The best thing about planning a family vacation to Hawaii is that it doesn't matter when you go - the islands are warm and sunny year-round. Family vacationers flock to Hawaii in the winter, spring and summer. Many hotels offer family vacation packages such as reduced rates when booking two rooms for a few days in a row. If you want to avoid crowds and your travel dates are flexible, hotels are usually the emptiest from the end of September to just before Thanksgiving.
A family vacation on Oahu can mean a stay at a large resort in the heart of Waikiki Beach, or a more intimate getaway on other parts of the island.
In Waikiki, Hilton Hawaiian Village and the Sheraton Waikiki both offer a children's program for children ages 5 to 12. While kids learn about Hawaii and play games, parents can go shopping, take a surfing lesson and have drinks with a view of the famous Waikiki Beach.
The Kahala Hotel, a 10-minute drive from Waikiki, has a private sandy beach and a man-made dolphin lagoon which is sure to excite kids.
On the North Shore of Oahu, Turtle Bay Resort offers family vacation villas just steps from its beach. These luxury villas are well suited for families that like to barbeque and relax together in a private space.
The island of Maui is a popular family vacation getaway and recognizing that interest airlines now offer direct flights to Maui from the mainland. There are several upscale resort areas on Maui where guests can choose from an array of vacation activities such as snorkeling, golf and spas.
Kapalua Resort on West Maui has three beaches and three different accommodation options. If you like to prepare some of your own meals and need the convenience of a washer/dryer while on family vacation, try the Kapalua Villas. Guests who prefer to stay in a hotel can choose from the 210-room Kapalua Bay Hotel or at the Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua.
Another popular family vacation destination on West Maui is Kaanapali Resort which has condos, programs for kids and three miles of sandy beaches.
The Fairmont Kea Lani Maui on the southern side of the island has a spa, golf, and spacious suites for families.
The Maui Prince Hotel has a long sandy beach great for snorkeling and sunbathing. The hotel has a pool for kids, several restaurants, two golf courses and a tennis center.
Kona Village Resort on the western coast of the Big Island of Hawaii is ideal for a family that wants to get away from it all. The resort has no phones or TV sets in its Polynesian-style thatched-roofed bungalows.
Mauna Kea Resort has 342 guest rooms with ocean views, a day camp for kids and a luxurious health spa for grown ups. The nearby Mauna Kea Beach Hotel also offers a kid's program, golf and a variety of watersports.
Hilton Waikoloa Village is a large resort with many restaurants, activities and accommodation options. The resort's Dolphin Discovery program lets children learn and interact with dolphins.
