With its breathtaking beaches and a culture that values ‘ohana, Oahu is the perfect place for a family vacation. Keiki can frolic around the island’s best pools, discover Hawaiian culture, create one-of-a-kind crafts, and explore with new friends. For a vacation or staycation filled with memories that will last a lifetime, here are Hawaii.com’s top five picks for family-friendly hotels on Oahu:
Discover the beauty of the North Shore at The Ritz-Carlton Oʻahu, Turtle Bay
Nestled on Oʻahu’s fabled North Shore, The Ritz-Carlton Oʻahu, Turtle Bay (formerly Turtle Bay Resort) spans roughly 1,300 acres of coastline and tropical landscape. Every guestroom and suite offers sweeping ocean views, and the property includes 42 private ocean bungalows for an added touch of luxury. The resort features multiple pools, including a family pool, an adults-only infinity pool, and a tranquil pool reserved for bungalow guests. Guests can unwind at the Nalu Spa, dine at restaurants like Alaia featuring locally sourced ingredients, or grab casual bites at one of several beachside cafés.
Adventure and family-friendly fun are central to the experience — from horseback rides along coastal trails and surf lessons to snorkeling, paddleboarding, and guided hikes through scenic terrain. The resort’s children’s programs offer age-appropriate adventures and cultural activities like lei-making, hula, and ukulele lessons. Wellness, Hawaiian culture, and connection to the land shape every stay, blending elevated comfort with the laid-back spirit of the North Shore. Since its rebranding to The Ritz-Carlton in 2024, the property has refreshed its amenities and dining venues while staying true to its deep local roots.
Take a ride on Waikiki’s longest slide at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort
With six pools and Waikiki Beach just a walk away, Hilton Hawaiian Village is a go-to spot for families who love to play in the sun and surf. The Paradise Pool, at 5,000 square feet, features the resort’s signature waterslide — the longest in Waikiki. Nearby, the Super Pool (10,000 square feet along the beachfront) includes a tiered keiki pool for younger children. Camp Penguin invites kids ages 5 to 12 to join half- or full-day programs filled with fun and educational excursions to attractions such as the Honolulu Zoo, Waikiki Aquarium, Bishop Museum, and the Children’s Discovery Center. Daily activities at the resort often include Hawaiian word games, wildlife spotting, feeding koi, scavenger hunts, lei making, and more. And each week the resort comes alive with kid-friendly perks: sunset movie nights (Wednesdays & Saturdays), Friday fireworks over the beach, hula and ukulele lessons, crafts and games, and ocean adventures like surfing, paddleboarding, and kayaking. Hilton Hawaiian Village is also known for its on-site wildlife — you’ll find parrots, turtles, and yes, penguins roaming the grounds.
Four Seasons Resort Oahu takes keiki on a memorable experience at Camp Kohola
On Oʻahu’s west side, where sunsets steal the show, families at the Four Seasons Resort Oʻahu can enroll young guests (ages 5 to 12) in Camp Kohola at the Hideaway — a complimentary, supervised program that guides children through themed experiences across the lush resort grounds. At the Camp Kohola center, kids can dive into creative fun in the Creativity Zone, hang out in the games room, or relax in the media lounge. Meanwhile, parents and families can enjoy the Family Pool perched on the edge of the beach, offering wide open space to splash and soak up sweeping ocean views.
One of the resort’s standout offerings is its glamping experience — a curated overnight stay for kids under the stars in stylish tents. The evening includes Hawaiian storytelling, stargazing, movies, games, dinner, and a round of s’mores. Daily resort amenities for all ages include complimentary snorkel gear, stand-up paddleboards, and hula lessons. The resort also pays attention to little details: expect child-sized bathrobes, complimentary children’s toiletries, and dedicated keiki menus to round out the stay.
Splash around in one of the kid-friendliest pools at the Sheraton Waikiki
Make a splash at Sheraton Waikīkī’s Helumoa Playground — one of Waikīkī’s most kid-friendly pool complexes. The Helumoa area features two freshwater family pools, a dramatic 15-foot high, 70-foot long waterslide, interactive fountains, whirlpools, and chaise lounges set in the water — all framed by tropical landscaping and beachfront views. There’s also a pool hut where guests can borrow toys and floatation devices, plus scenic views of Waikīkī Beach.
For childcare, Poppins Keiki Hawaii operates a licensed facility right at the resort (serving ages 3 months to 12 years), offering hourly drop-off care, kids’ programs, and fun Hawaiʻi-inspired activities. Kids can also participate in cultural classes and ocean sports arranged by the resort, including hula, ukulele, lei making, bodyboarding, and more.
Swim with the dolphins at The Kahala Hotel & Resort
Just a short 10-minute drive from Waikīkī, The Kahala is the only resort on Oʻahu offering guests the chance to interact with dolphins through Dolphin Quest in its private ocean-water lagoon. Families (ages 5 and up) can join a dolphin encounter that includes hands-on moments with dolphins in shallow and deeper waters, under the guidance of trainers who also teach about marine life and conservation. Alongside this experience, the resort’s Keiki Club offers supervised half- and full-day programs where children can explore ocean science, Hawaiian culture, crafts, and more. The lagoon is also home to sea turtles, stingrays, and colorful reef fish, and the resort provides a family-friendly backdrop for learning, play, and unforgettable memories.
