Grand Hyatt Kauai Review

Looking for honest Grand Hyatt Kauai reviews?  Here's a complete guide to this gorgeous luxury resort in Kauai, Hawaii.  Does this pricy resort live up to the hype?  Find out here in a complete review, plus all of my favorite activities at this resort.

Planning a trip to Kauai?  Also read my 20 Best Things to Do in Kauai, Best Restaurants in Kauai, Hawaii, and my Top 20 Favorite Moments from Kauai Part 1 & Part 2, plus my  Hawaii Travel Page.

Grand Hyatt Kauai Reviews

Are you planning a trip to Kauai, Hawaii, and looking for honest Grand Hyatt Kauai reviews?  This luxury resort along the southern coast of Kauai, near Poipu, is generally given rave reviews.  But it comes with a hefty price tag. Here's my real-life, unfilted review of the resort, food, and activities, so you can decide if it's right for you.

This 50-acre oceanfront property with 605 guest rooms is filled with acres of tropical gardens, a 1.5-acre saltwater lagoon, slides, a lau, a golf course, a lazy river, restaurants, a spa, shopping, and a small beach.  It's about 25 minutes away from the Lihue airport.  This huge resort takes about 10 minutes to walk across.  This part of the island is drier than the rest of Kauai, but it still gets more rain showers than other parts of Hawaii.

Even though this is a large property, it never feels crowded or overwhelming, even when it's cooked to capacity.  If you decide to book The Grand Hyatt Kauai, check out this link for the best rates.

I'm qualified to write this because I've stayed at this resort three times, including most recently with my twin boys. The Hubs and I got married on Maui and honeymooned on Kauai.  We had such fond memories of our time on the island that we have been back two more times, including bringing out our twin boys to the resort, which felt like such a full-circle moment.  Since we have been there three times, you are probably not going to be surprised that we love this resort.

More on Kauai:  20 Best Things to Do in Kauai, Best Restaurants in Kauai, Hawaii, and my Top 20 Favorite Moments from Kauai Part 1 & Part 2, plus my  Hawaii Travel Page.

An Honest Review: Grand Hyatt Kauai Share on X

Grand Hyatt Kauai Review - Honest & Unpaid

We came to the Grand Hyatt Kauai as a splurge for our honeymoon and loved it.  We came back several years later, and once again it was such a dreamy trip.  I wasn't sure whether the resort could live up to the high expectations I had set for it over the years, but it did.  It even exceeded those expectations.  From the moment I walked in, and they handed me my own purple orchid lei, I walked around like a giddy schoolgirl the entire time we were there.  This place is THAT amazing, and it was honestly more amazing when I came back with my kids.  It is honestly my favorite resort ever.

If the rest of Kauai wasn't also so spectacular, I could have spent the entire week walking around the gorgeous grounds, eating the yummy food, and enjoying lazy beach days.  This resort is so lovely that it was hard to do anything else! Guests love this resort, and I can see why.

Grand Hyatt Kauai Reviews- Pros and Cons

I'll start with my honest Grand Hyatt Kauai Reviews, including the pros and cons.   We overall love it, but there are some specific pros and cons to consider.

 

Pros

• Grand Hyatt Kauai features gorgeous, lush tropical gardens.
• The resort is stunning.  From the picture-window lobby entrance to the sprawling tropical grounds, there is not a spot on this property that is not photogenic.
• The service is fantastic, and everyone is super friendly.  Even though it was a large resort, we felt like we had personalized service.
• It has a really fun saltwater lagoon.
• The slides are fun for kids.
• It is super luxe AND kid-friendly.
• The rooms feel luxurious and well done, including the bathrooms.
• The dining options are plentiful and excellent.
• It's big, but not too huge that you need a golf cart to get around.
• They offer entertaining kids' activities, including lei-making, parrot talks, and fish feeding.
• It never feels crowded, even when we stayed when it was fully booked.
• They give you nice reusable water bottles and have refill stations around the resort.
• If you have Globalist Hyatt status, you have access to a lovely grand club access.  Lounge access gets you breakfast, drinks, snacks, salads, appetizers, hors d'oeuvers, and desserts.
• The resort fee includes extras like a water bottle, a reusable logo tote bag, beach access, and recreational bicycle use.
• You get an authentic flower lei at check-in.
• You can book with Hyatt points.

 

Cons:

• It is expensive, even by Hawaii's standards.
• If you have mobility issues, it isn't easy to walk around with lots of steps.
• The beach is rough and not great for swimming, especially for kids.
• Like most resorts in Hawaii, it has an expensive parking fee AND resort fee, tacking on almost another $100 a night in fees.  Self-parking is free.

Grand Hyatt Kauai Rooms Review

To round out this Grand Hyatt Kauai review, I wanted to give you an unedited photo of the rooms.  They feel old-school Hawaiian with dark wood, yet somehow still modern, clean, and luxurious.  The beds are very comfortable.

