Hawaii with a Baby?
 

Hello,
I am just beginning to think about an October vacation in Hawaii with our baby, who will be 8 months old then. i am thinking either Maui or Oahu, but my biggest concern is getting some sort of on-site childcare. Anyone know of a hotel that offers babysitting services? Thanks.

Most of the major Hotels have Child care... in Hawaii the Chain hotels are larger Resorts with many more on-site activities... pick your ideal location first... then see which hotels are there... then select one with the appropriate child care... I'm betting you will find what you seek almost everywhere... have fun!

I don't believe that child care goes that young at any hotel for the liability issues.
8 months is extremely young to leave to an infant to strangers.
Can you have a family member come along?
O'ahu is very kid friendly and do what the locals do, bring them along!
We've had a family home in the islands for almost 50 years and we have had our share of wonderful nannies and you will be better served with a kuku wahine.

Just about any hotel can arrange occasional "babysitting services" for you but if you are looking for a hotel/resort that offers a "full time" nanny to watch over your 8 month old or that has a "children's program" designed for 8 month old children you are going to be "out of luck" unless you make some special pre-arrangements.

As one of the previous responders suggested if you are looking for "child care" bring along a family member, trusted friend or your own paid employee.

I question the wisdom of leaving an 8 month old child with a stranger you have not vetted properly.

Amen and Aloha RoamsAround!

It is rare to find a hotel that does group infant care because such childcare has to meet state daycare regulations. The Sheraton on Waikiki beach has an infant daycare center on site. I don't know of any on Maui. You need to search for hotels with infant programs.

Hotels will give you phone numbers for local babysitting services that will provide care in your room. You contract for the sitter independently of the the hotel.

When we took our 8 month old to Hawaii, we brought the grandparents with us to babysit.

The Marriott Maui Ocean Club on Maui (Kaanapali Beach) has a Keiki Center, but I believe their minimum age is 4-5 yrs old.

With all respect, hoodlims, I would either leave the baby at home with family, or bring along a family member, as suggested.

This place has nannies that watch kids as young as 5 weeks.

http://happykidsoahu.com/ Scroll down for the Maui one.

"We have nannies from ages 20 and up. Generally, we assign infant specialist for children 5 weeks to a year. You may request the age you feel most comfortable with for your children and we will do our best to accommodate your request."

http://happykidsoahu.com/oahu-child-care-faqs.htm

Check with the concierge at your hotels. I know the Westin Kaanapali kept a list of babysitters on call, some who have been doing it for years. You can ask to contact the sitter directly to speak to them and have them provide you with references.

We went to Maui with a 4 month old. Stayed at the Kea Lani. We really wanted to go snorkeling and so hired a babysitter through the Kea Lani. Paid for her to come for an hour the day before so we could meet her and develop a comfort level. She was terrific. However, in the end, we just couldn't leave our baby in a hotel room with someone we didn't really, really know. So, bought the babysitter a seat on the snorkel boat and took them both with us. The captain of the boat was wonderful with the baby and had an infant life vest all ready. Our son hung with us for most of the time except when we were actually snorkeling. The babysitter was a terrific sport about the whole thing and seemed to have a good time.

Since that trip (we have had more children), we now always take a set of grandparents or a babysitter from home or both. Yes, it adds to the cost but it just makes for a more relaxing trip in the end for us. Also, it is wonderful both for our sons to be able to spend time exploring new things and having new adventures with their grandparents. We have taken grandparents hiking in Arizona, to beaches in Mexico and the Caymans, to Disney. We just got back from a trip to China with our 6 and 7 year olds and their grandfather and we are busy planning a big Yellowstone adventure for this August with the other set of Grandparents. At this point, I really can't imagine any other way to travel.

taitai

We weren't in a position to bring along grandparents, but when our DD was 5 months and our DS was 3 years, we (and another family with kids the same ages) each brought along a babysitter from home. We paid her a "stipend", plus paid for her trip, of course, and divided up "kid duty". Everybody had a great trip!