The Best Places To Stay With Kids In Hawaii
When Bali becomes a little ‘been there, done that’ and Fiji starts to feel a little lacklustre—fret not; there’s always Hawaii.
Although it’s a little further afield than the aforementioned family faves for Aussies, Hawaii delivers beautiful weather, an abundance of activities, a warm and generous culture, all with the familiarity that makes holidaying there with family a total breeze.
There are six accessible islands in Hawaii; Oahu, Maui, Kauai, Hawaii Island (aka, Big Island), Molokai and Lanai. Each one offers something a little different—for example, Maui would be the go-to island for chilled-out, relaxed family holidays with kids clubs galore, Oahu is favoured by active families who want sand, sun and surf, while Hawaii Island, home to Hawaii’s only active volcano, is great for adventurous families with lots of energy to burn.
Here’s where you should stay with kids in Hawaii.
Aulani Disney Resort & Spa, Oahu
Image: disneyaulani.com
‘Cause what kid wouldn’t want to stay at a Disney themed paradise?! Aulani offers families a tropical paradise with a touch of magic—thanks to their immersive kid's club, the bounty of family activities on offer, pools, waterslides, nighttime entertainment and so much more!
The complimentary kids club—Aunty’s Beach House—offers guests from 3 to 12 years of age the chance to explore Hawaiian culture, art and music through an endless amount of fun activities!
Ka'anapali Beach Hotel, Maui
Image: kbhmaui.com
Dubbed “Hawaii’s most Hawaiian hotel”, this Maui gem is an excellent choice for families. There’s a designated ‘Hospitality Department’ for kids, where they will receive an ‘Aloha Passport’ which will lead them to 12 great destinations around the resort. At each stop, fun and educational activities await!
The roster of scheduled daily activities invite kids to step inside Hawaiian culture, and the whale-shaped pool promises to be a hit with the whole family!
Grand Wailea Resort Hotel & Spa, Maui
Image: grandwailea.com
Located on 40 acres of tropical landscape on the white sand of Wailea Beach, the Grand Wailea Resort Hotel & Spa, features 5 restaurants, a spa, a water park, and 3 golf courses.
Perfect for families, this gorgeous beach-fronting resort is perfect for swimming, standup paddleboarding, snorkelling, and other water-based endeavours, while the onsite water complex includes nine pools connected by a lazy river, four waterslides, a rope swing, and a water elevator – plus complimentary scuba lessons. Their kids’ camp area boasts an arcade, mini cinema, kids’ activities year-round, and seasonal programs for teens—so all that’s left to ask is, what more could you possibly want?
Hilton Waikoloa Village, Big Island
Image: hiltonwaikoloavillage.com
This family-friendly resort on Hawaii Island is essentially an oceanfront playground with a fun, busy vibe. Thanks to three swimming pools, a giant waterslide, and a lazy river—it’s safe to say that this spacious beachfront hotel is ideal for water-lovers of all types. The property’s four-acre ocean-fed lagoon has its own private beach, shielded from waves and safe for beginning swimmers. Several dolphins live onsite, and guests are offered interactive swims with them!
Kauai Marriott Resort
Image: marriotthawaii.com
Located on the soft sands and gentle waves of Kalapaki Beach, Kauai Marriott is a haven for swimming, bodyboarding, and beginner's surfing, while a shallow area is great for little ones to splash around in. The resort also boasts an enormous pool—the largest single-level pool in Hawaii. Activities on offer at the resort include scuba diving, snorkelling, volleyball and more; perfect for slightly older kids who can entertain themselves without the need for a kids club!
Montage Kapalua Bay, Maui
Image: montagehotels.com
This gorgeous beachfront resort offers a range of suite sizes; all with full kitchens, which is perfect for families wanting to cook their own meals!
The kids club, Paintbox, plans a different theme every day and offers hourly, half day, full day, and evening programs. Their teen program runs three days a week with outdoor excursions in the mornings, and the resort boasts direct access to Kapalua Bay—a great beach for those wanting to sample some different water-based activities!
Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort, Oahu
Image: outriggerreef-onthebeach.com
The city meets the sea at this beautiful beachfront hotel, and traditional Hawaiian hospitality perfectly blends with the ultimate in modern comforts. Daily cultural activities are offered daily at the resort, inviting families to enjoy practices deeply rooted in Hawaiian heritage—such as stringing flower leis and learning to play the ukulele, or listening to traditional and contemporary Hawaiian music performed nightly by award-winning musicians at the resort.
Day excursions to nearby Honolulu Zoo and the Waikiki Aquarium will thrill little animal lovers—and there’s no end of things to see and do for families in the local area.
Four Seasons, Lanai
Image: fourseasons.com/lanai
On Lanai, kids can be kids and parents can rest assured that they’re safe and happy. The Fur Season’s complimentary Kids For All Seasons program gives children ages 5 to 12 the opportunity to appreciate Hawaii’s natural beauty and culture as they learn about petroglyphs, build their own erupting volcanoes and hunt for lizards!
There’s also a cultural program for the whole family, and everyone is bound to love the resort’s gorgeous pools, culinary delights and an array of activities on offer.
Hero image: Jetstar
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