Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort in a Nutshell
Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort in a Nutshell
Its wild tropical landscape tamed by refined, modern design, Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa stands out on the island as a haven for romance. Throughout the hotel, great care is taken to create a serene experience, its serpentine walks hugged by exotic foliage.
Upon guests' arrival in the atrium lobby, the friendly staff sets the tone with warm smiles, circling their necks with purple orchid leis to formally welcome them to the aloha state.
Covering 50 acres of land in the sunny and dry southern portion of the island, this Grand Hyatt makes the most of its more isolated location with fine dining, an award-winning spa, and 18-hole golf at the Poipu Bay course.
Making their way to accommodations, guest encounter brilliantly hued parrots, exotic flowers, and swaying palm trees masterfully arranged around private nooks, grottoes, and postcard views.
The resort's 602 rooms are spread through two main wings with lanais or patios overlooking mountain, garden, or ocean views.
Along the grounds, the adults-only pool (conveniently situated beside a great outdoor bar) is sectioned off so couples can soak in the sun reading a good book without worrying that an errant cannonball will splash them.
Nearby, an artificial lazy river with a mild current slowly drifts along a scenic watery ramble with gentle waterfalls to duck under and steal a kiss.
The resort also features a 150-foot water slide, tennis courts, and exercise classes, offering a variety of experiences for couples who want to work on their tans as well as work out on a treadmill.
Check Rates Now
Search for a Flight to Kauai's Lihue Airport
Guest Rooms at Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort
The Shipwreck and Poipu wings are each four floors high. Neither has an advantage over the other as far as views go, but the Poipu wing is closer to the spa and gardens, while Shipwreck is closer to the adult and general pools. When booking a room, visitors can request the type of vista they prefer.
In April 2010, the resort's 602 guest rooms and 37 suites were renovated. Although the former style in the rooms was comfortable and sweet, it was also slightly outdated and forgettable.
The new design is more consistent with the resort's chic tropical getaway vibe.
Rich mahogany bureaus and accents, including hand-carved headboards with native Hawaiian fern designs, contrast harmoniously with the subtle earth tones and soft whites on floors, walls, and beds.
Plantation-style shutters and oversized wooden ceiling fans tie together the beach bungalow feel. Travel-weary couples will especially appreciate the heavenly king sized beds dressed in traditional Hawaiian print linens.
The clean white contrast against dark wood continues in sizeable bathrooms with marble double sinks and mahogany trim and shelves. Featuring rain-style showerheads, both roomy walk-in glass showers and tinier tub/shower combos are available, and all bathrooms have separate toilets.
Anara Spa at the Grand Hyatt Kauai
The resort's Anara spa has consistently ranked in Conde Nast Traveler's Best Resort Spa list since 2001. Taking up an entire acre, it has an Olympic-size lap pool, fitness center, café, and full-service beauty salon in addition to gorgeous treatment rooms.
Surrounded by Kauai's tropical beauty, treatments - massages, body scrubs, facials, and pedicures - are given in thatched huts that open up to the surrounding sunny gardens isolated from others' eyes.
Outdoor private showers with lava rock walls are roomy enough for couples to rinse off together in the fresh Hawaiian air.
To keep the spa serene and hassle-free, the minimum age is 14 unless accompanied by an adult.
The resort really pushes the spa (little ads reminding that a relaxing body rub is just a phone call away appear in the guest bathrooms). Those who aren't interested in treatments may still want to check it out, even if it's to take advantage of complimentary yoga classes in the fitness center.
Shipwreck Beach at Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort
Situated on Shipwreck Beach, the resort's views down to the shore are stunningly gorgeous with the turquoise water capped with foamy waves that travelers trek to Hawaii to enjoy. Once you get on the sand however, the flag indicating the water conditions is consistently a cautionary red, meaning it's too dangerous for swimming.
If the main objective of your romantic sojourn to Kauai is maximum ocean time, this will come as a major disappointment.
The hotel built a lovely saltwater pool with a sandy bottom where guests can swim, hang out, and even kayak, but it doesn't exactly provide a Hawaiian beach experience.
Fortunately, the south shore is full of great beaches, so guests won't need to travel much more than a mile before hitting gems like Po'ipu Beach Park or Kiahuna Beach (which has some surfing).
