I cannot believe that it has been several days since we returned. I can still taste the Mai Tais.....
Here is a quick overview:
The Grand Hyatt:
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We spent 8 great days at the Grand Hyatt. It is easily the best resort we have had the privledge visiting. Although we absolutley loved the Hyatt Regency in Maui last year (we thought the Grand Waila was over rated), the Grand Hyatt is clearly in a league of its own. The atmosphere, the grounds, the people and the service, all exceptional. We could have spent the entire time in the resort and not be bored. Activities for all every day. The kids painted coconuts, made shell bracelets, flower leis and decorated t-shirts at Camp Hyatt. My wife shopped, visited the spa and had water color painting lessons. I golfed, and well golfed more and had the chance to partake in a few of the golf clinics. The Poipu Bay course is absolutley gorgeous. A little windy but 100% fun. Moreover, all these activites were so close and the times convenient that the DID NOT impose on our family time together. We spent quite a bit of time around the incredible pools (and the water slide!) relaxing and best of all, had absolutley no problems finding chairs at any time of the day.
The only down side (and I use the term mildly) of this resort is that it is rather large and, depending where you are staying, can take quite a bit if time walking down to the pools. For us, it was no big deal as we enjoyed the walks but I could see it being somewhat of a challenge for those who may not be able to get around too easily.
Dining:
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This is an area we probably could have done better but it is a little difficult with 2 kids in tow. At the hotel, we had a good meal at Tidepools (great food and a nice Tadpole menu for the youngsters) and also stepped into the Stevenson Library for their very good "Martini and Sushi Night" (boy they must have known I was arriving...what a combo!.. THANKFULLY, the kids begged to spend the evening at Camp Hyatt that night). We also ate at the Poipu Bay Broiler. The food was slightly better than average. Our highlight, however, was dinner at Roy's. I had the rib-eye which was very, very good and my wife had the seared ahi. We also split a poke appetizer (incredible!) and a Granny Smith Apple salad and ended the meal with Roy's famous and incredibly gooey chocolate soufle (sp?). My wife proclaimed this one of the very best overall meals she has ever had. For me, Pacific O's in Maui last night was the best but Roy's did rank up there. I only wish Roy's had a view.
On a side note, we chose to stay in the Regency Club level at the resort. While I realize that we paid a premium for this, the continental breakfasts in the morning and the evening cocktail/appetizers were very, very good. In fact, the evening appetizers were so good that on a few of the nights, we did not go out to dinner.
Activites:
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We spent one of our first full days exploring the island via a Movie Tour. Simply put, it is a large van that takes you to varous places around the island where movies and tv shows were filmed. They show the movie clips as you are pulling up. You look out the window and there it is. Overall, it was just okay. It was fun but not worth the money in my opinion (although the tour did have some interesting moments). On the positive side, it gave us a very good feel of the island that allowed us the opportunity to pick a few nice spots and beaches to come back visit on our own (which we did) Next time we come back, the helicopter tour is a must do.
I can go on and on. Althought this was a very enjoyable vacation, it seemed like we did so much but there is still so much we could have done! This was our very first visit to Kauai but will not be our last!
Kauai Trip Report: If this is heaven, I am going to start behaving!
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Hi ssm, isn't it a great feeling to have a vacation where you can relax, enjoy the hotel you are staying at and come home completed rested with memories of fun times! I love Kauai too. But I think the Fodorites that go to Kauai year after year prefer if one moans and groans about this beautiful and green island lol. As in, so people won't go there. Selfish little Fodorites
but we love them!! I hope you get to return to Kauai soon.
Great report ssm! Sounds like you've been bitten by the dreaded "Hell-Hole" bug. We were bitten 4 years ago and have visited almost every year since then. I stayed at the Hyatt a few years ago and loved it as you did.
Beware though, as you continue to return and visit, you will start discovering the "real Kaua'i". Things like cigar-size cockaroaches, mutated mosquitoes, roosters that chase you off the beaches, terrible food and don't forget that hideous "Kaua'i laidbackitis", etc, etc, it goes on and on.
Mahalo!
-Bill
Maui mo' bettah', yah Bruddah Billaaay?
)...the wind was bending the trees in the parking lot, it was that windy, so I called Kiahuna and got a tee time then called Poipu and cancelled. Couldn't see spening that much $$$ in those conditions.
L'Italy....
157 mo' days.
ssm,
We were supposed to golf at Poipu Bay last trip. It's the only golf course I haven't golfed since going over.
I sat in the truck in Koloa while my local buddy did some bank business (took out a 2nd mortgage so he could golf at Poipu Bay
Saved about $80 and didn't lose as many golf balls! Always gotta leave something to come back to! Plus, hard to beat a few after golf beers at Kiahuna Joe's.
ssm, please do go on and on! We will torture ourselves to read trip reports on the HH.
Photos even, we will force ourselves to look at them and tell you just how wonderful they are!
Kal, I gotcha beat...244 days until Hawaii and 248 until Kauai. That is more, no? Upside down 7, right?
bravo ssm...nice trip report
i was just there at GHK in June, and enjoyed it as much as you did; i've been too busy at work and lazy at home to get a kauai trip report done like you; so i'm grateful for the fond recollections...mahalo
It looks like Kal, I'2 and I have put the "pox" on this one, so I'm bringing it up.
ssm? More details please.