The bathroom is more modern, with white marble and very friendly showers, including a hair dryer and robes.  The closets are small.  The rooms have a mini fridge and a Nespresso coffee maker.  It did seem like they would offer an upgrade based on availability and Hyatt status.

The balcony is spacious, with a dining table, and you can't beat this ocean view.

 

Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa Highlights

Oceanfront Lagoon

The Grand Hyatt Kauai has a gorgeous ocean-front lagoon, which is great for kids to swim in.  The beach may not be the best for swimming, but the incredible pool complex more than makes up for it!  It is one of the best resort pools I've ever seen.  There is a 1.3-acre oceanside saltwater lagoon with crystal-clear waters.  So you can safely swim in ocean water while still watching the crazy waves.

The beach itself is better for surfing than swimming for little kids, so this is an excellent activity for them.  Mine loved playing on the big black rocks and jumping from place to place.

 

Slides & Pool

In addition to the oceanfront lagoon, there is a large pool complex.  There is also a collection of enchanting river pools that wind through waterfalls and grottos, in a lazy-river style, and hot tubs.

One of my favorite parts is the waterslide!  These pools are literally the stuff dreams are made of!  The only tricky part is finding time to enjoy them because everything else on Kauai is so fabulous too!  There is also an adult-only pool area.

There is a poolside restaurant, Hale Nalu, with delicious food and cocktails.

Sunrise from the Resort

The sunrise from the Grand Hyatt Kauai is spectacular.  The gorgeous colors peeped through the window, and this was the view from my room.  It was stunning.

In my mind, the only thing better than photographing a sunrise like this is running through it.  The Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa has a lovely walking path right in front of it, perfect for a sunrise run.  You can even take the path along a trail with rolling hills for more of a challenge. It may seem like a simple experience, but there is something so profound about a sunrise run on an island like this.  If you don't run, just walk, but see the sunrise at least once.

 

Rent a Beach Cabana

Another reason for this positive Grand Hyatt Kauai review is the fabulous cabanas.  We have been lucky enough to rent beach and pool cabanas at the Grand Hyatt Kauai several times, and it is the perfect place to do it.  They really give you an upgraded experience at an already lush hotel.  If you have small kids, the pool cabanas are ideal for getting shade and even a spot to stay inside during the occasional rain showers in Kauai.

Thanks to the Grand Hyatt Kauai, we had this piece of paradise all to ourselves for a day.  It gave me a day to exhale and take it all in.

These cabanas are some of the nicest I've ever seen, with stunning sweeping views of the coast.  As part of the package, you also get a tasty basket of treats!  I loved how it included many snacks exclusive to Hawaii, like these taro chips.  It reminded you that you were truly someplace special.  It also came with a drink cooler packed with water and beverages.  The biggest perk included in the cabana rental was lunch.  The Hubs and I ordered fish tacos and poke, which we got without leaving our little corner of happiness.  They were both so delicious.

 

Lei Making & Cultural Activities

The amazing kids' activities are another reason for this good Grand Hyatt Kauai review.  Whether you are a kid or a kid at heart, the lei-making activity was so fun.  We got to all handmake a lei and learn about the history behind them.  It was one of the more memorable parts of our trip.

 

Fish Feeding & Parrot Talk

The resort also features fun animal activities for kids, like daily fish feeding and a parrot talk, where you can learn more about the resort's resident birds.

We did them both, and once again, the little kids just loved it.

 

Anara Spa

On our first trip to the Grand Hyatt Kauai, we were gifted a spa day.  The Anara Spa is truly special, featuring a dry and steam sauna, a steam room, a fitness center, and relaxation rooms.  If you are a fan of a spa day, this one is worth a visit!  They offer massages, facials, and fitness classes.  This is an extra cost.

 

Watching Cliff Jumping & Surfing at Shipwreck Beach

The Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa is located right off Shipwreck Beach.   The beach has a giant cliff on the far side of the bay, where cliff jumpers take turns.  I'm not one for jumping off tall things, nor could I recommend this activity, but it sure is fun to watch!

The beach is lovely, but especially in winter, it's a little rough for novice swimmers, but is perfect for surfing.  I had the best time watching surfers catch waves.  Between the cliff jumpers and the surfers, the beach is full of unique people watching, which is quite an experience.

 

Dinner at Tidepools

Tidepools is one of the many fabulous restaurants located right on the property at the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa.  It's built right into a koi-filled lagoon, giving you the feeling that you are floating while eating.  This place oozes romance and feels so special and enchanting from the moment you walk inside.

I've eaten at Tidepools all three of my visits to this spectacular resort and enjoyed both meals so much.  We even took my twins there this last time, and they still talk about the food!

For my appetizer, I shared the Kauai Shrimp and Ahi Tempura with the Hubs.  We also shared the Tahitian Ceviche, which was incredible.  The coconut in this was so unique.

