The Hyatt Regency Maui

A Honeymooner's Paradise!

by Suzanne Barston

My new husband and I recently went on our honeymoon, and wisely chose the Hyatt Regency Maui as our destination. Going to Maui was exciting enough, but after renting a convertible (a must for the gorgeous weather and landscape of Maui), we were on our way to a vacation way beyond our expectations.

The Hyatt is on the Ka'anapali side of the island, only 3 miles from historic Lahaina Town, which is home to some of the best restaurants and entertainment in Maui. Spread out on 40 acres of oceanfront property, the resort boasts 806 luxurious guest rooms, 18 stores, six tennis courts, a half-acre pool, four restaurants, and even parrots and penguins! Walking through the massive, tropical-themed lobby, it is not unusual to hear one of the resort's several parrots whistling at women passing by, or meowing like a cat. The resident penguins provide hours of entertainment for adults and children alike- most people do not realize that most of the world's penguin species reside in tropical climates, and these handsome little guys at the Hyatt enjoy the sun as much as the guests!

Our room was in the Atrium Tower, overlooking the pool and the ocean. Large and luxurious, and decorated in pretty plantation-style, the room featured one of the most comfortable beds I've ever slept in. A large walk-in closet was perfect for over-packers like me, and the hotel's shower gel, lotion and shampoo smelled like a sweet, tropical drink. It would have been easy to stay in the room, relaxing on our private balcony, but we had to explore the highlight of the Hyatt Maui: the pool.

This is not your average pool. A half-acre of water, made up of two freeform pools divided by waterfalls, is accented by a "lava" tube slide, rope bridge, and swim-up bar located in a cavern. For the little ones, the Hyatt offers the 3000 square foot Keiki Lagoon, their version of a children's pool, including a dancing waterfall and 25-foot water slide. It seemed that most of the kids at the resort were more interested in the scarier lava tube slide, which encouraged us to try it too. After all, if a skinny 6-year-old could survive it, we certainly could, right? Wrong! I don't think I have ever screamed so loud! Although, my husband befriended all the kids at the resort, as he spent the rest of our vacation taking turns on that blasted waterslide. Guess I was the only chicken of the bunch!

In the evenings, we would often partake in a sunset swim, made even more romantic by the waterslides- it felt as if we were in our own private lagoon. We also rented a cabana for a day, which allowed us the luxury of two covered, cushioned chairs, an attendant bringing us complimentary water and fruit, and a perfect view of the impossibly blue Hawaiian shore.

This family-friendly resort offers a bunch of activities for all ages. We enjoyed their famous "Drums of The Pacific" luau, a veritable feast of sights, sounds and delicious Hawaiian food. We learned about Hawaiian culture, music, and legends while dining on tropical drinks and a ton of tasty, traditional dishes. Another family-friendly feature at the Hyatt is the Tour of The Stars, a rooftop astronomy program starring the "Great White", Hawaii's only recreational telescope. For $20 a person, your entire family can have the Hyatt's Director of Astronomy guide you through the stars, planets and even galaxies.

A definite "don't miss" is the Swan Court Breakfast. An extensive buffet of delicious breakfast foods can be enjoyed while sitting in a beautiful dining room, overlooking swans swimming gracefully through a sparkling pool. The price is incredibly reasonable for a brunch this good, especially when you factor in the ambiance.

All in all, the Hyatt Regency Maui is a perfect Hawaiian resort. Families feel welcome, as the Hyatt offers a great children's program and a general feeling of casual, relaxed elegance. It is also well suited for a romantic getaway, as I can personally attest! So, no matter what type of Maui vacation you are planning, make sure to check out the Hyatt Regency Maui. For more information, please visit www.maui.hyatt.com.