Grand Hyatt Kauai

The Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa offers an expansive and classic Hawaiian experience on the sunny south shore of Kauai in Koloa. This large property spans 50 acres of lush, manicled grounds fronting the white sands of Keoneloa Bay, also known as Shipwreck Beach. The resort architecture emphasizes open-air designs with tropical gardens, koi ponds, and waterfalls integrated throughout the public spaces, creating a seamless connection to the island’s natural environment. With 605 guest rooms, this resort is one of the largest on the island, providing a wide array of amenities and services tailored for various types of travelers.

Accommodations are spread across several low-rise wings, designed to maintain an open and airy feel. Guest rooms and suites feature classic Hawaiian-inspired decor, including rich woods, neutral tones, and private lanais (balconies). Standard rooms offer generous space, while suites provide significantly larger living areas, separate bedrooms, and premium ocean views. All rooms are equipped with modern comforts, including flat-screen televisions, coffeemakers with Hawaiian coffee, and spacious marble bathrooms with double vanities and walk-in showers. Many rooms provide views of the ocean, the extensive gardens, or the resort’s elaborate pool complex.

The resort is perhaps best known for its extensive water features. It boasts a massive, multi-level pool system that includes a quiet adult pool area, winding lava-rock river pools, and a 150-foot waterslide. The highlight for many is the 1.5-acre saltwater lagoon, a protected area perfect for swimming and kayaking, offering a calm alternative to the often-turbulent ocean at Shipwreck Beach. Private cabanas are available for rent around both the main pool and the lagoon.

Dining at the Grand Hyatt Kauai is a significant part of the experience, with numerous venues on the property. Tidepools is the resort’s fine-dining establishment, offering contemporary Hawaiian cuisine in a unique setting of thatched-roof bungalows that appear to float over a koi-filled lagoon. Dondero’s provides an upscale Italian experience in a formal dining room. For more casual meals, Ilima Terrace serves breakfast and lunch in an open-air setting overlooking the pools. Stevenson’s Library is a sophisticated lounge offering sushi, spirits, and classic cocktails in a cozy, dark-wood environment. Several other poolside bars and quick-service options provide convenient snacks and drinks throughout the day. The resort also hosts a traditional luau multiple times per week, featuring Polynesian dance and a Hawaiian buffet.

Activities and wellness are central to the resort’s offerings. The Anara Spa is one of the largest spas on Kauai, focusing on treatments that incorporate traditional Hawaiian healing practices. The spa campus includes private treatment rooms, a 25-yard lap pool, whirlpools, a sauna, a steam room, and a full-service salon. Fitness facilities are comprehensive, with a large, 24-hour fitness center offering a wide range of cardio and weight-training equipment, as well as daily fitness classes.

For golf enthusiasts, the adjacent Poipu Bay Golf Course is a major attraction. The 18-hole championship course, designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr., has previously hosted the PGA Grand Slam of Golf. The course is known for its dramatic oceanfront holes and challenging play.

Given its size, the resort is also well-equipped for events and group gatherings. It features extensive indoor and outdoor event space, including large ballrooms and scenic lawn areas perfect for weddings and corporate functions. The resort provides dedicated event planning and catering services to manage large-scale functions. While the property is expansive, its layout encourages exploration of the meticulously maintained gardens, which feature native Hawaiian plants and exotic flowers.