This post is sponsored by Hawaiian Airlines. As always, all opinions are my own.
We love to travel as a family and have been traveling with our children for many years. Now that more people are vaccinated and destinations are slowly opening up, we felt safe enough to travel to Hawaii with Hawaiian Airlines. At the end of the post, I include helpful information about current covid safety regulations for visitors to Hawaii.
Hawaiian Airlines made our family trip easier when they opened up direct flights from Ontario to the Hawaiian Islands. Our travel was faster, easier, and more convenient.
For this trip, we partnered with Hawaiian Airlines to stay at Sheraton Waikiki and visit family-friendly destinations for a new experience on this beautiful island of Oahu. We’ve been to Oahu before but this was our best family trip yet!
In this blog post, I’ll give you the inside scoop on our air travel with Hawaiian Airlines, our car rental at Avis, and our stay at Sheraton Waikiki. In the next blog post, I’ll share fun places to visit for families vacationing in Oahu with kids such as North Shore, Lanikai Beach, and Kualoa Ranch.
Family Travel to Hawaii, Oahu: Flight & Where To Stay
Hawaiian Airlines To and From Ontario Airport
The first-class experience on Hawaiian Airlines was excellent and memorable. You get more personalized attention for the whole family, a delicious meal created by Chef Robynne Maii, complimentary drinks during the entire duration of the flight, a personal in-flight entertainment system, and of course, larger seats with more legroom.
Traveling with kids isn’t easy, but it was definitely more enjoyable and less stressful in the first-class cabin.
The food was delicious as well. You can find the full list of first-class menus in North America here.
Overall, the service was attentive, the food was good and we got to fly in comfort. I know it’s not easy to buy first-class tickets for the entire family but I would highly recommend it if the opportunity arises.
Face-covering mandates for kids
Kids over 2 are required to wear face coverings/masks at all times during the flight except when eating and drinking. Luckily my 4-year-old is pretty good about wearing his mask and my 15-month-old baby was exempt from the rule.
It’s important to check with your airline for their specific mask policy, as it may vary. But overall, we found that our family was able to adapt to the mask-wearing requirement with ease. And with the proper precautions in place, we felt safe and comfortable traveling to our destination.
Tips for flying with kids
Flying with kids can be a challenge, but with a little preparation, it can be a breeze. Some tips to make your flight smoother include packing snacks, toys, and entertainment, booking seats in advance, and checking your airline’s policies on strollers and car seats. Additionally, encouraging your kids to stay hydrated and take breaks to stretch their legs can help make the flight more comfortable for everyone. Here are some other tips you should keep in mind:
- Avoid overpacking. Consolidate and travel minimally to lessen your load to carry.
- If you have a lap infant, be sure to have a birth certificate handy just in case. Also, lap infants need their own ticket so be sure to ask for this at the check-in desk.
- Don’t just rely on devices alone, pack cheap coloring books, crayons, paper, and your kids’ favorite snacks.
- Be prepared to switch from one activity to another from movie to coloring, nap time to eating. It helps kids to stay engaged longer.
- Try to schedule the flight around their nap time. For longer international flights, schedule them at nighttime.
- Stretch and let the child move around when you can safely do so. It helps to lessen tantrums while you’re on the plane.
Rental car at Avis
We chose Avis for our car rental and our experience was smooth. We checked in safely, received our car without contact, and felt safe knowing that the car was thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. Also, we rented two car seats (one infant and one convertible seat) from Avis and both were in good condition. They were both cleaned and wrapped in plastic before our use.
We like having our own rental car when we travel so we can explore the island as a family. Without a car, we wouldn’t be able to visit places like North Shore, Hanauma Bay, Waimea, Lanikai, and Kailua Beach.
We also love visiting unique restaurants throughout our stay, which you can learn more about here.
Sheraton Waikiki for families
The Sheraton Waikiki is the perfect home base for your family’s Oahu vacation. The hotel is located at the heart of Waikiki Beach. The best shops and restaurants in Honolulu surround it too! And the best part? Everything is within walking distance, so you won’t have to worry about transportation. During our stay, we were blown away by the exceptional service, stunning ocean views, and family-friendly amenities that the Sheraton Waikiki had to offer. From the beautiful pool to the delicious on-site restaurants, there was something for everyone in our family to enjoy.
