Top Family Resorts in Kauai for Memorable Vacations

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Kauai is a great family destination, and it’s one of my family’s favorite islands to visit. When planning a Kauai family vacation, you’ll need to know what hotels are the best family resorts in Kauai. That’s why I’ve compiled this list of Kauai family resorts that have awesome pools, a great location, and activities the kids will love.

When we visited Kauai, we stayed on the north side of the island, in Princeville and Hanalei Bay, however we ventured all over. No matter where you stay, you’ll be missing out if you only stay put in that one spot. Kauai has so much to offer.

Some of the best hikes we did (not to mention the closest Starbucks) were in Kapa’a, so we ventured over to that side of the island often. We spent one day in Poipu and enjoyed the beach there, but you can find great Kauai beaches for kids all over the island.

You really can’t go wrong with any of these top-rated Kauai family hotels, and I’ve compiled a list that can work with a variety of budgets. So whether you’re trying to do Kauai on a budget, or you’ve just inherited a million dollars, there’s something for everyone on this list.

In addition, many of these hotels can be booked using points from my favorite travel credit card or any of the other top-rated travel rewards cards for families.

Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa – One of the pricier on my list of best family resorts in Kauai

• Location: South side – Poipu
• The Best Part: A 150-ft waterslide, a lazy river and a saltwater lagoon

Located on the south side of the island, the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa pretty much has it all: beautiful views, expansive hotel grounds, and a pool area that the whole family will love. And even though it’s one of the pricier on this list, you can use your Hyatt points to book it.

Unfortunately, the beach at this part of the island is usually too choppy and rocky for swimming, however you’re just a short drive from the very kid-friendly Poipu Beach. And there’s plenty to do at the resort on the days you don’t feel like going anywhere at all.

The pool complex is our favorite part about this resort. Complete with a lazy river, a waterslide and a saltwater lagoon, this multi-layered pool complex truly has it all. And there’s an adults-only section for those who prefer not getting splashed. Just note, this is a huge resort, so sometimes the pool area (especially the slide) feel a bit crowded, and you might have to wait in a line for bit.

You’ll have your choice of five different restaurants on the property, as well as the popular Grand Hyatt Kauai Luau on Wednesdays and Saturdays. These restaurants range from pool-side dining to adults-only fine dining.

The Grand Hyatt offers daily activities for kids, such as ukulele lessons, lei making, and hula dancing. There’s also a daily program for kids between the ages of 3 and 12 called Camp Hyatt, but it does cost extra.

Outrigger Kauai Beach Resort & Spa

• Location: Lihue, near the airport
• The Best Part: The pool and waterslide, and it’s close to the airport

When we went to Kauai, we used a few money-saving tips in Kauai, and one was renting a car away from the airport. We took a short Uber ride over to the Hertz inside the Outrigger Kauai Beach Resort & Spa. An employee made a joke while we were there and said “Just do not look at our pool. It will make you sad when you get to wherever you are staying.” So of course I had to look at the pool, and he was right. I didn’t want to leave it.

This resort is situated on Kauai Beach, just minutes away from the Lihue airport. A tree-lined driveway leads to you the tropical oasis, and just through the main lobby, you will get a glimpse of the 25 lush tropical acres that the resort is located on. The first thing I noticed was the pool. Actually, there are 4 pools on the property, as well as two waterfalls and a 75-foot lava tube waterslide.

Other amenities at this resort include 3 on-site restaurants, nightly live entertainment, a fitness center and a spa.

Koloa Landing Resort at Poipu – My favorite south-shore option on this list of best family resorts in Kauai

• Location: South side – Poipu
• The Best Part: Many amenities for kids, and amazing pool with waterslide

The Koloa Landing Resort at Poipu is part of the Marriott Autograph Collection, meaning it is a luxury resort, yet there are many amenities the whole family will enjoy. And you can use your Marriott card for free nights and special offers, including daily room credits when you choose to stay here.

There are three beautiful pools located at this resort–the lagoon pool, which has won “Best Pool in America” for the past several years, the Family Lagoon Pool, and the adults-only Tranquility Pool. The famous lagoon pool has waterfalls, waterslides, a grotto and hot tubs–what’s not to love??

If the kids ever decide to leave the pool area, they can enjoy many on-site amenities geared just for them. The resort hosts a twice-weekly s’mores night in addition to giving all kids a welcome bag upon check-in. And your sports-enthusiast children will love the putting green, soccer field and volleyball court.

This resort is located on the south side of Kauai, and while it’s not located directly on the beach, it’s only about a 10-minute walk to the popular Poipu Beach.

Hanalei Bay Resort

• Location: Princeville
• The Best Part: Beautiful views and easy beach access

The Hanalei Bay Resort is another fantastic option for families visiting Kauai. It’s where we have stayed twice now, and it made up fall in love with the North Shore. The resort sits on 22 acres of lush, tropical grounds with tons of grassy areas where kids can run and play. It’s right next door to the beautiful (and way more expensive) 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay, which is a prime location with easy beach access.

