Kauai Called, I Answered: at the Grand Hyatt

Trip overview

Everything you could want in a resort.

Grand Hyatt Kauai is one of those places I somehow keep finding a reason to return to. It’s like the island calls me back, and honestly, who am I to argue? I’ve stayed here many times, and every visit still feels like a dream.

The resort is tucked right along the ocean, with lush gardens, koi ponds, and winding paths that make just walking around feel like an adventure. The saltwater lagoon is my happy place. It's perfect for floating without a care in the world (except maybe how close my next snack is). The pools are stunning and stretch forever, with waterfalls, hidden hot tubs, and a waterslide my husband insists is “for the kids” but takes with suspicious enthusiasm.

Cozy.

What a lobby!

Food & drink

Each morning kicks off with the breakfast buffet at Ilima Terrace, with their fresh pineapple, warm pastries, and that vacation-level joy of not having to make your own coffee.

For dinner, Tidepools is our go-to for a romantic night out, with bungalows over koi ponds and a waterfall backdrop straight out of a postcard. Stevenson’s Library serves up amazing sushi and has pool tables if you want something more relaxed, while Seaview Terrace is ideal for sunset drinks. We also grabbed poolside bites from Hale Nalu.

Experiences

The Anara Spa: open-air treatment rooms, garden showers, and that floaty feeling that comes from total relaxation.

One of my all-time favorite memories here was the time I snorkeled so far out from the beach I started wondering if I’d accidentally joined a National Geographic crew. Out of nowhere, spinner dolphins started leaping all around us. It was full of acrobatic flips like they were putting on a show, and then swam right underneath us like we were part of the pod. We floated out there for over an hour, totally mesmerized, just trying to process how real it all was. It was surreal, magical, and honestly, probably the most dolphin-approved moment of my life.

Whether you’re snorkeling, lounging by the lagoon, or doing absolutely nothing, this place delivers the kind of wild, unexpected magic you can’t plan for but will never forget.

Take me back!

Yes, please!

Slide is calling all kids and adults!

Exploring the island

If you’re in the mood to explore, there’s great shopping and dining just a few minutes away in Poipu, from beachy boutiques to delicious poke bowls and shave ice.

And if you’re up for some adventure, don’t miss the Mountain Tubing Adventure. It's three hours of floating through jungle canals and old plantation tunnels, complete with laughs, splashes, and a picnic lunch.

Or take a scenic drive up to Waimea Canyon and Kōkeʻe State Park for unreal views and crisp mountain air.

But truthfully, even with all Kauai has to offer, I always end up back at the Grand Hyatt thinking the same thing: how do I stretch this stay just one more day?

Hiking on property, not far from the hotel.

Mountain tubing through old plantation canals.

• Bring water shoes for the lagoon and reefy beach areas. Your toes will thank you.

• Book spa treatments, dinner at Tidepools, and adventure tours (like mountain tubing) early.

• Definitely rent a car for at least a day so you can explore the island... or at least star in your own tropical road trip movie, snacks in hand, making dramatic turns up to Waimea Canyon.

For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our Kaua’i page.