Hawaii earns its special place in the hearts and vacation memories of families. It’s full of history and culture, natural beauty, and ringed with some jaw-droppingly amazing beaches, and easily earns the title as one of the most popular family vacation spots in the world. And I love that each of the main islands has a unique character and totally different vibe.
Each island’s signature character means that no matter what kind of vacation you and your kids prefer, there’s a great family-friendly resort suited to your interests and styles, too. Here are my top picks on each of the three most popular islands: Maui, Oahu, and the island of Hawaii (also known as the Big Island).
Why you can trust our picks: Read our methodology for selecting and recommending hotels.
Quick look
More details below, but here are my top picks for each island:
Family resorts on Maui
Maui is one of the most popular islands for families to visit thanks to its stunning beaches, lush rainforest, waterfalls, and family-friendly resorts. Parts of the island are still recovering from the wildfires that struck in 2023. However, Maui is again welcoming visitors and tourism is a key part of its recovery.
The Westin Maui Resort & Spa
Just steps from Kāʻanapali Beach, often named one of the best in the world, The Westin Maui Resort & Spa is a family dream come true. The resort features numerous pools with a fantastic waterslide and a sand-bottom hot tub. Once you’re finished sunning and swimming, you can head to the resort’s on-site arcade, The Valley Alley, featuring Topgolf swing suites, duckpin bowling, and endless arcade games.
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When parents need a break, kids can head to the resort’s Keiki Club and grown-ups can enjoy the adult-only pool. Guests in select rooms have access to The Lānai, which features exclusive meals, snacks, drinks, and cultural experiences. And throughout the day, you can participate in Hawaiian-themed activities, including coconut-leaf weaving with a cultural specialist to create your own souvenirs.
Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa
The legendary Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa was the first of its kind in Maui. Once a favorite of Elvis Presley, it retains its mid-century modern charm. The resort offers stunning views of neighboring islands Molokai and Lanai, and has several spots perfect for viewing whales and Maui’s stunning sunsets. Built around Maui’s legendary Black Rock, the resort is the site of Maui’s nightly Cliff Diving ceremony, which honors the island’s last reigning chief.
It’s also home to an unbelievably long pool that spans the length of the resort. It hosts fairs for local artists and has other family-friendly cultural activities throughout the day as well. Best of all, the majority of the resort’s rooms have ocean views, including spacious family suites with room for everyone to strech out.
Wailea Beach Resort
A sprawling 22-acre oceanfront resort, Wailea Beach Resort was clearly designed with families in mind. It boasts four pools and Hawaii’s longest resort waterslide. You never have to leave the property thanks to endless activities, including lei-making, traditional Hawaiian games, nature walks, hula lessons, Hawaiian language lessons, and more. You can also book an outrigger canoe ride, snorkeling, or stand-up paddle boarding steps from the resort.
Grown-ups who need some “me time” can head to the resort’s Olakino wellness area for an afternoon of poolside pampering. At night, catch a movie, play lawn games, or hang out in the game room, complete with ski ball, foosball, and more. The Wailea Beach Resort sits along the picturesque beach featured in Netflix’s White Lotus. As a bonus, it also has one of Maui’s best luaus (and there’s a lot of competition for that title).
The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua
If you’re looking for a luxe experience, head to the Ritz-Carlton Maui. The upscale family-friendly resort is home to Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ambassadors of the Environment program, which offers an array of outdoor activities on land and sea, all of which are led by trained naturalists. The breathtaking resort features two award-winning golf courses, a garden that provides ingredients for on-site restaurants, and an enormous pool.
Family resorts on Oahu
Honolulu, located on the island of Oahu, has the biggest airport in Hawaii, making it easier to reach for many families. It’s also a big, vibrant city with world-class shopping and dining with Hawaiian flair. It wouldn’t be Hawaii without a great beach, and visitors flock to Honolulu’s world-famous Waikiki Beach for world-class surfing and swimming.
