Top 5 Family Resorts on the Big Island of Hawaii

Looking for the best family resorts on the Big Island? You’ve come to the right place!

I’m a Hawaii travel planner and mama of two. Our family lives on Maui, but the Big Island holds a special place in our hearts. We visit as often as possible, typically staying in a different hotel every time.

This accommodation guide will help you discover the best place to rest your head. Come for the family-friendly Big Island activities, stay for the resorts!

Where to Stay on the Big Island

While the island of Hawaii actually has six distinct regions, most people will either reference the “Kona side” (west) or the “Hilo side” (east).

Kona is located on the island’s west side, and this is where I suggest spending most of your time. This side of the island is sunny and caters well to tourism. While we love visiting Hilo, it rains a lot and doesn’t have as many creature comforts. Because of this, we prefer to make Kona or the Kohala Coast our landing pad and take day trips to places like Hilo and Volcanoes National Park. 

To deepen your research and understand exactly where you want to be on the island, check out Big Island With Kids: The Ultimate Guide.

The Best Family Resorts on the Big Island

The Big Island of Hawaii has many exquisite resorts, but not all cater to families with children. So I’ve taken out the guesswork and compiled a list of our favorite resorts on the Big Island, not just for your kids but also for you. Mommy needs a mai tai by the infinity pool, please, and thank you.

Mauna Lani

Location: Kohala 

Perfect For: Families Looking For Luxury

Mauna Lani is a five-star resort with understated excellence. It’s located right on the beach, with fine dining and three golf courses. It has been voted the #1 resort on the Big Island by Travel and Leisure time and time again, and it’s easy to see why. The rooms are spacious and chic, and 90 percent offer an ocean view. It’s hard to find a resort like this that also does a great job catering to families. 

Mauna Lani made us feel at home immediately with cute welcome gifts and various activities. They offer a kid’s club that provides kids with opportunities to fish, garden, make art, and learn about Hawaiian Culture. If you want to forgo the kid’s club, hang out with your kids at the family pool, snorkel at the beach, take hula lessons, or walk to see some ancient petroglyphs!

Pools: 3

Kids Club: Yes, Complimentary With Stay

Restaurants: 5

Reserve Mauna Lani 

Hilton Waikoloa Village

Location: Kohala

Perfect For: Teenagers and Families Who Like Big Resorts

I don’t think I have ever visited a more expansive resort! Hilton Waikoloa Village spans a jaw-dropping 62 acres and even has a tram service to transport you around. There are over 1,000 rooms, 14 restaurants, a lagoon stocked with sea life, and a wide variety of waterslides and pools. You could easily spend a week here and never leave.

Hilton Waikoloa Village offers culture classes, fitness classes, gear rentals, spas, and on-site luaus. You even have an opportunity to swim with dolphins. Unfortunately, there is no direct beach access. Instead, most people hang out by the lagoon. 

Staying at Hilton Waikoloa Village is a commitment, as it can take 10-20 minutes to walk from your room to where you want to be. If you don’t like big resorts, this can feel overwhelming. I don’t suggest staying here for only a night or two, as it can sometimes take that long to get your bearings.

Tip: If you’re traveling with other guests, specify the tower you want to stay in when you book so you don’t get split up. 

Pools: 3 separate areas

Kids Club: Yes

Restaurants: 14 (Kids Under 4 Eat for Free)!

Reserve Hilton Waikoloa Village

Four Seasons Resort Hualalai

Location: North Kona 

Perfect For: Families Who Love to Feel Pampered

Staying at the Four Seasons always makes me feel so posh, and the Four Seasons Hualalai is right on brand. So if you are in need of a well-deserved break, this is where to stay on the Big Island! They specialize in pampering adults and making kids feel at home with kids’ clubs, camps, and count ‘em-EIGHT outdoor pools! There’s even a 1.8-million-gallon swimmable aquarium with an activity center and marine biologists on-site. 

The Four Seasons Hulalai can provide anything from white noise machines to bottle warmers and babysitting services. They’ve taken the extra step to consider children’s needs, which gives us parents peace of mind and extra time to get a spa treatment or hang by the adult pool. Honestly, Four Seasons never disappoints.

Pools: 8

Kids Club: Yes, Complimentary 

Restaurants: 6 (Kids Under 4 Eat for Free)

Reserve Four Seasons Resort Huilalai

Outrigger Kona Resort and Spa

Location: Kona

Perfect For: Families Traveling with Multiple Ages

Outrigger Kona Resort and Spa is an excellent choice for families who don’t want to pay an arm and a leg but still want to stay at a resort with plenty of amenities. Located in South Kailua-Kona, this is a very convenient place to be.

The best part about Outrigger is the multi-level pool area, which includes a shallow, sandy-bottom pool perfect for toddlers and a 200-foot waterslide great for older kids.

Kona is one of the only places in Hawaii where you can swim with Manta Rays. Outrigger Kona Resort has its own manta ray viewing area, cultural tours, and luaus. 

Beachside access is not immediate, but the hotel is perched above a cliffside ocean, which provides killer views. It is only a 10-minute walk to Keauhou Bay Beach Park. 

Outrigger used to feel a bit outdated to me, but it underwent a major remodel in 2024. The service may not be what you expect at a high-end deluxe resort, but the property is gorgeous, convenient, and steeped in history.

Pools: Multi-Level

Kids Club: No

Restaurants: 2

Reserve Outrigger Kona Resort and Spa

Courtyard King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel

Location: Kailua-Kona

Perfect For: Families on a Budget

The Courtyard King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel is located in the heart of Kailua-Kona, right off walkable Ali’i Drive. Surrounded by shops, farmer’s markets, and kid-friendly restaurants, it doesn’t get more convenient than this. 

My favorite thing about this hotel is that it’s nestled in Kailua Bay, which made our list of the best kid-friendly beaches on the Big Island. This beautiful, protected cove is free from waves, and also a fun spot to watch outrigger canoes come in and out. 

Courtyard King K offers an infinity pool, cabana and gear rentals, and an on-site Ululani’s Shave Ice. (Order with ice cream on the bottom!)

The rooms are simple and non-pretentious, with housekeeping offered every other day. If you want to feel pampered, this may not be your place. But it could be the perfect fit if you want to save a buck while experiencing Kailua-Kona out your front door.

Pools: 1

Kids Cub: No

Restaurants: 2

Reserve Courtyard King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel

Other Family-Friendly Accommodations on the Big Island

If staying at a resort is not your thing, consider renting a house or condo for your whole crew! This is a smart way to vacation comfortably and on your terms.  In addition, having a kitchen at your disposal can help save a lot of money! 

Pitching a tent is another great way to pinch pennies if you’re down for an adventure. Or, consider putting your home on wheels to sleep in style! More info on camping in state parks can be found here. 

Conclusion

When deciding where to stay on the Big Island, you’ll want to consider your family’s budget, proximity to kid-friendly activities, and what kind of experience you want to have. Whether you prioritize spas, waterslides, or condos with a view, you will still wake up in paradise!

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