The Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa captures the allure of the island of Kauai in a seaside sanctuary for the whole family.

Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa

Upon first entering the resort, one is greeted with flower and Kukui nut leis, as well as the island breezes washing right through the resort and hotel lobby which opens to views of the Pacific Ocean. The resort sits on 50 beachfront acres of lushly manicured gardens blending beautifully with the architecture of the hotel’s four-story structure.

View of pool, lagoon and ocean

Sunlight streams through the lobby’s roofless atrium and over the flowering plants and trees  growing there, including a gorgeous banyan tree, bromeliads with fuchsia-colored flowers, orchids, ginger, palms and all sorts of tropical greenery that fills the air with a sweet fragrance.

This hyacinth macaw resides in the lobby’s atrium

A stone path winds through the foliage where several varieties of colorful parrots including macaws and a cockatoo are perched. This was one of my favorite places to visit when I had the pleasure of staying at this resort with my family, and made it a point to stroll through the atrium to admire the birds and plants, and especially the banyan tree with is magnificent trunk, aerial roots, and dense clusters of shade-giving leaves.

Accommodations & Recreational Facilities

All the accommodations feature private balconies with views of the ocean, gardens or mountainside. The pillow-top beds are extremely comfortable, and the rooms are elegantly appointed in the classic décor of the Hawaiian Islands.

The accommodations are inviting and extremely comfortable

The swimming pools are a major highlight of this fantastic resort and include a waterslide and two freshwater pools built with waterfalls and connecting river-like streams that wind around several little islands with hot tubs for soaking.

View of the waterslide curving down the garden landscape

The swimming pools are irresistible

The pools have many river-like streams winding around lush gardens like a lazy river.

A large saltwater lagoon measuring 1.5 acres is perfect for swimming, kayaking, and a wonderful introductory class to deep-water Scuba diving, all of which my children loved.

Stunning view of the saltwater lagoon with a sandy beach

The saltwater lagoon has a sandy bottom as well

Guests can enjoy a free introductory Scuba diving class right in the saltwater lagoon

The resort also features an 18-hole golf course with stunning ocean and mountain views, three tennis courts, a fitness room and luxury spa with spa pool, Camp Hyatt for kids ages 3-12, and babysitting services. Daily family activities and fitness classes are offered as well.

Anara Spa infuses traditional Hawaiian healing in their massage and body treatments

Hiking along the Mahaulepu Heritage Coastal Trail beginning at the resort on Shipwreck Beach was a special treat.

The sand on Shipwreck Beach is a delicious golden color of raw cane sugar

The trail boasts breathtaking views of the ocean with its volcanic rocks and rough surf pounding the shore.

Views on the hike are beautiful

It ends at the Makauwahi Cave by the Mahaulepu Beach. It’s an easy/moderate hike less than three miles roundtrip, and is perfect for families of all ages.

Rocky bluffs are met by the rough sea

Another gorgeous view of the coastline from the hiking trail

Makauwahi Cave at the end of the trail

My children also enjoyed visiting the game room with its fun activities like billiards, ping-pong, Foosball, X-Box, board games and more. Party music flows from the speakers, while sports play on the large flat-screen TVs.

The resort’s game room has a lot to offer

Restaurants and Bars

The food at the resort is fresh and tasty with a choice of everything from salads and sandwiches by the pools, to steaks, seafood and Polynesian cuisine prepared with an enticing combination of spices and fruity emulsions. Dondero’s offers delicious Italian cuisine, while Tidepools features Pacific Rim delights like poke, prawns, assorted fresh fish, pork and more.

Tidepools Restaurant was a personal favorite

But it’s the location of Tidepools restaurant that makes the dining experience memorable: open-air thatched-roof bungalows are nestled within a freshwater lagoon filled with koi fish, where swans float gracefully and heron roam among the rocks and grasses fringing the lagoon. It’s beautiful.

Traditional Luaus are held twice a week at the resort

Luaus are held every Thursday and Sunday, and feature tasty Polynesian and Asian-influenced cuisine like poke, Hawaiian poi, Kalua Pua’a (roasted pork), chicken, fish, salad, rice, taro rolls and tantalizing desserts. The shows are exciting with authentic Hawaiian music, traditional hula dancing, and a thrilling fire dance to a drum beat that rouses one’s primitive instincts, making you want to join them on the stage.

Other Information & Suggestions

Our stay at the Grand Hyatt could not have been any better. One of the loveliest features about this resort is its gracious staff. We felt very welcomed, and were always greeted by a warm aloha and sincere smile.

The resort has several lovely shops, a florist, and hair and manicure salon. A car rental desk makes it easy to rent a car and see more of the island. There is also a business center conveniently located by the lobby.

Be sure to pack lots of sun protection including hats and sunscreen, since kids love to spend most of the time in the pool. The resort has a complementary laundry room which makes it convenient to launder your clothing. You can bring some detergent or purchase it from the resort. High-speed and wireless internet access are included, as are in-room coffee/tea service, bath amenities like shampoo, conditioner and lotion, an in-room safe, and free local calls. The location of this resort is close to many off-site attractions including the National Tropical Botanical Garden, historic Koloa Town, Polihale State Park and more.

For more detailed information on the resort’s activities and amenities visit Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa.

Sweet plumeria are a common site, while hibiscus in every hue grow wild along roads, open fields, and throughout the island.

Gentle rains showers the earth like mist, and ocean breezes wash over the island where dense forests and groves are met by rolling fields carpeted in wild grasses, flowering plants and shrubs.

