Famous for the kid’s pool that has slides, a volleyball net and a lagoon as well, it was the rooms that our family loved. We stayed in a 2 room suite adjoined by a living room. My son claimed the walk out patio and my daughter would not share her hammock which was a few steps away. We all made the most of The Lounge — a room stocked with drinks, games, breakfast snacks and a lovely staff who are available to help you plan your days. It costs a little extra but it is absolutely worth it if you are traveling with kids. Each time we embarked on a journey, the staff would pack us up with water and healthy snacks and they were always happy to share information about what they love to do on Kauai. The kids liked it because they could go hang out there without us.
One of those excursions was a volunteer trip to Hui o Laka, Koke‘e State Park, about 30 minutes north of PoiPu Kauai. In alliance with the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa, we volunteered to Free the Natives with the team of Park employees by helping to cut back weeds and invasive plants to free the native plants. Parks guide and passionate care taker, Marsha, taught us so much about the vegetation, how invasive plants cause a problem, and what to do about it. Her passion became our passion.
Back at the resort, my teen golfer and SandHater took the hotel shuttle to Po‘ipū Bay Golf Course, home to the PGA Grand Slam for 12 years. It was designed by Robert Trent Jones and according to our family golfers, was not only gorgeous and a dream to play,
While the other boys golfed, my tween son opted out of Camp Hyatt (for kids under 12) and chose to hang out in the room. My daughter and I spent a few hours at Anara Spa where we each received a massage in a private outdoor bungalow. The professional treatments were wonderful but it was the environment that made the experience special. I floated on the slight breeze, birds chirping and fresh air that surrounded me, melting my tension and worries away away. Nearby, there is a lap pool and a serene yoga studio where a wonderful instructor teaches an eclectic and professional kind of yoga where even the locals take classes.
We also hiked Waimea Canyon, a trek that started off with gargantuan canyon views and ended at a sweet little swimming hole. It is not a super easy hike but people of all ages were doing it. You need good shoes and walking poles help a lot.
Māhā‘ulepū Self-Guided Tour
For a less rigorous hike with an ocean and golf course view, we hiked along Kaua‘i’s four-mile Māhā‘ulepū Heritage Trail on the southern coastline, starting at the Grand Hyatt Resort and stretching from Keoneloa Bay to Kawailoa Bay.
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