Are you looking for the best Kauai resorts for families with kids of all ages? Keep scrolling for my honest review of the Grand Hyatt Kauai in Poipu.
This Grand Hyatt Kauai review was written by Hawaii travel expert Marcie Cheung and contains affiliate links which means if you purchase something from one of my affiliate links, I may earn a small commission that goes back into maintaining this blog.
Planning a Kauai trip with kids and wondering where to stay? Let me tell you about the Grand Hyatt Kauai in Poipu.
This place was a bucket list hotel for me, and after staying here with my toddler and preschooler, I totally get why it’s one of the most popular family resorts on the island.
The Grand Hyatt Kauai just won Good Housekeeping’s 2026 Travel Awards, which honestly doesn’t surprise me one bit.
As a professional tourist who’s visited Hawaii over 40 times, I’ve seen a lot of resorts. This one hits different when you’ve got kids in tow.
I’m going to give you the full breakdown of what it’s really like to stay here so you can decide if it’s the right fit for your family.
Where Exactly Is the Grand Hyatt Kauai?
The resort sits on Shipwreck Beach in Poipu, about 30 minutes south of Lihue Airport.
Poipu is hands down the best area if you’re visiting during winter months because it stays sunny and dry when the rest of the island might be getting rain.
This massive oceanfront resort has over 600 rooms, a full-service spa, several restaurants, and a championship golf course. It’s spread across 50 acres, so yeah, it’s huge.
The location is perfect if you want to explore Waimea Canyon or Kokee State Park.
You’re also close to the Shops at Kukui’ula Village, which is great for grabbing supplies or hitting up some local restaurants.
If you’re into ziplining, ATV tours, or boat adventures, there are tons of options nearby. I’ve got a full list of things to do in Poipu if you want more ideas.
Oh, and getting a rental car? I always use Discount Hawaii Car Rental. They consistently have the best rates, and you’ll definitely want a car to explore the island.
Our Room: What to Expect
We booked a 2 Queen Beds Partial Ocean View room, and honestly, it was perfect for our family of four.
The room felt super spacious. There was plenty of storage for our luggage (which is saying something when you’re traveling with little kids and all their stuff).
We had a table with chairs that came in handy for the times we ordered room service, and the lanai was a game-changer for morning coffee.
Our view was actually better than I expected for a “partial ocean view.” We could see the ocean to our right and the resort grounds stretching out in front of us.
The room came with air conditioning, a flat-screen TV, and all the basics you’d expect from a resort like this.
The rooms recently went through a major renovation in 2024, and you can tell. Everything looks fresh and modern while still feeling Hawaiian.
There are tons of room configurations available depending on your family size and budget. Check current rates and room types here.
The Dining Situation
The Grand Hyatt has multiple restaurants and bars, which is super helpful when you don’t feel like leaving the property.
We didn’t try every single one because we also wanted to explore Kauai’s food scene, but here’s what you should know about the options.
Tidepools
This is their most romantic restaurant and honestly one of the coolest places I’ve eaten in Hawaii.
You literally walk across a koi pond to get to these thatched-roof huts that float above the water. The seafood and steak are excellent, and the setting is magical.
Stevenson’s Library
This sushi spot has both indoor seating and an outdoor lanai with sunset views. The 27-foot custom koa wood bar is gorgeous. We walked through it during our stay but didn’t get a chance to eat there.
Ilima Terrace
This is where you’ll find the breakfast buffet if that’s your thing. They also serve lunch with beautiful ocean and garden views. It’s open-air and casual, which works great with kids.
Seaview Terrace
We grabbed coffee and pastries here most mornings, then took them outside to watch the ocean. The panoramic views are incredible, and at night, they have live entertainment.
Hale Nalu
The poolside restaurant is a lifesaver on full pool days. They’ve got everything from fish tacos to salads, burgers, and even shave ice. You can eat without dragging sandy kids through the resort.
Bars and In-Room Dining
Captain’s Bar is near the pool with ocean views, and there’s also Shipwreck Bar. Room service is always available, which came in super handy with young kids.