The Sheraton Waikiki is also a great starting point for exploring the island’s many attractions. Whether you want to go on hikes on Oahu or try Leonard’s Bakery, everything is just a short drive away. And after a day of exploring, you can come back to the comfort and convenience of the Sheraton Waikiki. With its prime location, exceptional service, and family-friendly amenities, it’s no wonder that the Sheraton Waikiki is a top choice for families visiting Oahu.
Ohana Suite At Sheraton Waikiki
Sheraton Waikiki designed the Ohana Suites for larger families. It has 2 bedrooms, 1 bedroom, and a pull-out sofa bed in the living room. It can comfortably sleep up to 6-7 people. They also provide a crib upon request.
The suite comes with 3 TVs, a dining table, an empty refrigerator, a coffee machine, and an electric kettle which came in handy for late-night snacks and a baby’s bottle. It also comes with a beautiful panoramic view of the Waikiki Beach sunset.
I also appreciated having both a shower and bathtub in the same space. It saved us so much time when it came to giving the kids a bath, showering, and getting ready after a beach or pool day.
Another family-friendly amenity is that there is plenty of storage space. We used these closets inside the bathroom to store all our toiletries and miscellaneous items out of reach of the younger children.
Sheraton poolside
The Sheraton pool is heaven for kids and adults alike! It boasts a beautiful adults-only infinity pool that overlooks the Waikiki beach but of course, we stayed at the pool for families.
My kids love the slide here and usually spend an entire day swimming and riding the slide.
Currently poolside and cabana services are available and you can also purchase food and drinks at Rumfire, Sheraton Waikiki’s signature restaurant.
Overall, Sheraton Waikiki is an excellent hotel choice for families visiting Oahu. You’ll love the location on the Waikiki strip, the beautiful view of the Waikiki beach, the family-friendly pool with a slide, an adults-only infinity pool, and restaurant choices. It’s also within walking distance to the Royal Hawaiian Center which has amazing shops and a food court with various dining options for families.
Vault Health Covid Test & Safety
Currently, Hawaii requires a proof of negative covid test in order to bypass the mandatory 10-day quarantine upon arrival. The process was easy and fast through Vault Health. You can order the test online for all family members over age 5 and take a saliva test at home. Samples are collected in your own home, over Zoom, with their trained clinicians.
Covid tests are required for children over five years old.
Vault Health processes and emails your results within 24-48 hours of sample collection. Download the test pdf (screenshots don’t work) and upload it to https://travel.hawaii.gov/.
You must register each adult at https://travel.hawaii.gov/ before arrival to Hawaii. You can add your children under you in your account. I added all the kids to my account and my husband created his own account. Each child over the age of 5 needs his/her own covid test result. I also printed out the negative covid result for each member and had it with me on hand as a backup.
Vault covid tests are currently approved for entry to Hawaii, Mexico, and Caribbean destinations. They’re a fast and easy way to get testing done from the comfort of your own home.
Family Things to Do in Hawaii Oahu
Looking for family-friendly activities on Oahu? You can’t miss the breathtaking hikes, beautiful beaches with sea turtles and other sea life, and horseback riding adventures. Renting a car is a great way to explore the island’s many attractions, like the famous Dole Plantation and the iconic Diamond Head. And after a day of exploring, treat yourself to some delicious local ice cream from Leonard’s Bakery. For a cultural experience, head to the Polynesian Cultural Center to learn about Hawaii’s rich heritage and traditions. With so many fun things to see and do, your family is sure to have a blast on this amazing island!
Discover the best flights and accommodations for a memorable family vacation in Hawaii’s Oahu with insider tips and tricks.
So there you have it! Oahu is the perfect destination for your family’s next adventure. With so many beautiful beaches, lush rainforests, and cultural attractions to explore, your family will have a blast. Don’t forget to do your research on flights and accommodations to find the best deals and options for your family’s needs. Whether you’re looking for a hotel, resort, or vacation rental, there’s something for everyone. So what are you waiting for? Get your bags packed and start planning your unforgettable family vacation to Hawaii’s Oahu!
That’s it! I hope I answered all your questions regarding family travel to Hawaii.
In the next blog post, I’ll share with you 5 fun things to do in Oahu with kids.
You can check out my list of best foods in Oahu here.
Have you been to Oahu? Where is your favorite place to go? Please leave your comments and questions below!
