 | Where to: Stay Hotel-Hyatt |
 The Grand Hyatt Kauai,
I am spoiled, this was the first hotel I ever stayed in Hawaii almost 10 years ago, some names change but the building and the name says it all, the GRAND Hyatt is named for the grand scale and views you will see while staying here. I liked the property so much that over the years this was the only property I knew. Then the money situation in my life changed, I went from a upper middle management position for a top 100 company to the owner of my own company. Suddenly I noticed the price tag, so I will be honest, you are going to pay around $300.00 to $350.00 per night. If you can afford it, it is worth it.
The grand Hyatt is in an area that is a funny mix of residential and resort area, even in this mixed there is a wide range, many of the local people live only miles away, and there are other resorts dotting the coast line. The Hyatt is a city in itself, if you can say that on Kauai, meaning, most of Kauai is like a small farming community any where else. So the Hyatt tries to provide almost everything you need. I have a slight problem with this because then you do not want to leave your resort, and believe me, there is a lot more to see on Kauai then can be place in one resort.
Since I live here on Kauai now I am often asked where would I stay and what would I do if I had a limited amount of time, and not too huge of a budget, so the following is an example of what I would do giving 2 days on Kauai:
Day 1 ~ Explore the island first, I would have rented a car on Kauai, we have no real mass transportation, nor a mass to transport, I would get up at as near to 5am, yes I know I said 5 am, and yes I know this is your vacation, but I have a lot to do while I am on vacation, and after all I can always sleep when I am back at work. So 5am, jump in the car, no breakfast, and drive to Kapaa, on the main drag, or should I say the drag, you will find the Kountry Kitchen, stop and have a good breakfast at a great price, do not take to long to look around you are only half way to our destination.
Start to head further away from the hotel toward Ka’a which is the end of the road, it is the furthies point to can go to on Kauai from your hotel. Bring along with you the following, sunglasses, sun screen, big beach towels Bathing suit, snorkel, fins, book, beach chairs, beach umbrella. which I would either barrow from the hotel, or buy from K-mart, K-Mart has a huge selection of cool beach towels for Kauai. I would recommend buy all of these and thinking of them as if you were to throw them away at the end of your trip, total for this package is around $75.00 but you will use it all three days so heck that is like $25.00 and well worth it.
In Ka’a plant your umbrella and chairs near the tree line, this is because it will be hot on the sand, and is best for you to stand on cool sand, now check the waves, there are always waves there, but they are normally pretty small so you will see people standing on the reef, PLEASE DO NOT DO THIS IT IS ILLIGAL AND DAMAGES THE REEF!, You will see a calm area, this is where you want to swim. Now that you have scoped out the safe zone, lather up your neck and back with sun block, and go in the water, it will feel cool, please brave it, jump in and in 30 secs, you will think you are in a pool. Swim out to the reef and see the turtles, but please do not touch them, they are protected, and there is a huge fine for bothering or touching them, but looking is free.
Go to your chairs and kick back, you will have a lot of fish to talk about because this bay is filled, you will notice that it is going on noon or 1 o’clock, now pack up the stuff and start heading down the road toward the Hyatt. Now that you are not rushed to get any where is the time to start taking some of those photos. Some of the points you will want to take photos are the many beaches along the way, some are quite hidden and hard to get to so you should check our beach guide.
Now it is time to eat lunch, so you have several places along the path back down, check out our restaurants and look at lunch at post card café, or Ono Burgers, Bubba burgers. When you reach the Kapaa area you will want to do a little shopping and general looking around. This is a good area that has good art galleries and interesting shops for clothing, and general fun things to send home. After and hour or two of the shopping thing, I normally get burned out, there will be more later in the trip if you have not found that one perfect thing.
Head back toward the Grand Hyatt where you are going to have dinner Dondero’s which is a very nice end to a relaxing but filled day. I have had people ask to add, this trip is 87 miles round trip and although it dose not read very fun filled the views you will see, you will not forget.
Here is the official description of Dondero’s:
“A fusion of sensations will delight you at our 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”, each meal becomes a celebration. Toast to each other, to a new venture or to your most memorable vacation, with the perfect wine from our extensive wine list. Savor the flavor, the incredible aromas and the perfect presentation of each culinary creation.”
