Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa

Pheonominal resort. Even the locals go there. You won't want to leave the resort. My 4 year old daughter alsolutely loved the pools and it was easy to get the energy out of her with all the pools and activities. I loved the lazy river and the ocean view suite was amazing.. probably the best suite I've stayed at or among the top 5 anyway, all time. I probably gained 10 pounds on the trip since it was difficult to stop eating at the breakfast buffet each morning. Loved it and will be back.

This is exactly what comes to mind when one thinks of a classic resort. Large, sprawling grounds, beautifully lanscaped; massive pools with a vast abundance of places to rest; gorgeous views of the ocean; all the amenities you can possibly think of. Where to begin? Free parking-- hard to believe, but true, and very convenient. Rooms were a bit dated, and showing some wear and tear, but not to the point of spoiling the experience. We got the "garden view" which I have to say was very nice, so don't sweat it if you don't want to splurge for the ocean view. Minifridge allowed us to save some $$ by skipping the hotel breakfast. Pools were amazing. The main pool is gigantic, pleny of area of swim, bridges, volleyball court, waterslide. And basically empty the whole time. Definitely no need to be concerned about crowding. The salt water lagoon was even bigger-- a nice spot to relax. Shipwreck beach had pretty high surf, but still had people swimming and surfing in it. Lots of soft white sand to play in as well. We did the luau, which at $650 for family of 4 was really pushing it, but it was a good experience. Everyone at the hotel was very friendly and helpful. The area around the hotel is great. A couple of really nice shopping areas, plenty of options for food. Poipu beach is like a 5-minute drive with easy parking, and lots of other nice beaches within a 20-30 minute drive. Ultimately, we stayed on both the south and north shores on this trip, and probably preferred the south a bit, mainly for the better shopping and dining, and this hotel.

I highly recommend this hotel given that it is known as pricey. The staff really works hard to meet the needs of their guests. Their IT support spent almost an hour when we first arrived fixing the GoogleCast on our TV so we could watch Netflix. I have back issues and the beds and bedding are superior. The buffet in the Ilima cafe is incredible! So worth it !! The staff are friendly and helpful everywhere and many have worked there since the hotel opened. The pools are heavenly--winding through the garden--perfect temperature and so relaxing. The gardens are gorgeous !!