft as it can be after spending every waking hour in the pool.
The Suite Experience – Hardwood floors, soft rugs and rattan and wood furniture
There are 37 suites furnished with hardwood floors, soft rugs and rattan and wood furniture echoing the tropical feel of the island. The views out over the bay are incredible and your large lanai is just the place from which to stare out to sea.
Hide the details about how to make the electronic blinds go up and down or your children will be playing with them all day (and perhaps your husband). The Ocean View suite is spacious, with minimal furnishings and has everything you could want for a family holiday. There is a main bedroom with huge marble shower and path with a whirlpool, separate toilet with electronic settings for bidet and drying and double sinks. The separate bedroom features a king sized bed and a different view of the ocean.
All the usual suspects you would expect from a premium suite are here including a separate dining table, wet bar, coffee maker with Hawaiian Kona coffee, free wifi, and 42 inch flat screen tv. You can request an extra connecting bedroom for an extra charge or have a rollaway bed set up in the lounge area.
Dining – Tidepools and Donderos
With six restaurants and lounges, where do you start? There are two fine dining experiences at Tidepools and Donderos, both with lush, tropical surroundings. Tidepools serves contemporary Hawaiian cuisine in a thatched hut setting looking over the lagoon and cascading waterfalls and Donderos serves Italian cuisine either al fresco or inside the villa. However my favourite was the slightly low key Stevenson’s library where you could sip a Mai Tai at the 25 foot long Koa bar and order some tasty sushi. In some places in the US, children are not allowed to sit at the bar in a restaurant but they were happy for my son to sit here with us and share in some divine sushi. Dinner is also served in Yumcha and the Seaview Terrace. If you’re feeling adventurous, catch a taxi into Poipu (10 minutes away) for some great choices in restaurants. I can highly recommend the Dolphin for mouth-watering sushi. You do need to book and will have to wait around, but it is worth the wait – go around 8 or just before 6 pm to lessen the waiting time.
The Grand Hyatt’s Anara Spa
The resort’s Anara Spa is huge, 45,000 square feet to be exact andhas its own lava rock shower garden, along with, a 10-headed Swedish shower, and indoor and outdoor treatment rooms. The spa also includes a 24-hour StayFitTM gym and open-air yoga and fitness classes. There are water stations infused with tropical fruit almost on every corner and some health snacks to tempt you after your treatments. The spa focuses on ancient healing traditions to inspire balance in our body and spirit. My preferred option is the Kauai which is three hours of Hawaiian mana (healing energy) gained through a deluxe lomi lomi massage and a Hawaiian healing pedicure and manicure. Afterwards, float out on to one of the lounges and chill out and read a book in a quiet corner of this volcanic bliss space.
If you’d like an upgrade – The Presidential suite
The Presidential suite is more than a whopping 2800 square feet and comes with all the prerequisites such as private terrace, top level ocean views, and a telescope for whale watching. The décor is Asian inspired and adds to the exotic feel of this far flung island. Your first point of welcome is the entry foyer which flows into a comfortable lounge room, dining area for six, kitchen, wet bar and a half bath. The king sized bedroom had an ensuite with private bath and four seat spa tub. It is also possible to organise an extra connecting bedroom for a fee.
Insider tips
The Poipu Wing gets my vote as a teenage parent because it is the furthest wing from the pool and the closest to the spa.
You don’t have to dive into your wallet for entertainment with some great free cultural activities on offer from ukulele lessons to lei making.
For more personalised information tips and advice, or to book this incredible holiday contact your local TravelManagers’ personal travel manager here.