Shipwreck Beach's shoreline is still great for relaxing and catching rays, and also for leisurely walks. To the left of the resort, a large cliff called Makawehi Point dangles over the water. Some may recognize it from the movie 6 Days, 7 Nights, where Anne Heche and Harrison Ford's stunt doubles took a leap into the Pacific.
Adventurers may be tempted to replicate the cliff dive here, but conditions are rarely safe to do so. Instead, pairs can take a leisurely stroll hand-in-hand along a half mile of sandstone cliffs embedded with fossils - and tick the "long walk on the beach" portion off their romantic to-do list.
Shipwreck Beach is also known to attract endangered monk seals that swim ashore to snooze on the sand and sometimes even give birth.
The resort ropes off an area for the seals, but onlookers can snap photos of the ocean giants from afar.
Dining at Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort
Guests will not lack options when it comes to food at the resort. There are a number of places to duck into for poolside snacks or drinks, as well as classy lounges for cocktails and appetizers. Couples craving a romantic dinner for two should check out Dondero's and Tidepools.
Decorated villa-style with Franciscan murals and elaborate tiles, Dondero's serves pastas and risotto as along with modern Italian fare such as mint-crusted lamb chops in fig jus with leek and goat cheese soufflé, or seared sea scallops with apple and fennel salad in tarragon vinaigrette.
Couples can dine inside or enjoy meals al fresco with the sound of the Pacific lapping nearby. Nighttime dining is especially romantic with the backdrop of rustling palm trees illuminated by torches under the stars. Wine connoisseurs will welcome Dondero's extensive offering.
Prefer Asian cuisine? Then try the equally atmospheric Tidepools. Contemporary Pacific Rim cuisine is served in a network of thatched huts over a quaint koi fish lagoon. Distinctive dishes such as sweet corn and Hawaiian vanilla bean soup with Dungeness crab and chives, or macadamia nut mahi mahi over coconut jasmine rice and hearts of palm in a tropical rum beurre blanc, delight.
The Grand Hyatt Kauai Luau treats revelers to Polynesian fare and a resort show in one of the outdoor gardens. The show is geared more toward tourist entertainment than tradition, and has garnered mixed reviews from guests.
Romantic Packages and Activities at Grand Hyatt Kauai
Newlyweds receive special attention at the Grand Hyatt Kauai. When booking, mention it's a honeymoon stay to receive a complimentary bottle of sparkling wine, a free private cabana rental by the beach or pool, free desserts at Dondero's or Tidepools, and spa discounts.
Non-honeymooners can purchase an Amour package. It includes a private terrace breakfast for two, late checkout, and couples massages at the spa.
Anara Spa has secluded garden bungalows built specifically for couples to get massages, manicures, and pedicures together. Its Pilialoha Journey package pampers couples first with warm stone and kava body scrubs, volcanic clay masks, and tandem massages. After an outdoor shower for two, it's time for side-by-side facials, a spa lunch, and garden pedicures - totaling about 5 hours of relaxing treatments together.
The Ku'uipo Escape package is a bit shorter (3 hours) and starts with a lava rock shower for two with salts and clay, a romantic bath in a giant soaking tub sprinkled with orchids, and then a couple's massage followed by either a facial or pedicure.
Destination Weddings at Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort
Planning a destination wedding in Kauai may seem like a daunting task, but with 250 ceremonies every year and two fulltime wedding planners on the premises, the Grand Hyatt Kauai gets the job done.
Wedding packages are available for just the two of you or up to 200 guests, creating a fitting atmosphere for couples eloping solo or those inviting every last second and third cousin. Custom add-ons range from videographers to bigger cakes to the releasing of white doves.
Guest rooms are discounted for parties that have more than five rooms booked.
The resort has five outdoor ceremony venues to choose from, so couples can say their vows by the beach or in various tropical gardens. Indoor reception venues include a ballroom large enough to accommodate up to 1,000 people. Catering options include buffet, luau, or plated dinner, and DJs or bands are available to set the tone.
The resort can also put together pre-wedding events such as bride luncheons, rehearsal dinners, and spa days for the wedding party.
