What can ya'll tell me about the Kauai Marriott? We're staying there in a couple of weeks. Also, do you have any tips about free upgrades? We're going for our wedding/honeymoon.

Saw the Marriott in Sept. The drive to the hotel is very beautiful through hanging trees. Lots of sculpture around the grounds and a fabulous pool. Did not see the rooms as we were not staying there but we were quite impressed with the exterior amenities.

Hi Shannon, Congratulations and much happiness on your upcoming wedding. My husband and I spent a week at the Kaui Marriott about four years ago. It was, by far, one of the most beautiful Marriotts. The rooms were large and very comfortable. The pool area is tremendous. The staff was friendly and attentive and couldn't do enough for you. We found the meals to be a little expensive though. Feel free to ask the valets, concierge and bellmen for recommendations on restaurants. We did have breakfast at Dani's in Lihue - only open for breakfast. Small,friendly, family-owned but all the locals eat there. On our last day the owner's wife presented us with going away leis that she herself made. Sorry, no tips on free upgrades. Why don't you contact the hotel and tell them you are on your honeymoon and could you request a comp upgrade. Nothing ventured, nothing gained I always say. We had a car for the week and I don't think there was a charge for the parking garage. Happy Traveling!

Thank you so much! If anyone else wants to post something, please do so! I'll be checking back!

Shannon

Alohaaaa Shannon and congrats, too.
We've never stayed at the Marriott but we've been known to hang out there on a trip or 10!
The biggest question you always hear is "Will the jet noise from the airport be too loud". I don't think I've ever seen a response in the negative but you may want to try the "text search" option or Rant and Raves for hotels.
Now if you're golfing on one of their fine golf courses, that's a different story!

Very nice pool area, pool and beach bars, massage tents set up right on the beach, Kalapaki Beach is a calm area and you're right next to Duke's for "Taco Tuesdays" and their great salad bar and HULA PIE!!!!

The Kukui Poolside restaurant was good but as mentioned above, a bit expensive.

The Beach Hut (not the Beach House in Poipu) is located a short walk over a foot bridge and it serves inexpensive breakfasts, lunches.
Up the road in "Downtown Lihue" you'll see not only Dani's but Oki Diner, Rob's Goodtime Grill and a bakery located across from city hall and the Chevron station (used to be the Pacific Cafe's "sattelite" restaurant.) for good b'fasts. Hamura's for lunch is unbeatable!

Hurricane Iniki led to a remodeling of the hotel and they dropped most of the Roman influence and are way more Polynesian now...thank goodness!

As for an upgrade, have the new spouse schmooze the reservations/desk clerk before going over and when you check in and hammer them on the honeymoon aspect. Usually works.
Mucho mahalos,
Kal

Shannon - congrats on the upcoming wedding. We stayed at the Marriottt in Kauai on part of our honeymoon in Oct. 99. It is beautiful!!! The pool area is amazing - our pics of it look like postcards! The beach is nice and very swimmable. This was the only place on our honeymoon where we got an upgrade. We tried to check in before it was time, and I had made the reservations, so they were calling us Mr. and Mrs. (my maiden last name) everywhere we went. When I mentioned this to the front desk, telling them we were on our honeymoon, they upgraded us. The hardes thing about getting upgrades in HI is that usually 50% of the people are there on their honeymoons too. It can't hurt to ask for one though!

Hi Shannon
I was at the Marriott on my honeymoon 3 weeks ago. You're going to Love it. We had a gauranteed pool/ocean view. They gave away our room on the first night so we had no view : ( The rest of our stay we had an awesome ocean view. (they gave us $150 credit good towards anything at the Marriott to satisfy us) Out out window you could see the pool, then the ocean, then the mountains. Room was nice, refrigerator and table. Staff was helpful as well. Duke's (right at the Marriott) restuarant was good too. Go to Coconut's restuarant in Kapa'a the food and service and drinks are great !!! 2 thumbs up. And as far as upgrades , just like everybody else says
"tell them you're honeymooners " you never know : )

IMPORTANT !!!

Take time to savor your wedding and honeymoon....stop and smell the roses....it all goes by so quickly.

Good Luck !!!

Stayed a week at the Kauai Marriott three years ago - all I can say is that is a fantastic place; would go back again in a heartbeat! Enjoy!

Congarts on your wedding! We stayed at the Sheraton on our honeymoon ( May 2001) but went to the Marriott to "check it out for the future" It is beautiful! Dukes is right on the property and is a fun, casual rest/bar. I also HIGHLY recommend a restaurant that is across the street from the Marriott called Cafe Portofino. It has the BEST Italian and is very romantic. Ask to sit out on the deck which overlooks the bay. It was a great experience and we have recommended it to all our friends who love it , too. When you are in Kauai, don't miss driving southwest to the Waimea Canyon- it is incredible- looks like the Grand Canyon but better b/c you are in Kauai!! I was reluctant b/c of the winding drive up- ugh! but my husvand really kept pushing it so we went and I loved it - great pictures. Also, the catamaran cruises with snorkeling are tons of fun- this was our favorite activity of our entire honeymoon (we used Kauai Sea towrs) You have to get up REALLY early and you get back about 2 p.m. - all day on the cat with great crew, snorkeling, rafting, beer, food, etc- a great time. Have a wonderful trip, I'm ready to go back NOW!! Also, re: upgrades, I recommend calling or having Travel Agent send a letter in advance and also asking when you get there, discreetly.

I'm not worried about an upgrade, but people have suggested various floors, towers, locations, etc for rooms. Has anyone had a problem getting the location for just a plain old standard room that they've asked for? Also, I can't tell from the pictures -- how many floors are they?