For many people, Hawaii comes to mind as an adult destination, perfect for couples’ getaways or honeymoons. But Hawaii—and particularly Oahu—is also a fantastic location for family travel.
One key piece of the puzzle is finding the right lodging. Picking a family-friendly hotel will ease a lot of the headache of traveling with children and make their trip experience—not to mention yours—more enjoyable.
With that in mind, here are my picks for the best Oahu hotels for families, along with details on what makes them a great venue for your next family vacation.
Where to Stay in Oahu With Kids
Ko Olina
The leeward side of Hawaii features four protected lagoons, meaning the water is calm all year. The sandy-bottom lagoons are also shallow until you get decently far out, making them a safe place for younger children to swim. Large sandy and grassy areas are also perfect for play, and the lagoons are connected by a stroller-friendly walkway.
Waikiki
The iconic Waikiki beach is a must-see for many travelers, and it affords lots of opportunities for family fun. Soft sand and warm water make it ideal for beach days, and cultural and nature activities—such as dolphin encounters, museums, and the zoo and aquarium—abound.
North Shore
The North Shore is packed with things to do, including adrenaline activities like ziplining that are perfect for adventurous older children. The summer brings low surf and calm waters—in addition to fewer crowds—which makes it an ideal time to bring smaller children. You won’t run out of awe-inspiring natural landscapes to explore on this part of the island.
Short on Time? Here Are My Top Picks for the Best Family Resorts and Hotels in Oahu:
- Four Seasons Ko Olina, for the best luxury family resort
- Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort, for the best family-friendly Waikiki resort
- Marriott’s Ko Olina Beach Club, for the best all-around family resort
- Turtle Bay Resort, for the best North Shore hotel
If you’re looking for more Oahu resources, check out my restaurant guides for Oahu and Waikiki, my family travel guide to Oahu, and my guide to the best things to do on the North Shore!
11 Best Family Resorts and Hotels in Oahu
1. Best Luxury Family Resort: Four Seasons Ko Olina
I recently stayed at the Four Seasons Ko Olina, one of the top resorts in Oahu, Hawaii, with my toddler, and can’t say enough good things about the experience (read more about our trip here). The staff went above and beyond to accommodate us, including putting a teepee and stuffed animal in the room for my daughter. The hotel is cosmopolitan but relaxed, with 370 rooms, a spa, three pools, and five restaurants/bars in a breathtaking setting. Book the best rates here.
Why We Love Four Seasons Ko Olina for Families
- Kid-friendly pool and kids club
- Special touches in the room from the staff
- Kids under 4 dine free with adults
2. Best All Around Family Resort: Marriott’s Ko Olina Beach Club
This villa resort sits within a gated community that’s beautifully landscaped and surrounded by the ocean and a lagoon. One- and two-bedroom villas at the Marriott’s Ko Olina Beach Club give families room to spread out, and three outdoor pools offer dedicated areas for both kids and adults. A range of low-key dining options is also well-suited for families. Book the best rates here.
Why We Love Marriott’s Ko Olina Beach Club for Families
- Kids pool and close proximity to Wet n Wild water park (3.5 miles)
- Villas with full kitchens, living areas, dining areas, and washer/dryers
- Casual, outdoor dining options
3. Best Family-Friendly Hotel in Waikiki: Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort
Set on 22 acres of beachfront paradise, Hilton Hawaiian Village is huge and has everything you need for a perfect family getaway. A whopping five hotel towers offer a wide variety of room setups, and the activity calendar is just as varied, featuring games, crafts, and more for kids. The hotel also has its own lagoon, which is well-suited for kids who aren’t ready for waves. Book the best rates here.
Why We Love Hilton Hawaiian Village for Families
- Packed activity calendar with everything from hula lessons to fish feeding
- Water slides and lagoon for waveless swimming
- Camp Penguin Kids camp
4. Best Luxury Waikiki Hotel For Families: The Royal Hawaiian
Known as the “Pink Palace of the Pacific,” The Royal Hawaiian has been an icon since it opened back in 1927. Its two buildings, the Historic Wing and Mailani Tower feature distinct décor styles, but both come with modern comforts and amenities. With 528 guest rooms, it’s a sizable property with something for everyone. Book the best rates here.
Why We Love Royal Hawaiian for Families
- Kids playground pool area, complete with water slide and interactive fountain
- Cultural kid’s activities like hula and storytelling
- Each restaurant has a kid’s menu
5. Top Waikiki Family Hotel: Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa
The Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort is another favorite from our recent trip. Not one, but three patios in our suite looked over the famous Waikiki Beach, making for a postcard-worthy experience. Space to spread out both in the room and at the pool made this a great place to bring our toddler, and plenty of games, activities, and nearby beach access kept her entertained. Book the best rates here.
Why We Love Waikiki Beach Marriott for Families
- Spacious suites with dedicated living and dining space
- Large pool, splash zone, and game area
- Conveniently located in walking distance from top restaurants
6. Top North Shore Hotel: Turtle Bay Resort
The sprawling and eco-friendly Turtle Bay Resort is a great family hideaway, with tons of curated activities for kids. Nearly 1,300 acres of natural landscape are at your disposal, including five miles of unspoiled coastline and seven beaches, giving kids the space to try kayaking, snorkeling, and even surfing with dogs! Turtle Bay also has endless activities for adults to enjoy, horseback riding, award-winning golf, and a spa. Book the best rates here.