BEACHES & SHORELINES

Shorelines and beaches are strewn with black volcanic rocks and low-growing shrubs whose bright green leaves make a stunning backdrop for the little yellow flowers popping their pretty heads on the ground-cover.

The sand is a delicious shade of raw cane sugar—golden and soft—and takes a steady beating from the rough surf crashing in frothy waves on the shore.

The sharp coral and rocks, as well as the strong currents and riptides underscore the ocean’s unbridled power.

It’s captivating to watch the waves pound the shore as they have been doing since the island was first formed millions of year ago.

FORESTS & TREES

Groves and dense forests grow tall with broad, flat-topped canopies filtering out the sun.

This mile-long shady tunnel of Eucalyptus trees (below) is over 100 years old.

The humid air is heavily scented of the rich earth, and is a pleasure to breathe.  Aerial roots of hala trees (below) are reminiscent of those of the mangroves.

Many of the trees cling with moss and lichen, and are draped in a glorious curtain of dodder laurel, woodrose vines spangled with yellow morning-glories, ferns and pothos vines with heart-shaped leaves.

One of the best things about the island of Kauai is its natural beauty. While some may be drawn to its activities and excursions, and others to its shops and culinary pleasures, those who prefer to lose themselves in the splendor of its wild beauty will delight in this lovely piece of paradise rising from the great Pacific Ocean.

We had a few clouds but that didn't mar the friendly vibes and beautiful beaches of Kauai during the holiday season.

The holiday’s are approaching. A little too rapidly for my taste, and probably for you, too. And you may be wondering if you really want to stay home and make that turkey or Tofurky. If you really want to invite Aunt Gladys and her Barber Shop Quartet for Christmas or Hanukkah. Instead, maybe you’re thinking you’ll pack up the kids and take a little trip…

Several years ago, we were lucky enough to spend time on the Hawaiian islands for the holidays – where we learned that Mele Kalikimaka is a way to say Merry Christmas, even if the stewardess on the plane (nope, it wasn’t Hawaiian air) thought my children were uttering curse words at her. But that’s another story.

Waimea, Kauai for the Holidays

We went to the Big Island, Oahu, and Kauai that trip, and each island certainly had its own wonderful holiday flavor. We began in Kauai which is also where Hawaiian natives saw their first traditional Christmas celebration. Anchored off shore in Western Kauai in 1786, British Captain Cook celebrated in Waimea Bay, with coconut milk and pig roasted imu style. Today, the small, pleasant town of Waimea holds a glittering Christmas Parade the Saturday before Christmas, with live music, food booths, and crafts. The entire town is decorated for the month of December.

We loved the parade, and shopping at the booths, buying inexpensive locally designed ceramics and candles, fresh fruits and nuts, and wonderful fresh made candies. It was a lot more fun than browsing the chain stores in SoCal looking for something special. The mellow, happy scene included a visit from Santa – in reindeer splashed board shorts. Children of all ages enjoyed lining up for candy canes, and singing along to well known carols  – or attempting to – in Hawaiian.

Lihue, Kauai Christmas Delight

Lihue, which many travelers see only from the perspective of the airport, shouldn’t be missed over the holidays, either. The Kauai Historic County Building, its architecture interesting in its own right, sparkles with Christmas lights on both the exterior and interior. Early in December, an opening ceremony here includes a countdown to turning on the lights, and another parade concluding with the music of the Kauai Chorale. You’ll find more Christmas lights and holiday decorations along the sidewalks of the North Shore’s quaint Hanalei town.

Nothing says Christmas day like a beautiful, peaceful beach in Kekaha, Kauai.

And then there was our holiday dinner. We heard good things about Dukes in Lihue and the Sheraton in Poipu. But we were looking for something a little more island, and offering more choices for our vegan family member. So we chose a favorite of tourists and locals alike, the Hukilau Lanai in Kapaa. Wonderful, fresh fish and innovative cooking styles – sweet potato raviolis were a knock out – were combined with local, organic ingredients. They offer choices for vegans, vegetarians, and even gluten-free diets, and their keiki menu – for little ones – is very reasonable. Small tots are welcome to share a plate of their parents food at no charge.

We loved seeing surfers on Kalapaki beach in Lihue wearing Santa hats; listening to carol-singers outside our condo in Kehaka, and taking a short hike – emphasis on short – along the Na Pali coast trail from the north side. A caveat – in December, it gets dark fairly early, so if you’re planning to walk more than a short way along the trail, leave earlier than you might consider leaving. With a small child on your back or just carefully following in your footsteps, you don’t want to find yourself coming home on often slippery trails after dark.

Christmas Cruising, Bird and Whale Watching

Christmas in Kauai included a visit to this lighthouse and nearby feathered friends.

We enjoyed taking a cruise with a holiday theme, our boat upon leaving from Waimea included a wonderfully humorous elderly ukelele player who regaled the crowd with a genially Hawaiian version of the “Twelve Days of Christmas.” The song kept cropping up – at the shops in Hanalei, on a balcony over breakfast at the St. Regis, and at a Poipu luau.

You may not spot a partridge in a pear tree, but nature lovers can join in Kauai’s annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count. Children of all ages are allowed to help naturalists in counting native and non-native birds. We didn’t participate, but friends who did had a wonderful time, and learned a lot about the different birds that frequent the islands. The holiday season is also an excellent time to get in some whale watching. As the humpbacks migrate from Alaska to Hawaii and its much warmer seas, you’ll be able to see these amazing creatures from land or on water craft from November to May. The Kileuea Point National Wildlife Refuge and lighthouse is a great viewing spot. We found the lighthouse decorated for the season as well.

Kauai Christmas Vibe

Everywhere we found a true feeling of holiday spirit, from resort to small town, from the snorkeling rental stand in Poipu whose owner handed out homemade ‘fruit cake cookies’ to the north shore resort where we found staff members singing carols around an unused ballroom piano. The vibe on Kauai for Christmas: relaxed, home-town and filled with the good will of the season.

Our entire family loved the view from this Kauai helicopter ride.

Helicopters and toddlers…hmm. You’re probably thinking this might not be the best way to explore a Hawaiian island destination. And yet, taking the Ultimate Kauai Adventure Tour was perfect for everyone in our party – from adults to kids ranging in age from three to twenty. By taking a helicopter tour, we were able to comfortably explore the parts of Kauai unreachable by road or foot. Boats were out due to our children’s ages and safety concerns, which also ruled out the long hikes or hiking and kayaking tours to explore the unspoiled but difficult to visit, roadless Na Pali coast. So how else to see the remote and stunning Na Pali, the heart of Waimea Caynon, the often televised, dramatic Wailua Falls, or rich green Mount Waialeale? 

Everyone has to make their own choice of course, but I can’t recommend highly enough the friendly pilot, the warm staff on the ground, and awesome adventure of swirling high above these fantastic sights. Along with the fabulous scenery, we were able to hear Hawaiian legends and island lore related by our pilot. Our family filled the helicopter, so it felt like a private tour. Yes, taking a helicopter tour is a fairly major financial investment, but it is a thrilling experience, and some tour operators offer substantial discounts for a full helicopter, or even free rides for the smallest children, those under age five. 

We were nervous before boarding. None of us had ever been in a helicopter before, and we had safety worries. They were unnecessary. The good natured staff weighed us and then seated us in the ‘copter based on our weight and height. Blades already whirring overhead, we ducked inside the helicopter. The kids were all excited, not nervous at all, it was the adults and older siblings with the butterflies in our stomachs. We were strapped safely in, glass doors enclosed, cameras at the ready – and then we were smoothly aloft. We were also concerned about noise, fearing that the steady whirring of the blades could disturb toddler ears. But the noise canceling head phones carefully adjusted for all size ears truly did work. All nervousness fell away as our helicopter left from the airport area near Lihue, and soared upward. We had a great view of town and the tarot fields and lush gardens just outside of it at take off. The coast line looked beautiful from here, and we began to relax and enjoy the ride. 

The Rich Green Mount Waialeale

The little ones were absolutely exultant. They watched the scenery eagerly, and loved the sensation of ‘being like a bird.” The older kids loved the adventure too. In other words, the trip was a splurge, but it was also a true hit for the entire family. Instead of a long boat trek and worries about sea sickness and swimming safety, we were gliding across the most beautiful country side, with amazing views from all the floor to ceiling glass in the helicopter. The ride was forty five minutes, long enough to be thrilling and give us our money’s worth, but brief enough to prevent the smaller children from becoming restive. The seats were comfortable – one really could simply lean back and enjoy the ride. 

Our first airbourne ‘stop’ was Waimea Canyon, which though smaller than its Arizona cousin, rivals the Grand Canyon for breadth and depth and in simple wow factor. To fly over lush green fields and broad aqua ocean views to reach this raw slice of red and gold canyon was an exciting transition. And getting a swooping, bird’s eye view of the canyon that we’d visited by car the previous day offered a fresh and delightful perspective. The little kids even said they ‘recognized’ some of the look outs we had seen the day before. Best of all was the sensation of going briefly in, as well as over the vast gorge. 

Our next “from the sky view” as our toddle termed it, was of Mount Waialeale, which is called the wettest place on the planet. Having an average measured annual rainfall of forty feet makes this claim difficult to deny. The greenery was lush, and sweeping over it and then spinning past a series of waterfalls was another highlight. 

Approaching the Na Pali Coast by helicopter was thrilling.

But best of all was our sweeping view of the Na Pali Coast. The untouched, enormous cliffs with fan like folds was everything you see in photographs and more, and seen from an aerial perspective, the aqua sea, the emerald foliage, the tall, imposing cliffs and white sand beaches was so breathtaking that every one of us fell silent and spell bound. We took an afternoon tour, and the late afternoon sun made the coast line dazzle as we headed back toward the civilization of Lihue and the landing pad. 

While touch down was gentle, the only caveat to taking a helicopter tour with a toddler is disembarking – you do climb out of the heli while the blades are still turning over head – not that your toddler is tall enough to reach them. Still, the noise and just seeing the blades spinning might disorient or frighten some little ones. Ours thought this was the most exciting part, and the only difficult moment was getting everyone to stand still in one place for a photo in front of the helicopter. 

After the ride, we made one stop on land – the north shore’s lovely Postcards dining establishment. Located in Hanalei, this charming restaurant is housed in an old fashioned, plantation style dwelling painted in lemon and white. The restaurant neatly served our family’s diet – with vegetarian, vegan, and pescatarian options that utilized island-fresh, delicious produce and fresh catch of the day. What they don’t include on the menu is meat, refined sugar, or additives of any kind. Customizing dishes for our party was no problem, and roving ukelele musicians added to the festive atmosphere, making a wonderful conclusion to our high flying day. 

Kauai has no road that traverses the entire island. The Na Pali coast is inaccessible by car, you can only see it by helicopter – as we did, but that’s another story – or by boat. Still, the part of Kauai that you can see by car offers a vast number of great, family friendly attractions and varied scenery that will keep the kids interested as you explore. The northern end of the island is green and wet, the southern dry and golden – with canyons, gardens, and light houses to visit en route, driving the garden island is delightful. 

So if you’re not hanging out on one of those perfect island beaches every moment, and you’re looking for a road trip, Kauai has a special one in store for you following Kuhio Highway. We began our driving day in the center of the island, in Lihue, having just flown in from Oahu. We stopped in busy Kapaa as we headed north, dining al fresco at the Mermaid’s Cafe. We sat roadside an outdoor picnic table to get us in the road trip mood. The Mermaid has exceptional sea weed and ahi wraps – but for the kids, ask them to leave off the tasty but spicy wasabi mayo. 

Our island driving trip took us north toward Hanalei

Full and content, we drove farther north, taking a side road over to the Kilauea Lighthouse which perches at the northern point of the island. Bird watching is wonderful here, as the lighthouse directly abuts the Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge, where you can spot red-footed boobies, albatross and if you’re lucky, even a great frigate bird. And if bird watching should pale, take a look at the amazing coastal view – the island’s North Shore, and Moku’ae’ae Islet, home to Hawaiian monk seals, are both visible here. 

Back on the main drag, we headed for Hanalei town, the picture perfect north shore village where long ago the musical Bali Hai was set and the movie version of this Rogers and Hammerstein classic was filmed. A side note: from Kapaa to Hanalei is about twenty five miles, and beware of work day “rush hour” traffic in the Kapaa area – its surprisingly thick. 

In Hanalei it was time for desert, at the beloved Wishing Well shave-ice truck. Well regarded for a reason, the large shaved iced treats here can be ordered with such exotic syrup flavors as passion fruit and plum, although we stuck to strawberry. You can also add ice cream and adzuki beans. The jungle was lush and green but the skies were cloudy, so while we drove to the end of the road and took a beach walk, we didn’t stop for a swim here. Ke’e Beach is well known not just for excellent snorkling and turquoise waters but also as the trail head for the Na Pali coast’s Kalalau Trail. We took a short but steep stroll – hold the hands of your little ones or carry them – for a beautiful view of the Na Pali Coast. 

Picturesque Hanalei bridge may look, well, a little shaky but it’s perfectly safe to cross, assuming you make it under the fifteen ton weight limit. 

Stay the night in Hanalei or head on back south – we devoured the beautiful ocean views and the roadside food, stopping for fried banana chips, fresh and crisp, along the way. The warm sunny South Shore beaches of Po’ipu beckoned, particularly the left side of Po’ipu beach where a sand bar divides the beach, creating a sheltered sea going experience for small children. 

But the lure of the road led us away from the foamy surf and we headed inland instead to the small town of Hanapepe. Cross a narrow swinging foot bridge or drive onto the town’s main street where many artist-run galleries and small restaurants, plus a large and enjoyable used book store make for a pleasant browsing experience. The Disney animated film Lilo and Stitch was set here; and one of the best farmer’s markets on the island occurs here. We found wonderful apple bananas – perhaps the starting point for those crispy banana chips we snacked on earlier while leaving the North Shore. 

We’re not too far now from our second end-of-the-road experience while cruising the island. 

When visiting beautiful Waimea canyon, the drops can be steep, so keep a hand on your little ones if you get out of the car for a closer look

Wonderfully deserted beaches stretch roadside, easy to simply pull off the road and jump into the sea; but we continued on to Polihale State Park. This expansive white sand beach runs up against the other end of the Na Pali coast, and unlike the peaceful Ke’e beach lagoon on the north side, here the waves are wild and dunes are large. 

We left for the black sand beach that borders the lovely restored sugar plantation cottages of the Waimea Plantation Cottages hotel, and watched the sunset from there… 

Our road trip continued the next morning, with a forty mile spur trip up to Waimea Canyon on Highway 550. We watched plenty of Kauai’s well known wild chickens cross the road – to get to a more stunning canyon view on the opposite side perhaps. Here the road ended not at the beach but at the top of the canyon, affording fabulous views of this island Grand Canyon, and an excellent opportunity for photos with an amazing back drop. Waimea’s multi colored chasm is the largest canyon in the Pacific, and runs ten miles long and a mile across. It’s also thirty five hundred feet deep so this is not the time to turn your kids loose in search of one of those chickens. 

Descending into Waimea town again, we made another shave ice stop at Jo Jo’s, a true locals spot with enormous and inexpensive ice cones and a large variety of combo flavors to choose from. The perfect, if messy end to a road trip – well, almost the end – we drove north again to the airport in Lihue to reluctantly end our wheels to the ground experience of Kauai.

The spacious living room area at the Villas, Poipu, Kauai

Located in the middle of the Kauai’s driving route, the Kauai Beach Resort, not far from the airport in Lihue, is a real find. Reasonably priced with expansive rooms and twenty five acres of beautiful gardens and lawns, we loved the resort’s high ceilings and the great views of garden or sea from the rooms. It’s the staff here that really makes a difference. Friendly, warm, and always accommodating – whether with a late night fruit snack not on the menu or sharing a legend about a man springing from a tarot root – the employees here were so welcoming they felt like friends. 

The beach here is not swimmable because of a very strong current and under tow, but the sand is pristine, uncrowded, and good for running, picnicking or a sunset view. Swimming is great for the kids at the resort’s four pools. One has a sandy bottom and another a seventy-five foot water slide. Lifeguards are on duty and the atmosphere is fun and friendly; for adults there are two pools with waterfalls. 

Meanwhile, the Naupaka Terrace Restaurant offered plate lunches with great macaroni salad and mahi-mahi and rice – at keiki – child – portions and prices. The restaurant also provides a perfect ocean and palm tree view – exactly that post card look you can day dream about when you leave the island. 

In the evenings, the hotel really puts on a show. We heard a ukulele concert and our kids were treated to an impromptu uke lesson when the show ended and they expressed their delight. Another night, hula dancers graced the Terrace Restaurant area. 

Nearby Lihue contains an interesting small historic museum; The Kauai Museum exterior is almost as interesting as the cultural artifacts it contains – its built from lava. 

Further south, in the heart of the driest, warmest part of Kauai, you’ll find the tourist town of Poipu and the wonderful Poipu Kai condo villas. These villas are enormous, and have fantastic kitchens with elegant, top of the line appliances and trendy granite counters. They also have washer-dryers and free WiFi which were both excellent choices for our family. Plus, we’re big on access to a kitchen and making at least some of our own meals, so this was a perfect destination for us on Kauai. 

But it wasn’t just the space, the updated appliances, or even the sunny location of the Poipu Kai condos that drew us here. It was also the range of activities offered for families to enjoy. 

A very nice, lifeguard- monitored pool with water fall, and lovely grounds for sunset strolls were wonderful, while an easy five minute walk to Poipu Beach through the grounds was delightful. Their staff will set you up with a beach umbrella or lounge chairs if you reserve in advance. We love the foamy waves of the beach, however keep an eye on very small children here when the tide is high. 

The Grand Hyatt, Kauai – a grand pool

A completely different feeling awaits you south of Poipu in the less-tourist-traveled town of Waimea, not far from the vast beauty of Waimea Canyon and Kokee State Park. We loved the friendly Waimea Plantation Cottages located in a beautiful grove of coconut palms. These cottages are completely restored homes built in the early nineteen hundreds for the employees of a sugar company located here. We enjoyed learning about the history of this location – island plantations were at the center of Hawaiian life, and formed their own community. Staying here, we felt as if our family were a part of a community, too, of guests and staff in this peaceful and secluded environment. Each cottage also has a full kitchen. And each one has period styled furniture, individually decorated. We loved the wide grassy spaces and the feeling of a restored village. The kids felt free to wander around the plantation and we felt comfortable allowing them to do so. We also enjoyed the large cottage porches looking out onto the open green spaces of the property. There’s also a pool. 

We didn’t stay at these other properties but did take a look at the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa, with its large number of appealing looking swimming pools, some with slides and waterfalls, some fresh water, some salt water. The Hyatt touts a kids camp for ages three and up that can be purchased as full or half days as well as an evening camp that includes dinner and allows some time for adult dining options. The Hyatt is in the Poipu area. 

At the north end of the island, we found the Hanalei Colony Resort, with roomy two bedroom condos. We liked the look of the property and it’s great views of the sea and hills; we also liked the collection of kid friendly games on the premises – from croquet sets to the board game “Trouble.” 

Recommended by a friend is the easy on the wallet Kalaheo Inn located in the town of Kalaheo, about fifteen minutes from Poipu Beach. Beach towels, beach toys and golf clubs are gladly loaned to guests, and families can easily walk into the small town for shopping and dining. If it’s not important to you to stay beach front, this is an excellent option with some of the lowest rates on the island. 

Lastly there’s the Kauai Marriott Resort & Beach Club with an enormous central pool and a kids pool, not to mention plenty of fountains and faux waterfalls on the property. The resort is beachfront and offers a kids program less organized than the Hyatt’s, but equally inclusive.

Kauai inland view

But for those of you who already know which perfect sand crescent you’ll lie on, which ocean expedition you’ll take, which resort or bed and breakfast you’ll stay in, here are some ideas that go beyond the beach, which the whole family will enjoy. So when the rain comes to Kauai – and it does, how else would those lush jungle flowers of this Garden Isle bloom? – or if you’ve had just a little too much sun – here are some activities you’ll enjoy without hitting the sand.

Kauai’s wonderful, laid-back vibe means there’s plenty of low key, child-friendly activities all across the island, with some unique activities that will make Kauai even more memorable.

One of our favorite non-beach traditions in Kauai are the slack key guitar concerts in Hanalei town. If you don’t already know, the relaxing slack key sound was created by Hawaiian cowboys years back by making guitar strings loose and supple. The result is an enchanting, relaxing, only- in-Hawaii sound and there’s no better place to hear it than at the Hanalei Community Center twice a week. With discounts for seniors and kids, this is a mellow scene for a mellow sound. Our kids got up and danced and not only did no one care, they were applauded.

Your kids will also love the Island Soap and Candle works in Kilauea. This is a factory store, and there are delicious soap and candle products to sniff and sample, but best of all, you can experience how the products are locally sourced and made. We also enjoyed sampling the fresh made granola at Kauai Granola in Waimea town. A particular favorite featured bits of dried guava in with the crunchy, sweet cereal. Another great factory shop  is found in the small art town of Hanapepe in the south western part of the island. Here among galleries and used book shops you’ll find the Kauai Kookie Factory Outlet store with free samples of chocolate chip and macadamia cookies as well as sweet bread cinnamon toast. Best of all is the scent of fresh baked cookies in the air.

If you haven’t filled up on cookies, it’s time for a trip to the local farmer’s market. We’re great fans of farmer’s markets – not only because we tend to make a lot of our own food when traveling and enjoy fresh, local products – but because sampling and browsing local food stalls is always fun and inexpensive entertainment for the kids. On Kauai, every day except Sunday you’ll find a farmer’s market somewhere on the island, but our favorite is the Wednesday afternoon display in Kapaa, on the east side of the island not far from the airport and about an hour from either Princeville to the north or Poipu to the south. Here you’ll find fresh pineapple and coconut, shave ice and Tropical Dreams ice cream treats. Not to mention mango salsa, fresh fish, baby bananas, hand made macaroons, teriyaki chicken sticks, and much, much more. There are tables set up so that you can sit down and snack.

Take your treats and head slightly south to Lihue for a fabulous hula demonstration also held on Wednesday afternoons at the Harbor Mall. Conducted by “Auntie Bev” Muraoka and accompanied by ukuleles, this is an authentic and beautiful performance that really draws you in to the tradition of hula as an expression and art form.

There’s more free culture to experience at the West Kauai Tech and Visitor’s Center in Waimea. We like Waimea as a town, with its off-the-beaten-track feel and historic buildings. Free walking tours of those historic spots are offered every Monday morning; the kids really enjoyed learning about the area’s residents on the leisurely two hour stroll. On Friday afternoons, the center hosts an event called Aloha Fridays, and the kids were able to try their hands at making the taro root into poi. They also got to taste it, and unlike the granola and cookies sampled on other days, the poi itself was not a big hit. Poi is, after all, an acquired taste even for adults. We were also able to
play some traditional Hawaiian games and get temporary Polynesian style tattoos – all free. Best of all was a story time, conducted by an elderly Hawaiian man – surf legends, tall tales involving those wandering Kauai chickens – these kept the kids enthralled, and made us feel as if we’d truly been accepted into the Hawaiian ohana, or family, culture.

There’s more water in Kauai than ocean waves…

Not far from Waimea is Polihale State Park at the end of Kauai’s western shore. Just driving the dirt road to the sand is an adventure, and the beach is virtually deserted at the end of the journey. It’s a great place for an evening picnic, perhaps making use of your farmer’s market bounty. If it’s been a rainy day elsewhere on the island, this part of Kauai is often dry and warm. Sunset watching is perfect here, too. Another excellent picnic choice is the McBryde Garden in the resort town of Poipu. Administered by the National Tropical Botanical Garden you can follow a beautiful stream through a valley ringed by tall, lush, green hills and sharp cliffs. We loved taking the tram tour, a good way to stay off our feet, and still see some spectacular scenery. And somehow trams, like trains, are always a big hit with the little ones.

It’ll be back to the beach in the morning, but you’ll have had a look at some of the arts, crafts, and businesses that make Kauai just as special as its lovely golden sand.

Princeville Resort Cove View, Kauai

This is a good review and a bad review of an elegant and luxurious hotel that’s long dominated the hotel scene on the north shore of Kauai. With iconic views – they filmed the movie musical Bali Hai here – and a rich, wet, jungle flower setting, the Princeville Resort is known the world over as a “must” stop on the beautiful coast line. Opened in 1985, the Princeville used to have a European ambiance, all marble lobbies and Roman fountains, glittery Louis the IV furnishings, tapestries and plush carpets. The idea was to bring up the Hawaiian monarchy’s connection to European royalty. Princeville itself, after all was named for Prince Albert Edward, the son of King Kamehamea the fourth and his queen, Emma, who was a friend of the U.K.’s Queen Victoria. Got all that? The Princeville wanted a royal feel, and it did get it, with a mix of furnishings that could’ve come from the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, the Louvre in France, or a hotel in Venice. Recently, the St. Regis Princeville reopened after a year spent on renovations designed to update the feel and furnishings and create a Hawaiian-centric ambiance instead of a classic European look. 

Today, I can happily say that the Princeville is a family destination worth the splurge – at least for a night or two. When we visited in 2008, that wasn’t quite the case, and therein lies the tale. 

We’d spent two nights at a comfortable bed and breakfast south of Poipu on the dry side of Kauai. We’d had a good time, cooked our own food in an outdoor kitchen, hiked around Waimea Canyon and were ready for some pampering. I’d booked one night, at what seemed to be a bargain rate on line for our family – although it was well over the price I usually pay for a room, and upwards of $350 per night. 

Sunset at Princeville resort, Kauai

I was excited when we pulled up in front – true, the erstatz fountains and marble, marble everywhere felt more like Paris than Kauai, but it was a classic look, the valets were kind and friendly, the lei greeting was lovely, and as we entered the lobby we had one look at that coast line, the cove, the hills, the bay – the Bali Hai view – and we were smitten. It was mid-afternoon and gold light flooded the lobby, and covered up some of the seams which were showing. Those tapestries – a little worn. Those gold clocks – were they a little dusty? The enormous mirrors backing even more enormous flower displays, were the mirrors a little spotty? 

The elevator, was it musty? The corridors were most assuredly dark. Now our room was a ‘bargain’ albeit a bargain with a view, but why did the furnishings look as if they’d been lifted from the set of a 1980′s Miami Vice episode? The much touted bathroom ‘window’ which includes a privacy switch that, through the use of liquid crystal, shuts the window view above the tub was pretty cool. When open you can see into the bedroom and beyond it, to the view of the coast. But all that black marble in the bathroom… a little dated. The kids didn’t care about that, they liked opening and closing the liquid crystal “shutter.” 

And that view beckoned, with its expanse of blue water across Hanalei Bay to the tip of Makana mountain. It led us to leave our screened window ajar to let in some sea air, and took us down in a series of confusing elevators – all of them were, yes, musty – down more dark corridors, to reach the actual beach and pool area many levels below. 

And when we got there – um, where was the beach? Yes, there were hammocks strung in palm trees. Yes the water was balmy, waveless, and crystal clear. But the beach itself – eroded. Dirt and rock as much as sand. Unappealing enough that here we were in Kauai at – the pool. On lounge chairs that had seen better days. 

Still, we stayed for sunset. Cocktails for the adults, delicious fries and fish sandwiches for the kids, and the hammocks were pretty comfy. Back to the room to change for dinner in town. Where we discovered that the walls of our room were – moving. Crawling with insects of every variety who had apparently spewed in through a small, unremarked upon hole in our window screen. A veritable bug corridor. Frantic calls to the front desk brought immediate assistance – a man with a vacuum cleaner who attempted to suck up all the bugs covering walls, ceiling, lamps, and floor – with a single suction. 

We left him to his work and went to dinner in Hanalei town – returning two hours later to find, well, most if not all of the bugs gone. The ones that were left buzzed, bit, and crawled around the rest of the night. Yes, for awhile it was great fun for the kids to play “bug catcher.” For awhile. 

St. Regis Princeville Fountain, Kauai

In the morning, we dined al fresco admiring that magnificent view – but not the strong chlorine smell emanating from the fountain adjoining our table. Enough was enough. I did protest. And we were comped our night and given many apologies. Apparently, the hotel was due for extreme renovation, we’d come at the wrong time. 

Two and a half years later we’ve tried it again for a single night, and while the prices are still beyond my comfort zone, what you get for your money is a lot better now. Statues, gilt, mirrors, and tapestries are a thing of the past. Limestone floors, mahogany columns, a lotus flower fountain have replaced them. A painting depicting the Hawaiian goddess of fire, Pele, stretches behind the check in desk. Coconut and koa have replaced the endless black marble. 

There are actual chairs on the bar terrace now for great sunset watching. The rooms are updated, with white comforters and touches of orange and pink. The ceilings are sky blue. And the updated bathroom left the liquid crystal window in place – still fun for the kids and providing a great view when relaxing in the tub. 

There are still some things which haven’t changed. The elevators are no longer musty and the corridors no longer dim, but it still takes two elevators to get to the pool and the beach. And without a balcony and given Kauai’s rain forest weather, you still have to view that magnificent view through a screen – albeit this time, there were no holes. The beach is now sandy and soft again, the pool loungers new and comfortable. There’s now a separate kid’s pool too and free kid’s water toys for the little ones to enjoy, now that bug catching is no longer an option.

Grand Hyatt waterfall and lagoon

In early October of 2006, my wife and I flew to Hawaii and stayed at the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort for one week.  This was our second time visiting the island of Kauai together, and we were looking forward to enjoying a relaxing honeymoon vacation at one of the most highly rated hotels on the island

Unfortunately our Kauai honeymoon vacation got off to a rough start.   My wife and I were both very sick for the first half of the trip.  I was already suffering from a nasty flu on the day we travelled, and it took about 3 days to run its course.  My wife contracted some kind of stomach bug and also fell ill a couple of days into our trip.  This was not exactly the start of the dream vacation we were expecting, however, we did make up for lost time once we started to recover later in the week.

My wife on the way to the Hyatt pool

During our stay we spent a great deal of time hanging out at the Grand Hyatt pool and lagoon. There were several pools and spas to choose from, and the layout was very appealing.  We had no trouble finding poolside chairs and umbrellas in a nice quiet section of the pool.  My wife loves to work on her puzzles, and at the time she was addicted to Sudoku.  This was how she spent the better part of her time when she wasn’t swimming.  I’m a big science fiction and fantasy/mystery reader, and I was enjoying a good Terry Goodkind  book from his Sword of Truth series.  The setting was absolutely delightful, with 82 degree weather and low humidity, beautifully designed pools, lush and green landscaping with colorful Hawaiian flowers, and palm trees swaying in the gentle ocean breeze. 

Although we enjoy tropical Hawaiian drinks just as much as the next person, we were still recovering from our turbulent health problems and had to limit our intake to avoid a possible relapse.  We really enjoyed the lagoon at the Hyatt.  It was a vast, manmade lagoon that extended far and wide, and when we weren’t in the water swimming, we were camped out on our lawn chairs in the sand along its perimeter.   It started out very shallow and there were plenty of children playing in the sand and water.  The shallow and sandy area are perfect for young children but as always parents need to keep a close eye to make sure they don’t venture out too far.  As you swim over to deeper water, the lagoon splits up into a lazy river that snakes around the premises and circles back around in an enticing design that makes you want to go exploring.  We found this lagoon to be one of the most appealing features at the hotel.

The Hyatt is located on the southeast side of the island of Kauai in Keoneloa Bay.  The beach itself is beautiful, but the waves are pretty powerful and the hotel discourages people from swimming. I’m an excellent swimmer and I love to body surf, so I risked the dangerous waters and dove in anyway.  The surf was powerful and I wouldn’t recommend this for the casual swimmer.  Even experienced swimmers can fall prey to powerful waves or rip tides. 

I love golfing, so I made sure to play on their Championship Poipu Bay Golf Course.  I’m not a very good player and my scores often reflect this, but I love the game nevertheless and try to play at every opportunity.  The course was a short walk from our hotel and the ocean and mountain views from every hole were a truly breathtaking vision of perfection.  I had to rent clubs while I was there, so I made sure to warm up first at their driving range where I was able to hit balls off grass rather than mats.  It was very helpful to have a GPS device showing the exact distances to the flag especially since this was my first time golfing this course.  It was a wonderful experience and one of the most beautiful coursed I ever played.