Nearby the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort
Kauai is the fourth-largest island in the Hawaiian archipelago. Couples will not be far from tourist sites, destination beaches, and natural wonders around the isle.
On the southern portion of the island, it's a short drive to Spouting Horn Beach Park, where tourists can watch a spectacular lava shelf spurt high into the air through a blowhole and down to the ocean.
The National Tropical Botanical Gardens, more than 250 acres of exotic plants and vegetation, is just before Spouting Horn.
It preserves one of Hollywood's favorite trees: The enormous ficus roots that snake along the ground were immortalized on the silver screen when Sam Neill found dinosaur eggs along them in Jurassic Park.
And no visit to Kauai would be complete without a trip to the stunning Na Pali coastline, where water has carved the earth over centuries into compressed mountains jut that high up, then plunge into valleys and cliffs.
For couples interested in boat and catamaran tours, the resort is closer to Port Allen on the western side of the island than the northern ports in Hanalei and 'Anini, so outifts leaving from the former are more conveniently located.
With a myriad of choices on Kauai, why pick this resort over so many romantic locales on the island?
The Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa stands out for having an intoxicating atmosphere. Set on tropical yet lavish modern grounds that make the most of the Kauai landscape, it is an ideal getaway for couples who appreciate romance and refinement. Everything from the blooming gardens to the private beach cocoons give it the special, intimate air of a love nest.
The resort also artfully accommodates many guests without seeming overcrowded, so those seeking a vacation less trampled on will enjoy a sense of privacy.
Travelers with the mission to submerge in ocean water during their entire trip to the islands may be disappointed by the Grand Hyatt's beach, but there's always the pool, Jacuzzi, and salt water lagoon - as well as trips to nearby beaches - to keep them wet.
Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa
1571 Poipu Road
Koloa Kauai, HI 96756
(808) 742-1234
Hotel Web Site
Check Rates Now
Search for a Flight to Kauai's Lihue Airport
As is common in the travel industry, the writer was provided with complimentary accommodation and meals for the purpose of reviewing those services. While it has not influenced this review, About.com believes in full disclosure of all potential conflicts of interest. For more information, see our ethics policy.
Its wild tropical landscape tamed by refined, modern design, Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa stands out on the island as a haven for romance. Throughout the hotel, great care is taken to create a serene experience, its serpentine walks hugged by exotic foliage.
Upon guests' arrival in the atrium lobby, the friendly staff sets the tone with warm smiles, circling their necks with purple orchid leis to formally welcome them to the aloha state.
Covering 50 acres of land in the sunny and dry southern portion of the island, this Grand Hyatt makes the most of its more isolated location with fine dining, an award-winning spa, and 18-hole golf at the Poipu Bay course.
Making their way to accommodations, guest encounter brilliantly hued parrots, exotic flowers, and swaying palm trees masterfully arranged around private nooks, grottoes, and postcard views.
The resort's 602 rooms are spread through two main wings with lanais or patios overlooking mountain, garden, or ocean views.
Along the grounds, the adults-only pool (conveniently situated beside a great outdoor bar) is sectioned off so couples can soak in the sun reading a good book without worrying that an errant cannonball will splash them.
Nearby, an artificial lazy river with a mild current slowly drifts along a scenic watery ramble with gentle waterfalls to duck under and steal a kiss.
The resort also features a 150-foot water slide, tennis courts, and exercise classes, offering a variety of experiences for couples who want to work on their tans as well as work out on a treadmill.
Check Rates Now
Search for a Flight to Kauai's Lihue Airport
Guest Rooms at Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort
The Shipwreck and Poipu wings are each four floors high. Neither has an advantage over the other as far as views go, but the Poipu wing is closer to the spa and gardens, while Shipwreck is closer to the adult and general pools. When booking a room, visitors can request the type of vista they prefer.
In April 2010, the resort's 602 guest rooms and 37 suites were renovated. Although the former style in the rooms was comfortable and sweet, it was also slightly outdated and forgettable.
The new design is more consistent with the resort's chic tropical getaway vibe.
Rich mahogany bureaus and accents, including hand-carved headboards with native Hawaiian fern designs, contrast harmoniously with the subtle earth tones and soft whites on floors, walls, and beds.
