Quick: imagine you and the kids in Hawaii. Hiking to a waterfall. Snorkeling through a lagoon. Lounging beachside. Dining at a luau.
Aulani, a Disney Resort and Spa on Oahu, makes this kind of family vacation seem surprisingly easy, from the bassinets and baby-proofed balconies in most rooms to the complimentary kids' club and volcano-themed pool area with a lazy river. And that luau? You'll be joined by Mickey and friends.
T+L readers found Aulani's combination of Hawaiian cultural touches, kid-friendly activities, and a spectacular beach setting to be pretty magical, ranking it America's No. 1 hotel for families in our annual World's Best Awards survey. Overall, the top 25 hotels range from coast to coast, mountaintops to valleys, each offering plush, spacious accommodations and fun for both kids and grown-ups.
This year's crop of top-ranking family hotels is further proof that luxury and multiacre water parks can seamlessly coexist. Book a room or suite at one of these 25 properties, and you just might make it a new family tradition.
--By Helen Zook
See All of America's Best Family Hotels
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On Oahu’s western shore, the beachfront Aulani embraces Hawaiian tradition while making it easy for families to feel at home—from the bassinets and baby-proofed balconies that come with most rooms to the complimentary kids’ club. Guests can explore the private snorkeling lagoon, relax in the infinity-edge grotto, or tube through the caverns on the lazy river.Parents Love: Private, naturalist-guided hikes through Manoa Valley’s bamboo forest to a majestic 200-foot waterfall.Kids Love: The Starlit Hui, a night of ukulele music and hula dancing hosted by Uncle, the resort’s resident storyteller.
Photo: The Walt Disney Company
Keep an eye out for zebras, giraffes, and gazelles on the 43-acre wildlife preserve of the Animal Kingdom Lodge. You can spy wildlife from your own private balcony, or from an open flatbed truck during the three-hour signature safari experience. African influences turn up everywhere from the grand lobby with its thatched ceiling to the upscale restaurant Jiko, which serves piri-piri chicken and South African wines. Make a reservation for two and drop the kids at Simba’s Clubhouse. Parents Love: A sunrise wildlife excursion, followed by a private breakfast buffet at Pizzafari.Kids Love: The 67-foot waterslide at the savanna-facing, zero-depth-entry Uzima Pool.
Photo: The Walt Disney Company
From the oak-lined-avenue entrance to the fictional family portraits, everything about this beachfront resort feels like an authentic antebellum mansion. It also has a comprehensive kids’ program, with everything from glassmaking and tie-dyeing to guided nature hikes, fly-fishing lessons, and archery. You can rent beach cruisers from the Bike Pavilion or head farther afield to soak up Charleston’s history.Parents Love: Cocktails at the Ryder Cup Bar after a round on the seaside Ocean Course, the site of the 2012 PGA Championships.Kids Love: Friday night ice cream socials at Beaches & Cream, the Sanctuary’s own sweet shop.
Photo: Kiawah Island Golf Resort
The resort’s luxurious English manor–style suites come with a kitchen, a fireplace, and a balcony. Still, the kids will get antsy sooner or later, and when they do, there are plenty of opportunities for adventure on this Georgia barrier island. Try open sea kayaking, beach horseback riding, or skeet shooting. Indoor activities come courtesy of the children’s center and the movie theater. Parents Love: Sunset cruises around the island aboard the Cloister Belle, a restored vintage yacht.Kids Love: Learning how to bait hooks and cast rods on a fishing trip to the salt marsh.
Photo courtesy of Sea Island
Let the kids loose at this Atlantic Coast resort’s 91,000-square-foot water park, complete with a lazy river, water flume, and multilevel pool complex—all while you relax on the stretch of pristine pink shell beach. Another perk: the convenience of staying in a two- or three-bedroom unit with a full kitchen.Parents Love: Hitting the links at one of the resort’s two golf courses, designed by legends Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson.Kids Love: The s’mores kits and hot chocolate served with a personal fire pit rental on the lawn.
Photo: Hammock Beach Resort
Baby-proofed rooms with ocean views, a lounge for teens, and a dreamy location between white sand and lush rainforest are a few of the reasons to book your next family getaway at this five-star resort. See if you can spot a humpback whale from the wave-protected ocean pool or one of 10 seats at the ‘ULU Sushi Lounge.Parents Love: Private chartered helicopter rides over an active volcano, followed by a picnic lunch in the valley.Kids Love: Feeding the spotted eagle rays at King’s Pond, a snorkeling aquarium carved from lava rock.
Photo: Don Riddle/Courtesy of Four Seasons Resort Hualalai
This tranquil waterfront hotel has old-school charm and first-class service. The Tides Inn Marina, on-site sailing school, and paddle-powered watercraft also provide unfettered access to the Chesapeake Bay and Potomac River. And junior tees are available at the Golden Eagle Golf Club, situated around a 50-acre lake.Parents Love: Any of the marine-inspired treatments at the Journey Spa. Try the signature Tides of Change for a full-body scrub and massage.Kids Love: Milk and homemade cookies in the View Room before bedtime.
Photo courtesy of Tides Inn