family4travel

Dmlove: In my haste I forgot to mention what we decided. It will be 7 days at the Hyatt Regency Maui and 6 days at the Grand Hyatt on Kauai.

I'm still filing away condo tips for a future trip. When the children are a bit older we would like to visit Oahu and the Big Island, and return to Kauai and check out different areas of Maui.

Dawnnoelm: Thanks for the tips. We love oceanfront rooms, too, but garden/mountain view is the only way I could swing this with the airfare, which is running almost $1100 each. I checked online and had 3 different agents looking at pricing, but that was the best we could find for that time of year. We'll be there for our wedding anniversary, so I would imagine they'll throw in a bottle of champagne or something of that nature. An upgrade would be nice, but I'm not going to get my hopes up.

Samsaf

family4travel, I think you have made a good plan. It's nice to have enough time to really experience a place, rather than rushing through in a couple of nights.

Be sure to drive up the Waimea Canyon on Kauai. At the end of the road you can park your car and walk (I think less than a mile?) and will have spectacular views.

dawnnoelm

family4travel.. if I had the choice to not go or to go and have a mountain view - I would be all over it

Happy Anniversary and enjoy your time.

Hawaii is one of my favorite places in the world.

(Hawaii, La Jolla, Florence)

sessa

We just got back from 10 days on the BI and Kauai. Stayed at the Grand Hyatt on Kauai for the last few nights, and I think your kids (and you!) will love it. There were several pools, a saltwater lagoon, and a water slide. We didn't eat at the resort, but there seemed to be a lot of choices. We had a garden view room, and the view of the grounds was gorgeous.

I would think Tunnels Beach on the North Shore would be perfect for your kids to go swimming and/or snorkeling. Just try to avoid driving through Kapaa and Lihue during "rush hour."

iamq

f4t,
You have gotten several suggestions to go snorkeling on the north shore of Kaua'i. Be aware that the conditions on the north shore beaches in April may not be safe for snorkeling and swimming as it is still technically considered winter and the surf may still be pounding. At the very least, the currents may be stronger and the rip tides may be an issue even at popular places like Makua (Tunnels) Beach. Before heading north, check the surf reports. Here is a great website that provide you with useful information. http://www.kauaiexplorer.com/

While we were on Kaua'i in early August, there were three seperate resuces of people that got caught in rip tides off "calm looking" beaches. Luckily no one drowned this time, but every spring there are reports of drownings on the north shore of people who went into unsafe conditions. Be safe in paradise...please.

honulow

I've stayed at both the Maui & Kauai Hyatts and did not like the Maui property. I had visited 10 years earlier and it was always my dream to finally stay there (we typically choose condos over hotels). This time we decided to spend 4 nights there and it was totally a let down. We've traveled to the Islands (and actually all over the world) extensively, so maybe our standards are different than someone going to a Hawaiian resort for the first time. But the Hyatt Maui's pool was filled with people who guests, as well as non-guests. The Kaanapali Beach walkway that goes right by the Hyatt is near the pool, and it was obvious people were helping themselves to the facilities without actually staying there. I found the guestrooms, restaurants and overall atmosphere very overrated and overpriced.

In contrast, my husband and I spent an anniversary week at the Kauai property and found it breathtaking, impeccably maintained, and very service-oriented. The staff went out of their way to address any concern or answer any question. When we asked a staff member for directions to one of the restaurants, they stopped what they were doing and personally escorted us there.

So I would recommend the Grand Wailea or other Wailea-area property if you want to go the mega-resort route (we prefer Wailea's beaches and quieter, upscale vibe over Kaanapali), or if you stay at the Hyatt Maui, go there first or it will be a let-down if you've just checked out of the Kauai property!

family4travel

iamq & et al: Thanks to all of for the safety warnings about swimming at the beaches. My husband and I have already decided that as far as swimming goes, this will be a "pool" vacation for our family. Beachtime will be spent walking, playing in the sand, and looking for turtles. I appreciate the helpful web sites. Another safety site I discovered on this forum is www.survivingparadise.com

honulow: Perhaps I'm being somewhat pessimistic, but I'm not expecting 5-star service at the Hyatts. My children have only stayed at a few Four Seasons and Ritz resorts in the Caribbean and U.S., so I'm sure they won't even notice. DH won't care as long as the room is clean and there's a nice golf course nearby. I enjoy good food, so as long as I have a rental car and can get off the resort to enjoy a lovely meal, then I'll be fine. I'm sure the spectacular views, nice pools, and other kids will keep my children thrilled for the duration of our trip. The reviews of the Kauai property clearly outshine the Maui property, so we'll be finishing our vacation in Kauai. In fact we'll be there for our wedding anniversary. It won't be anything like this year's anniversary trip, which we spent in Paris. I can only imagine the crowds in Hawaii during spring break, but I'm sure our children will love it, so we will gladly brave the crowds. Most of my friends who have stayed at the GW checked out early and moved to the 4S. I think Wailea would be too remote for the children, so Kaanapali and Lahaina seem to have more action and more access to a variety of restaurants. Besides, the pricing at GW during spring break was too expensive for me. The airfare for 4 seemed steep, but overall we got a great deal by staying at two Hyatts. The deal was so sweet that several other family members booked their trips last week. We still haven't told the kids. They're going to be sooooo excited, especially when they learn about other relatives joining us there.

PLEASE keep the restaurant tips coming. We're planning to visit Roy's, Pukadog (Kauai), and David Paul's Lahaina Grill for starters, so I need several more recommendations from you experts. Many thanks.

MBnancy

I hope your travel agent gave you the Sunshine on Sale package at both Hyatt's, which gives you the 6th night free after paying for 5 nights, and the buffet breakfast for free and one class room upgrade. It's on the Hyatt website.

Adding to your restaurants in Poipu, is Keoki's Paradise across from Roy's in the same shopping center as Puka Dog. Also The Beach House, Tidepools at the Hyatt, and Plantation Gardens Restaurant.

katydidnt

Hyatts on both islands are somewhat similar. I personally prefer the Westin Maui pool, as it will feel like a bit of a redux from the Maui Hyatt pool to the Kauai Hyatt pool.

You will be happy, regardless. I think the Hyatt Kauai property is somewhat more special than the one on Maui, although the Swan Court restaurant at the Maui Hyatt is breathtaking.

We used to stay in two properties per 10-day visit with kids and learned after awhile that we were spending one whole day of vacation schlepping from one place to another. So now we stay in one place. More relaxing. Danger is you start to think you live there and it's hard to go home!

Food at Hyatt Kauai is fine. Their fine-dining restaurants are far better than anything at Ka'anapali other than the Swan Court. When you're on Maui, however, do stop in at the Hula Grill. Fun place to eat.

MinnieNo1

Have a great time on your trip to Maui and Kauai. I see that other posters have given you good ideas on where to stay and eat. I do think that many people recommend the most expensive ,albeit "best", restaurants but there are many places to eat that are reasonable - especially since you're taking kids. You might try Bubba Gumps or Moose McGillicuddy's in Lahaina. The food is good and the prices are reasonable. You might also try some of the grocery stores. Many have ready to eat food (chicken, potatoes, salad) and the prices are good. Get a Safeway club card when you get there if you don't already have one. It could save you a few bucks. Have a great time.