Click here for a slideshow of the Grand Hyatt Kauai

During my latest visit to the Hawaiian islands  I was very fortunate to stay at the Grand Hyatt on Kauai.  Our luxurious room faced  the  ocean,  gardens and waterfalls so we had the best of the tropical islands in view at all times.  Can’t get much better than that!!

The Grand Hyatt Kauai fronts the Keoneloa Bay in sunny Poipu, on the south coast of Kauai.  Poipu is about 20-30 minutes from the airport in Lihue, which is the main airport on the island.   While there are many resorts, condominiums and boutique hotels in Poipu, the Grand Hyatt beckons you as the “place to be”.  As soon as you turn onto the beautiful, long, palm-tree lined drive, you feel that something special is waiting!  You will not be disappointed.  A hotel valet will greet you with a beautiful flower lei, and escort you to the lobby, where the friendly front desk staff awaits your arrival.  Check-in is painless, and made even more so by the personal escort to your room!  All of the room’s attributes are explained, as well as the function of various room features.  Talk about personal service!

The Grand Hyatt rooms are newly renovated, and include a marble entry way, rich mahogany furniture and luxurious rain style showers!

As beautiful as the rooms are, the resort itself is absolutely breathtaking.  The landscaping is over the top!  From the beautiful gardens, with rock waterfalls, 2 tier pools that are open 24 hours, a 150 foot water slide and saltwater lagoon, you will feel as though you have arrived in paradise!  Not to mention the beautiful beach, lined with Cabanas, lawn swings, and lounge chairs.

While Grand Hyatt is very luxurious and elegant, it is also offers many fun activities for the whole family.  Camp Hyatt is a fun, active program exclusively for keiki (children) ages 3 to 12.  The camp counselors try to fit the day’s schedule to the group’s interest.  Your children will enjoy making leis and feeding the Koi fish.  The Hawaiian culture is also integrated into the Camp Hyatt program where the kids will learn about the endangered Hawaiian monk seals and Nene (Hawaii’s state bird), and through crafts like palm frond weaving, shell bracelet making, and hula lessons.  The adults can enjoy a day at the Spa or lounge at the beach or by the pool, and know that the kids are having a great vacation, too!

You can keep in shape while vacationing at Grand Hyatt by playing a few games of tennis on one of 3 tennis courts, or play a round of golf at the adjacent Poipu Bay Golf Course.  A variety of yoga, fitness, dance and wellness classes are available at the Fitness Center.  The classes are complimentary for hotel guests.

Of course, trying new foods is part of vacationing in Hawaii, and Grand Hyatt has many restaurant options.  The newest restaurant, the Yum Cha, is an Asian Fusion style restaurant with diverse offerings.  Treat yourself to a plate of Vietnamese Lettuce Wraps, enjoy the Yellow Coconut Curry Soup or explore the extensive variety of teas, Asian beer, and sake.

At Tidepools, an open air restaurant with waterfalls and koi-filled lagoons, offers many traditional Hawaiian dishes.  You can’t miss with the Macadamia Nut encrusted Mahi Mahi or the Grilled Hawaiian Ahi.

No visit to Hawaii would be complete without at least one Luau experience. Grand Hyatt Kauai presents this unforgettable Hawaiian tradition each week.  In additional to the traditional Hawaiian feast of Kalua pork, (roast pork cooked in an underground steam oven) and Lomi Lomi Salmon, you will also be treated to the rich musical culture of Hawaii.  Hula dancers and fire eaters are favorites at every luau!

When you are ready to book your Hawaii vacation please call, email sandi@totemtravel.com or book online and Get Personalized help from a travel expert at no extra cost!”

Click here for Slideshow of Kaanapali Ali’i

Maui is the Magic Island of Hawaii, and Kaanapali Beach does much to contribute to that Magic!  Kaanapali Beach is a 3 mile stretch of beach which many say is the best beach in Maui and maybe even America!!  Long ago the sand and lush gardens were enjoyed by Hawaiian kings and queens, and today, couples and families still gravitate here for this beautiful beach.

There are many choices for accommodations on Kaanapali Beach.  Condominiums, small hotels, and mega resorts line the beach!  One of the most spectacular condominium properties is the luxurious Kaanapali Ali’i.  Usually one does not think of condo and luxury in the same context, but Kaanapali Ali’I is truly a deluxe home away from home!!

Many amenities that are usually reserved for full service hotels and resorts are available at the Kaanapali

Ali’i.  A spa for those relaxing massages, or maybe a yoga class on the beach, a 3,000 square foot fitness center, and a complementary children’s program, are just a few of the services available at Kaanapali Ali’I, and no resort fees, and free parking!

Each unit is completely furnished and is equipped with a full service kitchen.  All kitchen utensils, pots and pans, and tableware are included.  Now we need groceries!  Kaanapali Ali’I has a grocery shopping service.  Send them you list before you arrive, and they will have your refrigerator and cupboards stocked when you arrive.

Don’t feel like cooking?  The Westin Maui provides room service for the Kaanapali Ali’i!  Rather go out?  Kaanapali Ali’I has shuttle service throughout the Kaanapali Beach Resort area.

The units at Kaanapali Ali’I are beautifully furnished and include 2 full bathrooms, a lanai for watching those sunsets, a washer and dryer, 2 televisions and free in-room coffee and a newspaper.

