Grand Hyatt Kauai Review – Is This Luxury Resort Worth the Price?
If you’re considering a stay at the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa, you’re probably wondering whether it’s worth the high price tag.
As a former luxury travel advisor who has visited many four- and five-star hotels around the world, I know what sets a good resort apart — and what doesn’t justify the cost. I also travel frequently and always look for hotels that balance quality and value.
During my December 2021 to January 2022 trip to Kauai, I spent four nights at the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa. I chose it because it’s often described as one of the island’s best luxury resorts, and I wanted to stay in Poipu for its sunny weather, beautiful beaches, and great restaurants.
In this Grand Hyatt Kauai review, I’ll share my honest experience — what impressed me, what could be improved, and ultimately whether the Grand Hyatt Kauai is worth it for you.
Hint: you will immediately want to book your stay at Grand Hyatt Kauai after reading this article.
1. Location
The Grand Hyatt Kauai is located in Poipu on Kauai’s sunny south shore, about a 25-minute drive from Lihue Airport. Poipu is one of the best areas to stay on the island thanks to its consistent sunshine, beautiful beaches, and good selection of restaurants.
The resort sits beside Shipwreck Beach, a scenic stretch of sand popular for walks and sunrise views, and is close to attractions like Spouting Horn and Poipu Beach Park.
If you are looking for help planning your itinerary that includes staying in Poipu, you can find my 10-day Kauai itinerary based on splitting your time between Poipu and Princeville.
→ You’ll need a car to explore Kauai easily — compare car rental prices here before you go.
If it is your first time in Kauai, you should read my top tips for making the most of the island and discover the best things to do.
2. First Impressions
One of the best parts about a stay at Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa is that you get a fresh lei upon welcome. It made the experience feel like something I had only seen in movies and was a bucket-list moment.
My lei kept well for the first few days, so I could wear it in photos a couple of days later.
My first impression of the resort was that the hotel was beautiful. The lobby was particularly impressive given its perfectly framed view of the ocean, with an abundance of orchids and other breathtaking flowers and trees.
Given that we were visiting in late December/early January, there was a huge Christmas tree that was tastefully decorated. It felt festive, but not overbearing, given that Christmas had already passed.
We had to leave our VRBO in Princeville early due to a plumbing malfunction. Therefore, I called up Grand Hyatt Kauai and asked if we could check in a day early, and they were very pleased to accommodate us. The rest of the check-in went well, and the reception staff were extremely friendly.
→ Already made your decision? Check current rates and availability at Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa.
3. Rooms
We stayed in a partial ocean view room, which are typically located around the pool area. We could step out of our back sliding door into the pool area, or we could walk down the corridors to access all other parts of the hotel.
If you are familiar with Kauai’s roosters, you will know that they are abundant on the island and will wake you up early in the morning. However, it is important to note that we saw fewer roosters and chickens roaming around the Grand Hyatt Kauai than in Princeville.
The silence from the lack of roosters was more noticeable in partial-ocean and ocean view rooms. If you book an entry-level room, your room may be looking out to the car park, where you may see some roosters, and hence be woken up by their calls.
The design of the hotel rooms at Grand Hyatt Kauai is simple, and it doesn’t feel tired, which is one of my pet peeves. Given that you are not spending much time in the room with the vast grounds, it has everything you would need.
4. Resort Grounds & Facilities
The resort grounds at the Grand Hyatt Kauai are some of the most impressive I’ve seen. The gardens are beautifully maintained, with tropical flowers and orchids throughout the property.
The arrangements in the hotel lobby are also stunning — genuinely some of the best I’ve seen anywhere — and make a great backdrop for photos, especially when you’re dressed up for dinner.
There are several pools spread across the resort, which means it rarely feels crowded. My favourite was the lazy river, where you can float along peacefully with a cold drink in hand. There’s also a saltwater lagoon and quieter areas for relaxing if you prefer to avoid the main pool area.
Shipwreck Beach sits directly in front of the resort. It’s a beautiful stretch of sand and gives easy access to the Maha’ulepu Coastal Trail, one of the best coastal walks on Kauai.
However, the waves at Shipwreck are notoriously big, especially in winter, and swimming can be dangerous. It’s best to avoid going into the water when the surf is rough, and children should stay out of the sea entirely.
