Key Takeaways

• While Maui enjoys a wonderful reputation as a romantic destination, it’s also incredibly family-friendly.
• At Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa, a rich resort calendar of included activities make it an enriching experience for families to share.
• Spending the winter holidays at Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa is especially rewarding, but year-round cultural programing make any time a good one to visit.

It’s no accident that Maui is considered one of the top honeymoon destinations in the world. Luxurious, romantic resorts set on spectacular coastal beaches, lush tropical landscapes inland to discover during adventures that bond, amazing views of dramatic mountain formations and thundering waterfalls, enchanting wildlife to go with this scenery, and delectable dining at world-class restaurants check off every box on the list for what a perfect couples getaway might entail.

However, experienced travelers know that their love affair with the island doesn’t – and certainly shouldn’t! – end with the honeymoon. It can easily be turned into one that lasts a lifetime, and passed down to the next generation. And the hotel that can make sure of it is the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa, a family-friendly property on 40 wonderfully curated acres of Ka’anapali Beach with a rich tableau of activities and special events for children and their extended families can all equally enjoy.

Winter Holidays at Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa

Choosing to celebrate festive season in Maui? Well, there’s no more surefire move to make sure it’s a holiday season never to be forgotten. The best thing is, at this property, guests don’t have to choose between winter festivities and sandy beaches. In fact, they can participate in both simultaneously as they look for the resort’s resident Elf on the Shelf® hidden across the grounds from December 15 – 25. Then there are events like the Tour of the Stars Santa Watch that takes place December 24 and 25 each year. Hosted by the resort’s NASA Solar System Ambassador from the rooftop, it’s a bookable stargaze that promises to be “illuminating” whether or not you spot the season’s biggest celebrity.

Also, for five years now, Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa has hosted the Halona Kai Holiday Village, a special ticketed event that includes a family photo with Santa Claus, themed activities, holiday movie showing with fresh popcorn and hot cocoa, baked goods at Mrs. Claus’s Bake Shop, and a substantial dinner buffet of comfort foods that range from turkey, ham, prime rib, and traditional fixings to baked mahi mahi, popcorn chicken with plum sauce, and pui rolls. Christmas morning kicks off with an oceanfront brunch buffet with live music.

Of course, there are also always holiday dining specials at the property’s award-winning restaurants Japengo, ‘Umalu, and Son’z Steakhouse. Holiday themed ukelele lessons, caroling around the property, and menorah lighting offer less structured fun. And for adults, every Friday in December offers an opportunity to join a Holiday Mixology Experience, with an expert cocktail craftsman.

Cultural Programming

Instilling a sense of place and awareness of other ways of life is an important part of ensuring that the next generation’s travelers are mindful and appreciative. With that in mind, Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa has developed a strong program of cultural experiences that introduce families to what makes Maui and the other Islands of Hawai’i so special.

First, there’s the iconic and unmissable Drums of the Pacific Lu’au that takes place nearly nightly at the resort. Visitors come from all across the island to attend this Polynesian traditional song and dance performance, which incorporates an imu ceremony, a three-man Samoan fire-knife dance finale, and includes a three-course dinner of island cuisine and an open bar of island spirits.

Then there are classes guests can sign up for, like the Maui Poke History and Tasting demonstration with their expert chefs. But of course, families are big fans of the ones included in the daily resort fee, such as lei making, lawn games, hula lessons, kukui nut bracelet making, coconut husking or weaving, , wildlife tours, penguin and koi feedings. The Hawaiian Plant Tour, led by the resort’s landscape manager, is another great way to learn to appreciate the uniqueness of Maui.

And every Friday from 9 AM – 3 PM, local artisans, crafters, and vendors gather at the hotel’s Atrium Lobby to showcase and sell original artwork, unique Hawaiian carvings, island-inspired gifts, handmade jewelry, and other ways to bring the spirit of aloha home while supporting local small businesses and craftsmen.

Finally, the best way to engage with a destination – getting directly involved in the community.

Guests are welcome to participate in Malama Hawai’i, a program aimed toward inspiring mindful travel and giving back to local communities, and earn 5,000 World of Hyatt bonus points doing it. Since 2020, this resort (and others in the Hyatt family of brands) has partnered with the Hawai’i Tourism Authority and Hawai’i Visitors and Convention Bureau to offer guests the opportunity to volunteer during their vacation. Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa’s works with a West Maui watershed conservation program, an ahupua’a restoration project, the Maui Food Bank, Maui Humane Society, Pacific Whale Foundation, and more.

Other Activities Fit for the Fam

With the time difference, many visitors find themselves getting up earlier than usual, which gives them plenty of time to grab breakfast and start their day with the daily 9:30 AM penguin presentation! The resident African penguins at the hotel are a beloved icon, but perhaps not as famous as the nearby Haleakala National Park and Volcano Crater and Road to Hana drive – both unforgettable field trips for the entire family.

The whaling museum, Hawaii Wildlife Discovery Center is a bit closer, accessible by the free Ka’anapali Trolley or a family walk from the resort. It’s located in the beachfront shopping mall, Whaler’s Village, where local stores, designer boutiques, art galleries, and restaurants offer ample browsing entertainment.

But whatever families do, they should immediately schedule their complimentary Grins 2 Go portrait session, especially since a beach shoot and 5x7 print is included in the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa resort fee. They should also take advantage of the two drop-in or open play passes provided per room, per stay, at the on-site The HUB Pickleball Maui, which includes standard paddle rental. Additional passes for registered guests, such as the kids, are available at added cost.

The Bottom Line

Far from a romance-only destination, Maui is a Hawaiian island for couples to grow into families with. With plentiful festive season events, year-round cultural opportunities, and all-ages activities, Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa is a great choice as a property use as a launchpad for a lifelong love for Maui.