The boisterous Polynesian capital of Honolulu is Hawaii at its authentic best. Sitting at the southern edge of Oahu, the spiffy, snazzy Hawaiian town offers a mixed-plate of experiences for everyone, especially families. With its lush rainforest experiences, stunning underwater adventures, and miles of pristine beaches, Honolulu is an excellent destination for intrepid families. Besides, the town and the rest of the island has tons of historical and cultural activities, food and cuisine options aplenty, and sleepy surf towns to kick back with your family. Hence, it’s no surprise that there are lots of options for family hotels in Honolulu “Town,” as it’s colloquially known. The best hotels in Honolulu for families are perfect whether you’re traveling with teens, tweens, or tots. From elaborate resorts on the edge of town to Disney-themed resorts, there’s something in Honolulu for families of all sizes.
The best part about these family hotels is that they offer more than just connecting rooms or babysitting services. Today’s hotels and resorts offer children’s pools, a slew of activities designed for children, as well as massive kids clubs. What’s more, you can enjoy your own “me” time while spending time with your kids as well. To that end, here are the 11 best family hotels in Honolulu.
Where to Stay in Honolulu
It’s very pleasing to roam around Honolulu, which is famously one of The 12 Cleanest Cities In The World. The fast-paced dynamic city has a lot going for it, apart from its laid-back charm and pristine white-sand beaches. Even though it’s a relatively small city, you need to zero in on an area to stay. And Honolulu’s neighborhoods are all diverse in character. So, where to stay in this lovely Hawaiian capital?
The nucleus of all action in Honolulu is the famed Waikiki Beach. The tourist hub draws thrill-seeking water babies and beach bums to its beaches strewn with cafes, restaurants, and water-based fun. Waikiki is also great for thrifty travelers and has many options for budget hotels in Honolulu for families. Waikiki also overlooks one of the most striking natural sights on the island, the Diamond Head volcanic cone. Right next to it sits the equally lovely seaside neighborhood of Ala Moana. It’s famously home to the Ala Moana Center, one of the 15 Most Amazing Shopping Malls In The World. Next up, we have Downtown, which is the commercial and historical heart of the city. If you and your family are culture buffs, then you’ll love exploring the gorgeous neighborhoods of Downtown.
North of downtown, at the foothills of the Honolulu Watershed Forest Reserve, sits Manoa. The serene and tranquil residential neighborhood is the perfect place to soak in Hawaiian culture. It’s full of picturesque bungalows, mom-and-pop stores, and walk-ups from the 1960s. If you and your family love the outdoors, then there are lots of things to do for you guys in Manoa. Finally, the delightful Eastern Honolulu, which is full of beaches, gardens, parks, and natural attractions is also great for families.
Park Shore Waikiki
11
At the southern end of Waikiki, the Park Shore Waikiki is one of the best budget family hotels in Honolulu. There might not be out-and-out activities for children in the hotel, but it lies in particularly kid-friendly outdoors. To begin with, it overlooks Kuhio Beach, which is a sheltered, swimmable section of Honolulu’s shoreline. It even has a section that’s cordoned off, which has gentler waves that are perfect to swim for children. The resort even provides free beach towels and chairs. What’s more, it lies right next to the Honolulu Zoo, which is a great attraction to explore with your kids.
On the inside, the oceanfront hotel does have lots of avenues for kids to enjoy on-site. To begin with, children below the age of 17 years stay free if they’re sharing rooms with their parents. In such cases, book ahead and get the poolside lanai room. It opens directly onto the stunning pool deck, which your children will love. You can even go for the one/two-bedroom suites with pullout sofas, which are spacious for you and your kids. The freshwater pool peppered with umbrellas and loungers and is perfect for you to lounge around. Moreover, you can even indulge in the free weekday yoga classes or enjoy a cup of coffee at the Starbucks outlet on-site.
You can even enjoy a picnic, for which the quick-service restaurant is more than happy to whip up treats. Finally, your kids will love the three restaurants on-site that serve everything from Japanese to Hawaiian to American cuisine. If your family is interested in a spot of shopping, then the hotel has free shuttles to the Ala Moana Shopping Center.
Check Rates on:
Turtle Bay Resort
10
If you don’t want to stay right in the middle of Honolulu, then we’d highly recommend the amazing Turtle Bay Resort. Besides being one of the best family hotels in Honolulu, it’s also one of the most luxurious resorts on the entire island. It lies on the famed Northern Shore of Oahu, right on the oppoiste side of the island. And even though it’s well-removed from the bustle of Honolulu, it’s just an hour’s drive away.