Plantation-style shutters and oversized wooden ceiling fans tie together the beach bungalow feel. Travel-weary couples will especially appreciate the heavenly king sized beds dressed in traditional Hawaiian print linens.
The clean white contrast against dark wood continues in sizeable bathrooms with marble double sinks and mahogany trim and shelves. Featuring rain-style showerheads, both roomy walk-in glass showers and tinier tub/shower combos are available, and all bathrooms have separate toilets.
Anara Spa at the Grand Hyatt Kauai
The resort's Anara spa has consistently ranked in Conde Nast Traveler's Best Resort Spa list since 2001. Taking up an entire acre, it has an Olympic-size lap pool, fitness center, café, and full-service beauty salon in addition to gorgeous treatment rooms.
Surrounded by Kauai's tropical beauty, treatments - massages, body scrubs, facials, and pedicures - are given in thatched huts that open up to the surrounding sunny gardens isolated from others' eyes.
Outdoor private showers with lava rock walls are roomy enough for couples to rinse off together in the fresh Hawaiian air.
To keep the spa serene and hassle-free, the minimum age is 14 unless accompanied by an adult.
The resort really pushes the spa (little ads reminding that a relaxing body rub is just a phone call away appear in the guest bathrooms). Those who aren't interested in treatments may still want to check it out, even if it's to take advantage of complimentary yoga classes in the fitness center.
Shipwreck Beach at Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort
Situated on Shipwreck Beach, the resort's views down to the shore are stunningly gorgeous with the turquoise water capped with foamy waves that travelers trek to Hawaii to enjoy. Once you get on the sand however, the flag indicating the water conditions is consistently a cautionary red, meaning it's too dangerous for swimming.
If the main objective of your romantic sojourn to Kauai is maximum ocean time, this will come as a major disappointment.
The hotel built a lovely saltwater pool with a sandy bottom where guests can swim, hang out, and even kayak, but it doesn't exactly provide a Hawaiian beach experience.
Fortunately, the south shore is full of great beaches, so guests won't need to travel much more than a mile before hitting gems like Po'ipu Beach Park or Kiahuna Beach (which has some surfing).
Shipwreck Beach's shoreline is still great for relaxing and catching rays, and also for leisurely walks. To the left of the resort, a large cliff called Makawehi Point dangles over the water. Some may recognize it from the movie 6 Days, 7 Nights, where Anne Heche and Harrison Ford's stunt doubles took a leap into the Pacific.
Adventurers may be tempted to replicate the cliff dive here, but conditions are rarely safe to do so. Instead, pairs can take a leisurely stroll hand-in-hand along a half mile of sandstone cliffs embedded with fossils - and tick the "long walk on the beach" portion off their romantic to-do list.
Shipwreck Beach is also known to attract endangered monk seals that swim ashore to snooze on the sand and sometimes even give birth.
The resort ropes off an area for the seals, but onlookers can snap photos of the ocean giants from afar.
Dining at Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort
Guests will not lack options when it comes to food at the resort. There are a number of places to duck into for poolside snacks or drinks, as well as classy lounges for cocktails and appetizers. Couples craving a romantic dinner for two should check out Dondero's and Tidepools.
Decorated villa-style with Franciscan murals and elaborate tiles, Dondero's serves pastas and risotto as along with modern Italian fare such as mint-crusted lamb chops in fig jus with leek and goat cheese soufflé, or seared sea scallops with apple and fennel salad in tarragon vinaigrette.
Couples can dine inside or enjoy meals al fresco with the sound of the Pacific lapping nearby. Nighttime dining is especially romantic with the backdrop of rustling palm trees illuminated by torches under the stars. Wine connoisseurs will welcome Dondero's extensive offering.
Prefer Asian cuisine? Then try the equally atmospheric Tidepools. Contemporary Pacific Rim cuisine is served in a network of thatched huts over a quaint koi fish lagoon. Distinctive dishes such as sweet corn and Hawaiian vanilla bean soup with Dungeness crab and chives, or macadamia nut mahi mahi over coconut jasmine rice and hearts of palm in a tropical rum beurre blanc, delight.
