As I sat
in one of the three outdoor jacuzzi's, the sound of the rushing water from one
of the hotel's many waterfalls behind me, I gazed up at the incredibly clear
night sky, awed at the thousands of stars visible to the naked eye. Next to me
sat my girlfriend, and around me were fellow young travelers. In
that moment, I wondered if life could get any better.
Three nights later, wrapped in a spa robe, enjoying cocktails and desserts at 1 A.M in the living room of the Presidential Suite (AKA the
Kaumuali'i Royal Suite), I realized it had gotten better.
I have visited a large portion of major tourist hotspots across the U.S: From Miami to Vermont, from L.A to Seattle. I've stayed in luxurious resorts and hotels, and been pampered on numerous cruise ships.
The best two vacations that I've had in the U.S were in the same spot: At the Grand Hyatt Kauai
Resort and Spa in Poipu, Hawaii.
Let's start with who you are: you're young, you're a professional, and you have someone in your life that you want to either impress, relax with, propose to, or honeymoon with. You also live west of the Mississippi. If you live on the east coast, as beautiful as Kauai is, it is likely impractical/unnecessary as a first vacation. There are numerous sweet spots up and down the Atlantic coast for you and your significant other, and Hawaii does not need to be first on your list.
And, as much as I hate to admit, if you aren't in a relationship, this isn't the place for you. A week in Honolulu might be a better fit if it's a Hawaiian vacation you're after.
The Grand Hyatt Kauai is located on the south shore of Kauai: an island that is peaceful, scenic, and offers plenty of adventure. The resort features world-class restaurants, a magnificent pool, second-to-none service, a divine spa, and plenty of shops and activities right on property. Outdoor table-tennis, walks along the beach, sea-turtle spotting, kayaking, tennis, and luau's are all available activities ON PROPERTY. So you can only imagine how much more there is on the rest of the island.
Customer service at the resort is impeccable, and from the treatment you
receive, you will feel less like a customer, and more like a welcome guest.
From the valet, to the bell-service, the front desk, and the concierge,
everything that is done is done to make your stay that much more enjoyable.
The pool area is perhaps the highlight of available activities at the resort, a multiple tier recreation zone that features a lazy river (very light current, not similar to theme park lazy rivers), swim-under waterfalls, a two story water slide, volleyball net, numerous jacuzzi's, and plenty of loungers and bars.
The pool area is perhaps the highlight of available activities at the resort, a multiple tier recreation zone that features a lazy river (very light current, not similar to theme park lazy rivers), swim-under waterfalls, a two story water slide, volleyball net, numerous jacuzzi's, and plenty of loungers and bars.
Your room... well, while you may not have the opportunity to enjoy the vastness of the Presidential Suite, odds are you'll end up in an overly spacious room with a view that you wish you had at home, and you'll sleep in an incredibly comfortable bed. I've slept in five room categories over two stays, and I've no complaints. If you don't like critters like lizards, request a room on a non-ground level floor. (Floors 1 and 3 are ground level)
So why is this the best first vacation a young couple can take? Nearly everything you can do is meant to be done as a couple, and nearly every element of this hotel has been designed for couples to take advantage of. Even that first "Wow" moment when you walk into the lobby is better shared with a significant other.
The outside of the resort especially promotes romance, with a sunrise beach, rocking benches, and foliage such as plumeria trees and orchids all around. Dinner at their on-grounds Tidepools restaurant has the perfect atmosphere, and was rated the best place for a romantic dinner in Kauai for several years by the Ultimate Kauai Guidebook (alongside dinner on the beach).
Most importantly, no matter how much you read about the hotel, no matter how many pictures you see... you will arrive at the resort with high expectations, and those expectations will be blown out of the water.
You'll want to keep a pen and pad with you at all times.... because you'll want to give extra thanks to EVERY person you talk to. I'm still kicking myself for missing names at the Valet and Grand Club. Here are some names I did have time to write down that provided excellent/exceptional
service and that you might have the privilege of interacting with. At the front desk: Eric, Ronald, Jacob, Sophia, Jimena, Lauren.
Bellhop Service: Irvin. That in no way means that the rest of the people I
dealt with didn't provide excellent/exceptional service, but like I said, I can
only note/remember so many names.
For an extensive tour of the Presidential Suite:
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