-Bill
Uh oh. Does this mean SSM will need to take the K9 "Code of Silence?"
You can all yell at me now, but why is it everybody raving about Hawaiian Mai Tais if this drink, along with the Irish coffee and Martini, was invented in San Francisco?
(yeah, somebody gotta take a stand against KKKKKKKKK!)
Invented in SF...PERFECTED in Kauai!!!
Are there chickens flying all over Kauai? Now I know why - Mai Tai overflow.
Aloha ssm..
Great trip report!
I am getting married at the Grand Hyatt in Kauai this September and to read your overall view of the Hotel makes me less stressed and happy that I chose the Hotel that I did..
I am doing the Sunshine on Sale with the free breakfast buffet...Did you try the buffet and was it as good as they say it is?
We are playing Poipu and Princeville..how were the rates and is it worth it?
I am going to make myself a Mai Tai and wait for your reply..take your time, I have plenty of rum..
Mahalo
Note on the golf:
Hyatt guests pay $125 (less if in the afternoon). This is a BARGAIN!
Also, the golf clinics are open to guests of the Hyatt. The fee is $35 for each clinic. It runs an hour long and will include club rentals if you need them and all the range balls you can duff. But the real kicker was that of the 3 clinics I attended, I was the ONLY person on 2. On the third, there were 2 other people. So far all intents and purposes, I had 2 private and 1 semi private (and very worthwhile) lessons for a total of 3 hours and a cost of $105!
BTW, regarding the "sushi and martini night" at Stevenson Library, it ended up being the "Mojito and Spicy Tuna Roll" night for me. WOW, WHAT A COMBO!!
ssm
ps: What IS up with all those chickens anyway?
TahitiTams
We did not have the buffet breakfast. We did speak with people that did and they enjoyed it. The only downside, I understand, was waiting for tables at times.
I would recommend that you at least explore the cost of Regency Club option to see if it works for you. For us, it was perfect. I am not that big of a breakfast eater and really did not want to get "all cleaned up" to eat at a restaurant that early in the morning. However, every morning, the Club had pastries, bagels and cream cheese (with great lox and all the other goodes as well), hot and cold cereals, hard boiled eggs, the freshest fruit, cheeses, cold cuts, juices and champagne for mimosas. I also think their coffee/lattee/expresso machine is available 24 hrs. Best of all, I could easily easily get my swimsuit on, throw on a t-shirt, grab a baseball cap slip on the flip flops and run into the Regency club without feeling underdressed and not having to wait for a table in the restaurant.
Of course, I am not mentioning the eveing cocktails and appetizers.... What a great touch...grabbing tasty appetizers, perhaps a cocktail (or 2 or ?) and/or beer or wine from a top shelf collection after a long day wondering if you feel like getting ready to go out. As I alluded in my report, a few times we were just so relaxed that the thought of doing anything else but showering and putting on some comfortable clothes to relax the rest of the evening in was not too appealing. So we just poured another adult beverage, grabbed some more of the great food, relaxed some more and called it a day.
They are the prime source of Kal's NaPali Cafe Rooster Jerky.
A never ending supply!
Hey ssm..
Thanks for the reply on the golf and the breakfast..I am not a breakfast person either but it came with the 6 nights and the next night is free along with the free buffet..
Regency club..I have to check that out..
Golf is $125 on Poipu and it is cheaper in the afternoon? Yippeee...
We are going with a golf pro and she usually gets us the "local rate" but sounds like this would be about the same.. Did you do the golf clinic? $35 an hour with rental clubs sounds like a deal..I love to play golf in Hawaii but you know how it is to lug your golf clubs all over the place..
What type of room did you have?
Did you see the new Costco going up in Lihue?
Thanks for the info!!
ssm,
Thanks for the report and info on the golf clinics, what a deal! I am having a 10 month since I 've been there withdrawl! Next trip is to explore the Big Island but I need to fit in Kauai and Oahu too!
We use the Regency Club frequently for Hyatt hotels, so I know the convience, but we have loved the included breakfast buffet in Kauai for our family, the last four visits. We make coffee in our room early, and have a refrigator sent up upon check in, so keep fruit, juices, etc. in there.
The buffet is open until 10 am. We arrive in our bathing suits, flip flops and cover ups at 9: 30 am and head for the beach following. TahitiT, you don't have to dress up at all at the Hyatt. Very casual.
MBnancy..you have always been so kind to me on your thoughts on the Grand Hyatt..we took your advice on the Tidepools restaurant for the wedding dinner and asked to be close to the waterfall.. per your suggestion..
Sounds like MB, ssm and all the others have had a really good experience..sometimes it all looks good on paper but it is when you start talking to the people that have stayed there that things can change rapidly from finding the perfect hotel to a "I think I'll pass"..
I love your report ssm..sounds like we like the same kind of action..several adult beverages, cheap 5 star golf, some good food and go from there with friends and family close by..
You sound like a very happy family..