For dinner, we shared the Hawaiian Catch and the Opah, which just happened to be two of our favorite dinners on the entire trip!  They were prepared impeccably and had such a great flavor.  This dinner was one we'll remember for decades.

 

 

Hawaiian Music & Hula

One of my favorite memories from my first trip to Kauai and the Grand Hyatt Kauai is sitting in the Seaview Terrace watching the sunset, listening to live Hawaiian music, and watching the hula.  On each return visit, we made time just to sit and enjoy the gorgeous view from this spot.

In the evening, this stage fills with the most delightful, magical Hawaiian live music and, occasionally, dancing by a hula dancer.

It's captivating and will capture your heart.  Sometimes it's the simplest experiences that leave the most significant mark!  We did this many times on our return visit with the twins, and they even danced to the music.

 

Poipu Bay Golf

Another unique experience at the Grand Hyatt Kauai is their own golf course, Poipu Bay Golf, designed by Robert Trent Jones.

 

Shelter Dog Field Trips

I mentioned this briefly in my last post about the best things to do on the island, but it was too much fun not to say again.  The Grand Hyatt Kauai has teamed up with the Kauai Humane Society to help people visiting do short volunteer projects during their stay.  With my love of animals, I could not resist taking part in their shelter dog field trips.  All you do is show up at the shelter during designated times and pick out a dog to take out for a few hours.  The time you spend with them gets them out of the shelter, helps them socialize, and hopefully helps them meet their future family.

This is certainly a more unique experience at the resort, but one I will not soon forget!

 

Mahaulepu Beach Trail

I went into more detail about this hike in my last post, but I also had to add it to this list because the path runs right in front of the Grand Hyatt Kauai.  The beach trail is the last undeveloped section of the coastline along the south shore of Kauai.

It starts at Shipwreck Beach right in front of the hotel and meanders for several miles.  Just follow the path that looks like it's heading up the cliff.  It's a must-do if you are staying on Kauai at all... but you've really got to do it if you are staying at the resort because it's right there.

This hike was one of my favorite experiences, not just at the resort but on the entire trip.

 

Ilima Terrace Breakfast Buffet

I'm all about a leisurely breakfast on vacation, and the Grand Hyatt Kauai has so many lovely options.  On our first morning, the Hubs and I got up and had breakfast at Ilima Terrace.  The views were so relaxing, and the Ahi Eggs Benedict was nothing short of incredible.  We've been talking about it ever since we left!

We also shared a side of papaya, which was sheer perfection.  When we went back again, we had a breakfast package and enjoyed the buffet daily, and it was so good.  They had eggs, pancakes, cheeses, pastries, fresh fruit, juices, and more.

 

Grand Hyatt Kauai Luau

The resort offers its own Luau with food, dancing, and entertainment from the island of Hawaii.

 

Gardens

Walking the gardens may not be the flashiest experience at the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa, but it is still pretty memorable.  Every inch of this hotel property is perfectly manicured with delightful tropical foliage.  It's so lovely that it feels like you are in a tropical botanical garden.  When you close your eyes and dream about what a Hawaiian resort should look like, this is what you see.  Walking around and enjoying all the plants is like living in a fantasy.  I literally could not get enough of the gardens!

Grand Hyatt Kauai Reviews

The Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa makes it easy to gush about them.  The grounds are lovely, there is just enough to do without it being overwhelming, the food is incredible, and the people are genuinely so nice.  This resort is the stuff of vacation dreams.  Do yourself a favor: if you ever find yourself in Kauai, book it.  I've been three times and can only hope I get to go again someday.  This is the kind of place that doesn't just live up to the hype, it will exceed your expectations.

If you are planning a trip to Kauai?  Also read my 20 Best Things to Do in Kauai, Best Restaurants in Kauai, Hawaii, and my Top 20 Favorite Moments from Kauai Part 1 & Part 2, plus my  Hawaii Travel Page.

An Honest Review: Grand Hyatt Kauai Share on X

Grand Hyatt Kauai Reviews FAQ

Where is the Grand Hyatt Kauai Located?

The Grand Hayatt Kauai is located on the island of Kauai, Hawaii, along Poipu Beach.  It's a luxury 5-star resort known for its lush gardens, acres of pools, fantastic dining, golf, and spa.

Travel Guides for Hawaii:

• 20 Best Things to Do in Big Island, Hawaii
• Best Big Island Hawaii Restaurants
• Top 20 Favorite Moments - The Big Island
• Hiton Waikoloa Village Resort Guide
• Hawaiian Volcanoes National Park
• Top 20 Favorite Moments Kauai
• Top 20 Favorite Moments - North Shore Kauai
• Kauai Na Pali Coast Hike
• Best Kauai Food
• Top 12 Things You Can't Miss in Kauai
• 10 Ways to Stay and Explore Wailea on a Budget
• Haleakalā Volcano Sunrise

 

Pin for Later: