Our stay was for three nights in late July, two rooms for my husband and me as well as our three young adult daughters. We were celebrating our 25th anniversary, but had used points for our visit, so I checked availability before I left home. The Hyatt website showed no availability for our stay, and I didn't expect, nor did we receive an upgrade. No worries there. Just an FYI for anyone who may be expecting an upgrade.

Our rooms were garden rooms on the ground floor facing the parking lot, but you didn't see the parking lot at all. You looked out on tropical foliage, lawn, and then there was a slight rise that was landscaped. They were perfectly acceptable.

Starting off with the positives - the property is gorgeous. We loved the Seaview Terrace, loved the evening entertainment, and even grabbed a light breakfast there in the morning. It was just a beautiful part of the property.

The pools were very nice but pretty crowded. With the hotel at full capacity, that was to be expected. My girls didn't complain, and I'm not much of a pool person, so it didn't have a negative impact on our stay. We were aware that Shipwreck Beach wasn't a swimming beach, but we had already spent a lot of time on the northshore so we weren't bothered by this. I loved the gardens throughout the property. They were lush and felt really tropical.

We ate at Tidepools one night. I had the prime rib (delicious, huge cut!) and my husband had a delicious fish dish. The food and the service were outstanding. I don't remember what the total was but I think that the entree's were in the mid 30's. When food is well prepared and the ambience is wonderful, it is worth it to us. We also ate breakfast on site one morning. That was a wonderful breakfast. We ordered off of the menu and the entrees seemed to be in the $12-$17 range. The servings were large. I could have split one with one of my daughter's. The service that we received was impeccable.

Unfortunately we didn't always find the service to match the surroundings. I would say that the bellservice was consistently slow. We also had a major lapse in basic housekeeping procedures, but once housekeeping was made aware of the issue they handled it well, including leaving a handwritten letter of apology in our room. The service was very uneven, but perhaps the number of guests had something to do with the level of service. We have had far superior service at both the Prince and the Sheraton on Maui.

We have stayed at the Hyatt in Kauai in 2006 and 2007 and loved it!! I thought I would still write a review, because we just got back from Maui and I definitely prefer Kauai. The Hyatt is absolutely gorgeous, from the moment you walk into the lobby, greeted with fresh flower leis, it is simply breathtaking. Our favority spot is the Sea View Terrace, an incredible panoramic view of the resort and ocean. Great food and great entertainment. They have a Keiki Hula and Torch lighting ceremony, going on every night, that is free. The pool is incredible and runs throughout much of the resort, with a lagoon to rent kayak to float along. The luau is the best I have ever seen with a awesome fire dancer! The beach is beautiful but I don't think is a good swimming beach, which would be my only negative comment. The rooms are very nice, and clean. From what we have just experienced in Maui, people of Kauai are much kinder. You do not have the big crowds, and you really feel like you are on an island in Kauai, I can not say how incredible it is! Some great activites to do on island, for horse back riding , go to north shore at Silver Falls Ranch. Suki was our guide and was great, we saw scenes of Jurassic Park and swam in a waterfall and ate lunch on our ride. Great!!! Also, do not skip the boat ride along Napali Coast, this must be the most beautiful spot on earth! We saw alot of dolphins that came close to the boat and hung out with us when we stopped and sped up when we did. The helicopter tour is also incredible! You go to the crater (wettest spot on earth) and waterfalls, above the Napali Coast and ocean. Words cannot describe this adventure!
Like I said, if you are trying to decide between Maui and Kaui, we loved Kauai! More laid back and more beautiful. Maui is fun, with alot of shopping, busier island.

Breath taking. As soon as my wife and I stepped into the lobby our hearts left our bodies. Our reservations were upgraded by the hotel and we were guests for almost two weeks.

We had an ocean view and the sun rise every day was beautiful.

The service was five star and all staff members from the desk to the room service were all top notch. At the pool, one of the waitresses was from Thailand and I had a great time conversing with her in Thai. Morning breakfast overlooking the lagoon was just a wonder.

We had one problem which was taken care of immediately. Our key cards would not work one day. Upon our reorting this, within minutes a member of the security staff arrived and corrected the problem.

This is our second time at this hotel, the first being in 1994. We were taken with the island last time and even more so on this 10 day visit. The Grand Hyatt is much as we remembered it, but better. We had an ocean view from the 5th floor which was gorgeous! Left our room open (with screen door) and fell asleep to the sounds of the surf each night. We stayed in the Club section (last time also) and consider it well worth it. Great breakfast each morning, snacks, drinks (incl. bar drinks) and hor d 'ouvres and desserts each night. The concierge there was helpful and books whatever you want.
The grounds are gorgeous, and the pool is paradise! We knew the beach was not for swimming ,but saw 2 rare monk seals on that beach, sunning themselves. Our kids (girls, ages 9 & 15) also loved the lagoon and kayaking. I will caution- the pool drinks are about $10 and lunches ran about $70. We love Tidepools ($$$$) but stay away from Yum Cha (in the golf clubhouse-POOR service/ no atmosphere)
We had great meals at the Beach House-service is spotty, and had a great meal/service at Keoke's Paradise. Dondero's at the Hyatt is poor food not worth the money. The luau was fun for the kids (I've been to better) and pricey. You must ask for turndown every night and we also didn't do the conservation "program"--at these prices we had fresh linens everyday!
The rooms are just okay--bathrooms outdated. Our room was very clean though.We have stayed at the Four Seasons in Maui, Hay-Adams in DC,etc. You just have to know that this is NOT a 4 seasons, accept the rooms and recognize that the amenities make up for it. It's the best the island has to offer, though we hear the Princeville is going to close and become a St Regis.
Spa is lovely but ridic. expensive--loved the open showers.
Highly recommend the Sea Dolphin trip to the Na Pali coast to snorkel. We had a 6 hr trip--would have been perfect but our youngest got seasick as did a few others. They are great though and put out a nice meal on the way back. Sunsets are gorgeoues! All in all a great trip! We will return!