Paul Stupin
New DVC Member
- Joined
- May 8, 2016
- Messages
- 2,783
We own at Aulani, absolutely love it, and plan on going there for years. Just recently, though, we tacked on an extra week at the Grand Hyatt Kauai, a large sprawling resort near Poipu Beach. We loved that too! Thought I’d list some pros and cons if anyone is considering it.
Pros
1. The grounds are beautifully landscaped and extensive, with lots of waterfalls, streams and pools. There aren’t any towers, just a series of six floor buildings that appear separate (even though they’re actually all connected), with green roofs and a modern Hawaiian style. It’s very picturesque.
2. The pools are enormous…larger and more fun than Aulani. There’s a huge enclosed salt water swimming pool lagoon with a sandy bottom that’s incredible, and another enormous pool, plus a great adult area / pool that’s not pushed off to the side.
3. We like Aulani’s dining offerings, but found those at the Hyatt a bit better, and with surroundings equal or superior to Aulani.
4. The open air lobby is quite dramatic and beautiful, with live trees and live parrots!
5. No need to reserve pool seating or get up at the crack of dawn, the enormous pool area has seats everywhere. There’s one other positive about the pools being so huge and extensive. None of the pools, especially the ones intended for kids and families, seem overrun with kids. And that’s not because the resort wasn’t busy, either. Even with a considerable amount of families and children there, there is so much more pool space that the area doesn’t feel crowded at all, which makes for a considerably more relaxing time.
6. Much nicer and more extensive gym / spa.
7. Poipu Beach is a less than 5 minute drive away with hotels, restaurants and shops.
8. Amazing scenery to explore in Kauai, with fun hikes, ranging from easy to challenging.
9. Nice big, up to date rooms.
10. Very immersive and feels like you’re in a Hawaiian fantasy.
11. A lei at arrival! I don’t really care, and it got thrown out almost immediately, but I know this matters to some people.
Cons
1. I don’t think the kids club is at the level of Aunty’s Beach House. Can’t say for sure, though, since we don’t have kids.
2. There’s one water slide which isn’t bad, but no volcano or similar theming.
3. Small lazy river that’s ok but not great, but the actual pool area, with its large multiple pools, is, my guess, about four times the size of Aulani’s.
4. This is a big one. There’s a beach right there, called Shipwreck Beach, which has rough surf and is not suitable for kids. I think they compensated pretty well with the enormous saltwater lagoon, but the Aulani lagoons are of course pretty incredible. That said, getting a small body board and riding some of those waves was super fun.
5. No characters, of course.
6. The large outdoor pool area is terraced, and descends to the beach, which means there are a lot of uphill paths and stairs. We liked it because it was a bit of a workout, but it is something to keep in mind.
7. This didn’t bother us, but Kauai is alot less developed, and there are amazingly beautiful sights, but not a whole bunch of touristy attractions.
8. Pricey, and of course you can’t use DVC points that over the long run make the trip considerably more cost effective. Hyatt does have done sort of loyalty program but I’m not familiar with it.
Anyway, that’s it! My wife and I will no doubt return sometime in the future, and we really enjoyed it as an occasional Aulani alternative.
Pros
1. The grounds are beautifully landscaped and extensive, with lots of waterfalls, streams and pools. There aren’t any towers, just a series of six floor buildings that appear separate (even though they’re actually all connected), with green roofs and a modern Hawaiian style. It’s very picturesque.
2. The pools are enormous…larger and more fun than Aulani. There’s a huge enclosed salt water swimming pool lagoon with a sandy bottom that’s incredible, and another enormous pool, plus a great adult area / pool that’s not pushed off to the side.
3. We like Aulani’s dining offerings, but found those at the Hyatt a bit better, and with surroundings equal or superior to Aulani.
4. The open air lobby is quite dramatic and beautiful, with live trees and live parrots!
5. No need to reserve pool seating or get up at the crack of dawn, the enormous pool area has seats everywhere. There’s one other positive about the pools being so huge and extensive. None of the pools, especially the ones intended for kids and families, seem overrun with kids. And that’s not because the resort wasn’t busy, either. Even with a considerable amount of families and children there, there is so much more pool space that the area doesn’t feel crowded at all, which makes for a considerably more relaxing time.
6. Much nicer and more extensive gym / spa.
7. Poipu Beach is a less than 5 minute drive away with hotels, restaurants and shops.
8. Amazing scenery to explore in Kauai, with fun hikes, ranging from easy to challenging.
9. Nice big, up to date rooms.
10. Very immersive and feels like you’re in a Hawaiian fantasy.
11. A lei at arrival! I don’t really care, and it got thrown out almost immediately, but I know this matters to some people.
Cons
1. I don’t think the kids club is at the level of Aunty’s Beach House. Can’t say for sure, though, since we don’t have kids.
2. There’s one water slide which isn’t bad, but no volcano or similar theming.
3. Small lazy river that’s ok but not great, but the actual pool area, with its large multiple pools, is, my guess, about four times the size of Aulani’s.
4. This is a big one. There’s a beach right there, called Shipwreck Beach, which has rough surf and is not suitable for kids. I think they compensated pretty well with the enormous saltwater lagoon, but the Aulani lagoons are of course pretty incredible. That said, getting a small body board and riding some of those waves was super fun.
5. No characters, of course.
6. The large outdoor pool area is terraced, and descends to the beach, which means there are a lot of uphill paths and stairs. We liked it because it was a bit of a workout, but it is something to keep in mind.
7. This didn’t bother us, but Kauai is alot less developed, and there are amazingly beautiful sights, but not a whole bunch of touristy attractions.
8. Pricey, and of course you can’t use DVC points that over the long run make the trip considerably more cost effective. Hyatt does have done sort of loyalty program but I’m not familiar with it.
Anyway, that’s it! My wife and I will no doubt return sometime in the future, and we really enjoyed it as an occasional Aulani alternative.
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