Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa takes carbon footprints seriously.
BY BONNIE SIEGLER
Aloha! Escape the cold and snow with a getaway everyone deserves. The Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa is located just 30 minutes from Liheu Airport on Shipwreck Beach. While no pirates have been seen along this stretch of pristine sand, the strong surf conditions warrant the name. With Brennecke Beach’s beautiful white sand beaches and excellent surf conditions a few minutes away, the hotel haven is great for everyone from toddlers to skilled swimmers. The true essence of this paradise resort set on 50 oceanfront acres is the experience you take home after your stay. “We hope that people will, upon arriving at the resort, feel an immediate sense of peace,” says ambassador Diann Hartman, “realizing they are in a place like no other. We hope they will feel relaxed, and be able to revitalize and reconnect with nature.” Not hard to imagine since your first impression of the resort is a lobby that greets you with understated, yet extravagant local décor and a certain rhythm enfolds you.
CONSCIOUS DIGS
But the property, while elaborate, is committed to reducing their impact on the environment by conserving natural resources and reducing waste. “Over the years, we have reduced our energy usage by over 1.8 million kWh per year,” boasts Hartman. “Each year we take on more initiatives to continue reducing our usage. Our watering system has a rain monitor so if it’s raining, the sprinklers do not go on.” While the resort and spa help you to unwind and promote optimum health, the property also promotes “green” living through a number of environmental programs. That’s why the resort has kicked it up a notch in recent years. “We clearly have a huge positive impact on our island’s environment,” says Hartman. “Each month we divert about 13 tons of recyclable materials from our island’s landfill.” Other programs instituted include air conditioning systems on an energy management system, and novel dry cleaning that uses Green Earth machines in place of older methods. “More and more people are looking for hotels that are practicing environmental conservation.”
It’s no surprise then that this property has won the Green Business and Green Star Awards in past years, along with National Geographic magazine’s “The Stay List” which honoured this Hyatt for giving back to the community and working to conserve and sustain resources. Sourcing locally grown and organic menu options is another big step forward on the eco-friendly path. All fish in their restaurants, except one salmon dish, is locally caught. “The majority of fresh herbs used are from our on-site garden with some supplementation of basil from the local farmer’s market,” states Hartman. The Garden Isle Salad takes advantage of Hawaiian hearts of palm, macadamia nuts and peppered big island goat cheese while the Filet of Beef uses the lilikoi (passion fruit) steak sauce with ginger butter.
ROYAL TREATMENT
Then head over to the Anara Spa for treatments that promote optimum health in your body while achieving lightness in your spirit, enabling a profound sense of harmony or as they say “lokahi.” “The lomilomi massage incorporates flowing strokes, warm stones and healing ti leaves to intuitively release your muscles and induce deep relaxation”, explains Hartman on one of the spa’s signature treatments. “A volcanic foot pumice and coconut scalp massage resonate the indulgences of royalty.” Local botanical remedies deliver a healthy boost to relieve jet lag, fatigue and stress. “Noni fruit, a super antioxidant, combines with macadamia nuts in our body polish. Herbal wraps are steeped in hibiscus and ginger that detoxify and soothes muscle aches. And our noni mask replenishes the immune system, followed by a soothing kukui lotion massage.”
The healing properties in many of the indigenous products have been used in Hawaiian traditional medicine for centuries. Noni has traditionally been used in liquid form as a tonic. “The leaves, flowers, fruit and bark can treat eye problems, skin wounds and abscesses, gum and throat problems, respiratory ailments and fever. Wild-crafted ingredients from our lush rainforests connect you to the healing energy of Kauai. A mask of pure volcanic Kauai clay detoxifies and balances your system. The clay is a drawing and purifying material.” Many of the Anara spa treatments help bring you closer to your inner self, by combining Hawaiian culture and ancient remedies with ingredients found on the islands. The Pohaku Warm Stone Massage combines the healing energy of Kauai’s land with stones warmed in organic Hawaiian oils to help release any tension, while a Hawaiian Alii facial integrates the healing properties of Hawaiian noni, kukui and volcanic clay to restore a youthful glow to your complexion. The Wild Ginger Sports Relief utilizes the benefits of wild ginger in a massage to warm muscles and ease body stiffness. A refreshing body exfoliation with ginger and lime-infused sugarcane follows to invigorate and detoxify. With 16 indoor and outdoor treatment spaces, the spa also offers a lap pool, garden Vichy Shower, whirlpools, lava rock shower gardens and relaxation courtyards.
Have you booked your ticket yet?
