The 12 best Hilton resorts for families

Even though the snow is starting to fall, Hilton’s credit card offers make it worthwhile to look ahead and plan for next year’s spring break or even your family’s summer vacation.

While all sorts of trips can be the perfect fit for families, there’s something timeless about a relaxing resort vacation, so we’ve outlined 12 of the best Hilton resorts for families to enjoy. If you find yourself needing some additional Hilton points to make these trips happen, we’ve put together a list of the top Hilton card bonuses, too.

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• Hilton Honors American Express Card: Earn 80,000 Hilton Honors bonus points after you spend $1,000 in purchases on the card in the first three months of card membership.
• Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card: Earn 130,000 Hilton Honors bonus points after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the card in the first three months of card membership.
• Hilton Honors American Express Business Card: Earn 165,000 Hilton Honors bonus points after you spend $5,000 in purchases on the card in the first three months of card membership (offer ends 04/05/2023). Plus you can earn a Free Night Reward after you spend $10,000 in purchases in the first six months of card membership.
• Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express:150,000 Hilton Honors bonus points after you spend $4,000 in purchases on the card within your first three months of card membership

The information for the Hilton Aspire Amex card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Grand Wailea Maui

Grand Wailea Maui is one of Hilton’s most luxurious resorts in Hawaii, especially with its beachfront location and amazing pools (there are nine of them). Honeymooners flock to this resort, but it’s also a great family destination. The hotel offers many on-site activities, such as a program where first-time divers (ages 12+) can receive complimentary scuba training. There are also kayak and paddleboard rentals, along with a monthly schedule with activities such as luaus, yoga classes, Hawaiian games and hula lessons. (Note that although the Grand Wailea is popular with families for its extensive kids and teen clubs, those are currently closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.)

The Grand Wailea Maui costs 95,000 Hilton points a night for a standard room, although those are incredibly hard to come by. This is why you'll want to plan your trip far in advance and ensure you are flexible with dates. But, if you are able to find a standard room available, it makes it a valuable use of free weekend night certificates. You can earn these certificates in a couple of different ways:

• Anniversary Year: The Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express will give you a free night certificate every time you renew your account.
• Annual Spend: The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card gives you a free night annually if you spend $15,000 on the card within the calendar year. The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card allows you to earn up to two free nights per year — one free night after you spend $15,000 on the card within the calendar year and then another free night after you spend $60,000 on the card within the calendar year. The Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express allows you to earn a second free-night certificate after you spend $60,000 on the card within the calendar year.

If Hawaii is on your radar, you can do a full island-hopping tour with Hilton hotels. Other family-friendly properties include Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort (60,000 points/night) and Hilton Waikoloa Village (65,000 points/night).

Related: The best ways to get to Hawaii using points and miles

Hilton Phoenix Resort at the Peak

Arizona is filled with resorts that range from adults-only spas to family-oriented properties with massive pools and lazy rivers. The all-suite Hilton Phoenix Resort at the Peak definitely works for families. This resort requires between 50,000 to 60,000 Hilton points per night. And even their standard rooms are suites, allowing your family (up to five guests) to spread out for no additional expense.

The Hilton Phoenix Resort at the Peak features the four-acre River Ranch Water Park with pools, waterslides and a lazy river. There are also tennis courts, basketball courts and mini-golf. (Note, during non-pandemic times, kids four to 12-year-olds can participate in programs at Coyote Camp, which is currently closed.)

Madison Beach Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton, Connecticut

Finding a chain resort in the Northeast is challenging, but your family can vacation on the Connecticut shoreline using Hilton points at the Madison Beach Hotel. Just make sure to book far ahead, as rooms sell out early during the peak periods of summer and fall.

Related: These are the best Hilton hotels for a local getaway

When the weather is good, your kids can play at the beach during the day and make s’mores at the fire pit in the evenings. There is also biking, kayaking, fishing and bird-watching. At 61,000 to 80,000 Hilton Honors points a night, this can be a great New England option.

Signia by Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek

If Mickey and Minnie are in your family’s plans, the Signia by Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek is just a few miles from the Disney theme parks. Here you will receive benefits such as a 30-minute head start at Disney World and complimentary transportation to the park.

For non-park days, the Signia by Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek has a lagoon-style pool, and a waterslide and poolside activities. During non-pandemic times, there's also a kids club at the adjacent Waldorf Astoria hotel (the kids club is currently closed due to pandemic restrictions).

Related: The best points hotels near Disney World

The Signia by Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek requires costs 60,000 Hilton Honors points a night for a standard night, however, many times there are only premium rooms available. There are other Hilton properties in the area that might cost less; look into the Hilton Disney Springs properties if your points budget is tight.

Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa, Florida

The Florida panhandle has beautiful beaches and is a popular family vacation spot. If you are looking for a full-service hotel on the beach with many kid's activities, the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa has you covered at 64,000 to 80,000 points a night. Or, if you are looking to splurge, you can redeem even more points to stay in a suite that offers bunk beds — the perfect solution when traveling with kids.

Here you’ll find indoor and outdoor pools, beach volleyball, bike riding, tennis, golf, stand-up paddleboarding and kayaking. And of course, there’s the beach.