Why We Love Turtle Bay Resort for Families
- Curated activities for kids like pony rides, water sports, and ukulele lessons
- Spacious room types, including bungalows, suites, and villas
- Family experiences like a lu’au (free for kids 3 and under, discounted for kids 4-12)
7. Best-Themed Oahu Resort: Disney’s Aulani Resort & Spa
Known as one of the best family resorts in Oahu, Disney’s Aulani spans 21 acres along a lagoon with a white sand beach. Given that it’s a Disney resort, there’s lots of magic involved for little ones, including an abundance of child-friendly activities and even Disney character encounters. It’s the ultimate family destination on the island. Book the best rates here.
Why We Love Disney’s Aulani for Families
- Water slides, a lazy river, and splash areas
- Activities and entertainment for kids, including games, crafts, and scavenger hunts
- Disney character encounters
8. Top Rated Family Resort: Sheraton Waikiki
In addition to great beach access, Diamond Head views, top-rated pools (it shares the kids playground pool area with the Royal Hawaiian), and fun games and activities, the Sheraton Waikiki resort offers another great perk for families: Poppins Day Care. The daycare center has arts and crafts, a Playstation, and educational books and games, giving kids plenty of entertainment options while they’re there. Book the best rates here.
Why We Love Sheraton Waikiki for Families
- Kids playground pool area, complete with water slide and interactive fountain
- Daycare service for kids ages 3 months to 12 years
- More family activities in walking distance
9. Best Family-Friendly Hotel for Points: Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort
Planning a family vacation is expensive, with airfare for multiple people adding up quickly. That’s where points come in; the ability to stay in the heart of Waikiki at the Hyatt Regency Waikiki using World of Hyatt points is a huge advantage. Each of the 1,230 rooms and suites at this resort has a private balcony to take in ocean or Honolulu views. Book the best rates here.
Why We Love Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach for Families
- Bookable with Hyatt points, which can be transferred from Chase and Bilt
- Spacious rooms with balconies
- On-property surf school, with surf lessons perfect for beginners
10. Best Budget Family Hotel: Aston Waikiki Beach Hotel
One of the Oahu hotels with family suites, the Aston is just across the street from Waikiki beach and comes equipped with everything families need for a successful stay. Microwaves, refrigerators, coffee machines, toasters, and dishwashers are all available, helping families cut down on the high cost of eating out on the island. Book the best rates here.
Why We Love Aston Waikiki Beach Hotel for Families
- Spacious suites with Pacific Ocean views
- Fully equipped kitchens perfect for feeding a family
- Outdoor pool and recreation deck
11. Top Condo-Style Family Hotel: Hilton Grand Vacations Club Grand Waikikian
As it’s located on the expansive grounds of Hilton Hawaiian Village, the condo-style Grand Waikikian has access to Hawaiian Village’s Camp Penguin, a kids camp focused on bringing kids a true Hawaiian experience. Unlike other hotel camps, this one takes kids on field trips with professional counselors to learn more about Hawaiian culture and wildlife. Book the best rates here.
Why We Love The Grand Waikikian for Families
- Large, condo-style accommodations
- One-of-a-kind kids camp with field trips
- Numerous kid-friendly dining options
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PS — Are You Booking a Trip Soon? Use My Booking Checklist!
These are the sites I use most to book my own trips. Using the links below is a great way to support Bon Traveler’s travel journalism at no extra cost to you. If you need help organizing your itinerary, get my free travel itinerary template here.
1. Book Your Flights
Use Skyscanner to find the best flights. It searches 100s of airlines and websites across the globe to ensure you’re not missing out on any route options or deals.
2. Book Your Accommodations
Use Booking.com for hotels and guest houses. They have the biggest inventory and consistently offer the best rates.
3. Book Your Tours & Experiences
Use Viator or Get Your Guide to find the best tours and experiences. They are my favorite tour search engines. I always check both as their inventory varies depending on the destination.
4. Book Your Car
Use Discover Cars or Rentalcars.com to find the best car rental deals. I recommend comparing rental agency reviews on Google to ensure you are booking with the best company in that destination, as the reviews are often more accurate than the car rental search engines.
5. Don’t Forget Airport Lounge Access
Get a Priority Pass membership to gain access to 1,400+ VIP lounges and airport experiences worldwide. The Priority Pass app is the first thing I check when I have a layover. I’ve been a member for over a decade, and having a comfortable place to relax before and between flights makes air travel so much more enjoyable.
6. Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
I never leave the country without travel insurance. It provides comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong (ie. illness, injury, theft, and cancelations, etc.). I use it frequently for my travels to stay protected.
My favorite companies that offer the best coverage and rates are:
- World Nomads (best for all-around)
- Safety Wing (best for frequent travelers)
Xx,
Jessica
