This 52-acre bluffside compound above Keoneloa Beach (Shipwreck Beach) in Poipu may be the largest on the island with 605 rooms, but it hosts many garden nooks where you can enjoy the sweeping ocean views in relative tranquility. It also boasts lively gathering places. Kids of all ages will enjoy the best pool complex on the island — including a lazy river, a 1.5-acre saltwater lagoon with its own beach, multiple tiers, and a 150-foot water slide — while grownups will appreciate the modern island fare and spirits at Tidepools. The quieter expanse and expertise of Anara Spa draw patrons from all over the island, as does the 18-hole championship Poipu Bay Golf Course next door. For those looking to shop and learn local, the lobby atrium hosts daily vendors from Kauai, and the Cultural Center offers a variety of Hawaiian Culture classes such as weaving, lei making, hula, ukelele, and more. Good to know: With such a big footprint, the resort makes serious efforts to reduce its carbon emissions.

Photo Courtesy Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa