9 Best Bang-For-Your-Buck Hawaii Resorts and Vacation Rentals

We aren’t going to sugar coat it—Hawaii is expensive. But you can get your money’s worth by choosing a value-packed lodging option that offers amenities such as kitchens for cooking meals (and saving a little bit of money), complimentary kids’ programming, free breakfast, and more. These are the best bang-for-your-buck Hawaii resorts and vacation rental properties for families.

1. Aulani, A Disney Resort and Spa – Oahu

This Disney-owned resort on the island of Oahu is definitely on the pricier end of the spectrum; however, you get a ton of included extras for the price tag. Guided nature walking tours, crafts, games and movies in the game room, ukulele lessons, a water park with slides and pool parties, a private beach and lagoon, Disney character experiences throughout the resort, Disney movie nights, and an outstanding kids’ club for all ages (even tweens and teens) are all covered in nightly rates at Aulani. You can also create a personalized package, and the resort doesn’t charge resort fees.

2. Royal Lahaina Resort – Maui   

Located on Maui, the Royal Lahaina Resort is oceanfront and features three swimming pools. Families can book guestrooms or beach cottages at this resort; the two-bedroom beach cottages feature a full kitchenette and can sleep eight people. There is an onsite restaurant and packages—including nearly all-inclusive packages—are available. Families can walk to the nearby shopping and restaurant district, Whaler’s Village, or take the resort’s free shuttle. There is also a nightly, onsite Luau for an additional cost but not having to leave the resort to experience true Hawaiian culture is a savings. There are also no resort fees here.

Related: 4 All-Inclusive Hawaii Resorts

3. Westin Princeville Ocean Resort – Kauai

At the Westin Princeville Ocean Resort on the island of Kauai, families can save on dining. The villas feature fully equipped kitchens or kitchenettes so cooking meals is a breeze with a full-size refrigerator, dishwasher and stovetop. There is even an onsite market for any of those last-minute grocery items you may have forgotten. Plus, if you don’t feel like cooking every meal, kids 3 years old and younger eat free at the onsite restaurant and children ages 4 to 11 can eat for 50 percent off the regular menu. There is also free parking and no resort fees here.

4. Royal Kona Resort – Big Island

Book the Royal Experience Package at the Royal Kona Resort on the Big Island and enjoy a nearly all-inclusive experience with breakfast and a dinner at the onsite luau included in rates. There is no resort fee, and while there’s a daily Wi-Fi access fee, you can easily bypass it by becoming a hotel rewards member (it’s free to join). Plus, you’ll receive free parking and a welcome cocktail.

5. Luana Waikiki Hotel and Suites – Oahu

Families can enjoy free beach cruiser bikes and daily yoga classes at Luana Waikiki Hotel and Suites on Oahu. The hotel also offers a daily $10-off breakfast coupon at the onsite restaurant, or you can use the kitchenette or fully equipped kitchen in the suites to start the day off with savings. The two-bedroom suites can sleep six people, offering plenty of space for larger families. There is a complimentary shuttle service to the nearby shopping district, Ala Moana, too.

6. Puunoa Beach Estates – Maui    

When it comes to location, Puunoa Beach Estates on Maui offers the best value. Located less than a 10-minute walk to downtown Lahaina, families can feel safe strolling the sidewalks into town for some shopping, exploring and eating. Puunoa Beach Estates is situated beachfront and the multi-bedroom, condo-style vacation rentals allow guests to walk right out from their unit onto the beach and enjoy the shallow, calm waters of Baby Beach. The vacation rentals feature gourmet kitchens with anything you could need to cook, and there is a pool inside the small gated community. There are no resort fees and daily housekeeping services and parking in your own designated driveway are included.

7. Hanalei Bay Resort – Kauai

For fully equipped kitchens in a one- or two-bedroom condo style vacation rental, Hanalei Bay Resort on Kauai is the place. Families can easily cook meals and save big while visiting Hawaii. The resort also offers a gorgeous lagoon-style pool and two tennis courts. There are no court fees. An added bonus at the Hanalei Bay is the hospitality lounge. The lounge offers showers, a kitchen, television, Wi-Fi and a place to hang out before or after a long flight to or from Hawaii. The lounge is complimentary during your stay; however, there is a small fee after you check out.

8. Vive Hotel Waikiki – Oahu

The Vive Hotel Waikiki on Oahu offers families a daily continental breakfast buffet, an in-room tablet to find everything you want to do in Waikiki, board games, Wi-Fi and a welcome beverage. When it’s time to head to the beach, the resort offers all the beach gear to take with you. Beach chairs, mats, towels, a beach umbrella and even boogie boards are provided. There is even a “We Forgot” Program where the hotel can provide you with items such as a toothbrush, razor or sewing kit if you happen to have forgotten your own. All of these amenities are included in the hotel’s daily resort fee.

9. Kaanapali Alii – Maui

Families will love the direct beach access and provided beach chairs at Kaanapali Alii on Maui, along with the two freshwater pools and children’s pool. The one- and two-bedroom suites and condos offer families plenty of space and a fully equipped kitchen. But when you want to dine al fresco, head to the Oceanfront Pavilion and BBQ gas grill area. There, families can use the grilling facilities but also enjoy the open-air space complete with flat-screen televisions, a microwave and lounge furniture. There are tables and chairs and complimentary paper plates and utensils, making outdoor dining easy. The yoga studio is free for guests to use, along with the three tennis courts, where several free tennis clinics are held each week. Kids and adults will love the free ukulele lessons, too. Bonus: there are no resort fees.

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