The beach at Kaanapali Ali’i is the widest stretch of Kaanapali Beach, with snorkeling and boogie boarding, but Kaanapali Ali’I also has 2 swimming pools, whirlpool spas, and an oceanside entertainment pavilion with gas grills.  Tennis anyone?  Kaanapali Ali’I also has 3 lighted tennis courts.  The courts are free for guests.  If you need a few pointers, an on-site tennis pro is available.

Kaanapali Ali’I is an ideal choice of accommodations for just about anyone.  Honeymooners and families, alike will enjoy all that Kaanapali Ali’I has to offer.

When you are ready to book your Hawaii vacation please call, email or book online and “Get Personalized help from a travel expert at no extra cost!”

-Sandi
1 (425) 821-4100
1 (800) 321-7907
sandi@totemtravel.com

Click here for Slideshow of Whaler’s Cove

We are often asked for an adult’s only resort in Hawaii.

Actually there are none that are exclusive to adults, but Whaler’s Cove comes very close!  Whaler’s Cove is located on the sunniest shore of Kauai on Poipu Bay in a quiet residential area with little traffic.  This is the perfect choice if you are looking for privacy and to get away from it all.  Whaler’s Cove has won many awards for most Romantic Hotels in Hawaii!
While Whaler’s Cove is a condominium property, it does still have many of the amenities offered in full service hotels.  Full maid service, and oceanfront pool, and hot tub, along with many amenities hotels do not offer.  There are only 38 units, all of which have either one or two bedroom.  The two bedroom units have 2 bathrooms, which makes this a perfect fit for 2 couples.  Each unit also has a full kitchen, a washer and dryer, cable TV and, for those who just can’t leave everything behind, Wi-Fi!  Oh and did I mention a spectacular oceanview from each unit?

If you prefer to not cook every meal, and who wants that on their vacation, there are many great dining options: The Beach House, Joe’s on the Green, and Roy’s at Poipu, to name a few.

The Island of Kauai, Hawaii’s Garden Isle is the home of Mount Waialeale, which means overflowing water.   The summit of Mount Waialeale is one of the wettest spots on Earth, averaging over 400 inches of rain per year.  (And you though the Pacific NW had lots of rain!!).  All of this rainfall yields lots of waterfalls, a beautiful rainforest and amazing flora and fauna!  Don’t worry, though, the rain that falls at Mount Waialeale, does not generally affect the coastal parts of the island, particularly Poipu.

If Kauai sounds like the perfect place for you to escape the hustle bustle of daily life, please contact me at 425-821-4100, or Sandi@totemtravel.com

“Get Personalized help from a travel expert at no extra cost!”

-Sandi
1 (425) 821-4100
1 (800) 321-7907
sandi@totemtravel.com
-Sandi
1 (425) 821-4100
1 (800) 321-7907
sandi@totemtravel.com

Click here for a slideshow of Sugar Beach Resort

Update:
One of my clients recently returned from the Sugar Beach resort and had this to say:

Sugar Beach was just beautiful, and looked just like the photos you
had! Koi in the pond, Flowering trees & flowers and the beach right
there. We ended up on floor 5 so had a fabulous view of the pool &
ocean. We could see the sunset from the beach every night. The condo
was super comfortable & had everything we needed.
What was also nice was there was a little sandwich shop/bar right next door
(got an ONO in the Maui Revealed book & we agree.)
And also a little grocery store. Sharing the Sugar Beach office was
a gift shop & activity center, where you could book any kind of tour, luau,
things like that. They also had swim fins, snorkels – pretty handy!

Thanks again,
Sarah and Ken

Sugar Beach Resort on the Island of Maui has just completed a multi-million dollar renovation and is now the fabulous oceanfront property which many families desire.  Sugar Beach Resort.

is in the Kihei area of Maui, which is usually more reasonably priced than the Kaanapali area.  One reason has been the lack of oceanfront resorts.  However, with the renovations now complete at Sugar Beach Resort, the desirable beachfront location has become more attainable.

Sugar Beach Resort is close to shopping, restaurants and many activities and it’s only 10 minutes to the Maui Ocean Center, the beautiful aquarium in Maui. The old whaling city of Lahaina is only 30 minutes away.   Lahaina offers many shops and restaurants, as well.  Golfing is available in Kihei too, as well as Wailea and Makena, just a short drive from Sugar Beach Resort.

Sugar Beach Resort is a condominium property with 1 and 2 bedroom units, fully equipped with kitchens, washers and dryers and central air conditioning, right on the beach.  Although gardenview units are available, we suggest an oceanview or oceanfront unit so you can experience the fantastic views of the Pacific Ocean.    The price difference between a 1 bedroom Gardenview and a 1 bedroom oceanview is less than $100 for 7 nights, total!  The difference between a Gardenview and oceanfront unit is approximately $250!  Very affordable.

The General Store, which is on site at the Sugar Beach Resort, makes shopping for your vacation unit very convenient.  Don’t feel like cooking every evening?  Dina’s Sand Witch is a small restaurant which will provide you with that night out of the kitchen.

The beach at Sugar Beach Resort is great for windsurfing, kayaking and kite surfing. BBQ’s around the oceanfront pool and Jacuzzi are very popular, as well as the beautiful sunsets.

For more information on Sugar Beach and other Hawaii vacation packages, please call or email Sandi@totemtravel.com.  She’ll help you plan the perfect family vacation or honeymoon in Hawaii!

“Get Personalized help from a travel expert at no extra cost!”

-Sandi
1 (425) 821-4100
1 (800) 321-7907
sandi@totemtravel.com