One of the biggest highlights is the beautiful lagoon-style pool, which features a shallow, sand-bottom section that’s perfect for little ones to splash around in. And getting to the beach is incredibly easy thanks to the complimentary golf cart rides to and from the shoreline — a total lifesaver when you’re hauling towels, toys, and snacks. If you stay here, be sure to check out the nearby Hideaway Beach as well. It’s gorgeous!

The property offers spacious 1- and 2-bedroom units with full kitchens, and many include a washer and dryer, making longer stays or family trips feel effortless. Plus, the views are absolutely to die for. It’s a relaxing, convenient home base with all the comforts families really appreciate.

Marriott’s Kauai Beach Club

• Location: Lihue, near the airport
• The Best Part: It has the largest single-level pool in all of Hawaii, and the resort location is very central.

It won’t take you long to get from the airport to Marriott’s Kauai Beach Club. This condo resort is located in Lihue, just steps from the beautiful Kalapaki Beach. Something unique about this resort is that it shares the property with the neighboring Royal Sonesta Kauai. So you get access to all of the Royal Sonesta amenities, like the pool and restaurants.

When you stay here, you can easily go back and forth between the beach and the pool complex, as they are just steps apart. And speaking of pool complex, this is the largest single-level pool in all of Hawaii. Younger kids will enjoy the smaller kid’s pool with a little waterslide as well.

This hotel is one of the best family resorts in Kauai because you are in a pretty central location on the island. It’s not too far of a drive to the popular Poipu beaches, and many of the tours (to the Napali Coast or Backcountry Mountain Tubing) leave from the Lihue area. You’re also close to the Costco and other fast-food restaurants, making meal-times a breeze.

Another reason this is a great family resort is because there are a variety of floorplans, including 1 and 2 bedrooms.

Waipouli Beach Resort – One of the best family resorts in Kauai

• Location: Kapa’a
• The Best Part: Condo-like units with full kitchens and a pool with waterslides

You can have all the space you want when you stay at the Waipouli Beach Resort. All condos at this resort are 1 or 2 bedrooms and have a full kitchen. It’s important to note though, that the units are owned and rented by individuals, so please read reviews prior to booking if you book through the owner.

This beachfront hotel is situated on a beautiful, lush property that really gives off the tropical Hawaiian vibes. Plus it has a stunning pool area that will keep the kids entertained for days. My kids love the waterfall, the waterslides, the wading river and the children’s beach. There’s also a hot tub and a poolside snack bar that serves food and cocktails.

Even better, this resort is situated on the golden sands of Waipouli Beach, making it easy to navigate from the pool to the beach and back again. On-site amenities include a fitness center and spa, but no kids club or organized activities on site.

Westin Princeville

• Location: North side – Princeville
• The Best Part: The pools and kids club

Princeville offers breath-taking beauty and lush green backdrops at every turn. Even though this is the rainy side of the island, I love staying in Princeville when I visit Kauai. And the Westin Princeville is one of the best resorts for kids in Kauai, particularly on that side of the island.

There are 4 different pools for you to choose from, one that has shallow waters, a turtle fountain and play figure, and even a small waterslide that the younger kids will love.

Other amenities include an on-site bar and restaurant (one of the best restaurants in Princeville), and a kids club for kids between the ages of 5-12. At the Westin Family Kid’s Club, they can engage in activities such as board games, crafts, or more time at the pool. There are other organized activities that the whole family will love, such as koi fish feedings, fitness classes, Hawaiian craft making, and guided nature walks.

You’ll find 1 and 2-bedroom, condo-style rentals at this resort, complete with a kitchenette or full kitchen in the larger units. The larger units also have washers and dryers, which can be a great amenity for families.

Club Wyndham Bali High Villas – A more affordable option on my list of best family resorts in Kauai

• Location: North side – Princeville
• The Best Part: Large units and affordable price

We spent the first couple nights of our most recent Kauai trip at the Club Wyndham Bali High Villas. I was able to use my Wyndham credit card to score a couple of nights here for free, so it was worth us extending a trip we already had planned.

The pool here was a lot of fun for the kids. They enjoyed the sandy bottom portion of the pool and jumping off the rocks. There was also a game room with ping pong and foosball that they enjoyed. Although there is no beach access from this resort, it is a short drive to many of the popular north-shore beaches.

There is no restaurant at this resort, however there are food trucks that are open each day, and we actually preferred that. It was nice to grab food in a casual manner and then head back to our room to enjoy it. Check out other places to eat in Kauai for more restaurant ideas.

Speaking of rooms, the units here are condo-style, with separate bedrooms, a dining room and a full kitchen. We stayed in a 2-bedroom unit that also had a pull-out sofa bed in the living room, and that was more than enough room for the 5 of us.

More Hawaii Resources

Check out the best family resorts in Maui, the best family resorts on the Big Island and the best Oahu resorts for families if you’re interested in hitting up the other islands as well.

Once you decide where to stay, check out this Hawaii packing list to help make your preparation easier. And be sure to try out some of these amazing restaurants in Poipu and top restaurants in Princeville.

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