Located along the largest stretch of beach on lava rock-filled Kohala Coast, The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort is the sister resort of the grand-dame Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, which has been providing luxurious family accommodations for generations. Sharing amenities and the best beaches on the coast, a stay at Hapuna Beach really feels like a stay at two different hotels. Each of The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort’s 350 guestrooms and suites also offer ocean views, so no matter what you pay, you’ll never have to settle for anything less than amazing vistas.

Set on 32 oceanfront acres, The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort 350 ocean-facing guest rooms and suites, each with private lanais. Decorated in coastal blues and tans, standard rooms are outfitted with two queen beds or a king. Thirty suites, at 1,200 square feet, provide separate living and sleeping areas, with a master bedroom providing one king or two double beds. Rooms feature small refrigerators, coffeemakers and flat-screen TV's.

If budget is not a concern, consider the Hapuna Suite, a private, 8,000-square-foot villa with four bedrooms, a full-sized gourmet kitchen, private pool and butler service.

The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort's beach is the largest on the Kohala Coast. The second largest, however, is located at Mauna Kea, so a stay at either resort guarantees your family the area's best beaches. Families can enjoy snorkeling, sailing, kayaking, deep-sea fishing, whale watching and more, arranged through the concierge.

The Keiki Club provides supervised activities for children ages 5 to 12. Programs run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and include lunch; half-day programs are also available. Kids enjoy T-shirt painting, beach treasure hunts and Hawaiian arts and crafts. The club is open seasonally during peak travel times for families, and costs an extra fee.

Parents will like the resort's 18-hole, par-72 golf course includes putting and chipping greens, a driving range, lessons and a pro shop. Guests may also want to visit the Mauna Kea Golf Course, which is also an 18-hole, par-72 course with the same amenities.

Eleven oceanside tennis courts are also available at Mauna Kea.

The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort has a number of dining options onsite, as does its sister property, Mauna Kea Beach Hotel. At The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort, breakfast is served at Ocean Terrace from 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. daily, and the casual restaurant also features a crab feast on Friday nights, with a discounted price for children. On Saturday nights, the Hakone Buffet offers authentic Japanese and a la carte meals from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Quick meals and snacks are offered throughout the day at Cafe Hapuna, in the lobby, from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Lunch and snacks can also be enjoyed at the Beach Bar, actually located at the pool, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and open-air dinners at the Coast Grille are a treat for parents, Sunday through Thursday evenings, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

At Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, breakfast is served, along with Sunday brunch and dinner, at Manta & Pavilion Wine Bar. Lunch is available daily at Number 3, on the resort's golf course, and snacks can be found at Copper Terrace. Full lunch and dinner is offered at Hau Tree, which features a clambake on Saturday nights.

All About the Extras
Free shuttles are offered to the resort's sister property, Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, so guests can enjoy all the amenities and dining options there.

Babysitting services are available, and welcome gifts are given to children upon arrival.

The Art of Smart Timing
The Kohala Coast gets very minimal rainfall and winter temperatures are in the 70's, making the resort a great year-round destination. The resort is busiest during summer months, school vacations and holidays.

Getting There
Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel is located on the Kohala Coast, 30 minutes north of the Kona International Airport.

For Mom and Dad
The open-air Reef Lounge, located on the ground floor, provides beautiful views of the ocean. It's a great place to enjoy the sunset with tropical drinks and live music and hula dancing. The lounge is open nightly from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.