SunSandandSeaTravel

Grand Hyatt Resort & Spa- Kauai

July 19,2009

One of Lisa's corporate clients is considering this beautiful resort for a meeting in 2011, so while in Hawaii, we decided to do a "site" visit and thoroughly check the place out.

Reminiscent of the classic Hawaiian hideaways of the 1920s and ‘30s, the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa is located along the soothing white-sand beaches of Kauai’s sunny south shore. As guests in the magnificent resort, Lisa and I were able to absorb the peaceful beauty and spirit of this Pacific paradise enveloped by raw wilderness, pristine beaches, and a beautiful winding coastline. Located about 17 miles from Lihue Airport (LIH) from the moment we stepped into the grand lobby we were in love with this place. Imagine stepping into the lobby and having the beautiful blue Pacific Ocean perfectly framed by a open air lobby with massive columns, lush trees and plants and plenty of open space. With 602 guestrooms, including 37 suites—most of the guest rooms offer ocean views. All guest accommodations feature private lanais and are appointed in classic Hawaiian style. Standard guestrooms are a spacious 600-plus square feet. Luxurious pillow-top beds featured in all guestrooms and suites.

The resort has a five-acre saltwater swimming lagoon offering kayak and flotation rentals; two freshwater outdoor pools with connecting “river pools,” and sundeck. With three tennis courts; pro shop and tennis professional there was plenty of available court time with instruction for those who want to improve on their game. They even offer mountain bike rentals for back-road adventures. And for those who need some assistance in slipping into vacation there’s the 40,000-square-foot indoor/outdoor ANARA® complete health and fitness spa … Lisa really enjoyed this part of the property and so did Alex and Rachel (Lisa’s teenage kids).

My favorite part of the entire resort was the Robert Trent Jones’ designed 18-hole Poipu Bay Golf Course next to resort—home of the PGA Grand Slam for over 10 years. It actually made me start to feel like a golfer. An awesome course, with reasonable greens fees (for Hawaii) with breathtaking views of the Pacific, especially on the back nine. The course is very golfer-friendly (I shot a 90) and a “must play” while you are in Kauai.

The resort has in excess of 12,000 square feet of retail shops: fine art, jewelry, clothing, gifts, and sundries and 65,000 square feet of flexible function space, all located on a single level.

Now for the food … a subject near and dear to my heart ….

A fusion of sensations will delight you at the award-winning Italian restaurant. Dine al fresco under the twinkling evening stars overlooking the ocean, or choose the intimate indoor settings with beautiful murals and floor tiles reminiscent of an Italian villa. This enchanting scene is complemented by the delicate and flavorful selections of our creative menu, served by our attentive yet discreet staff. Here, in the restaurant chosen as “Kauai’s Best Italian Restaurant” and Kauai’s only Four Diamond Award Winning restaurant, each meal becomes a celebration. Donderos is the proud recipient of the following awards:

    - AAA Four Diamond Award 2009
    - Zagat's Certificate of Distinction 1999 for excellent service and quality cuisine
    - Honolulu Magazine's Hale Aina Award 1997 for Best Kauai Restaurant

Next there’s Tidepools where we twice embraced the tempting combination of contemporary Hawaiian cuisine served in a unique Hawaiian setting. Open air hale pili (thatched huts) with waterfalls and koi-filled lagoons create a charming rustic scene. Alex and Rachel had a hard time resisting feeding the koi from the table until they found out that they survive on a special diet and are well fed twice a day ... by hotel guests at 9:30 every morning.

Inspired by the natural ingredients and rich traditions of Hawaii, the tantalizing selections pay homage to the classic fare of Hawaii while creating new taste sensations. Awarded Honolulu Magazine’s prestigious Hale 'Aina award for fine dining in Kauai year after year, Tidepools will dazzle you with dishes such as Sashimi of Hamachi and the best Ahi tuna I have had in years.

Awards

   - Zagat Surveys 2009 Best Restaurant on Kauai
   - Honolulu Magazine's Hale Aina Award for Best Kauai Restaurant 2006, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1997

Please click here to view Tidepools extensive wine selection, dessert, keiki and dinner menus.

So from days filled with sunshine swimming in sparkling pools or playing on the Robert Trent Jones Jr. Golf Course to evenings of dancing under the stars at a traditional Luau, you'll discover the perfect Hawaiian holiday you've dreamed of at Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa. Whether you prefer an action-packed adventure of scuba diving and mountain biking with the whole family, or blissful relaxation in the sumptuous spa or on the sandy beach while the kids take advantage of Camp Hyatt, this exquisite Kauai resort offers all you could wish for.

There is much to explore on our beautiful island of Kauai and knowledgeable concierges are available to assist you in planning an exciting outing, ranging from helicopter tours to gallery hopping and everything in between.

If you would like additional on this fabulous resort, please feel free to give us a call at 877-313-9009 or email us at info@sunsandandseatravel.com.