The Grand Hyatt Kauai Luau treats revelers to Polynesian fare and a resort show in one of the outdoor gardens. The show is geared more toward tourist entertainment than tradition, and has garnered mixed reviews from guests.
Romantic Packages and Activities at Grand Hyatt Kauai
Newlyweds receive special attention at the Grand Hyatt Kauai. When booking, mention it's a honeymoon stay to receive a complimentary bottle of sparkling wine, a free private cabana rental by the beach or pool, free desserts at Dondero's or Tidepools, and spa discounts.
Non-honeymooners can purchase an Amour package. It includes a private terrace breakfast for two, late checkout, and couples massages at the spa.
Anara Spa has secluded garden bungalows built specifically for couples to get massages, manicures, and pedicures together. Its Pilialoha Journey package pampers couples first with warm stone and kava body scrubs, volcanic clay masks, and tandem massages. After an outdoor shower for two, it's time for side-by-side facials, a spa lunch, and garden pedicures - totaling about 5 hours of relaxing treatments together.
The Ku'uipo Escape package is a bit shorter (3 hours) and starts with a lava rock shower for two with salts and clay, a romantic bath in a giant soaking tub sprinkled with orchids, and then a couple's massage followed by either a facial or pedicure.
Destination Weddings at Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort
Planning a destination wedding in Kauai may seem like a daunting task, but with 250 ceremonies every year and two fulltime wedding planners on the premises, the Grand Hyatt Kauai gets the job done.
Wedding packages are available for just the two of you or up to 200 guests, creating a fitting atmosphere for couples eloping solo or those inviting every last second and third cousin. Custom add-ons range from videographers to bigger cakes to the releasing of white doves.
Guest rooms are discounted for parties that have more than five rooms booked.
The resort has five outdoor ceremony venues to choose from, so couples can say their vows by the beach or in various tropical gardens. Indoor reception venues include a ballroom large enough to accommodate up to 1,000 people. Catering options include buffet, luau, or plated dinner, and DJs or bands are available to set the tone.
The resort can also put together pre-wedding events such as bride luncheons, rehearsal dinners, and spa days for the wedding party.
Nearby the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort
Kauai is the fourth-largest island in the Hawaiian archipelago. Couples will not be far from tourist sites, destination beaches, and natural wonders around the isle.
On the southern portion of the island, it's a short drive to Spouting Horn Beach Park, where tourists can watch a spectacular lava shelf spurt high into the air through a blowhole and down to the ocean.
The National Tropical Botanical Gardens, more than 250 acres of exotic plants and vegetation, is just before Spouting Horn.
It preserves one of Hollywood's favorite trees: The enormous ficus roots that snake along the ground were immortalized on the silver screen when Sam Neill found dinosaur eggs along them in Jurassic Park.
And no visit to Kauai would be complete without a trip to the stunning Na Pali coastline, where water has carved the earth over centuries into compressed mountains jut that high up, then plunge into valleys and cliffs.
For couples interested in boat and catamaran tours, the resort is closer to Port Allen on the western side of the island than the northern ports in Hanalei and 'Anini, so outifts leaving from the former are more conveniently located.
With a myriad of choices on Kauai, why pick this resort over so many romantic locales on the island?
The Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa stands out for having an intoxicating atmosphere. Set on tropical yet lavish modern grounds that make the most of the Kauai landscape, it is an ideal getaway for couples who appreciate romance and refinement. Everything from the blooming gardens to the private beach cocoons give it the special, intimate air of a love nest.
The resort also artfully accommodates many guests without seeming overcrowded, so those seeking a vacation less trampled on will enjoy a sense of privacy.
Travelers with the mission to submerge in ocean water during their entire trip to the islands may be disappointed by the Grand Hyatt's beach, but there's always the pool, Jacuzzi, and salt water lagoon - as well as trips to nearby beaches - to keep them wet.
Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa
1571 Poipu Road
Koloa Kauai, HI 96756
(808) 742-1234
Hotel Web Site
Check Rates Now
Search for a Flight to Kauai's Lihue Airport
As is common in the travel industry, the writer was provided with complimentary accommodation and meals for the purpose of reviewing those services. While it has not influenced this review, About.com believes in full disclosure of all potential conflicts of interest. For more information, see our ethics policy.