Related: Related: Tips for visiting Destin, Florida

The Waterfront Beach Resort, a Hilton Hotel

Huntington Beach, also known as “Surf City,” lies just 35 miles southeast of Los Angeles. On its 9.5-mile beach is The Waterfront Beach Resort, which costs 80,000 points a night. This is the perfect resort to turn into a California coast road trip or to tack onto a Disneyland vacation. Note: The hotel is across the highway and not on the beachfront.

The Waterfront Beach Resort is steps away from the beach and many restaurants but secluded in a beautiful, resort-style property. There is a pool with waterslides, cabanas for rent and fire pits in the evening. You can rent boogie boards, sand toys, beach chairs and umbrellas, tandem bikes, beach cruisers and more. Unfortunately, though, the property no longer has a kids club at the resort.

Hilton Barbados Resort

Barbados is an awesome vacation for families. Although there is a limited number of chain resorts on the island, there are actually two opportunities to use your Hilton points. The first, the Hilton Barbados Resort is located right in Bridgetown. (Note: This is not the right location if you like to be off the beaten path.)

With access to a white-sand beach and a pool, the hotel offers snorkeling gear, kayaks and boogie boards. The Kidz complimentary Paradise Club is open between 9 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. The kids are divided into two age groups: The Groovy Kidz are children between four and seven years old and the Cool Kidz are children between eight and 12 years old. At the hotel, children under five eat for free and children between five and 12 receive all meals at half price.

This is by no means the fanciest hotel in Barbados, but it is a great opportunity to use your points on an island where hotels can be quite expensive. The Hilton Barbados Resort costs 59,000 to 70,000 points a night.

If you have a healthy point balance, Hilton recently took over The Crane Resort as one of its vacation properties. (The Crane also has a kids club for four to 12-year-olds and is complimentary). The Hilton Grand Vacations at The Crane starts at 113,000 points per night since you can only book premium rooms. The Crane is definitely a nicer property if you have the luxury of choice. Or, if you are visiting during an off-peak time you might find that the paid rate is a similar price and worth paying for instead of using points.

Hilton Rose Hall Resort & Spa

The all-inclusive Hilton Rose Hall Resort & Spa in Jamaica has a private beach, multiple pools and the Super Mill Falls Water Park. While it is no longer the only waterpark in the Caribbean where you can use points, your kids will still love the 280-foot slide and the lazy river.

The room rates include multiple dining options, drinks at the swim-up bar, non-motorized water sports and, of course, a kids club.

A standard room at this property costs between 65,000 and 70,000 points for two guests with a surcharge for additional guests. Children five and under stay for free, but you'll want to speak to Hilton or the hotel directly to determine the extra cost as the pricing does change and depends on the age of the guest.

Related: 8 family-friendly all-inclusive resorts you can book with points

Hilton Aruba Caribbean

Aruba is one of my family’s favorite beach destinations. The weather is usually near-perfect, the water is crystal-clear, there are a ton of activities and the restaurants are solid. In the hotel zone, you’ll find many points-friendly options, including the Hilton Aruba Caribbean.

It boasts two large “zero-entry pools” (they slope gradually into the water, like a beach, which can be ideal for kids) that stay open until 10 p.m. This allows kids to splash around right up to bedtime and gives families something to do in the evening.

The Shoco Land Kids Club is currently closed, but when open is available for kids between four and 12 years old.

Standard rooms at this property will cost you 80,000 points a night all year-round.

Hilton Cancun, an All-Inclusive Resort

The Hilton Cancun just had its grand opening in November 2021, which now makes this another great place to use your Hilton Honors points — especially if you prefer the all-inclusive experience. Located in the Riviera Maya area, you're right on the water and still close by to Cancun International Airport (CUN).

There are a plethora of activities for kids, including kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, snorkeling, a water playground with slides and nightly shows.

Kids between the ages of four and 12 can also enjoy the Kids Club. While the fixed building that houses the kids club is not yet up and running, there's a temporary space that is being used to offer many fun activities, such as arts and crafts, gaming stations and more.

A free night award only costs 95,000 points a night and kids under 12 stay for free. This is another great opportunity to redeem one of your free night awards that come with one of Hilton's co-branded credit card.

Conrad Bora Bora Nui

Farther away than all the other properties mentioned here, the Conrad Bora Bora Nui is special. What is so great about this property for families is that you can spend 89,000 points a night and stay in a suite of more than 1,000 square feet. If you want to stay over water that will cost you more, but land rooms at this property are quite nice for a family of up to four.

The Conrad offers complimentary mini-golf, paddleboarding, kayaking or sailing. There is also the free Tamariki Kids' Club for kids between four and 14 years old.

Due to the incredibly expensive nightly rate, this is a great place to use your points for a free night stay. Unfortunately, though, availability for a standard room on points is extremely limited, but keep on checking the calendar daily to see if any rooms open up.

Related: Best ways to get to Tahiti using miles

Bottom line

I love using Hilton Honors points to pay for my hotel stays, especially at resorts. If you use points, resort fees are waived and you’ll receive your fifth night free if you have elite status. Fortunately, all four Hilton Honors credit cards come with either Silver, Gold or Diamond status. No matter which card you get, you’ll automatically reap this benefit.

With more than 5,000 Hilton properties worldwide, there are endless options for family vacations on points. Which ones are your favorites?