Best Kid-Friendly Hotels in Ko Olina, Oahu

Marriott’s Ko Olina Beach Club is a three-and-a-half-pearl beachfront property in Oahu’s lush Ko Olina resort community. Its 560 air-conditioned rooms have tropical interiors with kitchenettes (or full kitchens), flat-screen TVs, balconies (some with ocean views), and sleeper sofas. The gorgeous beach is lined with loungers and the three lagoon pools with hot tubs, waterfalls, and even a waterslide are a favorite among past guests. Marriott’s two pricey restaurants serve American, Hawaiian, and Italian cuisine, but get mixed reviews. Other amenities include a huge gym, spa, and an ocean-view bar with live music. Free fitness classes and activities are a nice plus, too. However, time-share sales pitches can be obnoxious. Travelers preferring to stay in buzzing Waikiki back east might opt for the similar Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort instead. 

This gorgeous property in the Ko Olina resort complex delivers on all of the Disney staples -- but in a much more subtle way than the brand's mainland destinations. Service is excellent, the food is delicious, and the kids always come first. The pool area is gorgeous, boasting a lazy river, two waterslides, and a manmade reef, and the coved-in lagoon offers calm waters. Room decor is cheerful and bright, with nods to both the Mouse that made Disney famous and Hawaii's rich culture. Overall the resort is one of the best in Oahu for families, but those looking for more nightlife should consider someplace closer to Waikiki.

Situated on the largest of Ko Olina's man-made lagoons, the elegant JW Marriott Ihilani is a solid option for families and couples, with two excellent pools, a top-ranked golf course and spa, five tennis courts, and excellent cuisine.