Best Kid-Friendly Hotels on Maui

An extraordinarily elaborate pool complex -- a veritable water park, in fact, with four waterslides, whitewater rapids, caves, a lazy-river pool, rope swings, and a "water elevator" inside a man-made volcano -- puts the Grand Wailea in a class by itself when it comes to keeping the kids stimulated. Add in the 20,000-square-foot kids' camp, complete with video arcade, Playstation room, and a small movie theater, and the only open question is whether your family will agree to return to ordinary life.

The Hyatt Regency has it all. With a rope bridge, waterfalls, 150-foot waterslide, and separate children's area, the massive pool complex rivals the Grand Wailea's impressive water park. The large standard rooms can easily accommodate a family of four. There's no kid's club per se, but supervised activities run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (for $70 per child). Plus, kids will love the flamingos, parrots, and penquins on the grounds. This kid-friendly paradise is nipping at the Grand Wailea's heels -- and rates are lower.

Yes, the Four Seasons Maui is one of the priciest resorts on the island -- not surprising for a hotel that tops our list of Maui's best luxury properties. But the hotel deserves credit for throwing a free kids' club into the deal; most resorts, even some of the most expensive ones, charge a hefty daily fee to keep kids entertained while their parents enjoy some rest and relaxation. And the family pool, though not as elaborate as the Grand Wailea's, features a small waterslide, a waterfall, and a shallow area where the smallest kids can splash safely. Also worth noting: The resort's large standard rooms can easily sleep four; and kids under six eat free at two of the on-site restaurants.

A new kids' club and several pools -- including a long, twisting waterslide that runs between two of them, plus a separate shallow pool for small children -- would together make the Fairmont a strong contender in this category. And the suite-style standard rooms, ranging from 840 to 1,000 square feet, allow the grown-ups to stay up after the kids go to sleep.

The Westin Ka'anapali's condo-style units, which come equipped with full-size refrigerators, microwaves, stovetops, diswashers, and sinks, are a good choice if you're traveling to Maui with a large brood and want to save money by preparing your own meals. The pools feature a waterslide, a pirate ship, and a basketball hoop; the resort sits directly on an uncrowded stretch of North Kaanapali Beach; kids under 12 eat free at some of the on-site restaurants; and the kids' club, for 5- to 12-year-olds, is a reasonable $50.

Families who prefer hiking and snorkeling to water parks and video-game centers will appreciate the Ritz-Carlton's low-key vibe and focus on the outdoors. The Ambassadors Center leads environmental education programs for kids; Koi-fish feeding and snorkeling lessons are free; and the remote, scenic location is minutes from a milelong, white-sand beach. (One caveat: Rough surf at the beach isn't ideal for small kids.)