Neighborhood: Kahuku
This longtime family-favorite hotel sprawls across nearly 1,300 acres of historic land with five miles of pristine coastline and 12 miles of trails on Oʻahu’s North Shore, about 45 miles away from Waikīkī. Now under the Ritz-Carlton banner, the resort recently underwent a $250 million renovation that included upgrades to rooms, bungalows, pools, and dining. The newly added Club Lounge serves complimentary food and drinks all day on a spacious, open-air lānai with ocean views, making this a great option for families (especially ones with ravenously hungry teens).
There’s a lot to do and see for kids of all ages, including the hotel’s pool with water slides, calm beaches great for snorkeling and swimming, bike rides along beachside trails, horseback riding, painting parties, lawn games like cornhole and giant Jenga, and unique classes that teach candle-making, gyotaku (fish printing), and wood carving. Beginners can learn to surf at a world-class break right at the hotel—even better, catch a wave with one of the resident surfing dogs—or explore Kuilima Cove on a guided nighttime snorkeling tour. The resort’s lūʻau is cowboy-themed with live music, hula, and paniolo games.
Rooms here are spacious; larger groups can opt for a 740-square-foot bungalow with a grassy lawn for kids to play on and exclusive use of a private tranquility pool. Plus, there’s a lot to experience on the North Shore, from winter’s monster surf to quaint shops and eateries in the nearby beach town of Haleʻiwa.
