Trip Report: Honeymoon in Kauai (follow up to "Dream Come True")
 

Honeymoon in Kauai, 10/20/06-10/26/06.
Thanks to everyone for the feedback on my post of 08/29/06!!! Here's my report...

Part I: The resort
Decided on the Grand Hyatt and absolutely loved it! It did not disappoint!! We had a package deal that included airfare, hotel (5 nights plus one free), car and breakfast buffet (and a bottle of champagne in our room). It was absolutely ideal! I highly recommend it for folks who who want to splurge on the luxuries a resort like this offers and are willing to pay for it (for special occasions, etc). It was expensive, yes, but we thought it was worth it. Unforgettable!

We ate in the lounge of Tidepools the first night and the food was so good and the ambience so lovely we ate there the second night with reservations in the main dining area. We had breakfast every morning on the Ilima Terrace (always waited for a seat on the terrace) and it felt downright luxurious to start our day in this beautiful spot (the buffet variety is good, the food itself not necessarily amazing). We ended our evening on several nights in Stevenson's Library and enjoyed the jazz, pool tables and Sushi nights (very good!!). We took advantage of the spa and spent as much time in the pools/jacuzzi's as we could. We played in the lagoon which was really fun--my husband liked this best! Sitting on the Seaview Terrace to watch the torch lighting ceremony with a Tai Chi (strong Mai Tai) and pupus was another amazing evening. Our favorite part was just the overall landscape of the hotel which was so romantic: the hammocks for an afternoon nap and the bench swings along the beachfront path for wave and star gazing at night! Man were we feeling the love. Once in our room, we never heard other people or noise...nothing but the wind. The most impressive thing about the room was the comfort of the bed and the balcony of our Oceanview Deluxe room. The rest was standard but lovely. The view was worth the cost! We could see Shipwreck beach and the brave people who jump off the bluff there. (Wow!!) And many amazing sunrises (and then back to bed). We paid $75 ea. for the Hyatt's luau and were impressed with food and the entertainment was good, too. Due to the rain it was held in the main ballroom that night (a bummer). Would have been that much better under the stars!

More...

Continued....
Trip Report: Honeymoon in Kauai, 10/20/06-10/26/06.

Environs:
While on our honeymoon, we celebrated out 9th anniversary (of the day we met) at The Beach House. Also, very romantic. Wish we'd thought to make our reservation enough in advance so we could be there for the sunset. But it was still lovely to sit along the beach and watch the moon rise. We also booked a Captain Zodiac tour of the Na Pali coast....which was a VERY rough (because of the weather), but fun ride. Given the weather we were basically on a "bucking bronco" as they described for a few hours. But with the dolphins swimming nearby, the sea turtles, the caves and the beach, I'm not complaining -- just a tip about the roughness. We visited Waimea Canyon, Hanalei Bay, Poipu Beach, Spouting Horn and walked around all the towns in between. We felt Poipu was a good location and in the time we were there we made it to the north, east and west shore and for October it seemed like a good spot weather wise.

Aloha and Mahalo again, Fodorites!
SFSaf

PS: But make sure they are done with the pool resurfacing....this did not interfere with our visit because we were away from the resort during the days this was happening...but if I'd been there I would not have like the noise from the machinery!

Aloha sfsaf!!

Congratulations and welcome back. ((R)) Very nice report. Lovely description on the Hyatt. Mahalo for sharing!

sfsaf,

Great report. We are thinking of staying here for our honeymoon too. One question, how did you get the 5 day package, and how good of a deal was it?

Thanks!

We went through Costco and the savings was in the airfare and the free one night accommodation in the package of staying 5 nights. We still talk about this and can't wait to go back for our anniversary. It was the must romantic, relaxing and fun honeymoon! Congrats and good luck!
SFsaf