Kudos to Kauai’s Grand Hyatt Resort for going IPod before LCD

A lot of hotels and resorts around the world are upgrading their in-room amenities, but they’re going about it in the wrong way.

Many of them are rushing out to install flat screen LCD TVs. Then they don’t get the High Def hook-up, so you’re stuck with a picture that is actually worse than a traditional tube TV can produce ("Is Shaq’s face really that flat?” you ponder as you watch sports on a stretched out aspect ratio…)

One Hawaii resort out there is going about its in-room upgrades the right way. The Grand Hyatt Resort on Kauai is an extremely impressive luxury hotel with a beautiful Asian Pacific decor. It’s also got the prettiest golf course right now on Kauai, Poipu Bay, with jaw-dropping ocean and clifftop views from every turn. The resort also has neat little bar, the Library, that has pool tables and late night jazz. It’s the kind of venue where you feel like one of the characters in Clue.

But I’m also impressed with one of the little things, something a two-star or five-star hotel could easily afford but never seem to have. Rooms at the Grand Hyatt come with an IHome alarm clock and IPod dock. So when you check in to your room, see the ocean and palm trees from your balcony and can think of the perfect tune to fit the mood (in this case it was Tiesto’s In Search of Sunrise Vol. 6: Ibiza compilation), you can plug your IPod into the IHome and you’re instantly soaking in the vibe with your favorite tunes, instead of being at the mercy of a local radio station’s playlist usually determined by big wigs from Clear Channel.

With the Hyatt upgrading rooms with the IHome before the LCD TV, it hints that the resort staff is trying to find more practical ways to offer comfort and luxury - rather than just go all show with the flat screens. And to those resorts who have the LCDs without the HD hook-up, you’re not fooling anyone!

Stay tuned to WorldGolf.com for a full review of Poipu Bay - a much more playable championship test compared to the daunting Prince course at Princeville, as well as plenty more from Kauai.