It’s not hard to see why Hawaii has become synonymous with paradise. Start planning your family holiday by reading our list of the best of the best resorts, as voted by you!
It’s not hard to see why Hawaii has become synonymous with paradise. Start planning your family holiday by reading our list of the best of the best resorts, as voted by you!
With 20 restaurants and bars, six pools, the longest water slide in Waikiki and five towers of accommodation to choose from, Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort really spoils families. Take a tranquil swim, try stand-up paddleboarding or ride an aqua-cycle at Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon, a two-hectare saltwater lagoon adjacent to the beach. For kids aged between five and 12, the resort’s Camp Penguin program offers a range of activities as well as off-site excursions to venues such as Honolulu Zoo and Waikiki Aquarium, leaving adults free to dine, golf or visit the spa.
Could anything be more magical than a tropical holiday with a touch of Disney? At Aulani, families can enjoy everything from fire-side storytelling and pool parties with Disney characters to a range of kids’ club activities suitable for both tiny tots and tweens. Water-lovers can float along a lazy river and plunge down the Volcanic Vertical body slide at the sprawling Waikolohe Valley pool area, or grab their snorkel gear for up-close encounters with tropical fish at Rainbow Reef, the only private saltwater snorkelling lagoon on O‘ahu.
Set in the North Shore of Oahu, Turtle Bay Resort is a laid-back beach resort where guests spend their days snorkelling among sea turtles, horse riding along ocean trails, perfecting their golf swing and mastering the Hawaiian hula dance. With more than 340 hectares to explore, including a coastline of idyllic bays, the property’s magnificent views alone are enough to make it hard to leave. Kids can learn to surf from local pros or make a splash in the keiki (kiddie) pool, featuring a 24-metre water slide.
If a day floating on a water beanbag in North America’s longest oceanfront infinity pool (cocktail in hand) is your idea of the perfect day in paradise, then you’ve come to the right place. Sheraton Waikiki offers this and a range of other water wonderlands, including the Helumoa playground with a 21-metre water slide, two large whirlpools and an interactive fountain area for kids. The kids’ program will have young travellers five and above bodyboarding, cookie decorating and crafting through the day. Poppins Day Care also offers care for children from three months to 12 years old.
Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort is the perfect place for a well-deserved beachfront holiday, with rooms that boast stunning ocean views, as well as a picturesque pool. Take a stand-up paddleboard yoga class, learn the ukulele or enjoy a surf lesson. Or, if you’re feeling luxe, charter the Holokai catamaran for a family sail and snorkel experience. After a day exploring, relax at one of the five restaurants, or enjoy a live show at Blue Note Hawaii.
Your keiki are well and truly catered for at Ka’anapali Beach Hotel, which celebrates Hawaiian culture through its complimentary activities. Learn the history of Olelo – the Hawaiian language – or the cultural significance of the ukulele. The nearby Pu’u Keka’a (Black Rock) is a haven for marine wildlife, with snorkelling, cliff jumping and stand-up paddleboarding all available. All rooms either have views of the ocean or the resort gardens, and the largest – the Ocean Front Family Suites – accommodate five and can be connected to an adjoining room to sleep another four guests.
With spacious suites ideal for families and a complimentary made-to-order breakfast, Embassy Suites by Hilton Waikiki Beach Walk provides the perfect base for all your Hawaiian adventures. The boutiques of Kalakaua Avenue are only a block away for those wanting to snag a sale, or head to the beach for some snorkelling, stand-up paddleboarding and surfing. For a change of pace, relax on the Grand Lanai (balcony) on a chaise lounge alongside a heated pool, whirlpool spa and children’s pool.
A pool day never looked as good as it does at Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort. Reserve a hale (traditional hut) or punee (sun lounge) and engage in a little bit of ‘swim, sunbathe, sleep, repeat’ time, with access to bottle service and the full Kani Ka Pila Grille menu. After the sun sets you can extend your pool paradise experience under star-studded skies, with live Hawaiian music lulling you into a state of bliss. There are also a range of other activities if you want to swap the pool for paddleboard yoga or try your hand at the ukulele.
The word ‘paradise’ is thrown around a lot with Hawaiian resorts, but Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa perhaps exemplifies it better than most. Each night, resort staff run stargazing sessions, plus a traditional Polynesian luau. Rooms are spacious with views of either the ocean, the West Maui Mountains or the resort grounds, and six pools, a 45-metre water slide and a rope bridge will keep the kids busy. Of course, the beach is also right in front of the resort, with daily activities run by dedicated staff.
For five-star Hawaiian luxury, look no further than Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa. With huge rooms, a diverse array of dining options (choose from contemporary Hawaiian, sushi, Italian and American) and plenty of activities, this is a one-stop holiday shop. The pools are next-level, with a lava-rock-lined lazy river that runs past waterfalls and secret caves, and a 45-metre water slide. Plus, kids will love games of water volleyball or basketball. The beach is just steps away, but if even that’s too far, take some time to relax on the sandy beach next to the resort’s own saltwater lagoon.
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