Four Seasons
By Jeanette Foster
Your family has been dreaming about a Hawaii vacation, but where should you stay? Check out these best hotels on Oahu, Maui, Kauai, and the Big Island for inspiration.
Photo Caption: Kids playing in the Sea Shell Pool at the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai at Historic Kaupulehu
The standout is Fairmont Kea Lani Maui, where the price of a hotel room gets you an entire suite -- plus a few extras. Each unit in this all-suite luxury hotel has a kitchenette, a living room with entertainment center and sofa bed, an oversize marble bathroom with separate shower, a spacious bedroom, and a large lanai that overlooks the pools, lawns, and white-sand beach.
More Info: tel. 800/659-4100; www.kealani.com
Photo Caption: One-bedroom suite at The Fairmont Kea Lani Maui
On Oahu, the DoubleTree Alana Hotel-Waikiki is run by the Hilton Hawaiian Village and located within walking distance of Waikiki Beach. At this small boutique hotel, you get comfortable rooms and the kind of prompt service that you usually receive only at twice the price. (Rack rates here start at $189.)
More Info: tel. 800/222-TREE [222-8733]; www.alana-doubletree.com
Photo Caption: Complimentary cookies in the lobby at the DoubleTree Alana Hotel Waikiki are sure to be a hit with kids.
Not only does the Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort & Spa on Waikiki Beach have a great menu and prompt room service, but the entire megaresort is kid-friendly. The Rainbow Express is the Hilton's year-round daily program of activities for children 5 to 12. Spot flamingoes and adorable African black-footed penguins not far from the restaurants, where kids 4 to 11 eat free.
More Info: tel. 800/HILTONS [445-8667]; www.hawaiianvillage.hilton.com
Photo Caption: Kids with the Camp Penguin program at Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort & Spa visit the aquarium.
Four Seasons Resort Hualalai at Historic Kaupulehu offers a relaxing vacation in the lap of luxury. You can't get any better than this -- everything from a complimentary children's program, something for the teenagers, and kid-friendly restaurants. The resort also offers children's menus in all restaurants, a game room, videos, complimentary infant gear (cribs, highchairs, and so on), and more amenities to make your family feel at home.
More Info: tel. 888/340-5662; www.fourseasons.com
Photo Caption: Family at King's Pond at the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai at Historic Kaupulehu
Located in the older section at the north end of the resort area, the Kaanapali Beach Hotel has an irresistible local style that's missing from more modern hotels. As part of the hotel's extensive Hawaiiana program, you and your kids can learn to cut pineapple, weave lauhala, or even dance the real hula. There's also an arts-and-crafts fair three days a week, a morning welcome reception on weekdays, and a Hawaiian library.
Check out Kupanaha, a gourmet dinner show with world-renowned magicians.
More Info: tel. 800/262-8450; www.kbhmaui.com
Photo Caption: Kaanapali Beach Hotel offers a number of cultural Hawaiian classes, including hula dancing lessons.
Located to the east of Diamond Head about four miles from Waikiki Beach, the tropical grounds at Kahala Hotel & Resort include an 800-foot crescent-shaped beach and a 26,000-square-foot lagoon (home to two bottle-nosed dolphins, sea turtles, and tropical fish). Views from the floor-to-ceiling sliding-glass doors are of the ocean, Diamond Head, and Koko Head. The resort offers a "keiki club" for kids, with activities ranging from lei making to snorkeling
More Info: tel. 800/367-2525; www.kahalaresort.com.
Photo Caption: The Dolphin Lagoon at night, Kahala Hotel & Resort
The beachfront Halekulani is an oasis of calm amid the buzz of Waikiki Beach. The complimentary children's program is tops, and the rooms are practically suites.
More Info: tel. 800/367-2343; www.halekulani.com
Photo Caption: Living room in a suite at Halekulani in Waikiki, Oahu
Head out to Oahu's North Shore for the Turtle Bay Resort, an hour's drive from Waikiki. Sitting on 808 acres, this place covers five miles of shoreline with secluded white-sand coves. All the rooms have great views, there are tons of activities for the keiki (children), and there's even a romantic restaurant for an adults' night out.
More Info: tel. 800/203-3650; www.turtlebayresort.com
Photo Caption: Turtle Bay Resort, Oahu
Your family has been dreaming about a Hawaii vacation, but where should you stay? Check out these best hotels on Oahu, Maui, Kauai, and the Big Island for inspiration.
Photo Caption: Kids playing in the Sea Shell Pool at the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai at Historic Kaupulehu
More Info: tel. 800/659-4100; www.kealani.com
Photo Caption: One-bedroom suite at The Fairmont Kea Lani Maui
More Info: tel. 800/222-TREE [222-8733]; www.alana-doubletree.com
Photo Caption: Complimentary cookies in the lobby at the DoubleTree Alana Hotel Waikiki are sure to be a hit with kids.
More Info: tel. 800/HILTONS [445-8667]; www.hawaiianvillage.hilton.com
Photo Caption: Kids with the Camp Penguin program at Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort & Spa visit the aquarium.
More Info: tel. 888/340-5662; www.fourseasons.com
Photo Caption: Family at King's Pond at the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai at Historic Kaupulehu
Check out Kupanaha, a gourmet dinner show with world-renowned magicians.
More Info: tel. 800/262-8450; www.kbhmaui.com
Photo Caption: Kaanapali Beach Hotel offers a number of cultural Hawaiian classes, including hula dancing lessons.
More Info: tel. 800/367-2525; www.kahalaresort.com.
Photo Caption: The Dolphin Lagoon at night, Kahala Hotel & Resort
More Info: tel. 800/367-2343; www.halekulani.com
Photo Caption: Living room in a suite at Halekulani in Waikiki, Oahu
More Info: tel. 800/203-3650; www.turtlebayresort.com
Photo Caption: Turtle Bay Resort, Oahu