The Spread:
The hotel sits at the heart of 640-acre Ko Olina Resort and Marina on Oahu’s western shore, 25 minutes from Honolulu. Ihilani means "heavenly splendor," Ko Olina is "place of joy"—and this is no hyperbole given the exquisite white-sand beach and tropical splendor of the lagoon and 35,000-square-foot spa here. In addition to 387 elegant guestrooms, the hotel features a championship golf course honored by Golf Digest as one of the top resort courses in the country, as well as three Kramer-surfaced tennis courts and three Plexi-pave courts. Choose from two pools and a pristine beach on the lagoon, while guests can hop aboard a 53-foot sailing catamaran for snorkeling trips out of the marina.

Why Families Love It:
Travel + Leisure readers named this one of "Hawaii’s Top Ten Family Resorts" for a reason. Keiki Beachcomber Club is for ages five to 12 (9 a.m. to 3 p.m., half- and full-day options, $35 to $58) with activities from hula dancing and lei making to sports. Kids also learn Hawaiian legends and go on "seafari adventures"—hunting crabs and exploring tidepools. The Club base is a 1,800-square-foot facility with indoor and outdoor play areas. The new Teens Club, for ages 11 to 18, focuses on health and wellness in a fun atmosphere. Based at the spa, activities include a skin fitness workshop, Hip Hop Hula, Yo Baby Yoga, and more. The program runs seasonally (summers and holidays), and offers day and evening sessions (prices vary with season and activities).

Special Events & Activities:
Several mornings each week, guests can sign up for a one-hour Reef and Ray Adventure. Reef Shark Feeding, Hawaiian Fish Feed, and a Hawaiian Ray Experience are among the adventures for ages ten to adult ($38 adults, $29.50 ages ten to 12). There’s a separate Reef and Ray Adventure for ages four to ten ($29.50 per child, $29.50 for accompanying adult).