Samsaf

Suki, you might want to check out the Kauai Grand Hyatt. We stayed there a few years ago, and it's really, really nice. You can get Hyatt "stay certificates" for $249 per night. This resort is on the south side of the island. The pools are amazing.

iceeu2

suki_lane, also check out the new Waipouli Beach Resort. Great condos.

Lots of rentals thru owners on vrbo.com or you can also go thru Outrigger Resorts and see which units they manage.

kerikeri

i agree that the hyatt will be a really fantastic different place for you to visit. there is a river pool as well as a more adult lagoon that are both truly unique.

their spa is a whole different adult only area- with a lap pool and grown up cafe for snacks and lots of peace and quiet, so even if you spend several days there, it feels different every day

you should experience one of these 'big shouldered" american style resorts while you are there. in oz, you have some smaller resorts in cairns and northwards, but you should really try for the hyatt as well you'll have better weather and be close to the state park for hiking and waterfalls if you can peel yourselves away.

can sam explain how to obtain those $249 usd stay certificates? do you have to turn in hyatt points?

(suki-lane, your travel agent might be able to get you a great rate).

kerikeri

Samsaf

Go to www.certificates.hyatt.com and then click on the left box, the one that says "Stay." It explains how to get the certificates. Hope that helps!

kerikeri

wow that was super-fast on the reply. thanks. there must be some catch? i thought i would never swim in that lagoon again given their typical sky-high rates.

thank-you for sharing!

kerikeri

suki_lane

Hi, I was hoping to stay at the Grand Hyatt in Kauai. My travel agent can only get it for AUS $616, which is too expensive. I like the idea of the stay certificate, but I don't really understand how it works. Samsaf would you mind explaining in more detail how it works, I'm not that cluey with that type of thing. Also is the south side of the island nicer? Thanks for the tip by the way.

Samsaf

Well, we've never used them, but the next time we stay there, we will. What I would do is call and talk to a Hyatt person.

It looks like you can only stay 3 nights at a time, but I'm wondering if you could get 3 nights in one name and 3 nights in a spouse's name? Suki, I know you're only going for 4 nights to Kauai, but I was wondering about getting two 3-night certs for my husband and me the next time we go to Kauai.

Samsaf

Oh, and about the south side of the island -- I'm not sure if it's nicer or not, but we liked it, I think, better than the north side. The north side has more beautiful scenery, but I think the space in the south side is more open, if that makes sense.

If I could figure out how to post pictures here, I could show you lots of pictures of both the north and the south.

Or you could e-mail me at saf0615 at charter dot net and I will send you some pictures.

Sherry

suki_lane

Thanks Samsaf, I will email you. I just read about those rare shell necklaces they sell in Kauai and I'm very intrigued. I love shells.

suki_lane

I rang the Hyatt and there are no rooms available using the stay certificate. Does anyone recommend using hotwire. I wish they could give the name of the hotel.

Samsaf

Isn't there a Courtyard Marriott on the east side? I think it was remodeled a couple of years ago, and it looks fine. I don't think it's luxurious, but it's pretty new.

iceeu2

s, it's no longer owned by Marriott. Wasn't for very long. Can't remember what it is now, but by googling you can find out.

suki_lane

Hi everyone. Just wondering if I can some more advice regarding my Hawaii trip. As I can't stay at the Grand Hyatt in Kauai, I'm actually considering staying on another island for 4 nights but have completely confused myself. I like really nice beaches and also don't like to stay in too remote a location. I like to have a choice to go out at night. I was a bit worried maybe Kauai could be too quite for us.

iceeu2

suki, you might enjoy the Ka'anapali area of Maui. Lots of resorts in that area including the Hyatt, Marriott, Sheraton, the Westin. Plus there's the Whalers Village Shopping Center with some good restaurants and it's on a beautiful beach.

Check out that area and see whatcha think.

suki_lane

Thanks Iceeu2, do you recommend Maui over Kauai? I'm now looking into accommodation in Maui. How does Maui compare to Oahu? I've read it's like Oahu on a smaller scale.

iamq

suki_lane,

I have been following your thread. If you are looking for a little more activity and resort hotels on nice beaches I would seriously consider Maui. I love Kaua'i and we try to go back every year because to me it epitomizes what Hawaii is all about, but Maui is pretty damn nice too. There are more hotel choices on Maui, which makes it easier for people find something in their $$ range that fits their expectations.

I love the south Maui area of Wailea/Makena. As far as hotels go, there is the Wailea Marriott, the Renassaince, the Four Seasons, and the Grand Wailea. It is a little lower key, less condensed and more spread out than Kaanapali is, but the access to great food and services is there as well. Another hotel in that general area is the Maui Prince. It is in Makena and is a little further removed from the Wailea resort area, which to me was a good thing. Great beach. Hope this helps.

Bill

suki_lane

Hi Iamq, thanks for the advice. Do you prefer Maui to Kauai? I had decided on Kauai but then I read there is no night life there, is that true? I definitely like the option to go out at night, and nice beaches are a must.

iamq

For someone who loves the Hawaiian Islands like I do, it is near impossible to say I prefer one over another. I actually go to Kauai for the reasons you want to go somewhere else. Of course there is nightlife on Kauai, but overall it is much lowerkey than Maui. There are some spots on Kauai that make it a standout for me.

suki_lane

Hi Iamq, that is confusing then. As you can probably tell I am a very indecisive person, and sometimes the more I read up on a place the more confused I get. From photos the scenery definitely looks nicer on Kauai, but then I know from past experience that I can't be in a place that is dead at night. It sends me a bit stir crazy. On holiday I like to go to a bar at night that has a good atmosphere, or go shopping. On my honeymoon I went to Ixtapa in Mexico, and it was so quite I was bored. I know I'm already going to Oahu which sounds lively, but I definitely want to see a second island as I may never get another chance to go to Hawaii.

Odin

I'm probably the only one who was not thrilled with Kauai. Yes I can see that Na Pali is beautiful but I expected it to be like the Hawaii of 50 years ago but it was quite developed. There is only an area around the North Shore that is truly beautiful, Poipu is a purpose built area of condos/hotels, despite this it is IMO the best area to stay, lots of restaurants. The beaches are beautiful but not great for swimming. Maui on the other hand, IMO is a much better all-round island, with great beaches for swimming, quiet areas that are accessible to amenities, volcano, black sand beaches, road to Hana etc etc.