Are you planning a family vacation to Kauai and want to know the best place to stay with kids? Keep scrolling for my recommendations of the best resorts in Kauai for families worth checking out!
This list of the best resorts in Kauai for families contains affiliate links which means if you purchase something from one of my affiliate links, I may earn a small commission that goes back into maintaining this blog.
Kauai is accurately known as “The Garden Island” for its tropical rainforests, beautiful waterfalls, and flowing rivers.
Some areas of the island are only accessible by air or sea, which can give you a glimpse into how much natural growth defines the island.
As the oldest Hawaiian island, Kauai is known for its opportunities to view rare and exotic wildlife via snorkel, helicopter, and scuba tours.
Today, we’re taking a look into the best resorts in Kauai for families. You’ll want a mix of stays that are both immersive and close to the tropical heart of the island, after all!
Keep scrolling to learn more about some of the best Kauai family resorts.
Don’t have time to read a bunch of Hawaii blog posts and reviews? Here are some of our top picks for visiting Kauai with kids.
Best Kid-Friendly Kauai Tours/Activities
- Mountain Tubing (this is a low-key adventure for kids ages 5+ and it’s a personal favorite for my kiddos)
- Private Surf Lessons for Kids (this is the BEST way for your kids to learn how to surf in Hawaii)
- Kayaking Tour with Waterfall Hike (this is an awesome half-day adventure for older kids)
- Luau Kalamaku (you can do a little train ride and feed farm animals before the luau)
- Koloa Ziplining (this is the longest zipline on Kauai and a must-do for adventurous families)
- ATV Ride (my kids LOVE this tour because you can do a little fishing, go exploring, and you’ll get DIRTY)
Best Kid-Friendly Kauai Resorts
- Grand Hyatt Kauai (this is a personal favorite for my kids because of the water slide and saltwater lagoon)
- Royal Sonesta Kauai (my kids LOVE the pool here because it’s the largest one in Hawaii)
- Hilton Garden Inn (we like renting the cottages here because you can walk to a massive playground)
Want to Rent a Car in Hawaii?
One of the best places to rent a car in Hawaii is Discount Hawaii Car Rental because they get the best rates from top national companies like Alamo, Dollar, Thrifty, Avis, Enterprise, Budget, and Payless.
Want to skip all the planning and just access my detailed Kauai Itinerary complete with daily schedules, kid-friendly activities, and travel hacks? Click the button below.
Kauai with Kids FAQs
It’s always best if you can avoid school breaks because the island is more expensive and more crowded. The shoulder season on Kauai runs from September to mid-December and mid-April to June.
There are SO many kid friendly Kauai activities. Personally, we love doing the Kauai mountain tubing down the sugar cane canals, a Kauai food tour, riding the train at Kilohana Plantation Railway, doing the boat ride to Fern Grotto, playing at the beach, visiting Spouting Horn, and so much more!
Absolutely! There are tons of things to do on Kauai with toddlers! Plus, they are free for many luaus and tours. There are several kid friendly Kauai beaches that have calm water and a nice sandy area. And even just hanging at your resort pool can be a blast.
Which are the Best Resorts in Kauai Hawaii for Families?
There are SO many Kauai resorts that it can be hard to figure out which one is right for your family. Here are some of our favorites!
The Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa in South Kauai
No Kauai hotel list would be complete without the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa. This hotel is located on the south side of Kauai and it’s perfect for your Kauai family vacation. Check latest rates and more information.
This resort tops our list of places to stay in Kauai and features the best pools in Kauai, beautiful gardens, as well as eleven restaurants.
Some of the dining areas offer ocean views, and the resort hosts the relaxing Anara Spa as well as golfing options.
The on-site golfing area is named Poipu Bay Golf and is a Robert Trent Jones, Jr. designed course featuring daily lessons, golf carts, and unique merchandise.
Keeping it more traditional, the hotel’s lobby is populated by artisans and craftsmen celebrating Hawaiian culture daily. The resort also offers hula, ukulele, and lei making lessons each week!
They also have a kids club available, which is fun for kids and gives grown ups a bit of a break.
Finally, the resort offers a Blue Hawaiian Activities Concierge service, that can help you plan anything from restaurant reservations to surfing lessons and helicopter tours.
You can reach out to the concierge service after you arrive, or even while you’re planning your trip! Sometimes, what you really need is an expert to help you out instead of hours of falling down internet pathways.
This is definitely one of the top kid friendly resorts in Kauai worth checking out. You can read my full Grand Hyatt Kauai review HERE.
Royal Sonesta Kauai Resort in East Kauai
This is one of the top Kauai kid friendly resorts in Lihue. Formerly the Kauai Marriott, the Royal Sonesta took over in Spring 2021. Check latest rates and more information.
The Royal Sonesta Kauai has the largest single level outdoor pool in Hawaii and it’s sure to be a hit with your kids. Read my full hotel review HERE.
