We often get asked what our favorite family-friendly U.S. destination is…and often times answer that it’s in our own backyard…Hawaii!
There’s plenty to do on our island (read our guest post on Kids Are a Trip –5 family-friendly things to do in Honolulu) whether you’re traveling with toddlers or teenagers, and a variety of hotels to suit your family size and budget.
Read on to find out which 5 hotels are the best kid-friendly hotels on Oahu.
When to Visit Oahu
If you’re planning your family trip to Oahu and wondering when’s the best time to visit…take it from us locals when we say any time of year! We’re lucky to live in paradise which means the weather is amazing all year round, with plenty of things to do, no matter what time of year it is.
While most families come during Spring Break or summer aka peak season and expensive hotel prices, we recommend taking a trip in the winter. It’s not as crowded, the waterfalls are flowing, and if you’re looking for snow, hop on a plane ride to Big Island and go snowboarding on Maunakea! Read our post on 5 Reasons to Plan Your Winter Family Vacation in Hawaii.
Don’t Forget to Pack These!
Traveling to the islands means you’re in for plenty of sunshine. Do not skimp on the sunscreen…even cloudy days can be deceiving. Here are a few essentials we always have in the car with us whether we’re headed to the beach, going on a hike, or just cruisin’. CHECK OUT OUR ULTIMATE HAWAII PACKING LIST
The likelihood of ending up at the beach is high, so it’s better to come prepared!
The 5 Best Kid-Friendly Hotels on Oahu
One of the biggest to-dos of planning a family trip to Oahu is figuring out where to stay. There are 100s of hotels on Oahu, but not every one of them is family-friendly. Wondering what’s the best place to stay in Honolulu? Here are 5 of our favorite kid-friendly hotels on Oahu that we recommend for first time visitors to our island as well as seasoned travelers.
Disney Aulani Resort & Spa
Our all-time favorite staycation resort has to be the Aulani Disney Resort & Spa in Ko Olina. We stayed at the resort when it first opened a couple of years ago (read our review), and make it a point to go back whenever we can. We love that they offer great Kama’aina (Hawaii resident) discounts, which we make sure to take advantage of!
When it comes to being kid-friendly, no hotel does it better than Disney’s Aulani! From the multiple pools with slides, to evening storytelling with “Uncle”, to our favorite Disney characters walking around, they think of it all!
Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort & Spa
The Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort & Spa in Waikiki is known for its family-friendly facilities, and if you’re traveling with your pet, they are a pet-friendly property! Located just steps away from Waikiki Beach, The Honolulu Zoo, and International Marketplace…if it’s your first time to Oahu, staying at the Hyatt means you don’t have to travel very far. A lot of the things to do on Oahu are very near to the hotel.
To keep the kids occupied when they get tired of the beach, the hotel offers daily cultural classes in hula, lei making, and learning how to play the ukulele. The hotel also offers babysitting services in case you parents are in need of some alone time (don’t worry, we’ve all been there!).
Courtyard by Marriott, North Shore
Waikiki can be too hectic for some (it sure is for us locals!) which is why if you want to get away from the crowds, cruise on down to North Shore. We have family that live close to Courtyard by Marriott Oahu North Shore and recommend it if you’re looking for peace and quiet, and want to experience what the Hawaiian version of country-life is like.
When you’re there be sure to walk across the street to Lai’e Point, a state wayside park that’s hidden in a residential area unless you know to look for it. You’re in for gorgeous views of the ocean, great for whale watching in the winter, and when the water’s calm, and you’re feeling adventurous, a lot of locals love to cliff jump off it.
The Royal Hawaiian in Waikiki
If you’re looking for a luxury family-friendly hotel in Honolulu, then look no further because The Royal Hawaiian in Waikiki has you covered. This historic hotel has been serving up luxury service to tourists in Waikiki Beach since it was built in 1927.
Before it was a hotel, the area where The Royal Hawaiian now stands used to be a playground for Hawaii’s king, King Kamehameha I after conquering the island of Oahu. And, the hotel’s Coconut Grove garden was once the site of Queen Kaahumanu’s Summer Palace.
Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort
I remember thinking how large the property was the first time we visited the Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort and oh boy, it is! With three towers, five swimming pools, an ocean-front view, and even a private lagoon, the facilities make it hard to leave…Especially for us staycationers – once we set foot, we don’t leave until checkout!
When the parents need some downtime, the hotel offers fun-filled and educational activities for your keiki through Camp Penguin. Each day is a different experience, one that’s guaranteed to keep your child busy and having a ton of fun in paradise!
If you visited Oahu with family, what was your favorite family-friendly hotel? If you’re a local, tell me your favorite hotel to recommend to family & friends!
Planning your family trip to Hawaii? Let us help! Check out these posts:
- Reasons to Plan Your Winter Family Vacation in Hawaii
- The Locals’ Guide to Exploring Oahu With Kids
- 5 of the Best Local Beaches on Oahu
- Oahu’s Top 10 Family-Friendly Breakfast Spots
- Top 10 Kid-Friendly Restaurants on Oahu
- 10 Must-Try Local Foods From Hawaii
- Top 5 Kid-Friendly Beaches in Hilo
- Top 10 Kid-Friendly Restaurants in Hilo, Hawaii
- Big Island’s Very Own Chocolate Factory
- Kid Foodie Fridays: Hawaii-Kine, Easy Malasadas
Some incredible looking pools there! Yet another reason Hawaii moving up our bucket list!