HAWAII
Highlights
- An epic amount of stuff to do for the entire family 24/7 and in every season! Endless kid friendly accommodation options, activities and restaurants
- With 8 different islands all offering something different, you are spoilt for choice! If your finances allow it, you can easily spend a few weeks in Hawaii and rarely have the same experience twice
- Water activities of every kind from catching your first wave at Waikiki to taking the kids somewhere safe for their first snorkelling expedition. While you’re at it, explore the molten lava bottom reefs, exquisite caves and meet the spinner dolphins on one of the many Hawaiian boat tours
- The flight time of 9.5 hrs is the only hard part about this holiday. Everything else is delivered with a smile, a trademark of the American customer service industry. Just don’t forget to tip for just about everything! That warm grin ain’t for free 😉
Hawaii is a kid’s playground and is regularly awarded the happiest state in America!
It’s not hard to see why… Think Fiji but with more area to explore, more commercialisation, a faster pace and a higher price tag. Both are great so depends on what you’re looking for!
Hawaii is (relatively) safe, warm all year around and has the idyllic landscape that will answer the call when winter or work begins to nag at you.
An expert family choice for that next Vitamin D injection!
Overall Family Friendly Rating: 9
sheraton waikiki
Location
Smack bang in the middle of Waikiki in Honolulu on the beautiful island of Oahu
Highlights
- The Sheraton is centrally located on the main drag of Waikiki, presents an easy walk to shops and restaurants (notably Dukes + the Cheesecake Factory) and is situated right on the main beach
- The pool is one of the Sheraton’s top attractions! Nestled right against the beach, it is large with multiple swimming areas and a gnarly waterslide. Be warned little ‘uns (see Blog – Hawaiian Michelin Man)
- For parents lucky enough to grab a moment without the offspring, the adults-only pool and surrounding area is ripe for a cocktail! We were lucky enough to sample this when the grandparents swung by and gave us a short reprieve
- Rooms are a fairly good size if you consider the overall Waikiki economy. That is, where you pay per square metre (or foot in the US metric equivalent)
- We probably don’t need to tell you but overall, Waikiki is expensive and it’s not easy to grab a bargain. There are people lining up at every venue across town; meaning your ability to hold the upper hand and negotiate at restaurants and inside hotels is limited
- As we neared the end of our trip, we became nostalgic for home and craved a wholesome meal. If your family have similar desires, look no further than Bills Hawaii. Breakfast is our recommendation as you’ll receive a quality Aussie flat white that’s accompanied by vegemite on toast!
Brad & Sar's Final Thoughts
Overall, we give this hotel the thumbs up! It’s situated on a main thoroughfare to the beach and with multiple shops in the vicinity, there’s never a dull moment.
The fast-paced Sheraton seems to embody the Waikiki areas so it’s best to sit back, be patient and embrace the Aloha spirit.
Most people go to Hawaii and visit multiple islands or regions within Oahu. Our final tip would be to finish in Waikiki. Ending your Hawaiian vacation here will charge you with energy for the plane trip home… it will also allow you to maximise your shopping and take that extra luggage straight from the outlets to the airport check-in counter.
Family Friendly Rating: 8.5
Turtle bay resort
Location
North Shore, Oahu. The North Shore is about 45 minutes from Honolulu or a 1hr drive from the airport
Highlights
- Firstly, you need a car to make the most of the North Shore area. Grab one after your shuttle or directly from the airport
- Then… the possibility to explore the North Shore with the family is endless. Navigating famous beaches that are rich in surf culture is a must for any tourist. Sunset Beach to Waimea to Pipeline all have a certain aura about them. You might even bump into Gerry Lopez!
- Don’t miss Waimea Valley, it’s magic
- Haleiwa is another famous beach but also a super cool town! Get there for a spot of shopping, a famous Hawaiian shaved ice or grab an Acai bowl from one of the vans
- Back to Turtle Bay and you know you’ve picked the right resort almost immediately. With mountains of space and grassy areas, your kids will run mad until you’re putting them to bed early with a cocktail in the other hand
- Great pool for everyone including a kid’s area with water slide
- Spacious rooms! We stayed in the Ocean View Family Suite which has a nice semi separate sitting area with pull-out sofa bed and space for a cot
Brad & Sar's Final Thoughts
There is something about this resort that makes you relax and really feel like you’re on holidays! Whether you are 3 or 83, this place has something for you.
The pool bar/restaurant has live music most afternoons and affordable drinks… if you can’t have a good time there then you must be made of cardboard.
With amazing restaurant options right by the water and a v-shaped structure architected on its own exclusive headland; Turtle Bay is iconic from dawn until the sun sets on the pristine ocean out front.
It’s hard not to throw down 10 “shakas” here but we need to leave something in the tank.
Family Friendly Rating: 9.5