Property
A sweet and snug studio cottage set on a quiet lane in a lush setting in Volcano Village on the Big Island of Hawaii.  The cottage has a built-in California King sized bed, a queen futon, and a compact but fully equipped kitchen.  The back door leads to a private covered lanai with ample seating where you can breakfast overlooking the rain forest (even if it’s pouring).  Laundry and free wifi round out the offerings here, and are very nice to have.

Location
On the (very safe) side of Kilauea Volcano, five minutes from Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.  About 2 1/2 hours from Kona International Airport by either the southern or northern route.

Sleeps
2-4.  If the cottage doesn’t seem quite large enough, visit the Volcano Places website to browse some of their bigger properties.

Highlights
Great care has been taken in the furnishing and equipping of all the Volcano Places properties.  The cottage kitchen comes equipped with coffee and tea, dry cereals, and many other essentials.  There are also guidebooks and maps for your use, as well as flashlights and umbrellas.  My kids appreciated the DVDs, games, and drawing supplies in the entertainment cabinet.  Staying here is a very homey experience.

Contact
www.volcanoplaces.com

Kate’s Volcano Cottage from TravelSavvyMom on Vimeo.

Written by Jamie Pearson

Property
A stylishly restored 2-bedroom 1930s vacation rental home on a 35-acre ranch on the North Kohala Coast of the Big Island of Hawaii.  The decorations and furnishings here are luxurious but unfussy, and every room has beautiful views and lots of natural light.  There’s an oversized hammock strung between two trees overlooking the sea and a pocket-sized pool just right for kids.  Inside you’ll find just the right amount of board games, wooden toys, and pool toys, and there’s a gas barbecue on the wide front porch.  In a word?  Heaven.

Location
45 easy minutes north of Kona International Airport.  15 minutes from Hapuna Beach (regularly and justifiably rated one of the best beaches in America).  5 minutes from the charming, historic towns of Hawi and Kapaau.

Sleeps
2-4.

Highlights
The private dipping pool.  The fresh white walls, woodwork, and perfect cottage decor.  The big, gorgeous kitchen.  A spa-like bathhouse complete with Japanese soaking tub.  The two friendly ranch dogs (especially Lola, a hilarious pug/cocker spaniel mix).  Fresh eggs from resident chickens.  Cows and horses on the property (for petting and feeding, not riding).  Fresh herbs and limes from the garden.  The chirping of geckos at night.

Good to know
The pool is quite near the house and unfenced, so young children will have to be closely supervised.  This is the country, so you will encounter occasional bugs, frogs, geckos, and mice (almost always outside).  Most guests—especially children—view this as a good thing.  Except for the bugs, of course.  Nobody really likes bugs.

Contact
www.myhawaiianranch.com

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Written by Jamie Pearson

Property
A four-star hotel set on 62 oceanfront acres on the Big Island’s Kohala Coast.  The resort is big, but not overwhelming.  If you don’t feel like walking, the three towers are connected by trams and boats (which traverse canals full of yellow tangs, angelfish, and even barracuda).  Animal-loving kids will be in heaven: the hotel has flamingos, nene (the Hawaiian state bird – a sort of goose), all kinds of tropical birds, and tortoises around every corner.

The Lagoon Tower is best for families, since it’s near the dolphin lagoon, the water slide, and the children’s pool.   Beaches are rare on the Big Island, but we didn’t miss it at all.  An enormous saltwater lagoon full of tropical fish and water sports kept us more than happy.

Location
24 miles north of the Kona airport on the reliably warm and dry Kohala Coast.

Sleeps
2-5 in standard rooms.

Highlights
The hotel’s manmade four-acre swimming lagoon is the perfect place for beginning snorkelers to get their fins wet.  It’s warm, shallow, and full of green sea turtles.   You can rent everything you need to enjoy the water (and some things you don’t, such as aquabikes) right there.  We spent a pleasant afternoon kayaking under the waterfall where a dozen gentle turtles feed on algae.

Even if you don’t splurge on a dolphin swim, it’s mesmerizing to watch the dolphins frolic with their trainers in their enclosure.  It’s amazing how close you can get.  We stayed in a room overlooking the dolphin lagoon, and still couldn’t get enough.

Consider beaching yourself and drying off for the lavish Sunday Brunch at Water’s Edge.  Kids can choose from the keiki buffet while adults sate themselves on smoked salmon crostini with wasabi cream cheese and prime rib.  Le yum.  You won’t be hungry for another 12 hours at least.

Good to know
Myna birds are very common in Hawaii, and squawk their heads off at dawn and dusk for about an hour.  If you don’t want to wake up at 5am, consider packing earplugs.  Like all resorts in this part of the world, the restaurant prices aren’t cheap.  Pick up some provisions at the Safeway six miles south of the airport in Kona on your way here and store them in your room’s small fridge.

Contact
www.hiltonwaikoloavillage.com

Hilton Waikoloa Village from TravelSavvyMom on Vimeo.

Written by Jamie Pearson

Property
Magnificent property set on miles of sandy beach. Adult activities abound -golf, spa, tennis etc – but for adults with children, this is paradise. Huge kiddie pool (toys included) right on the beach. Lounges for the parents, cocktails delivered as well as free ice cream, face spray and various other niceties. Choice of 4 restaurants on or overlooking the beach. Kids club available year round.

Location
If you need to go out of the resort, the Big Island is full of interesting spots. The Kailua-Kona coast has the best weather out of all the islands, but the other side of the island is one of the wettest places in the world. The rain forest is worth a visit too (take insect repellent). The volcano is about 4 hours away by car. You can go by helicopter if time is an issue (and money is not!).

Sleeps
2-7.

Highlights
Cooking s’mores on the beach under the stars (everything provided by the hotel). Miles of pathways along a beautiful coastline. Gorgeous huge tropical snorkeling pool with glass bottom rafts for the kids. Snorkels provided.  Feeding the fish and manta rays daily.

Good to know
This is paradise, and it will cost you. So it is good to know that kids 4 and under eat free. Don’t rent a car. The few times you will want to leave the resort, the hotel can organize a ride for you.

Contact
http://www.fourseasons.com/hualalai

Written by Jane Rytina

Property
Kona Village is an iconic, lushly landscaped, oceanfront resort on 82 private acres on the Big Island. Accommodations are widely spaced individual thatched roof bungalows called hales. Large 2-room hales have lots of space, ceiling fans, refrigerators, and tea and coffee facilities, and can sleep a family of 5. The resort has two freshwater swimming pools, tennis courts, and abundant water sports equipment. Room rates are (gulp) really, really expensive, but they are inclusive of 3 oceanfront meals, 2 weekly luaus, Paniolo BBQ night, all resort activities, and complimentary children’s program.

Location
The sandy shores of Kahuwai Bay in Kona. There’s plenty to do and see on the Big Island, but most guests find they never leave the property. Think hard before you add the expense of a rental car to the bottom line.

Sleeps
2-5.

Highlights
Complimentary self-service laundry. Large lending library. Hammocks scattered throughout the property. Outrigger canoe excursions. Stargazing.

Good to know
Kona Village is a real refuge for families. Barefoot luxury? Yes. Televisions, radios, and telephones? No. Also that complimentary children’s program is for ages 5-12 only.

Contact
www.konavillage.com

Written by travelsavvymom