While Hawaii may be famous for its beaches, where visitors can do everything from swim and snorkeling to surfing, having a hotel pool is still one of the most desirable amenities. A day or two spent lounging around a sparkling pool with a tropical drink in hand and enjoying balmy evenings for after-dark swims can enhance any trip. Families might want to book a hotel that offers waterslides and other fun features, while adults seeking a romantic getaway will appreciate a pool that’s only for the grownups for a more tranquil experience. No matter what you’re looking for, you’re sure to find the perfect pick among Hawaii’s best hotel pools.
Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa - Kapolei, Oahu
One of the best hotels in Hawaii for families, Aulani is all about Disney magic on the island of Oahu, with a remote setting about 25 miles from Honolulu overlooking Kohola Lagoon. Its pool area includes three pools, four slides, a river for floats or rapid rides that wind through caverns, along with misty grottoes, lava formations, and steaming hot springs. The saltwater lagoon is a hit with all ages for swimming among thousands of brightly colored fish. Tiny tots will enjoy the Splash Zone, which was designed to look like a tide pool. There are pool parties with Disney characters, Disney character breakfasts, movie nights, an adults-only pool bar, and a wealth of dining options.
Key Amenities:
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A pool complex with waterslides
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Saltwater lagoon with fish for snorkeling
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Disney features, including character breakfasts and pool parties
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Multiple dining and drinking options on-site
Sheraton Waikiki Honolulu - Oahu
The Sheraton Waikiki overlooks Waikiki Bay in a prime location in the heart of it all on Waikiki Beach. Beyond the ocean views, the Helumoa Playground is a highlight with two pools, in-water chaise lounges, two whirlpools, a fountain play area, and a waterslide, all right next to the Pacific. One of the best options for families in Oahu, the hotel also has a hut with pool toys and inflatable floatation devices for sale, and in the summer, occasional character appearances like the Polynesian Princess and Warrior, a mermaid, and a fairy who entertain the kids. Daycare services are available for kids 12 and under, and there are multiple eateries specializing in dishes made with local ingredients. The best rooms are on the upper floors with ocean or mountain views, but all come with flat-screen TVs, minifridges, and coffeemakers.
Key Amenities:
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Overlooks Waikiki Bay and Waikiki Beach
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A playground with two pools, in-water chaise lounges, and a waterslide
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Character appearances and daycare services
Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort - Wailea, Maui
A top-rated family resort in Maui, The Grand Wailea has a long list of amenities. That includes a massive 25,700-square-foot pool complex. It’s more like a water park with four waterslides, whitewater rapids, rope swings, waterfalls, a lazy river, and even a water elevator that sits inside a man-made volcano. It’s the only one in the world like it. Among the other highlights, there’s a huge spa and a 20,000-square-foot kids’ camp with a PlayStation room, video arcade, and a small movie theater.
Key Amenities:
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Pool complex/water park with a lazy river, waterslides, whitewater rapids
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Kids’ camp with a video arcade and PlayStation room
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Luxurious spa
3850 Wailea Alanui Dr, Wailea, HI 96753, USA— +1 808-875-1234
Andaz Maui - Wailea
Andaz Maui has a three-tiered swimming pool complex that directly faces the beach, including a family-friendly lagoon pool, a romantic adults-only pool, and a 24-hour pool that includes a 24-hour hot tub. There are two poolside bars if you want to just lounge around, order, and a cocktail magically appears. There’s a full-service spa for pampering and a wide range of water sports available at the beach, including surfing lessons, kayaks, canoes, and paddleboard, while all rooms come with private balconies, some with beach views. Families that need more space can rent a villa.
Key Amenities:
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Three-tiered swimming pool complex at beachfront
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Surfing lessons, kayaking, canoeing, and paddleboarding
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Full-service spa
3550 Wailea Alanui Dr, Wailea, HI 96753, USA— +1 808-573-1234
Hilton Waikola - Big Island
The Hilton Waikoloa is located about 20 minutes from Kona’s airport and offers a four-acre saltwater lagoon with fish and green sea turtles where guests can snorkel, kayak, pedal around on an aqua-cycle or a huge waterborne tricycle. There are also three freshwater pools, including the Kona Pool, which has a 175-foot slide, and three hot tubs, one with a private waterfall and another that sits beneath a waterfall accessed by swimming. There are kids’ activities too, including scavenger hunts. A few of the other notable features include two championship golf courses, a spa, a fitness center, and numerous restaurants.