Turtle Bay has a superb whole-family offering. It provides a wide array of activities for families to enjoy together. These include everything from snorkeling and surfing to tennis, horseback riding, and more. The star attraction on the property is the two lovely saline pools and hot tubs, all of which have superb views of the beach. Of that, one pool is designed exclusively for kids and even has a small water slide, which your children will absolutely love. A handful of restaurants and bars ensure that your tiny tots, tweens, and teens aren’t bored with the food ever. For you, the spa with its extensive list of treatments is the perfect place to unwind. You can even work out in the state-of-the-art gym. During the busy season, the kids club and babysitting services keep the children busy while you head for a spa session or a romantic date night.
Rooms here feel more like private beach bungalows with pleasant sea-based colors like browns, greens, and blues. Huge bathrooms, high-tech mod-cons, and fun accents and fabrics keep the vibe fun-filled on the whole.
Check Rates on:
Sheraton Waikiki
9
Located at the northern end of Waikiki Beach, the Sheraton Waikiki is one of the best out-and-out family hotels in Honolulu. In fact, it’s one of the very few resorts with a slew of kid-friendly activities on the island that lets children below the age of 17 years stay for free.
Firstly, it has a superb activity club for children up to the age of 12 years. Older children, on the other hand, have a roster of sports and games-focused activities to keep them engaged. What’s fun for the entire family is the massive oceanfront pool, complete with water fountains and a thrilling, 70-feet-long water slide. When your kids are busy with other activities, indulge in some quiet time on the daybeds at the oceanfront infinity pool. Childcare services are available at the front desk if you guys want to enjoy a quiet dinner at the restaurant or a nightcap at the lounge/bar.
Rooms at the hotel are outfitted with all modern amenities to make both you and your children comfortable. If there are a minibar and room service, there’s also a TV with kid-friendly channels, in-room movies, and free Wi-Fi. The bathrooms even have bathtubs for your kids to frolic in. The presence of basic self-catering facilities like a beverage station, minibar, a microwave, and mini-fridge allows you to whip up quick meals too. Moreover, rooms have fabulous views of either the pool area or the ocean. The hotel’s location is equally top-notch. Waikiki beach and its endless hours of beach fun are right outside, while the market for shopping for souvenirs is right next door.
Check Rates on:
Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort & Spa
8
There’s more than one reason why the Hyatt Regency Waikiki Resort & Spa is popular with families. For one, it lies right in the most popular section of Waikiki beach. The calm beachfront offers a host of family-friendly fun, right from surfing lessons for older kids to sandcastle building for the tiny tweens. Next, the hotel lies close to many eateries that are a hit with children, including Denny’s and The Cheesecake Factory. Plus, a full day of entertaining lies right around the hotel in the form of a zoo, a hiking trail, an aquarium, and more.
On the inside, there’s nothing about the resort that your children, or you, won’t love. Children less than the age of 12 years have an entire kids club of their own. It features a bunch of fun and cultural learning activities for them, both indoor and even outdoor at the beach, like surfing lessons. Older children will be enthralled by the range of magnificent live entertainment including the traditional Hawaiian fire-dancing. They also have access to modern comforts in rooms like Wi-Fii, MP3 adapters, and cable TV. Private bathrooms and essentials like coffeemakers and mini-fridges are godsent for you, especially for stocking up food or drinking a much-needed cuppa in the morning.
Both you and your children can have their share of fun and the hotel’s fabulous swimming pool or dig into a hearty breakfast buffet at the restaurant. While the kids play, you can wind down with a session at the Na Ho’ola Spa or enjoy sundowners at the SWIM restaurant/bar. After getting together, the entire family can dig into family fare while feasting their eyes on the “Aloha Waikiki” hula show on Wednesday nights.
Check Rates on:
Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort and Spa
7
Right in front of the calm, swimmable waters of Kuhio Beach south of Waikiki beach lies the Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa. Not only are the Top 7 Things To Do In Honolulu right around the corner, but the beach right out front ensures memorable seaside fun a hop, skip, and jump away. Your children will have the time of their lives here. To begin with, they have two supervised pools all to themselves where they can have bucketloads of fun. What’s more, they’re also welcomed at the spa, which is perhaps a first for a hotel on not just the island but entire Hawaii.