Want to skip cooking on your trip? I cover all the best places to eat on Kauai in another post.
The Pool Area (This Is Where You’ll Spend Most of Your Time)
Okay, so this is the real star of the show. The Grand Hyatt has FIVE pools, a saltwater lagoon, a lazy river, and a 150-foot waterslide.
My kids loved it so much that we honestly didn’t spend enough time here, which is my biggest regret from this trip.
The lazy river winds through waterfalls and caves before leading you to the waterslide. There’s also a pool with volleyball and basketball, plus multiple hot tubs scattered around.
The saltwater lagoon has its own sandy beach area, which is perfect if your kids prefer that over traditional pools. We spent several afternoons here, and it was so much calmer than the ocean.
If you need adult-only time, there’s a quiet pool where you can actually read a book in peace.
They just debuted brand new luxury cabanas too. Pricing varies depending on which one you rent and where it’s located.
The basic poolside cabanas start around $250, while the premium Na Ali’i Grand Hale Cabanas on the saltwater lagoon can run up to $2,000 for a full day.
Honestly, there are plenty of free lounge chairs with umbrellas, so you don’t need to splurge on a cabana unless you really want the extra comfort and shade.
Want to learn more about whether Hawaii cabanas are worth renting? I’ve got a whole breakdown.
Things That Make This Resort Special
Fresh Lei Greeting
When you arrive, they give you fresh purple orchid leis. This was such a hit with my kids.
Even though we showed up late at night, the front desk had them ready for us.
On-Site Luau
The Grand Hyatt hosts their own luau twice a week. This is super convenient because you can walk right back to your room when it’s over instead of dealing with transportation.
I wrote a full guide to the best Kauai luaus if you want to compare options.
Shipwreck Beach Access
The resort sits right on Shipwreck Beach, which is gorgeous for photos and beach walks.
But here’s the thing: you can’t swim here.
The waves are intense and the current is dangerous. It’s great for cliff jumping (if you’re into that) or getting amazing photos, but for actual swimming, you’ll want to drive to Poipu Beach or Salt Ponds.
If you’re looking for kid-friendly Kauai beaches, I’ve got you covered in another post.
Camp Hyatt Kids Club
This is a huge perk if you want some alone time or a date night.
Camp Hyatt takes kids ages 3-12 and offers full day sessions (9am-3pm for $125 including lunch) or half day sessions (3 hours for $60). They also offer a 50% discount for siblings.
The activities look incredible. Kids make leis with real orchids, learn about Hawaiian culture, do arts and crafts, go swimming, visit the hydroponic garden, and play outdoor sports.
From what I’ve heard, kids have a blast and don’t want to leave.
The Lobby Parrots
This might sound random, but the real parrots in the lobby were a huge highlight for my toddler.
They’re not roaming free, but they’re in designated spots, and my kids were obsessed with visiting them.
Anara Spa
This is probably the best resort spa on Kauai.
It’s massive (45,000 square feet!) and includes everything from massage therapy to Hawaiian body treatments, facials, a fitness center, and open-air yoga classes.
After check-in, you can use the dry sauna, steam showers, and relaxation rooms.
Cultural Activities and Entertainment
The Hawaiian Cultural Center offers hands-on activities like lei-making, ukulele lessons, and hula classes.
At night, you can catch live entertainment at Seaview Terrace. There’s always something happening.
Golf
Poipu Bay Golf Course is right next door if you want to squeeze in a round. It’s one of the best courses on Kauai.
What’s Included in the Resort Fee
The resort fee is currently $55 per night (it used to be $45, so heads up on that increase). Here’s what it covers:
- Welcome lei and reusable tote bag
- Two reusable water bottles
- Fitness and yoga classes
- Cultural activities (lei-making, hula, ukulele)
- Bike rentals
- Tennis or pickleball court time (one hour daily)
- Self-parking (valet is extra)
Self-parking being included is actually a huge bonus, especially since rental cars are pretty much essential for exploring Kauai.
A Few Things to Know Before You Book
The resort is huge. Like, really huge. Depending on where your room is, you might have quite a walk to the pools or restaurants. If you have mobility issues, definitely request a room closer to the main areas.
