Hyatt or Sheraton?

Between these two hotels, which would be more highly recommended? It sounds like the Princeville will be undergoing construction, so that%26#39;s out and it didn%26#39;t seem to get great reviews. We%26#39;re looking for four star or better accommodations. The Hyatt and Sheraton both look nice. It seems that the Sheraton is on a swimmable beach, while the Hyatt is not. Input from anyone who has stayed at either or knows about them would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Hyatt or Sheraton?

You have a win/win situation here! :O) The Hyatt IS on a nonswmming beach but the on-site water features are awesome. The Poipu Sheraton is right on Poipu beach which offers excellent beach activities, snorkeling, surfing, or just playing in the water. If you are lucky, a Hawaiian Monk Seal may share the beach with you. The Hyatt is %26#39;ritzier'; for want of a better word, the Sheraton more casual. Both are on the south shore but it seems to me that the Sheraton has a little better location as far as driving to other south shore restaurants, etc. Personally, I%26#39;d head to the Sheraton mainly because of the swimmable beach but you%26#39;ll love either choice!

Hyatt or Sheraton?

Aloha from Kaua%26#39;i!

Well, I used to work at the Sheraton front desk for 5 years, now I work at the Grand Hyatt (8 years) -- so I%26#39;ll try to give you my best perspective on the two!

The Sheraton is indeed on a swimmable beach, it is actually part of Po%26#39;ipu Beach and stretches from the park down to the Sheraton. It is by far the best part of the setting of the Sheraton. The ocean pool is just so-so, the hotel itself is very nice (considered ';moderate'; not luxury), the ocean wing overlooks the ocean to the west and the pool wing overlooks the ocean and swimming pool -- the property is intersection by Ho%26#39;onani Road, with the ocean wing on one side and the garden wing on the other. There are a couple of restaurants, Shells and Naniwa and a lounge, The Point as well as a sundries shop and a Kohala Bay collection clothing store.

The garden wing rooms were recently refurbished - I haven%26#39;t seen them, but they were in dire need of it and I understand they are quite nice now. There is another smaller swimming pool on the garden side as well. The rooms are smaller than on the ocean side and look out to either a garden/swimming pool or a koi pond. The ';partial ocean'; view look out over the lu%26#39;au grounds to the ocean across the street (but partially obscured by the ocean wing).

The big problem here at this time is the huge amount of construction that is all around this property. Half a block away they are starting up the very large Koloa Landing Development project -- it just started up about 2 months ago and the earth moving equipment has been moved in -- dust screens put up -- this project extends all the way from directly behind Po%26#39;ipu Kapili (kitty corner to the Sheraton) all the way down to Waikomo Stream Villas -- it is being called ';an ocean resort community';. There are at least 5 or 6 other projects up on Po%26#39;ipu Road from the Sheraton (I doubt you%26#39;d get noise from any of these however.)

If you were to stay in the pool wing, I doubt that you would get much if any noise from the construction -- however staying in the garden wing or ocean wing (closest Po%26#39;ipu Kapili) I think you would certainly have to hear it. The other construction all is centered up on Po%26#39;ipu Road mauka of the Sheraton -- there is another project scheduled to start up this summer and it would be immediately mauka of the Sheraton -- this one I%26#39;d definitely ask about as it is immediately next door to the garden wings. Don%26#39;t know for sure its start up date. Also Ho%26#39;onani Road (not the part that runs in front of the Sheraton though which dead-ends) is being used as a detour for Po%26#39;ipu Road during the road construction directly above the hotel.

The Grand Hyatt is one of the two ';luxury'; resorts on the island (the other is the Princeville) -- it is located at the end of Po%26#39;ipu Road, far away from any of the construction projects going on -- it is surrounded by cane fields and a golf course. The very lovely Keoneloa Bay fronts the hotel, but it is not a swimmable beach - great for long walks in the a.m. or sunset, but for expert body boarders and surfers only. That is why the Hyatt has several swimming pools, one is all salt water and you can actually kayak in!

One of the others has a elaborate waterslide. The Hyatt is, in my opinion, the most ';Hawaiian'; of all the hotels on the island -- the arthitecture reflects the Hawaiian theme and the incredible landscaping all through this very large property is amazing. There are several restaurants, Tidepools, Donderos, Stevenson%26#39;s Library, IIlima Terrace, the Pool Snack Bar and Seaview Terrace (where there is nighly free Hawaiian entertainment -- I do the narration for the torchlighting ceremony there!). Many upscale shops also.

This hotel would be my pick in a heartbeat over the Sheraton!

Just my two cents worth!

Good luck!

Malama Pono,

Janet

No doubt.... Hyatt... hands down. You can drive 5 minutes to the Poipu Beach area, but that hotel is great!!!!! I don%26#39;t think the Princeviile Hotel will be too effected by the construction. They would need to close down if they couldn%26#39;t offer their guests what they advertise. It is beautiful up there. But if you decide on the south my vote is the Hyatt!!!!!

I agree- the Hyatt. The walk along the cliffs is beautiful. Check our GoList for island ideas.

tripadvisor.com/GoListDetail-i12307-Kauai_Bo鈥?/a>

Wow! Thanks everyone for your ideas - very detailed and helpful information. The Hyatt has been my first pick from the beginning and you have all helped to validate this.