Families tie into sweet deals, free meals and plenty of perks.
As multi-generational travel continues its upward trend, Hawaii remains among the leaders of the pack. “We hear all the time that a vacation here allows families to unwind, slow down and really open up to the things we value most in life,” says Jay Talwar, Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau’s chief marketing officer. “In most cases, that’s balance and quality time with our loved ones.”
Talwar adds that agents have access to a flurry of Hawaii properties offering special concessions for children, such as Kids Eat Free programs and multiple room discounts. “Hotels and resorts are also putting a lot of thought into their kids programs to offer activities and experiences that are fun, educational and unique to Hawaii.”
Case in point is Four Seasons Resort Hualalai’s complimentary Kids For All Seasons that engages with canoe paddling and eagle ray feedings. At The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua, Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ambassadors of the Environment shares Hawaii’s natural wonders, including native flora.
“We have terrific, agent-friendly packages that are easy to sell and present a great value for families, including our Ocean Promotion and Suite Life offers,” says Dale Carstensen, regional director of sales, leisure for Starwood Hotels and Resorts’ 11 Hawaii properties. Select programs allow kids 5 and younger to eat free with paid adults, while several broaden it to children under 12.
Hawaii Island
On the Kohala Coast, it’s all about robust recreation. Waikoloa Beach Resort’s Family Golf Days lets offspring and parents swing away at its Kings’ Course (from 3 p.m.) for $25 and $50, respectively. Juniors 6-17 also enjoy complimentary club use, while adults pay $25.
At Mauna Kea Beach Hotel’s Beach Club, manta-mania is fueled by nightly snorkel excursions and new Glow SUP (stand-up paddleboarding) revealing these rays and other ocean marvels in pristine Kauna’oa Bay.
Kauai
On Kauai’s lush north shore, the resort fee-free Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas keeps up to eight connected in luxury style. Families booking a Deluxe Island View One-Bedroom Villa with nightly rates from $550 can boost the space with a connecting Studio Villa for an additional $100 nightly. A 3-night minimum stay is required on bookings through Dec. 25.
Perched on the south shore, The Villas at Poipu Kai provides daily rental car use on 7-night rack rate stays in select categories from April 20-May 30, Aug. 15-Nov. 15 and Dec. 1-15. Homey conveniences include a gourmet kitchen, separate living room, lanai, in-villa laundry and WiFi.
On 3-night minimum stays through Dec. 15, Koloa Landing Wyndham Grand Resort’s Family Vacation package covers 20 percent off select villa rates, rental car use, $100 activity credit and daily breakfast for two (kids under 12 eat free).
Eco-diversions thrive as well, with the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa engaging all ages along its nature-centric Wildlife Walk and Kawailoa hydroponic farm tours.
Maui
“This is a wonderful destination for families to get away together and enjoy the sunshine,” says John Yeadon, director of sales and marketing at Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa. With a mother lode of year-round activities and add-ons from $379 nightly, the Ultimate Maui Family Vacation covers daily SUV with self-parking, daily buffet for two adults and two kids, plus ticket discounts for top Maui excursions.
Destination Residences Hawaii’s Your Vacation, Our Destination says aloha with up to 30 percent savings on vacation homes, plus $155 in gift cards from restaurants and spas. Select properties extend the pleasure on 2- and 3-bedroom bookings with free rental car use. Through Dec. 19, nightly rates are from $249 at Wailea Grand Champions Villas to $1,799 for a 3-bedroom with plunge pool at Wailea Beach Villas. “A lot of our guests actually return each year and request the same villa or condo; it’s become their true home-away-from-home,” says Donna Wheeler, director of sales and marketing, Destination Residences Hawaii.
Fairmont Kea Lani, Maui’s Fifth Night Free Promotion lets families extend the nirvana in newly renovated 1-bedroom suites or luxury beach villas. “Our 860-sq.-ft. Poolside Suites provide direct access to our upper lagoon pool and 140-ft. waterslide, making these ideal for families with active young ones who just want to splash in the pool all day,” says Tanya Matthews, regional director of sales & marketing. Those with wee ones can pack a bit lighter with the resort’s flurry of thoughtful amenities like no-tears hair wash, cleansing soap and gentle lotions.
Makena Beach & Golf Resort’s complimentary keiki (child) package can be added onto promotions like the Makena & More Fifth Night Free priced from $355 nightly through Aug. 30. Perks include Maui Ocean Center admission for participating in its new interactive Na Mo‘olelo Hawaiian Cultural Programs sharing Hawaiian language, culture and traditions.
Oahu
From $279 nightly, Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort’s Rise n’ Shine taps into the daily Duke’s Waikiki Breakfast Buffet and a bevy of cultural activities. Children 17 and younger stay free. The daily Waikiki Connection Fee of $30 covers unlimited rides on the Waikiki Connection Trolley to Diamond Head and Downtown, WiFi, 60 minutes of phone calls daily, and a coupon book, plus additional benefits.
Set on a white-sand beach 10 minutes from Waikiki, legendary Kahala Hotel & Resort embraces families with Suite Celebrations discounts of 20 percent off daily suite rates. Go for the gusto from $926 nightly on minimum 3-night stays thru Dec. 18. Other perks include daily breakfast buffet for two adults and two children (up to 12 years) and $100 resort credit issued for every threenights of stay.
Few resorts say “family” quite like the Leeward Coast’s Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa. “A key part of Aulani’s magic is that we’re purpose-built for family travel to Hawaii,” says Lynn Clark, CTC, v.p. of domestic travel industry sales for Disney Destinations. “It’s a win-win for every member of the family.” On bookings made by March 21 for travel April 3-June 13, families can save 30 percent on 5-night stays or 25 percent on 4-night stays. Standard View Rooms start at $315 nightly.
On Oahu’s fabled North Shore, Turtle Bay Resort presents a flurry of family-friendly recreation options ranging from stand-up paddling and kayaking to trail riding and surfing lessons. The 850-acre sanctuary’s Find Your North Shore Adventure provides $400 resort credit redeemable at the property’s Guidepost on minimum 4-night stays through Dec. 31. Families can count on The Guidepost concierge team to create an agenda with something to appeal to all ages.
With Hawaiian Island discounts and freebies, it all adds up to strengthening family ties in paradise!
Contact Information
Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa: disneyaulani.com
Destination Residences Hawaii: drhmaui.com
Fairmont Kea Lani Maui: fairmont.com/kea-lani-maui
Four Seasons Resort Hualalai: fourseasons.com/hualalai
Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa: kauai.hyatt.com
Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau: hvcb.org
Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa: maui.hyatt.com
Kahala Hotel & Resort: kahalaresort.com
Koloa Landing Wyndham Resort: wyndham.com
Makena Beach & Golf Resort: makenaresortmaui.com
Mauna Kea Beach Hotel: maunakeabeachhotel.com
Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort: outriggerwaikikihotel.com
The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua: ritzcarlton.com
Starwood Hotels & Resorts: starwoodhotelshawaii.com
Turtle Bay Resort: turtlebayresort.com
The Villas at Poipu Kai: villasatpoipukai.com
Waikoloa Beach Resort: waikoloabeachresort.com
The Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas: westinprinceville.com
