Winter Getaway to Kauai: Part 4 – Grand Hyatt Garden Suite for 87% Off

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Update:   One or more card offers in this post are no longer available.  Check our Hot Deals for the latest offers.  Emily Jablon:   Daraius and I went to Maui, Hawaii in March 2013.  We loved Hawaii so much that we decided to return, but this time to Kauai.  Kauai is more laid back and less built-up than Maui.
Grand Hyatt Kauai Garden Suite
Emily Feeling at Home in the Grand Hyatt Kauai Garden View Suite

We went to Kauai over Valentine’s Day week, which made for a very romantic getaway.  Using our miles and points made it even better!

Winter Getaway to Kauai – Trip Report Index:

Grand Hyatt Kauai – Garden View Suite

For 3 nights of our 6-night stay at the Grand Hyatt in Kauai, we used Points + Cash and a Diamond Suite upgrade to stay in a Garden View Suite.  The Garden View suite regularly costs $1,468 per night!

But we only paid ~$198 per night ($150 per night + 12,500 Hyatt points per night Points + Cash + $25 resort fee + ~13% tax).  So we paid ~$596 and 37,500 Hyatt points for 3 nights.

For the other 3 nights we used 22,000 points (old Hyatt award chart rates).  The current rate is 25,000 Hyatt points per night.

Grand Hyatt Kauai Garden Suite
Daraius Happy to Be on Vacation and Leave Work Behind

The staff were very welcoming when we arrived.  They gave us a lei greeting and whisked away our luggage.

Grand Hyatt Kauai Garden Suite
What Better Way to Say “Aloha” Than With a Lei Greeting?

The lobby was beautiful.  I loved the Art Nouveau details.

 Grand Hyatt Kauai Garden Suite
I’m Glad I Don’t Have to Dust The High Ceilings

We were so excited to begin our holiday!

Grand Hyatt Kauai Garden Suite
Kauai, Here We Come!
Because Daraius has Hyatt Diamond elite status we used a Diamond Suite upgrade to upgrade our Garden View room to a Garden View suite.

The suite had 3 separate rooms: a living area, a bathroom, and a bedroom.  I loved our suite because it was very homey.

 Grand Hyatt Kauai Garden Suite
If Only Our Apartment Looked Like This and Came With a Maid

Living Area

You could see the living area when you walked in.  There was a table and chairs, sectional sofa, and a wet bar.

Grand Hyatt Kauai Garden Suite
We Used the Table as a Desk

The living room had a big flat screen TV.  But it didn’t get much use.

 Grand Hyatt Kauai Garden Suite
Maybe Too Much Room for  2 People

French doors separate the bedroom from the living area.  I could close the doors while Daraius worked.

Grand Hyatt Kauai Garden Suite
Families Would Appreciate the Extra Space

The rooms were bright and airy.  And they weren’t cluttered with decorations.

Grand Hyatt Kauai Garden Suite
Our Living Room at Home Isn’t This Big

We were really looking forward to a relaxing stay.  The hotel had lots of activities, but we had other plans.

Grand Hyatt Kauai Garden Suite
Our Suite Was 1,055 Square Feet

Daraius thought the chairs were very comfortable!

Grand Hyatt Kauai Garden Suite
Now If I Could Get Daraius to Swim in the Ocean

The living area had a bar with a coffeemaker, microwave, and a refrigerator.  The refrigerator was empty, leaving space for drinks or fresh fruit from Costco or a nearby grocery store.

Grand Hyatt Kauai Garden Suite
Cozy Kitchenette, Just Like College

There was also a sink, paper towels, wine glasses, an espresso maker, a microwave, and mugs.

Grand Hyatt Kauai Garden Suite
Everything You Need for a Light Snack

Enjoying a bottle of wine would be easy with the wine glasses!

Grand Hyatt Kauai Garden Suite
4 Glasses Means 1 Extra Day Not Washing Dishes

There was Keurig coffee maker with various types of coffee, tea, and hot chocolate.

Grand Hyatt Kauai Garden Suite
The Only Thing Missing Was a Tea Kettle

Each day we received 2 free bottles of water.

Grand Hyatt Kauai Garden Suite
Just the Right Size to Store Late Night Goodies

There was a table and 4 chairs, which we used as a desk.  There was a large flat screen TV.

Grand Hyatt Kauai Garden Suite
I’d Rather Have a Bookcase With Books

The living room had a wraparound sofa.  It was the perfect size for guests or children.

Grand Hyatt Kauai Garden Suite
The Sofa Would Look Great in Our Living Room

Outdoor Patio

Off the living room, was a patio with a partial ocean view.  The patio even included a lounge chair.

Grand Hyatt Kauai Garden Suite
The Chairs Were a Little Stiff

I loved how green the grass was!

Grand Hyatt Kauai Garden Suite
We Could Watch a Round of Golf Without Leaving Our Room

Bathroom

The bathroom was very spacious and spa-like.

 Grand Hyatt Kauai Garden Suite
A Girl Could Get Used to This

I liked the jetted tub and was looking forward to a relaxing bubble bath.

