A week in Hawaii with Hyatt points
 

We are planning a week (maybe extended to 8 days) in Hawaii for April 2016. We have a lot of Hyatt points so were planning on mostly using those (though I also see that condos in some spots are very affordable in the ~$150/nt range).

The wife and I are in our early 30's and we will be traveling with our toddler who will be about 20 months old at that time. We're looking for a good mix of activities between hiking and sight-seeing, relaxing at the beach/pool, going to restaurants, etc. We will likely get a sitter a few times for the little guy but most of the time he'll be with us.

I am also a photographer so that plays into it as well, though finding beautiful scenery does not seem like it will be a challenge on these islands!

It looks like the Hyatt properties available are...

Hyatt Regency Waikiki

Hyatt Kaanapali Beach

Andaz Maui (Wailea)

Grand Hyatt Kauai

We definitely want to check out Kauai so unless there are problems with that property that people know of we'll want to spend some time there. Then the question is whether to spend the whole time there or split time with one of the other resorts, and if so which one.

The only "problem" with the Waikiki location, for some, is the location. Lots of visitors swirling around. Waikiki is, IMO, not even the best beach to be on when one considers the many others on Oahu (where I once lived).

If you get an oceanfront room, that's fine, otherwise you can watch the twinkling lights on the other side at night.

I love Oahu but parts of it are very busy; parts of Maui are, also. Gone are the days when Kauai had only one traffic light!

For a first-time visitor there are attractions on Oahu which are, I think, worthwhile but I just wouldn't stay in that Hyatt.

The Kauai Grand Hyatt is spectacular. You will not run out of things to see, do, and photograph on Kauai. You will love it.

The Hyatt Waikiki is pretty big and, while very nice, reminded me of a convention hotel. I didn't stay there though. Just walked through it. It also is across the street from the beach, not right on the beach.

I stayed at Hyatt Regency Kaanapali Beach a few years ago and liked it a lot. The grounds are very pretty, room was spacious. I really like the area too - there is a beach path that runs the length of Kaanapali Beach, with access to other hotels, restaurants etc. Some people may find this area overdeveloped but I thought it was great.

We loved the Grand Hyatt Kauai (it's very grand), and there were plenty of kids there when we were there (which was in May 2009). I've heard the Andaz Maui is gorgeous, but we couldn't get a room for the dates we needed this upcoming trip - anyway, I like Kauai more than Maui, especially for hiking and sheer natural beauty.

I'd imagine the "Grand" is more grand than the "Regency."

I attended a conference at the Hyatt in Maui, but I didn't stay there. I had our daughter along, and she was 4 years old at the time. I liked the Kaanapali location because my husband and I could take turns snorkeling at Black Rock (down at the other end of the beach from the Hyatt) while our daughter played in the sand. I remember that our daughter particularly liked the penguins and other birds at the Hyatt.

<<I remember that our daughter particularly liked the penguins and other birds at the Hyatt.>>

We did too. lol. Penguins, flamingos, parrots, swans, cranes, etc. Each morning we would stop to see the parrots in the lobby and then watch the penguins for a few minutes before heading to breakfast. It was cool to be eating breakfast with a view of the lush grounds and flamingos and swans all around. I loved that trip.

With 7-8 days stick to one island, plus the interisland airfare gets expensive, $80-100 and up pp one way. I would pick Kauai, but it is my favorite.

Are you not considering going to the Big Island because of non-Hyatt availability? Given your stated interests the BI might actually interest you. I realize that it is hard to do it justice in a few days but the various islands do, in fact, vary.

You hear a lot about some and less about others. And, BTW, are you planning to rent a car at all on any of the islands?

One Week = One Island. I love condos for families -- home away from home with space to spread out, a kitchen, washer/dryer, big lanai where Mom and Dad can relax when Toddler naps/has early bedtime.

Northern Kauai is spectacular. Maui has the most easy-access beaches with the best sea life -- and more condos ON beaches. (Big Island has better sea life, but more bare lava.) Maui has Road to Hana (heavily tropical), the semi-dormant Haleakala and Upcountry, eerie Iao Valley. It also has a lot of man-made activities and restaurants, unlike the less-developed Kauai and Big Island, yet not as buzzy as Waikiki.

You'll want a rental car everywhere outside of Honolulu proper.

Can you avoid coming during Spring Break? Any time mainland schools are on holiday, Hawaii is *busy*. Very Early April might let you see some lingering whales -- best viewed from Maui.

The water in front of the Grand Hyatt Kauai is rough but there's nothing wrong with the resort and they have extensive pools.

Haven't stayed at the Hyatt or Andaz on Maui.

I've stayed at the Hyatt Waikiki a few times and it's a big property with two high rise towers and always feels quite busy but that describes a lot of Waikiki. Their pool is very small. Oahu itself is a gorgeous island though.

The Grand Hyatt Kauai is beautiful, you will not go wrong with that choice. Never stayed there but walked through the grounds before. On Maui I LOVED the Andaz. We stayed there using free night certificates and we didn't have to pay anything OOP, but they are now charging a mandatory resort fee (I think even with points) which sucks but its 4 levels of infinity pools and free mini bar (no alcohol though) kinda make up for it. :) You can also get a free portrait session if you stay at the Andaz. Well, free in that there is no sitting fee but you pay per photo you want to purchase. It may be nice to get some pictures of your whole family!