While children are busy, you can also indulge in a spot of unwinding or lounge on the daybeds by the pool. If you don’t want your fitness regimen to With seven restaurants on-site, you’ll never have to worry about your children “getting bored” with the food either.
That said, the hotel rooms are something you and your children will both absolutely love. The highlight in them all, besides oodles of space, is the stunning balconies with partial or complete views of the Oahu coastline and the North Pacific Ocean. Besides lavish bathrooms, all rooms have mini-fridges and coffeemakers which you will definitely love. It’s perfect to store leftovers that you guys can munch on later. Plus, you can drink a cup of coffee in the morning before the energy bundles wake up!
Check Rates on:
Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach
6
The Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach might be a 37-story highrise, but it’s reminiscent of a lovely Hawaiian village when you stand on the ground. It lies at the quieter northern end of Waikiki and faces the lovely Kahanamoku beach. It’s perfect for your family if you want to be located near the action, but not thick in the middle of it. This alone makes it one of the 11 Best Hotels In Honolulu.
So, what’s it about this resort that your children will love? If your kids are 12 years or less, then they’ll be enamored by the ultra-special Camp Penguin. It not only arranges for activities like craft sessions and movie evenings but also outings to nearby attractions. If your children are older, they’ll immediately love the beach which has lots of water sports that they can try out. The best part about the resort for families with children is the daily resort fee. It might seem oxymoronic, but it gets you free Wi-Fi access, two daily drinks of sodas or water, an unlimited supply of movies, pool activities, and toys, and discounts on local attractions’ entry charges. If you have younger children, then you’ll appreciate this live-saving offer.
You’ll all love the rooms at the hotel too, complete with amazing flatscreen plasma TVs for family movie nights. There’s a fabulous swimming pool where you can lounge by and relax while your children are busy with Camp Penguin. Post a soak in the hot tub, you and your partner can even enjoy a cocktail or two in the lobby bar.
Check Rates on:
Embassy Suites by Hilton Waikiki Beach Walk
5
If you’re looking for a suite hotel in town, then the Embassy Suites by Hilton Waikiki Beach Walk is the best hotel in Honolulu for families. The hotel sits right next to Fort Derussy Beach Park at the northern end of Waikiki Beach Walk. So, if you’re looking to get out and explore Honolulu with your family, then the location couldn’t be more perfect.
This is an out-and-out family-friendly hotel, and the vibe is evident at the thriving, fun-filled poolside area. It features separate pools for children and adults and is the heart and soul of the hotel. It’s the perfect place for your kids to splash about in the pool as you grab a drink at the poolside bar. Plus, chaise lounges under shady umbrellas on the sundeck are perfect for lounging as your kids frolic right there. After a day of pool fun, enjoy an evening of complimentary beverages, snacks, and drinks by the pool, which even includes kid-friendly options. They’ll love the restaurant and its all-American fare as much as the pool, if not more.
Rooms, albeit simple, are spacious and perked up by Hawaiian art and Aloha lamps. The kitchenettes are well-equipped for basic catering facilities, which is great for families. Besides immaculate ensuite bathrooms, the room has all standard in-room amenities including free Wi-Fi and flat-screen TVs.
Check Rates on:
The Marriott Ko’Olina Beach Club
4
If you’re looking for a luxurious hotel to stay with your family, then look no further than The Marriott Ko’Olina Beach Club. It’s easily one of the best hotels in Honolulu’s vicinity for families. It lies on the southwestern shore of Oahu island, a mere 30 minutes from Honolulu. The hotel might be a timeshare property, but there’s nothing about it that your family won’t love. Right from spacious one/three-bedroom villas to multiple swimming pools and even a children’s club, this one has it all. If you’re looking for quiet luxury on the island, then this is the place to be.
Rooms, or rather accommodations here are spacious with lots of space for you and your children to lay around and be comfy. But, the standout feature at the property are its three swimming pools, complete with slides and cascading waterfalls. In fact, they’re a waterpark-esque destination in their own right. The entire property is set around a gorgeous lagoon and is peppered with green spaces. It’ll be a pleasure to walk around the place with your family in tow. The resort has its own special Keiki Club, the kids club with activities ranging from hula lessons to movie nights. You can have your own share of fun at Club Thrive, with aqua aerobics, yoga, and more.
End the day by watching an entertaining evening program while digging into the delicious food at the restaurants on-site. A great way to enjoy the beach is to rent a cabana for the entire day.
