Hotel Review: Grand Hyatt Kaua'i (Kaua'i, HI)
Kauai was everything my family needed. We don’t often travel to the same locale twice, but we will be definitely going back to the Grand Hyatt Kauai.
In the Spring of 2022, our family traveled to Kauai seeking a relaxing vacation. We met up with our friends who have a son just a few months older than ours and hoped the boys would keep each other well-entertained.
We chose to stay at the Grand Hyatt Kaua’i Resort and Spa in Poipu. Using Chase Ultimate Rewards points converted to World of Hyatt points, we were able to stay five nights for 125,000 points and at no cost out of pocket! This was an incredible deal as the Grand Hyatt is easily one of the nicest resorts on Kauai. We absolutely loved this resort! Keep reading to see why!
The resort is located only 30 minutes south of the airport, along lush green fields and through a tunnel of trees. Roll down your window - the air smells sweet and clean!
Everyone receives a lei upon arrival (even our toddler!) I loved this touch, as it put me in vacation mode right away.
Complimentary self-parking, only a short walk away. Or, if you prefer, valet is also available.
Warm and welcoming staff. Each time a hotel employee would pass us, they would say “Aloha” and give our son a high-five (which he loved!) On a couple of occasions, they gifted our toddler a Hawaiian-themed plush toy to take home. He still sleeps with his plush octopus weeks later!
Customer service is top-notch! We requested a different room than we were assigned upon arrival. This resulted in an extra hour wait, which we agreed to. The hotel provided us with coupons for two entrees and two drinks at the pool bar and allowed us to get into our bags to change if we needed. We were grateful for their generosity!
Something to see around every corner. Our wait allowed us to enjoy the massive lobby with live parrots and gorgeous trees! Our toddler was easily entertained with all to see! Just below the Seaview Terrace is a large koi pond with beautiful orange, white, and black fish. The boys loved watching them swim around.
Expansive and immaculately kept grounds. The tropical plants make up a gorgeous landscape and provide privacy with vibrant flowers and grasses unlike any I have ever seen. After heavy winds, the grounds crew picked up the fallen leaves quickly. They definitely take pride in their property.
Rooms are clean and well-maintained. Though not extravagant, we were very comfortable in our room, and it had space for our toddler to play.
Bathrooms easily fit a pack-n-play. We love this trick for getting a little more space and privacy when traveling with a toddler. We requested a pack-n-play a few weeks before arrival, and it was set up and waiting in our room for us. The doors to the bathroom close and block out most of the light. Our little guy slept great!
A water slide! I was surprised by how fast it was! Many older kids and adults kept getting back in line. It is monitored by a lifeguard and has height requirements. This is not one for toddlers, but the rest of the family will love it!
Sandy, zero-entry salt-water lagoon! Both toddlers on our trip loved this spot most, where they could go in as deep as they felt comfortable and head back to shallower waters when needed. The lagoon was also warmer than the other pools, so we felt comfortable allowing the boys to enjoy it as long as they wanted. Our son decided he did not want to get into his innertube, so we carried him around the giant lagoon with little effort as we could touch the bottom throughout, except in one far corner. The boys loved feeling the water rush down the small waterfalls between the Tidepools Restaurant and the lagoon.
Three spacious hot tubs! When we got too chilly, we hopped into one of the three hot tubs for a few minutes before heading back into the pools.
Quality food on-site. We took advantage of the onsite restaurants and ate at Hale Nalu (pool bar), Tidepools, and Seaview Terrace, and ordered room service one night. We were impressed with the quality, but we did feel the portion sizes were on the smaller side. The price was comparable to other restaurants on the island.
Complimentary laundry facilities! Washers, dryers, and laundry detergent is provided free of charge. This was a saving grace as everything was muddy after our hike. I felt better packing clean clothes rather than muddy ones. Since it is humid in Kauai, it was nice to toss clothes in the dryer to avoid mildew smells.
We highly recommend this hotel when visiting Kauai with a ‘toddler-in-tow’ for its zero-entry salt-water lagoon, the hours of entertainment provided by the koi pond and live parrots, well-kept grounds, comfortable rooms, and the kind and welcoming staff who took the time to interact with our son.
Toddler Tips: The grounds are expansive, and it can be up to a 10-minute walk from one end of the resort to the other. Shortly after booking, call to request a “pool view” on the third floor (this is ground level). You will be close to the pools, so you have the option to sneak out for a dip while supervising your little one during nap time!
Request a pack-n-play and a microwave (mini-fridges come standard) upon arrival, but know the hotel has a limited quantity available.
Did you enjoy this post? You might also like “City Guide: Kaua’i, HI” and 5 day Kaua’i Itinerary!
View of Grand Hyatt Kauai Grounds from Seaview Terrace