They also have five on-site bars and restaurants, a spa, complimentary cultural activities, and even a free airport shuttle.
But the reason why this is where to stay in Kauai with kids is that it’s located on peaceful Kalapaki Bay. There’s a fabulous beach right in front with calm, shallow water. Plus, gorgeous views of the mountains in the background.
The East Shore location makes it really convenient for families that plan on getting out and exploring Kauai. There are so many fun things to do in Lihue!
Hanalei Bay Resort in North Kauai
The Hanalei Bay Resort is a great choice for a stay by, you guessed it, the Hanalei Bay beach. Check latest rates and more information.
This resort is located on the top side of Kauai, directly overlooking Hanalei Bay. Enjoy marvelous sunsets, mountain views, and gardens from your 1-3 bedroom villa.
There are tons of cool things to do in Hanalei for families. Activities that the resort’s concierge can help you plan for your whole family include horseback riding, kayaking, golfing, hiking, surfing, and more.
There are also lots of shopping and dining options around the resort and beach.
Kauai Beach Resort in East Kauai
Another laid-back Kauai kid friendly hotel is the Kauai Beach Resort. It’s located in Lihue, not too far from the airport. Check latest rates and more information.
This resort is the perfect jumping off point for families who want to get out and explore the island. Kauai is full of gorgeous waterfalls, hiking trails, snorkeling beaches, ziplining, boat tours, mountain tubing, and so many more adventures.
Plus, it’s just steps from the beach, where you can take a family walk and enjoy a gorgeous Kauai sunrise.
The Kauai Beach Resort was named the Best Value Hotel on Kauai so it’s perfect for families looking to do Hawaii on a budget!
The Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas in North Kauai
The Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas are located a bit farther from Kauai’s beaches on the north side of the island. Check latest rates and more information.
The resort offers a more homey experience with full kitchenettes and laundry facilities. The location is still nearby Anini Beach, and a short way away from Hanalei Lookout.
One of the best features of this resort is the Princeville Ranch Adventure that allows you to zipline through a rainforest. Refresh with a dip in one of the resort’s outdoor pools that overlook the Pacific Ocean, and relax in its 1,000-acre Limahuli Garden.
Many recent reviews of the resort praise its proximity to many shops and markets but note that you still might have to travel farther out to reach beachy areas with soft sand instead of a shoreline.
Marriott’s Kauai Lagoons in East Kauai
This resort is also conveniently located only 2.2 miles away from the Lihue airport, which is the primary airport of Kauai.
Marriott’s Kauai Lagoons are perfect for larger families, with villas ranging from two to three bedrooms available. Check latest rates and more information.
With two bathrooms in each villa, you don’t have to worry about feeling cramped even if your siblings and their families come along, too!
A full kitchen area can also help cut down on costs if you’re willing to cook with local ingredients.
The resort also boasts tennis and volleyball courts, as well as a whirlpool, picnic areas, and grills. Explore close to the resort for fishing areas and a plethora of restaurants and tour options.
This resort is also only 20 minutes away from both Opaekaa Falls and the Wailua River State Park.
Opaekaa Falls is a 151-foot-tall waterfall and one of the most accessible waterfalls in Hawaii. “Opaekaa” translates to “rolling shrimp,” which were once thriving in the stream.
The Wailua River State Park features riverboat cruises to Fern Grotto, which is a cave covered in ferns inside a tropical garden.
Visiting both the waterfall and the park will have you set for a day of awe-inspiring sights, if not for a whole week!
Waipouli Beach Resort & Spa by Outrigger in East Kauai
This resort is located a bit farther out from Lihue airport compared to Marriott’s Kauai Lagoons but is still a great choice on the east side of the island by the Wailua River State Park.
This resort is condo-style, with each bedroom unit hosting at least two bathrooms. That’s why it’s a huge hit with families. Check latest rates and more information.
There’s also a lazy river pool with water slides to enjoy, with two acres of green grounds to explore as you float. The pool here is beautiful, with waterfalls and lava rock decorations.
The Oasis Beach restaurant nearby is a great spot for island-inspired food and beautiful views.
This resort is located between the towns of Kapa’a and Wailua with beachfront access.
Choosing the Best Resort in Kauai for Families
Kauai is one of my favorite islands to visit in Hawaii and was the first one I ever visited. I’ve now been back to the island more than 30 times!
If you’re looking for outdoor adventures and a taste of real Hawaiian nature, this is the island for you.
Whether you’re looking for access to the great Hanalei beach on the North Shore or wanting to combine easy airport access with a waterfall tour, our hotel picks above have you covered.
You might even want to stay at a few options for a few nights each to enjoy every part of the island.
No matter the age or size of your family, there’s something on The Garden Island for you.
Read more about how to enjoy a North Shore Kauai Food Tour, or about my choices for the Best Things to Do On Kauai With Toddlers today.