The sand is soft, and it’s a lovely place for a morning walk or to watch the sunrise. One morning in early January, I was lucky enough to see a monk seal resting on the beach just after sunrise — a real highlight of my stay.
Overall, the combination of well-designed pools, lush gardens, and easy beach access makes the resort grounds one of the main reasons to stay at the Grand Hyatt Kauai.
→ Compare prices for Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa on Booking.com or directly.
5. Dining
The food at the Grand Hyatt Kauai was excellent, and I ate at all the restaurants during my stay.
My favourite spots were Captain’s Bar for lunch and Tidepools for dinner. Captain’s Bar is a relaxed poolside option with good food and ocean views. Tidepools offers an upscale dining experience surrounded by koi ponds and the impressive gardens.
Tidepools is located within the Grand Hyatt Kauai, which makes it convenient if you’re staying at the resort. However, it’s also worth visiting even if you’re not a hotel guest. The food was great, though on the expensive side, and the surroundings are stunning.
I ordered the lava cake for dessert, which is always my favourite, and it was great. Although dinner at Tidepools was expensive, it felt worth it for the incredible setting.
Other dining options at the resort include Ilima Terrace, which serves an extensive breakfast buffet, and Stevenson’s Library, which is ideal for sushi or a drink in the evening.
We grabbed some sushi from Stevenson’s Library after our Na Pali Coast boat tour because we were still hungry from the food served on the boat, and it was the perfect way to end the day.
Overall, the restaurants served consistently good food, and the service was friendly. There is plenty of variety if you prefer to dine on-site. That said, Poipu has many excellent restaurants nearby that are also worth trying during your stay.
You can read my recommendations of the best places to dine out in Kauai here.
6. Grand Hyatt Kauai Luau
I attended the Grand Hyatt Kauai Luau during my stay, and it was a fun evening. The buffet food was tasty, with a good variety of dishes, and the service was attentive. It was my first luau, so I can’t compare it to others, but I found the show entertaining and the performers very talented.
The event is well organised, and the setting within the resort makes it easy to attend if you’re staying at the hotel. It’s a good introduction to Hawaiian music and dance, and a convenient option if you want to experience a luau without travelling too far.
If you want to try another Luau, make sure to check out Luau Kalamaku. You can book this luau with transfers included if you do not want to drive.
If you are still in the planning stage of your trip, read my guide on the ideal length of trip for your time in Kauai and the best time to visit this island.
7. Amenities & Resort Fee Inclusions
The Grand Hyatt Kauai charges a resort fee of $55 plus tax per night. It’s expensive, but you do get a lot included, so it’s worth the cost. If you pay for your stay using Hyatt points, the resort fee is waived.
The fee covers a wide range of amenities. You’ll receive a welcome lei on arrival, complimentary self-parking, and a reusable logo tote bag in your room. Two reusable water bottles are provided per stay, with refill stations located throughout the resort.
FYI – you need to rent a car during your stay to Kauai in order to experience the island to the fullest.
You can use the 24-hour Anara Spa fitness centre and join daily fitness or yoga classes (only for guests aged 14 and over). There’s also a guided sunrise walk and Hawaiian cultural activities, such as lei making, ukulele, and hula lessons.
Other amenities include one hour of tennis or pickleball each day, bicycle use (check with valet for availability), self-service laundry with detergent, and sunscreen and after-sun lotion at the pool desk. Beach chairs and umbrellas are available for use at the beach.
We made use of the on-site laundry a few times because we had very muddy clothes from our wet weather activities, including the Kipu Ranch ATV tour and Secret Falls hike.
If you have a child under five, they will eat free at the Ilima Terrace breakfast buffet with a paying adult. There’s also nightly live music at Seaview Terrace, koi fish feeding, and parrot talks.
Golfers receive a $20 discount on green fees at Poipu Bay Golf Course, with a shuttle service to the course and clubhouse.
A nightly local area shuttle is also available. We didn’t use the hotel shuttle, but we used the Aloha Spirit Shuttle instead, which is tip-based.
The included Arrival and Departure Lounge is particularly useful if you have a late flight. It has showers, computers, and a lounge area, so you can make the most of your final day at the resort without paying for late check-out.
Overall, the resort fee is high, but the inclusions add real value to your stay.