At Tidepools restaurant at the Grand Hyatt

There were two restaurants/bars at the Grand Hyatt Kauai that we believe were particularly noteworthy.  The first is Stevenson’s Library which had a very unique and appealing lounge atmosphere.  The pool tables, chess and backgammon boards, well stocked bar with fine wines and sipping liquors gives it the look and feel of a plush and sophisticated cigar bar.  There is no smoking of course, but it’s a great place to hang out, order food from their sushi bar, and listen to mellow live music. 

Tidepools was by far our favorite restaurant.  The food was wonderful and the atmosphere really won us over.  The entire restaurant is situated along a large lagoon filled with coy fish.  My wife and I sat in a nice and cozy section of the restaurant overlooking the lagoon.  Our table was right next to the railing, and we could literally lean over slightly and see all of the fish fighting over scraps of food.  We got a kick out of tossing in small chunks of bread and watching the water boil with these hordes of coy.  They were scrambling over one another in such large numbers that it looked more like a lagoon filled with piranha devouring their prey!

The 602 room low rise Grand Hyatt Kauai is a perfect place for a family vacation and it ranks high on our kid friendly scale, in large part because of the sandy beach lagoon. The hotel staff was friendly, our room was comfortable and well maintained, and the hotel itself including the pool, lagoon,  restaurants and shops was exactly what the doctor ordered!

At the Grand Hyatt on the way to the pool

By the time we checked in to the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort it was already late in the evening. We were both exhausted from the long voyage and all I wanted to do was sleep. Usually the first thing I do whenever I arrive at a new hotel is open my suitcase and unpack all of my belongings. I like to hang up my shirts and put the rest of my clothing and other items in drawers so the place stays neat and inviting. This time however I just dragged my suitcase in the room, dropped it on the floor next to the window and got in bed. My wife wasn’t showing any signs of illness so she decided to explore the hotel grounds a bit before going to bed.

My wife loves shopping, so the first thing she did was walk over to the hotel gift shop to peruse their touristy items. There were also plenty of expensive boutique shops in the lobby which peaked her interest. She later popped her head into the Stevenson’s Library which looked like a hip bar and restaurant complete with pool tables and what looked like chess and backgammon boards. She instinctively knew that this was a place I would really enjoy and made sure to take it all in so that she could report back to me with her findings! There was plenty more to see, but it was dark outside and after a while she decided to come back to the room and save the rest of the tour until the next day.

I spent the next two full days of our honeymoon vacation inside my room at the Hyatt with the flu. We ordered room service multiple times a day and my wife made sure I had Nyquil, Dayquil, and plenty of fluids to keep me well hydrated. I started to feel much better on our third day and promised my wife that we would hang out at the pool and beach, and dine out at the hotel restaurants from that point on. I hadn’t fully recovered but I was determined for us to have a good time being that this was our honeymoon!

View from the Princeville Hotel in Kauai

We must have kicked some puppies somewhere along the way because shortly after that, on the same day, my wife started feeling dizzy and nauseated. The feeling got progressively worse and before we even had a chance to leave the room I saw her bolt to the bathroom and start throwing up her breakfast! The vomiting continued throughout the day and by that evening she was in bed with cold sweats and fever just like I had the days before. The amazing thing is that her overall symptoms were much different. This was some kind of stomach bug, and we speculated that she must have caught it in Cabo Mexico just before our flight. Normally this type of thing could be attributed to something you ate in the few preceding hours, but during our wedding in Cabo, several of our family and friends got violently sick with what appeared to be food or water poisoning. Looking back we think the water used to make the ice in all of our drinks at the Dreams Resort Cabo was contaminated, because about 1/3 of the guests came down with the same thing.

After arriving in Kauai we got word that many of our family and friends had contracted this same stomach bug, so after a couple of days we figured we were among the lucky few to escape it. Clearly we were wrong. So half way through our vacation my wife and I switched places and now she was stuck in bed feeling miserable. What a drag. The Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort is one of the most luxurious and attractive hotels on the Island, and each of us had to spend half that time inside our room in misery.

I did manage to golf one day at the Poipu Bay Golf Course while my wife was in the room recovering. Later when she was feeling a little better, she rode along with me in the golf cart while I played golf a second day, but she was too weak to join me in the game. As if her digestive problems weren’t enough, aunt flow decided to pay her a visit and for the next few days she had to deal with menstrual cramps. The golf course was just a short walk from the hotel so I told her if need be, I could give her a ride back to the room whenever she felt fatigued and needed to rest.

Kauai Cave on the Napali Northern Coast

We only had two full days left to enjoy our vacation after my wife and I were both fully recovered. We made the best of it by squeezing in as much time at the pool and beach, and dining at the various restaurants and bars throughout the hotel. On the last day we took a drive to the North side of the island. It was the first time we actually drove our rental car since arriving at the airport. We drove past the Princeville Hotel until the road ended. Here we visited some astonishing caves carved into volcanic rock cliffs, some with pools of water that you could walk through. We spent a few hours hiking along a well marked trail which lead to a remote beach up the coast that was only accessible by foot or by boat. On our way back we stopped at the Princeville Hotel where we had an early evening dinner and absorbed the magnificent view of the ocean and Kauai’s Northern coastal line. This is where we decided we would stay on our next trip to Kauai. All in all it was a very memorable trip and we can’t wait to do it all over again, but this time with our health intact!