Key Amenities:
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Saltwater lagoon with fish and green sea turtles for snorkeling
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Freshwater pools, one with a 175-foot slide
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Two championship golf courses
69-425 Waikōloa Beach Dr, Waikoloa Village, HI 96738, USA— +1 808-886-1234
Grand Hyatt Kauai - Poipu Beach, Kauai
The Grand Hyatt Kauai is located in Kauai’s popular Poipu Beach area and includes a 1.5-acre saltwater lagoon by the beach with a 150-foot slide and a winding lazy river. For a luxe pool experience, guests can book the VIP cabana that sits next to the lagoon and includes a 42″ flat-screen TV, a fruit plate, snack box, water, juices, lunch, and a round of mocktails or cocktails for up to four. The Anara Spa is on-site and widely regarded as the best on the island with its own 25-yard lap pool, whirlpools, a steam room, sauna, and lava rock outdoor showers. There’s a state-of-the-art fitness center, while Camp Hyatt is sure to keep the kids entertained. Luaus are hosted twice each week, and you’ll have a wide range of dining options to choose from too.
Key Amenities:
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Saltwater lagoon with a 150-foot slide and a lazy river
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Spa with numerous facilities, including an indoor lap pool
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Luaus & kids’ camp
Koloa Landing Resort at Poipu - Poipu Beach, Kauai
Koloa Landing Resort at Poipu is a luxury hotel with a 13,000-square-foot lagoon pool with waterslides and a poolside bar. There are two other pools as well, along with a spa that specializes in Hawaiian treatments, including Lomi Lomi massage and a Pohaku warm stone ritual. While it’s not on the beach, there’s a swimmable stretch within 10 minutes on foot. Accommodation is in villa-style rooms, the largest in Kauai, ranging from 1,300-square-foot one-bedroom units to four-bedroom penthouses with 3,600 square feet of living space. All have full kitchens and spacious private lanais.
Key Amenities:
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Lagoon pool with waterslides
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Spa with Hawaiian treatments
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Villa-style accommodation with full kitchens
Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa - Lahaina, Maui
Sprawled across 40 oceanfront acres on Kaanapali Beach, the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa offers two main pools that are linked by a cave hidden between two waterfalls. You can swim or walk to the Grotto Bar to enjoy a creative libation alongside light pub fare, and there’s another separate pool ideal for the kids at this affordable beachside hotel. The keiki pool includes two slides, animal statues they can climb on, and an adjacent splash pad. Pool toys like inflatable rafts and tubes and be purchased at poolside. There’s also a lavish spa, a fitness center, luaus, and multiple eateries, including a steakhouse and a sushi bar.
Key Amenities:
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Set on Kaanapali Beach
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Two main pools linked by a cave + a kids’ pool with slides
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Luaus hosted on-site
The Fairmont Kea Lani - Wailea
The Fairmont Kea Lani has three beautiful main pools, including two lagoon-style pools connected by a 140-foot waterslide and a kids’ pool with pool toys available. The tranquil adults-only pool is in a separate area to ensure a relaxing environment and seems to meld with the Pacific, providing breathtaking views. It also includes a swim-up bar. The property also has a decadent spa and a 24-hour gym. The cabana-style rooms and suites are especially impressive, with balconies and large, lavish bathrooms with scenic views.