8. Hospitality Lounge for Late Departures
The Grand Hyatt Kauai’s hospitality lounge is one of the most useful amenities for anyone with a late flight out of Lihue Airport. It allows you to keep enjoying the hotel’s pools, gardens, and beach for the rest of the day after checking out.
The lounge has showers, lockers, toiletries, and fresh towels, so you can clean up and change before heading to the airport.
My partner used the hospitality lounge because he was flying to a different destination from us later in the evening, and it worked perfectly for him. He was able to spend the afternoon relaxing by the pool and then freshen up before leaving for the airport.
You can also use the Plaza Premium lounge on your way to Kauai.
9. Service & Overall Atmosphere
There was a mix of guests staying at the Grand Hyatt Kauai, including families with and without children, and couples.
It’s not really a nightlife resort, which fits the overall pace of Kauai — you tend to wake up early with the roosters and wind down early in the evening. My brother, who was in his early 20s at the time, found it a little quiet at night and hoped to meet others his age, but that’s more a reflection of the island than the hotel itself.
The service throughout the resort was consistently friendly and attentive. Staff were helpful without being over the top, and everything ran smoothly from check-in to check-out.
One of the most memorable touches from my stay was a knock on my room door one afternoon — a staff member delivered a freshly baked loaf of banana bread with a note. It was such a thoughtful surprise, and the banana bread was excellent.
Overall, the atmosphere at the Grand Hyatt Kauai is relaxed, welcoming, and well-suited to those looking for a peaceful, easy-going resort stay rather than a party environment.
10. Things to Know About Staying at Grand Hyatt Kauai
The main drawback of staying at the Grand Hyatt Kauai is the price. (You can check prices here).
It’s one of the more expensive resorts on the island, and while the quality and amenities justify the cost, it won’t suit every budget. The daily resort fee of $55 plus tax is also something to factor in, though it does include a lot of useful extras.
Because the resort is large and open to the public beach, it doesn’t feel completely private or exclusive. Anyone can walk through from Shipwreck Beach, which is common in Hawaii since all beaches are public. It’s not a major issue, but something to be aware of if you prefer a more secluded setting.
Evenings are quiet, with limited nightlife, which fits the pace of Kauai but may not suit if you are looking for lively evening entertainment.
Overall, these are minor points in what is otherwise an excellent resort. As long as you go in expecting a peaceful, family-friendly atmosphere rather than a private adults-only retreat, the Grand Hyatt Kauai will give you a memorable stay.
→ You can check updated prices or compare room rates for your travel dates here: Compare Grand Hyatt Kauai rates.
11. My Overall Grand Hyatt Kauai Review: Is It Worth It?
In my opinion, the Grand Hyatt Kauai is worth the steep price.
The surroundings are exceptional, the service is consistently good, and the range of amenities and quality restaurants make it an easy place to settle in and enjoy your stay. The resort feels well-managed and maintained, with a relaxed but polished atmosphere.
I wouldn’t describe it as a true five-star resort compared to many other 5-star hotels I have visited around the world. What the Grand Hyatt Kauai offers instead is a luxurious, beautifully designed property that captures the spirit of the island without feeling pretentious.
If you’re looking for a high-end resort in Kauai with great facilities, good food, and a setting that makes you feel like you’re in Hawaii from the moment you arrive, the Grand Hyatt Kauai is an excellent choice.
Or, if you’re using Hyatt points, it’s an especially good redemption given that the resort fee is waived for award stays.
→ Ready to book? Check the latest offers at Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa.
Conclusion
If you’re planning a trip to Kauai and want a luxury base on the sunny south shore, the Grand Hyatt Kauai is an excellent choice. You can check availability for Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa here.
To make the most of your visit, hire a car so you can explore the island at your own pace — compare options and book your car rental here.
If you’re still finalising your Kauai itinerary, you might find my other guides useful. I’ve written detailed articles on the best areas to stay, when to visit Kauai, where to visit, and how long to stay for.
top places to eat around the island, things to do in Poipu, and ideas for rainy days.
Once you’ve booked your stay, plan a few activities in advance — a boat cruise along the Na Pali Coast is a must-do, and the kayak and hike to Secret Falls is another highlight if you enjoy being outdoors.
You can also read my Kauai itineraries, from short three-day trips to full ten-day stays, as well as my tips on visiting in winter and what to pack for your trip.
These guides will help you plan every part of your Kauai visit — from choosing where to stay to finding the best tours and experiences once you arrive.
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