Check Rates on:
The Kahala Hotel & Resort
3
The Kahala Hotel & Resort offers a different take of Honolulu. It’s tucked away in the upscale residential neighborhood of Kahala on the other side of Diamond Head. It’s a mere 10-minute ride into Waikiki on board the free shuttle. All-in-all, if you’re looking for luxurious digs in town, then the Kahala Resort is perfect.
There are tons of activities for you and your children at the resort. They might charge a bit extra for the children’s activity club, but it’s totally worth it. This is especially true if your kids are love nature and learning all about it. Firstly, there’s an onsite pool that’s filled with marine life like stingrays, turtles, and even dolphins where a range of children’s activities take place. Additionally, there’s a separate supervised swimming pool for them. You, on the other hand, can head for some serious pampering to the spa and then soak in the outdoor sauna. Four dining options ensure that your kids are never bored and that food is conveniently gotten right on the property.
For fun family time, the place offers everything from sand toys and daily surf lessons to hula classes and afternoon tea. Besides a nightly turndown service, rooms are delightful with wonderfully soft beds, lavish bathrooms, and even balconies in some of them.
Check Rates on:
Aulani, A Disney Resort and Spa Club Villa
2
The wonderful Aulani, a Disney Resort and Spa is Disney, Disney, and Disney all the way. The magical resort sits on 21 acres of the most beautiful green land on a beautiful beachfront cove Oahu’s southwestern shore. Right from its experiences down to the rooms, the resort weaves a magical experience for a memorable Hawaiian family vacation and is hands-down one of the best hotels for families in Honolulu.
From the minute you enter, the Disney spell seems to work. Soaring arches will remind your kids of Princess Jasmine’s castle even as they marvel at the music that fills the air. Disney even makes its inroads into the entertainment here, right from hula lessons, lei making, and fireside stories to sunset celebrations and Disney movies under the stars. The star of all features here is the Waikohole Valley, a mesmerizing, magical winding waterway complete with thrilling, twisting slides. Your kids will revel in this gushing, watery adventure that ends at the heart of it all – the enchanting Wailana pool. It even has private cabanas for you to relax, complete with a gorgeous infinity view.
You can choose from two kinds of rooms here, the regular ones and the special Disney Vacation Club villas. The club villas feature either full kitchens with washer-dryers (one-bedroom villas and above) or kitchenettes (studios). The cheerful villas are very spacious, complete with nods to the Disney theme, lovely Hawaiian decor, and even private porches or balconies with garden, pool, or ocean views.
Check Rates on:
Coconut Waikiki Hotel
1
Sitting right at the top of the list of best family hotels in Honolulu is the fantastic Coconut Waikiki Hotel. The best part is that it also happens to be one of the 11 Best Gay-Friendly Hotels in Honolulu! So, not only are all kinds of families welcome here, but they’re all promised what will be a great and memorable Hawaiian vacation. What’s especially great about this hotel is that it’s the perfect smaller, boutique hotel as compared to overcrowded mega-resorts.
The bohemian property brims with a relaxed ambiance and a retro-inspired decor that’s a massive departure from the other run-of-the-mill resorts. Begin your day with an amazing breakfast of assorted pastries, fresh fruit, coffee, juice, oatmeal, eggs, and waffles! Your family can have a gala time playing at the small heated outdoor pool, complete with floats. In the evening, play games together or spend an evening grilling in the barbeque area. You can even get in a workout or check emails at the gym and the business center. Freebies like afternoon snacks, coffee/tea, and beach towels really make your day.
You have the choice of 81 bright, airy, and spacious rooms, all of which feature sliding glass doors opening out to small furnished lanais with city or mountain views. If you’re with your family, we recommend the larger suites with more space, kitchenettes, and spacious bathrooms.
Check Rates on:
Recommended Restaurants / Bars in Honolulu:
- Sunset Smokehouse: This food-truck-turned-Texas restaurant serves delicious Midwestern fare and beverages.
- Honolulu Food Tour Eat Like a Local: Dig into the best of Hawaiian cuisine on this 2.5-hour walking tour of Ala Moana neighborhood in Honolulu.
Recommended Activities In Honolulu:
- Full-Day Honolulu Tour with Pearl Harbor: Explore the amazing historic and modern sights in the city, including the sites of Pearl Harbor.
- Oahu Afternoon Glass Bottom Boat Tour in Waikiki: Discover the wonders of the Pacific Ocean floor on a 1.5-hour tour aboard a glass-bottomed boat.