Grand Hyatt Kauai Garden Suite
A Glass of Wine & a Good Book and My Evening Plans Were Settled

The bathroom had double sinks, lots of counter space, a jetted bathtub, a shower, and a separate toilet room.

 Grand Hyatt Kauai Garden Suite
Double Sinks Helped Us Save Time Getting Ready for Our Nights Out

The bathtub was very inviting.  But I was surprised by how small and narrow the tub was.

Grand Hyatt Kauai Garden Suite
Only Room for 1

We received Coco Mango amenities, designed by the Hyatt Grand Kauai Anara Spa.

Grand Hyatt Kauai Garden Suite
A Little Bit of the Spa Everyday

There was a walk-in shower.

Grand Hyatt Kauai Garden Suite
The Corner Shower Was a Little Cramped

There was a hand shower and a rain shower.

 Grand Hyatt Kauai Garden Suite
We Could Wash the Sand From Our Feet Without Getting All Wet

The toilet had its own room.

Grand Hyatt Kauai Garden Suite
The Extra Space Was Wasted on the Toilet

There was a Toto Washlet with a heated seat!

Grand Hyatt Kauai Garden Suite
Who Knew This Inspired the Phrase, “Clean is Happy?”

Bedroom

The bedroom had a poster bed.

 Grand Hyatt Kauai Garden Suite
Sleeping in Never Looked So Good

The bedroom was a little small but cozy and inviting.  The bed was very comfortable.  There was a bench at the foot of the bed.

Grand Hyatt Kauai Garden Suite
The Soft Lights Created a Romantic Setting

The bathroom was to the right of the bedroom.

Grand Hyatt Kauai Garden Suite
A Separate Entrance to the Bathroom Would Have Been Nicer

A flat screen TV was mounted on the wall, and there was lots of closet space.

Grand Hyatt Kauai Garden Suite
This TV Didn’t Get Much Use Either

The closet was large enough to put all of our stuff.

Grand Hyatt Kauai Garden Suite
We Kept Out Laptops in the Safe

The other closet had two robes

Grand Hyatt Kauai Garden Suite
Every Hotel Should Have 2 Large Closets

There was also an iPhone charger on one nightstand.

Grand Hyatt Kauai Garden Suite
Charged Electronics Are a Necessity, Even on Vacation

How You Can Do It, Too!

We redeemed 20,000 United Airlines miles each and 17,500 American Airlines miles each for 1-way flights in coach to and from Austin and Kauai, Hawaii.  We could have redeemed our miles for First Class seats but we like saving those for longer flights.

We used 41,295 Citi ThankYou points to pay for our car rental.

Daraius transferred 103,500 Chase Ultimate Rewards points to Hyatt points for 3 nights in a Garden View room. And 3 nights in a Garden View suite at the Grand Hyatt Kauai.

How Many Points You Need:

  • Points Only:  150,000 Hyatt points for 6 nights
  • Points + Cash:  75,000 Hyatt points and $1,188 for 6 nights
  • Just like Daraius & Emily:  66,000 Hyatt points for 3 nights in a Garden View room, before the Hyatt award chart change.  But now it is 75,000 Hyatt points.  And 37,500 Hyatt points + $596 and a Diamond Suite upgrade for 3 nights in a Garden View Suite.
Note:  If you don’t have a Diamond Suite upgrade, you can use 6,000 Hyatt points per night to upgrade a paid room to a suite.  But you can NOT upgrade a Points + Cash room to a suite without a Diamond Suite upgrade.

How to Get the Points:

The easiest way to get points for Kauai is by applying for credit cards.

Here’s my post on the best way to get Hyatt points.

1.   Chase Hyatt Card

You can save some Chase Ultimate Rewards points and get 2 free nights at any Hyatt worldwide after you spend $2,000 within the first 3 months on the Chase Hyatt card.

2.   Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

You get 40,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points when you spend $4,000 within 3 months on the Chase Sapphire Preferred.

Chase Ultimate Rewards points can be transferred to certain airlines and hotels at a 1:1 ratio.  So 40,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points becomes 40,000 airline miles or 40,000 hotel points.

3.   Chase Ink Cards

The Chase Ink Plus and Chase Ink Bold card currently get you 60,000 Ultimate Rewards points after spending $5,000 within 3 months.

Do you know the 3 ways you may qualify for a business credit card?

Note:  You can apply for 1 personal and 1 business card from Chase at the same time.  But you do NOT have to wait 6 months between Chase applications.

Bottom Line:

Daraius and I booked a Garden View Suite using Points + Cash and a Diamond Suite upgrade.  The other 3 nights we used 22,000 points (old Hyatt award chart rates) for a Garden View room.  Now you pay 25,000 points per night.  

The Garden Suite at the Grand Hyatt in Kauai was very nice!  I enjoyed having a separate living area so Daraius could concentrate on his work while I relaxed.

The bathroom was also luxurious, with a jetted tub, full walk-in shower, and heated toilet seat!

I never wanted to leave the suite, but we had lots of activities planned for Kauai.  Stay tuned to see what you can do in Kauai.

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