Shipwreck Beach is gorgeous but not safe for swimming. You’ll need to drive to other beaches if you want the kids to play in the ocean.
The location in Poipu is perfect for the South Shore and West Side, but it’s about 30 minutes to the East Shore and an hour to the North Shore without traffic. Plan your days accordingly.
Everything at the resort is pricey. Food, drinks, activities… it adds up fast. We balanced it by eating some meals off-property and bringing snacks from the grocery store.
Using Points to Book
If you’ve got World of Hyatt points, this is an excellent redemption. The Grand Hyatt Kauai is now a Category 8 property (it was upgraded from Category 7 in March 2025), so you’re looking at 35,000-45,000+ points per night depending on the season.
That might sound like a lot, but when rooms are going for $800+ per night in cash, the value is actually pretty incredible.
Plus, if you book with points, you don’t pay the resort fee.
You can transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points to World of Hyatt at a 1:1 ratio, which makes it easier to rack up enough points for a stay.
Would We Recommend the Grand Hyatt Kauai?
100% yes. This is one of the best family resorts on Kauai, and there’s a reason it consistently gets rave reviews.
The pool area alone is worth it. Add in the on-site luau, multiple restaurants, Camp Hyatt, and the sunny Poipu location, and you’ve got everything you need for an amazing family vacation.
We’ll definitely be back. And next time, I’m dedicating way more days to just hanging out at those pools.
Book your stay at the Grand Hyatt Kauai here.
Planning Your Kauai Trip?
If you’re still figuring out your itinerary, grab my Kauai Travel Guide for Families. It’s got daily schedules, all the best kid-friendly activities, and everything I wish I’d known before our first trip.
You can also join my free email course How to Plan a Trip to Kauai. I’ll send you seven days of planning tips straight to your inbox.
And if you want personalized help planning your trip, I offer Hawaii travel consultations where I’ll create a custom itinerary based on your family’s specific needs and interests.
On my podcast Hawaii Travel Made Easy, I cover everything from where to stay to how to save money on your trip. Check it out here for more Kauai travel tips.
FAQs About the Grand Hyatt Kauai
Where is the best area to stay in Kauai?
Kauai has three main areas: North Shore, East Shore, and South Shore. The East Shore (Kapaa or Lihue) is the most affordable.
If you want guaranteed sunny weather year-round, the South Shore (Poipu) is your best bet. That’s where the Grand Hyatt is located.
What are the most popular Poipu hotels?
The top resorts in Poipu include the Grand Hyatt Kauai, Ko’a Kea, Koloa Landing Resort, and the Point at Poipu.
What are the best Kauai family resorts?
My top picks for families are the Grand Hyatt Kauai, the Royal Sonesta Kauai, and the Koloa Landing Resort. All three have excellent amenities for kids.
Does the Grand Hyatt Kauai have a beach?
Yes, it’s right on Shipwreck Beach (also called Keoneloa Beach). You have direct beach access, but the waves are too rough for swimming. Head to nearby Poipu Beach for calmer water.
How far is the Grand Hyatt Kauai from the airport?
It’s about 30 minutes from Lihue Airport to the resort. Easy drive.
Does the Grand Hyatt Kauai offer a day pass?
Yes! They offer day passes for either the pool ($100) or spa ($100) through ResortPass. The pool pass gets you access to all the pool areas. The spa pass includes the fitness center, sauna, steam room, and relaxation areas.
Is there a resort fee at the Grand Hyatt Kauai?
Yes, the daily resort fee is $55 per night per room. It includes a ton of stuff though: welcome lei, tote bag, water bottles, fitness classes, cultural activities, bike rentals, tennis/pickleball, and self-parking. If you book with points, the resort fee is waived.
Looking for other accommodation options on Kauai? Check out my guides to the best Kauai resorts for families, best babymoon resorts in Hawaii, and the most romantic places to stay on Kauai.
Want to capture your family vacation with professional photos? Use Flytographer and save $20 with my link.
They’re amazing for getting those picture-perfect Hawaii shots without the stress of selfies.
