Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Grand Hyatt Kauai is most like a cruise ship so maybe try that?

Having done both I can unequivocally state this could not be further from the truth.

Which part? Overcrowded pools? Fighting for chairs? Subpar food?

Hotel is good, not great. Well maintained but needs a renovation. Too big, too many people, food choices meh. And now way way overpriced.

I don’t think we were at the same hotel. The hotel I was at had at least twice as many chairs as guests needing them and it was very easy to find an empty part of the pool. We ate breakfast club level and it was great. Lunches offsite usually and dinners were mixed (on and off site) but were very good. Yes it was expensive but it’s Hawai’i.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The title pretty much says it all. We love the Grand Hyatt on Kauai, but I'm wondering if there's a similar gem on another island I am overlooking for our next Hawaiian vacation. I've looked at all the travel review websites of spectacular resorts in Hawaii and when I reflect on the pools available at the Grand Hyatt the others seem to pale in comparison. The closest I see is the Grand Wailea, but I would prefer to avoid Maui as it continues to recover from the wildfires. We're not Disney people and the Aluani doesn't speak to me and where we are as a family. At the end of the day, I'm just looking for a family-friendly resort with amazing pools/lazy river, beach access, and decent access to off-property food/activities.

Why?.They have said they need visitors for the local economy.

+1.

OP here: John Oliver had a segment on Hawaii not too long ago and interviewed a Maui resident. This person said something to the effect of how can we (locals) be expected to pretend to be happy serving tourists when we are still mourning our loved ones. That sentiment resonated with me and I will choose to financially support Maui while keeping a respectful distance.

Serious question: Do you think that person would be happier without a job? Because that’s what would happen if tourism in Maui was at 2023 levels. Fortunately many people disagree with you. When you say financially support Maui, that’s not the same thing as giving money to the people of Maui so they can mourn their loved ones and not have to work for a while. That’s not where that financial support goes.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Grand Hyatt Kauai is most like a cruise ship so maybe try that?

Having done both I can unequivocally state this could not be further from the truth.

Which part? Overcrowded pools? Fighting for chairs? Subpar food?

Hotel is good, not great. Well maintained but needs a renovation. Too big, too many people, food choices meh. And now way way overpriced.

Hilton Waikoloa on Bid Island is really big, really full of bargain hunters. Cheap room, big fees. Bad restaurants.
Grand Wailea and just stay in South Maui. But I won't for vibes feel. Maui=Death in my mind.
Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress or the Omni Championsgate have good lazy rivers. But they are not Hawaii.

Anonymous wrote:We’ve stayed at the grand Hyatt kaui. I felt like I could be in a grand Hyatt anywhere - so I’d just search for grand Hyatt’s and see where you net out. Check out the grand Hyatt in Aruba.

We also just returned from a stay at the park Hyatt in San Diego (Carlsbad) that was nice, though the family pool was smaller than the grand Hyatt Kauai.

But there are lots of family resorts in California and the Caribbean that might have a similar vibe.

The Hyatt in Aruba is a Regency not a Grand, and while nice, it is not nearly as nice as GHK.

Anonymous wrote:Grand Hyatt Kauai is most like a cruise ship so maybe try that?

Having done both I can unequivocally state this could not be further from the truth.

Grand Hyatt Kauai is most like a cruise ship so maybe try that?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The title pretty much says it all. We love the Grand Hyatt on Kauai, but I'm wondering if there's a similar gem on another island I am overlooking for our next Hawaiian vacation. I've looked at all the travel review websites of spectacular resorts in Hawaii and when I reflect on the pools available at the Grand Hyatt the others seem to pale in comparison. The closest I see is the Grand Wailea, but I would prefer to avoid Maui as it continues to recover from the wildfires. We're not Disney people and the Aluani doesn't speak to me and where we are as a family. At the end of the day, I'm just looking for a family-friendly resort with amazing pools/lazy river, beach access, and decent access to off-property food/activities.

Why?.They have said they need visitors for the local economy.

+1.

OP here: John Oliver had a segment on Hawaii not too long ago and interviewed a Maui resident. This person said something to the effect of how can we (locals) be expected to pretend to be happy serving tourists when we are still mourning our loved ones. That sentiment resonated with me and I will choose to financially support Maui while keeping a respectful distance.

We’ve stayed at the grand Hyatt kaui. I felt like I could be in a grand Hyatt anywhere - so I’d just search for grand Hyatt’s and see where you net out. Check out the grand Hyatt in Aruba.

We also just returned from a stay at the park Hyatt in San Diego (Carlsbad) that was nice, though the family pool was smaller than the grand Hyatt Kauai.

But there are lots of family resorts in California and the Caribbean that might have a similar vibe.

Went to Maui this August. No reason at all to avoid it. We even stayed in Kannapali (closest to Lahaina) and it was totally fine.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The title pretty much says it all. We love the Grand Hyatt on Kauai, but I'm wondering if there's a similar gem on another island I am overlooking for our next Hawaiian vacation. I've looked at all the travel review websites of spectacular resorts in Hawaii and when I reflect on the pools available at the Grand Hyatt the others seem to pale in comparison. The closest I see is the Grand Wailea, but I would prefer to avoid Maui as it continues to recover from the wildfires. We're not Disney people and the Aluani doesn't speak to me and where we are as a family. At the end of the day, I'm just looking for a family-friendly resort with amazing pools/lazy river, beach access, and decent access to off-property food/activities.

Why?.They have said they need visitors for the local economy.

+1.

Our kids loved the Grand Hyatt and they also love Mauna Kea on the Big Island. The beach is fantastic.

We happened to be in both those hotels - Grand Hyatt Kauai and Grand Wailea Maui - in early summer, 2023 (before the fires), and they were both superb. (I had previously been to the Grand Wailea in the ‘90s.). If pools are a priority to you, you can’t do much better than the Grand Wailea. I believe the fires did not come to that area.

I have stayed elsewhere on the Big Island, but the Hilton Waikoloa gets lots of acclaim.

Anonymous wrote:The title pretty much says it all. We love the Grand Hyatt on Kauai, but I'm wondering if there's a similar gem on another island I am overlooking for our next Hawaiian vacation. I've looked at all the travel review websites of spectacular resorts in Hawaii and when I reflect on the pools available at the Grand Hyatt the others seem to pale in comparison. The closest I see is the Grand Wailea, but I would prefer to avoid Maui as it continues to recover from the wildfires. We're not Disney people and the Aluani doesn't speak to me and where we are as a family. At the end of the day, I'm just looking for a family-friendly resort with amazing pools/lazy river, beach access, and decent access to off-property food/activities.

Why?.They have said they need visitors for the local economy.

The title pretty much says it all. We love the Grand Hyatt on Kauai, but I'm wondering if there's a similar gem on another island I am overlooking for our next Hawaiian vacation. I've looked at all the travel review websites of spectacular resorts in Hawaii and when I reflect on the pools available at the Grand Hyatt the others seem to pale in comparison. The closest I see is the Grand Wailea, but I would prefer to avoid Maui as it continues to recover from the wildfires. We're not Disney people and the Aluani doesn't speak to me and where we are as a family. At the end of the day, I'm just looking for a family-friendly resort with amazing pools/lazy river, beach access, and decent access to off-property food/activities.