Luxury Family Vacations in Hawaii

Every family with young children knows that when school’s out, the luxury of vacations can begin. Christmas, Spring Break, and summer are by default the best times of year for family vacations: A family is usually stuck with taking vacations around the same time as everyone else. It can get pretty crowded.

Luxury resorts in top upscale travel destinations can help make hard-earned vacations more comfortable. Hawaii is far enough to get “away from it all,” yet culturally familiar enough for Americans to feel comfortable and at ease during their luxury family vacations. The best trips with young kids should offer both a lot of family activities, and opportunities for parents to grab as much alone time as needed. After all, everyone needs their downtime!

Best luxury family vacation resorts in Hawaii

The Kahala Hotel & Resort

Adjacent to the Diamond Head area of Oahu, the Kahala Hotel & Resort is far enough away from Waikiki to relax, but close enough (maybe a 10 minute drive) for a family to experience the epitome of touristy Hawaii. And then, to remember that a luxury family vacation means not having to put up with all that hubbub. This is Oahu’s best luxury class hotel, with family activities as well as great nearby golf, a luxury day spa and (kids and grown-ups love this) Dolphin Quest.

JW Marriott Ihilani Resort & Spa

It’s Hawaii, so you know it’s not your mother’s Marriott. The Ihilani is a luxury resort in Oahu, far removed from the almost urban feel of “hotel central” Waikiki. In a word, it’s gorgeous. A private lagoon makes ocean swimming easy and safe for children. Kids can also feed sharks (it’s safe) and rays on the resort property. As of this writing, a Ritz Carlton is being built at a nearby lagoon, but this is far enough away so as to not detract from the luxury of a stay at the Ihilani.

Four Seasons Hualalai

The Four Seasons on the Big Island is more family oriented than is its Maui cousin, but it’s still a classy luxury 5-star resort. There is an adults-only section, Palm Grove, so that parents and children can feel comfortable and welcomed in the rest of the resort. The day camp here is the great for children; kids have the best time here. The Four Seasons nanny referral service is well known for its screening and quality, so parents of children too young for the camp can snag some precious alone time too.

The Fairmont Orchid

The Orchid, on the Big Island, is slightly less family friendly than the Fairmont Kea Lani on Maui. Nonetheless, this luxury resort is casual enough for children to be themselves. The Kidswim classes are fun for kids over 6, and the babysitting service is reliable. The Keiki Club, the children’s day camp, is basically the same as is the Fairmont Kea Lani’s. My kids wanted to go to the camp every day. The huge oceanfront pool, the best resort fitness center, spa and golf add to the luxury of a family vacation at the Fairmont Orchid.

Four Seasons Resort Lanai

There are only two resorts worth mentioning for luxury family travel in Lanai, and both are Four Seasons. The one at Manele Bay is by the ocean, while the one in Koele is inland. There is not much else for children to do on Lanai, so an all-inclusive luxury resort is really the only way to go. Both Four Seasons offer the same luxury amenities and 5-star treatment as others in the chain, along with its top nanny referral service and day camps.

Summer, Christmas, and Spring Break are the best time to take a family vacation, since schools are closed. Next time, travel in luxury; take a family vacation at one of these top child-friendly luxury resorts in Hawaii.