Hello fellow travelers

spending a short trip to Oahu with my family
Would appreciate any recommendations for family with 3 kids ( 12,12 and 15)
thanks so much

If you are going to Waikiki, stay right on Waikiki Beach. There are a number of hotels right on the beach, several are Starwood properties, such as the Moana Surfrider and the Royal Hawaiian, Sheraton Waikiki, but there is also the (less expensive) Outrigger. Note that if you look at hotel websites, they will list lots of hotels as on Waikiki Beach which are actually across the street or even a block or two way.

Another option would be to stay at a resort, such as The Hilton Hawaiian Village. The children would enjoy this place. But as a self-contained resort, you will be encouraged not to stray outside the property. I find walking around Waikiki to be one of the best aspects of staying there, and you will be some distance from the center of Waikiki if you opt for the Hilton.

READ ALL the reviews of ALL those hotels BEFORE you decide. Make reservations early depending on time of year (for example, the Christmas-New Years period [probably not when you are going] is already sold out in some places in Hawaii).

Be aware of exactly WHAT Waikiki Beach is actually like so you won't be disappointed.

What kind of hotel are you looking for? What kind of price range?

Hilton Hawaiian Village is the only "resort" styled property and seems popular with families generally speaking.

For many Waikiki hotels, you only need to cross the street to be on the beach, and many others are two or three blocks away. The Moana Surfrider and the Royal Hawaiian are quite expensive.

If one can afford it the Royal Hawaiian and or the Moana are truly an experience. It is like stepping back in time. And feels truly Hawaiian and both hotels were built back in the 1920's.

https://www.royal-hawaiian.com/

http://www.moana-surfrider.com/prope...w/hotelhistory

http://www.halekoa.com/

If you are military, retired, or a reservist you can stay at the Hale Koa for sometimes a reduced price depending on your rank right on the ocean front.

Find Duke's on the beach... just off the deck is a surf hut that was run by the legendary surfer family of Duke himself... you can get your kids surfing lessons there, and also ask about the photographer on the beach who will take pictures of the kids from in the water...

My kids still use the pictures to prove their surfing prowess and it made a great memory...

with three kids I would find a condo. Waikiki Banyan, Waikiki Sunset short walks to beach and much more room with kids that age. Kitchen, lanai, pool and ocean just down the street. reasonable too. Go through VRBO which is cheaper than going through the Condo Resorts. Banyan has a better pool area but Sunset has more privacy with separate bedroom not just a sliding door that separates the two room as in the Banyan. Just got back from a short trip. Stayed at the Sunet this time. Waikiki Shore is a fabulous condo right on the beach next to the Outrigger Reef which has 2 bedrooms and washer dryer in each condo unit. Also through VRBO