Review of the Andaz here:

http://sulynnchen.com/travelblog/?p=523


I am a former photographer...Hawaii is just perfect for landscape pictures. Don't miss Waimea Canyon on Kauai and Haleakala for sunrise/sunset or just about any time. Paia on Maui had the best surf town vibe to photograph, don't miss the wall of surfboards along the Hana Highway.

On Oahu, we have only stayed at the Hyatt Place but it was affordable, new-ish and convenient. The Hyatt Regency is more full-service though. We are getting massages there in a few weeks on a short Oahu trip so will report back on the spa. I'm also doing the sunrise tour from Oahu Photography Tours - will report back on where we stopped and what stood out, but I'm pretty sure I'll love it all!

FYI, there's a photography tour on Kauai, as well.

Thank you for all the insight everyone!

To answer some of the questions put forward, yes we will have a rental car and yes, our dates are flexible. This is our "let's get somewhere beachy and warm" trip at the end of Utah winter. Mid-April is when the ski resorts start closing up so that's when I was thinking, but we can move it a few weeks in either direction.

I've done a lot of researching and a lot of reading up on things mentioned here and right now I'm leaning towards doing the whole week at the Grand Hyatt Kauai. My main concerns there are the lack of a swimmable beach on the property (I realize there is one down the road and they also have the salt water lagoon), and also that a LOT of the things on the island that look most interesting to me (Napali Coast, big lush waterfalls, etc) are on the northern end of the island and the Hyatt is on the southern end. It looks like the drive is only an hour or so (is that correct?) each way but that can add up fast with a toddler in the car! What is the terrain like on the southern end of the island? Much of what drew me to Kauai is the big mountains and cliffs plunging into the coastline but that looks like it's mostly north shore.

I suppose if we did Maui we could split our time between the two different Hyatt resorts there (Kaanapali and Wailea) and have two different bases for our trip without having to go through the hassle of going through an airport to switch islands.

So many decisions and so much beauty to sort through. Right now I'm leaning Kauai but I'm going to keep looking and reading!

<i>This is our "let's get somewhere beachy and warm" trip at the end of Utah winter. Mid-April is when the ski resorts start closing up so that's when I was thinking.</i>

That's when we plan trips, too. :) I'm in MT, and we like to ski, but as soon as the ski season is done, I want to get out of here and go someplace warm!

I've been to Maui, Kauai, and the Big Island with our daughter when she was 4, 6, and 8 years old, respectively. She was not happy about driving anywhere until she was 8. Being in the car meant she wasn't digging in the sand at the beach, and she couldn't understand why anyone would rather be in the car.

We stayed on the North Shore of Kauai, and that was nice because it was beautiful and Hanalei beach was great for our daughter. But we hit a week of bad weather (rain everywhere on the island and it was chilly), so that kind colored our view of Kauai.

Maui was a great fit with a four year old. The beach was right there, it was swimmable, and the snorkeling was great. Splitting your time between the two resorts might be a great way to see two spots of the island and limit some of the driving.

(BI is our favorite, but it can be a lot of driving for a kid.)

The Grand Hyatt on Kauai is literally next to the Maha'ulepu trail. It's spectacular. As mentioned, Waimea Canyon (and the adjoining Koke'e State Park) is a must. Weather permitting, you can take a boat to the Napali Cliffs from Port Allen--which is not that far from Poipu. (maybe 30 minutes?)

But for me ... Kauai is mostly about the North Shore. There are many places (i.e., Wailua Falls and Opaeka'a Falls) where you could stop en route. But the drive is indeed about an hour.

All that said ... I've been to every island. Everyone has their own taste. Here's mine: Kauai is by far my favorite--and the Grand Hyatt is gorgeous. For me, the decision is easy.

The good news is that you'll have a great time regardless of what you decide. :-)

<<But we hit a week of bad weather (rain everywhere on the island and it was chilly), so that kind colored our view of Kauai.>>

That happened to us one trip to Maui. It poured (sideways with the wind) every day for five days and it was downright chilly. It was crazy. Luckily, I've had other, sunnier and warmer trips to Maui.

Sounds very similar, Tom. We went to other parts of the island in search of sun, but it was rainy and windy everywhere. Just bad luck, especially since we were there in late May.

Stick with your plan for the whole week at the Grand Hyatt in Kauai.

Although it's a spectacular hotel it's very difficult to use points at the Andaz Maui (very little availability).
The Hyatt Regency is easier to book and fewer points per night.
As others have mentioned it does have lots of wildlife which might entertain your child for a few hours including penguin feeding and it has a shallow walk in pool for kids and is right on a swimmable beach.
My teenage daughter has watched a turtle feeding here just a couple of feet from the shore at dusk.

But overall I think the Grand Hyatt and Kauai would fit your needs best. With 1 week I wouldn't recommend splitting your stay especially with a young child.

See what is available using points before you book your flights (sometimes you have to check 1 night at a time to see availability!)