Weekend on Kauai

As I am writing this, I am sitting at home nursing a mild sunburn.  No matter how long you have lived in the tropics, and how aware and vigilant you are about sunscreen, spending two whole days in the sun will do a number on your skin.  I normally avoid being outside for too long, and try to limit my sun exposure time to mornings and evenings.  A dip in the pool in the middle of the day is ok, but you would never find me lounging by the pool, working on a tan.  Except for this past weekend.  

Though the intention was not acquiring a tan (or rather a sunburn); it is definitely a casualty of our lovely weekend getaway to the Grand Hyatt on the Garden Isle of Kauai. With its many pools, streams, lagoons, waterfalls and a long water slide, it is impossible to stay at this hotel and not want to spend the whole day poolside. Since we have been to The Garden Isle on other occasions, we did not have the need to explore, and could focus all our energies on relaxation.

Kauai is a half-hour plane ride from Honolulu, but a world away in terms of quiet and peace.  The Grand Hyatt, a truly grand resort is located on the south side of the island.  

The view from our room

One of the many parrots around the property

The landscaping is stunning. Pools and waterfalls abound.

Just a beautiful Hawaiian day

 Between the pools and the ocean is a salt water lagoon

 The kids spent most of their time on the water slide

 The "Library" in the evening

The bar was all lit up from below

They sure know how to create evening ambience...

...with uplift palms and subtly illuminated pathways the grounds look magical.

Blue light shines on the turtle art on the bottom of a pool

It was a beautiful clear evening

A truly relaxing vacation spot, The Grand Hyatt does not disappoint. The staff was great, poolside service excellent, there was a great kids' menu, and lots of comfy loungers to hang out by the water. We need to do this more often!