What are the Top 3 Hotels on Oahu for Kids? There are a ton of kid-friendly hotels on this busiest of Hawaiian Islands. Most do not have the same campus-like feel as the giant properties on the Outer Islands. And the super pools are less common. But for some families, having all the activities of an urban tropical island is a better option. And here are my three favorites for families – the Kahala Hotel & Resort, the Hilton Hawaiian Village, and the new Disney Aulani Resort. All three are pretty pricey but wonderful for family units. (The photos show the three resorts in order as discussed in the article).

The Kahala Resort

Set in a mellow, wealthy residential part of East Honolulu far enough from Waikiki for true relaxation, this classic property has a lovely calm beach, a swimming platform, and loads of fun water sports. The kids can watch all manner of sea critters in the lagoon pools or swim with the trained dolphins. Food is fabulous. Hoku’s, one of Hawaii’s top restaurants, is situated here.The pool is small but there is a great family-friendly vibe. www.kahalaresort.com

The Hilton Hawaiian Village

A massive hotel on the edge of Waikiki, this is the closest Oahu has to a mega-resort. Leaving the property is a pain. Fortunately, everything you need is here, from mini-markets to ice cream shops to a wide range of restaurants. There is a great, wide sandy beach out front with easy access to surf breaks. A calm, clear salt-water lagoon and several large pools are excellent for kids of all ages. The hotel has an acclaimed luau on the grounds. Make sure to ask for a recently renovated room. www.hiltonhawaiianvillage.com

Disney Aulani Resort

This property is the newest in Hawaii and the first from Disney. It’s a beautiful property on the West Side of Oahu, which means guaranteed sunshine and warmth. West Oahu is a bit removed from central Honolulu and Waikiki, although Pearl Harbor is relatively close. The Aulani has the best pool complex of any hotel on Oahu including an 8,200 pool with tunnel slides, a tubing stream, a water play park for kids and even a private salt-water snorkeling lagoon. An on-staff marine biologist gives lessons in local fish and sea animals. A nice touch – the staff all speak Native Hawaiian. True, Mickey mugs you on food and extras but this is a well-thought out property. My advice? Make sure your room faces the morning sun, if at all possible, because afternoons are brutal. resorts.disney.go.com/aulani-hawaii-resort/