Key Amenities:
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Lagoon-style pools connected by a 140-foot waterslide + an adults-only pool
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24-hour gym and spa
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Spectacular cabana-style rooms and suites
4100 Wailea Alanui Dr, Wailea-Makena, HI 96753, USA— +1 808-875-4100
Four Seasons Resort Hualalai - Kona
The Four Seasons Resort Hualalai is a 5-star property nestled among the lush greenery that sits along a beautiful stretch of beachfront. It also offers multiple pools, including one with a swim-up bar and King’s Pond, a 4.2 million-gallon aquarium. It was carved from lava rock and is home to over 75 different species of fish, including butterfly fish, tangs, and wrasses, along with a spotted eagle ray. You can swim, snorkel, or snuba among it all and even feed them during a one-hour private tour. The property also includes an 18-hole golf course, a fitness center that hosts a variety of classes, including spin and yoga, a spa for pampering, and multiple outstanding dining venues. All rooms have furnished patios or balconies – the oceanfront rooms come with outdoor lava rock showers.
Key Amenities:
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4.2 million-gallon aquarium with colorful fish for swimming, snorkeling, and snuba
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18-hole golf course
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Oceanfront rooms with outdoor lava rock showers
72-100 Ka'upulehu Drive, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740, USA— +1 808-325-8000
Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikīkī Beach Resort - Honolulu
The Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikīkī Beach Resort has a five-acre saltwater lagoon with a circulation system where guests can lounge around on a beach chair enjoying the spectacular view, try stand-up paddleboard yoga, aqua cycling, and more. There are waterslides and multiple pools, including shallow pools for the little ones too. Plus, the hotel sits along a gorgeous stretch of beach ideal for learning to surf and enjoying magnificent sunsets. Dining is wide-ranging with dishes that feature locally sourced, seasonal ingredients, and every room comes with a balcony, some of which boast panoramic ocean views.
Key Amenities:
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Beachfront location
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A 5-acre saltwater lagoon with stand-up paddleboard yoga and other water sports
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Multiple pools
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Rooms with panoramic ocean views
Outrigger Kona Resort and Spa – The Big Island
The oceanside pools at the Outrigger Kona Resort and Spa are spectacular. Perched above the lava-rock cliffs on the sun-kissed Kona Coast, the multi-level fantasy pool has a 200-foot waterslide. Just outside of the resort, you’ll find Manta Village, a premier spot for viewing manta rays. A variety of fun activities are available too, including hula and ukulele lessons, lei making, yoga, and cultural tours. At the luxurious Ho’ola Spa, enjoy pampering oceanfront treatments in private outdoor rooms.
Key Amenities:
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Oceanside pools with a 200-foot waterslide
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Manta Village for famous manta ray viewing
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Spa with private outdoor oceanfront treatment rooms
78-128 Ehukai St, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740, USA— +1 808-930-4900
Surfjack Hotel & Swim Club - Waikiki Beach, Oahu
The Surfjack Hotel & Swim Club is a retro-inspired boutique hotel that might make you think you’ve gone back in time. It’s just 10 minutes on foot from iconic Waikiki Beach, and the crown jewel is its pool with the bottom exclusively designed by local artist Matthew Tapia. An Instagram favorite, it reads “Wish You Were Here” at the bottom, which you can capture by looking down at it from your room with a pool view. You’ll want to be here for the hotel’s famous “Big Chill and Silent Disco by the Pool,” which includes dancing the night away to a DJ spinning ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s favorites, along with plenty of food and drink. Poolside movies are offered here too.
Key Amenities:
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“Wish You Were Here” pool with poolside movies
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DJs and dancing
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A highly acclaimed on-site restaurant
Sheraton Kauai Resort - Poipu Beach, Kauai
The Sheraton Kauai Resort includes a large lagoon-style pool that overlooks the ocean, and it sits right on a large stretch of Poipu Beach, ideal for learning how to surf as well as for little ones who can safely splash around. It includes a beach activity center with water sports rentals and beach gear, while daily activities include everything from lei-making, hula, and surf lessons to cultural workshops. Beachfront dining can be enjoyed at Lava’s on Poipu Beach and RumFire Poipu Beach, and there’s also a lavish spa. There are a variety of rooms, all of which feature private lanais with the best views enjoyed from the deluxe oceanfront rooms in the Beach and Ocean wings.
Key Amenities:
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Ocean-view lagoon-style pool
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Beachfront location with water sports rentals available
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Daily activities, including hula and surf lessons
