We spent 9 days and nights at this fabulous resort earlier this month, thanks to the travel game we all play. I forgot how much I liked this place. The occasion was babysitting my grandson Carter as Shannon and Chris were here for a convention for 7 days. We extended an extra day on each end to get some chillin’ time before our babysitting adventures began. Carter was one year on September 16th and his new nickname is Nonstop. He flat wears us out.

Our flights were American Airlines from SAV-DFW-LAX-LIH in first with the use of my Executive Plat upgrades. I got Chris and Shannon upgraded as well the next day and on their return. I figured if Carter is gonna be a travelin’ man we should get him used to the front end of the bus early. It will motivate him to play the game well. The tickets were about $900 each and I should have used miles but, since I had no further use for the upgrades this year and wanted to treat the kids I bought the tickets. It also pushed me over the 100K mark to qualify for Executive Platinum for 2013.  There were no bumps for any of us, a long layover in Dallas that couldn’t be avoided with the lousy AA schedule now out of Savannah. One of the flight attendants was Shaun from the safety video and we razed him a little about being a video star.

The convention room rate was $279 per night plus taxes and I still had my $1,800 worth of Hyatt vouchers from the first Capital One 100,000 mile match promo. It brought our room rate down to $79 per night, but that wasnot our only costs. Meals are extremely expensive. Room service for coffee for two is listed at $13 in the room service menu. By the time they brought it up the bill was $24 with all the fees and taxes added and I put on a $3 tip making it $27 for a pot of coffee. That lasted one night and I had maid service drop off extra packets of coffee and condiments. The breakfast buffet was $31.50 and every other meal was $14+ and up. I know I shouldn’t complain considering the net cost of our room but I still marvel at a $19 Hyatt hamburger. NO cheese even, just hamburger. We caught a few meals in Koloa at Pizzetta (the pork and cabbage is my favorite although the pizza works as well). And Keoki’s Paradise on the bar side for us ordering off the dinner menu with the fresh catch of the day is always a treat. I could eat there every night and I’m not a fish eater. The spicy version is my favorite with Opa as the fish choice.

The pool situation is perfect with a kids pool, adult pool and sandy beach lagoon. We can also walk to Shipwreck Beach and the Poipu Bay Golf course is right down the street. Home of the old Tournament Players Championship event. I played the course one day and enjoyed my round at $125 plus $55 for club rental. I lost more balls than I found but the weather was perfect and the company just fine.

As you know Kauai is one of our favorite places on earth. We’ll be back again in March on award tickets this time, first to Maui for four days to use up our free nights from the Fairmont card then back here for at least four more nights. I’ll be SPG Platinum in 2013 which will guarantee me an oceanfront room at the Sheraton down the street, but this resort is really growing on me. I can secure a club room for 27K points per night which gives me access to free breakfast and dinner snacks or 22K for a regular room here at the Hyatt.

This is what I call a High Class Problem. Sheraton or Hyatt. Which would you choose?

Deal of the Day

For today’s Deal of the Day American Airlines AAdvantage® has provided 2500 AAdvantage® miles for the best deals, fares, promotions, anything related to American Airlines, their oneworld partners or AAdvantage® partners.  Add it to the comments section of this post or this afternoon’s Deal of the Day post (with your first name, last initial, and home airport) to be eligible to win.