Unofficially, this is comparable to any restaurant you will find in Chicago, New York, or L.A.
This is a perfect restaurant for a great Hotel. Please take a trip to the Lima Terrace, this is an outdoor bar, where there is a coffee shop beverage area that the view will take your breath away, the tiki torches will remind you why you came. Sit there and talk about your favorite part of the day and sip on a great drink and stroll back to your room and get a good nights sleep.
Day 2
Start time today is 6:00 but I would like you to try the breakfast buffet at the Lima Terrace, this where you will need to fill up for a day on the west side. Grad the car by 7:00 maybe 7:30, and as jumping into the car ask how to get to the bypass going toward port allen. They will give you good directions. You will not have a great deal to look at for about 30 minutes other then beautiful lush greem mountains, don’t forget to take some photos.
Once you are in the port allen area, there is a lookout mentioned on the large green signs that tell you Wiama Cayon lookout in 1000 feet, please pull of there. This is the spot that Mark Twain wrote many of his Hawaiian based stories, and called this view, “The Grand Canyon of the pacific” I have seen the grand canyon, I will take this view everyday instead. Waimea Canyon is the largest canyon in the Pacific and truly a dramatic sight to behold. The canyon measures 10 miles long, 1 mile wide and more than 3.500-feet deep. It was carved thousands of years ago by rivers and floods that flowed from Mount Waialeale's summit. The lines in the canyon walls depict different volcanic eruptions and lava flows that have occurred over the centuries. Even though smaller than the Grand Canyon of Arizona, Waimea Canyon rivals the beauty. Take a couple photos, which I hope you brought a tripod, if not K-Mart, or Wal-mart, you really need one here on Kauai. Continue on the road to the weddiest place on the planet, Mount Waialeale.
As you drive the next 10 miles please stop at one of the stores along the way, one good place is Subway in Wiama and grab your lunch to go, and make sure you have plenty to drink, once you turn right to go up the mountain, there are no stores. The drive is around 15 miles each way, so check the gas gauge. Once you start heading up, you move into a lush forest and breath taking canyon vista. There are many place to stop and take photos so make a half day out of it. When you reach the summit. It will be cool and damp. You might want to bring a long sleeve something.
Head back down the mountain. While you see great ocean views be on the look out for Salt Ponds county beach, take the turn off. Almost year around you will find monk seals which there are only about 1500 of them left so they are protected, but a great photo op, pitch that umbrella and chairs, and go for a swim.
Once you have turned a light pink, it is time to head to the Grand Hyatt, this time you are going to try the Tidepools, which is a postcard picture for any movie that has to do with paradise, their official description is:
” Embrace 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. Inspired by the natural ingredients and rich traditions of Hawaii, our 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”
I say, “Wow” up that says it all.
At this point I would make a point to stop by the front desk and tell them I am extending my stay for a month.
Joking aside, we have not gotten into the snorkeling, scuba diving, boat tours, and things you can do in the air. But you will not forget these 2 days, or the Grand Hyatt Kauai.
Official Description:
Kauai - Hawaii's Garden Isle - a venue of sparkling waters, aromatic flowers, brilliantly plumed songbirds and beaches of ivory purity. The Hyatt Regency Kauai enhances this pristine beauty with extensive tropical gardens and open-air courtyards. An architectural echo of the Hawaii of the 20's and 30's, the Hyatt Regency Kauai sprawls over 50 magnificent oceanfront acres on ever-sunny Poipu Beach. The Hyatt Regency Kauai 0 minutes from Lihue Airport. This beautiful oceanfront resort offers 600 elegant guest rooms resplendent with plantation-style furnishings and breathtaking views. Regency Club accommodations satisfy even the most particular taste for luxury and privacy. For dining and entertainment, the Hyatt's five restaurants present culinary classics in perfect settings. Water, water, everywhere ... For sitting beside, golfing along, or frolicking in. With waterfalls, water slides and adjoining ocean, the Hyatt Regency Kauai presents opportunities to enjoy every imaginable water sport as well as golf, tennis and the incomparable indulgence of ANARA, a 25,000 square foot heath and fitness Spa.
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