Sheraton Waikiki Beach Resort
An oceanfront resort designed with kids in mind, Sheraton Waikiki boasts a kids’ waterpark and multiple pools, including an infinity pool overlooking the Pacific Ocean. This resort is right on the beach, which means it’s easy to spend your days hopping between the resort, the water, and nearby shopping. Drop into family-friendly activities, including koi fish feeding and ukulele lessons throughout the day.
Aulani, A Disney Resort and Spa
It may be a Disney resort, but that doesn’t mean it’s all Mickey Mouse and Disney princesses at Aulani. This famously family-friendly resort makes plenty of room for the natural beauty and culture of Hawaii, using both as immersive features to deliver an above-average resort experience with a gentle Disney vibe.
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Situated within a sheltered cove about a half hour west of Honolulu, Aulani is close to family beaches and a few neighboring coves, making the resort feel both naturally vibrant and nicely tucked away. Read FamilyVacationist’s full review of Aulani to help you decide if it’s a good choice for your family.
Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa
The enormous Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa is in the heart of Honolulu’s bustling Waikiki neighborhood and is just steps from Waikiki Beach. Families flock to the hotel’s Queensbreak pool and rooftop deck with a stunning view of the Pacific Ocean. You can meet with an on-site cultural advisor in the resort’s on-site Heritage Center to learn more about Hawaiian royals and Hawaiian culture. The Heritage Center offers classes in hula, traditional Hawai’ian music, Lauhala weaving, and more.
The Royal Hawaiian
Also known as the Pink Palace, this historic Royal Hawaiian harkens back to Honolulu’s golden age of luxury. Today, the hotel is a family-friendly resort with a large pool and access to the Heluoma Playground waterpark, a favorite for kids. You can also enjoy on-site hula classes, bracelet-making workshops, and storytelling sessions. Check out the Royal Hawaiian bakery on the resort’s ground floor for classic treats. At night, head to the resort’s Mei Tai bar, where the famous drink was invented. Mocktails are available for little ones.
Family resorts on The Island of Hawaii
The Big Island, also called Hawai’i just like the state where it’s located, isn’t as popular with families as Oahu or Maui, but it’s a fantastic (and super family friendly) place to visit for if you’re seeking a quiet island with plenty of beaches and outdoor adventures, including Hawaii’s only active volcano. The Big Island has cool offerings like black sand beaches, coffee plantations, a rainforest, and more.
Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa
Located along the soft, white sands of Anaeho’omalu Bay on the Kohala Coast, The Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa sits on 15 very special acres that were once home to an ancient fishing village. You can take a walking tour of the property to learn more about the resort’s fish ponds, which Hawaiians still consider sacred. You can also see ancient petroglyphs left by fishermen who inhabited the property long before Hawaii had a written language, and learn about the nearby volcanoes that created the area’s black sand beaches.
Then head to one of the resort’s three pools, snorkel with turtles in the tranquil bay just steps from the hotel, or participate in daily activities to create traditional Hawaiian crafts and learn hula. When it’s time to eat, try the on-site restaurant for cuisine that’s locally sourced from nearby farms and fisheries.
Courtyard King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel
This beachfront Courtyard King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel overlooks the clear waters of Kailua Bay. Here you can spend your days swimming in the bay or relaxing by the resort’s gorgeous infinity pool. Active families can rent kayaks, canoes, stand-up paddle boards, snorkeling gear, and more right from the resort.
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The resort’s Fun Zone features bocce ball, table tennis, foosball, cornhole, and other activities to keep the kids busy all day long. When it’s time to head out, you’ll have easy access to shops and restaurants thanks to Courtyard King Kamehameha’s ideal location in the heart of Kona. The resort’s family-friendly luau is a must-see that’s been voted the best on the island.
Mauna Kea Beach Hotel
The Big Island’s first resort was founded by Laurance S. Rockefeller after he went for a swim in the bay near where the hotel now stands. Later, the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel added the island’s first golf course. Today, this historic hotel welcomes families to its pool, bocce ball court, and pickleball courts.
Kids can take junior tennis lessons and hula classes, learn how to make traditional Hawaiian crafts, go on a hike, or explore the on-site Discovery Center. Mauna Kea is ideally located for families who enjoy waters ports, including surfing, snorkeling, paddling outrigger canoes, and more.
