These are the two best properties on the sunny Poipu Coast. Both have phenomenal locations right on the water with good beaches right off the property. You can't really lose staying at either one. That said....

• Food: Tidepools at the Hyatt floats over an oceanfront lagoon and profers fresh-caught fish and mouthwatering local product. The Sheraton's top ocean-view restaurant, Shells, has steaks and some seafood but doesn't really match the originality of the Tidepools menu. hint: my favorite local restaurant critic has never published a review of Shells, though he published a raving review of Tidepools.
• Pools: The Hyatt wins this one hands down. It's got five acres of saltwater lagoons and a multi-level maze fresh-water pool that kids and adults alike will love including a 150-foot water slide and a swim-up bar for practicing your chi-chi stroke. Possibly the second-best pool in the islands behind the Grand Wailea. The Sheraton pools are, alas, quite ho-hum.
• Ambiance: The Sheraton was completely redone in the late 1990s and its tasteful. But it can't match the lush, tropical feel of the Hyatt.
• Rooms: Bigger at the Hyatt, though often a bit dark and boxy. It's an old resort. Sheraton rooms are, by and large, much smaller. They do tend to have slightly better ocean views in some rooms, as they are closer to the water in a lot of cases.

Results: For the money, gotta give it to the Hyatt.

Image via Travelocity

—Alex, 07/09/06