The Ultimate Kauai Guidebook - Grand Hyatt Kauai

UPDATE: Room renovations start April 2010 and go through early 2011. Read more about them here.

602 rooms, 3 tennis courts with pro shop, golf course, 24-hour room service, 6 restaurants, Wi-Fi throughout, cocktail lounges, 8 shops, Camp Hyatt child care service, 23 conference rooms, valet parking, multiple pools and spas, 24-hour fitness center, empty refrigerator, coffee makers with free coffee daily, coin-op laundry, lu'au, complete business services and a 4,500 sq. ft. health spa. It was hard for us to review this resort without sounding like drooling sycophants. But the reality of the Hyatt is that they did almost everything right. Put simply, it's our favorite big resort on the island. As you walk into the lobby and see the ocean framed by the entrance, you realize that here they really sweated the details. The grounds are as exotic as any you will find in all the islands, complete with parrots and other birds. Their pools are incredible. Gallon for gallon, they're more fun than any we've seen on the island. The upper swimming pool seems to meander forever. It even has a slight current and hides such goodies as caves tucked behind small waterfalls (they're easy to miss). Take your time exploring as it winds through lush vegetation. At the end of the upper pool, you can take the "elevator" (a free and respectably fast waterslide) to the bottom. There you will find what they call the action pool complete with a volleyball net, waterfalls, spas and an area for children. An island there hides a hot tub. Above is the adult pool. Across from the lower pool are several acres of saltwater lagoon. If you want saltwater without the waves, here it is. The "sand" is actually gravel imported from San Juan Capistrano. (And it's hard on tender tootsies.) Inside the lagoon are several landscaped islands. The grounds are lush and very well maintained and feature a smashing waterfall below the Seaview Terrace Lounge. The resort is located on a so-so beach called Shipwreck Beach. They have covered cabanas on the beach for $100. (They're coveted, and the Hyatt could use more.) If you're lucky enough to be under one in the evening during a passing shower, it's something you will long remember. Covered chairs by the pool are $50. Cabanas by the pool are free but you have to get up early to snag one. Large hammocks and loveseat swings are scattered throughout the grounds. Their shops run the gamut from fine art to footwear. They have wedding coordinators on site, and guest services are good.

Opened in 1990, the Hyatt has matured into a fairly smooth resort. The Hyatt's an easy gem, and their awesome grounds still keep them in a class by themselves. At press time room upgrades were underway with pleasing results.

They have an mandatory $18 per day resort fee covering local calls, valet parking (which can be slow at times), Internet, fitness center, room safe and some other things.

If your intention is to come to Kaua'i and never leave the resort (which we hope you won't do), the Hyatt is the place to come. You'll never get bored here. This is a great place to bring the kids, but adults will enjoy it, too. Camp Hyatt provides extensive child care service for kids age 3 (if potty-trained) to 12 for $80 per day. Anara Spa is massive and the finest spa on the island complete with couples "treatment hales," lava showers, steam and baths. So what's the catch? Well, amenities like this don't come cheap. Spacious rooms (600 sq. ft.) are $440-$1,030. Suites (866-2,463 sq. ft.) are $1,570-$5,240. Be aware they have an early departure fee if you opt to trim some days off your stay.