Photos by Mark Leppert
The picturesque beauty of Hawaii is marvelously showcased at the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa at Poipu. Having only visited this hotel on a previous trip to Kauai, we decided we really wanted to spend a few days there as a guest, especially after discovering the tranquil island on a Hawaiian cruise previously. And we were not disappointed!
We were welcomed by the three-story open-air Seaview Terrace with its breathtaking view of the Keoneloa Bay. Upon entering the atrium, we were greeted by a very friendly staff member who presented us each with a fresh floral lei. Malaika Elsaieh-Rowe at the front desk could not have been nicer or more accommodating! (And as we would soon discover, the rest of the staff was just as friendly and helpful! Having stayed at many hotels during our travels, we have to say that the Grand Hyatt Kauai has some of if not the most friendly staff members we have ever met!!)
The guest rooms offer either garden or ocean views. The accommodations feature Hawaiian themes throughout the room from the bedding to the artwork, shutters and even the carved headboards. In keeping with Hyatt’s green values, the carpets are even made of eco-friendly yarns.
As I alluded to earlier, the 40,000 square feet of grounds are sprawling and stunning. Disney landscapers would be in awe of the variety and placement of the beautiful plant life and flowering trees. Mingled among this tropical scenery is the meandering lazy river where one can float along at one’s leisure. Several pools and a saltwater lagoon dot the grounds allowing one to have ample room to spread out and relax on comfy lounge chairs. For a reasonable fee, private cabanas surrounding the pools can be rented, allowing for a bit of solitude and shade as desired. A welcome sight is the adults-only pool that gives the adults a pleasant retreat away from the younger set if that is indeed the whole reason for your vacation.
Restaurants are aplenty with Tidepools for steaks and fresh seafood dishes, Stevenson’s Library for sushi, Donderos for Italian, and the ‘Ilima and Seaview Terraces both open-air and available for breakfast, lunch and a lite dinner along with tropical cocktails of your choice. Naturally, the locations of these restaurants allow guests to continually take in the gorgeous views of the ocean and bay from every angle. We thoroughly enjoyed our meals at several of these venues.
The Grand Hyatt Kauai has been in Poipu since 1991 and consists of 602 guest rooms all situated on 50 oceanfront acres. A 45,000 square foot indoor/outdoor Anara health and fitness spa offers treatments of every kind. The spa atmosphere is laced with koa and teak woods adding warmth and a more traditional Hawaiian feel. Nature abounds with the private gardens, soaking pools and misting showers. One cannot help but feel relaxed and invigorated as they are pampered in true aloha style!
If sports are of interest, the Grand Hyatt Kauai has an 18-hole golf course at Poipu Bay, along with two tennis courts and mountain bike rentals. Of course swimming is available in any of the pools, lagoon or the ocean!
Shopping is a must for many and there are plenty of stores and boutiques available offering everything from lovely Hawaiian jewelry designs including koa wood watches to the always appreciated sundries store complete with souvenirs and anything you may have forgotten to bring from home.
After our lovely stay at the Grand Hyatt Kauai, we would say that this hotel is the perfect spot for honeymooners, conventioneers, families, couples and anyone in need of a relaxing getaway to a beautiful Hawaiian paradise, a place we hope to return to SOON!!