Waikiki Beach in Honolulu, Hawaii is famous for a reason. The accessibility to a relatively safe beach with consistent waves has attracted people from all over the world for centuries. It was once the home of Hawaiian royalty and countless other local Hawaiians who cared for the island long before western colonization.
The Twin Fin Hotel: At a Glance
Best For: Active Families who want a safe lagoon next to the Zoo
The Vibe: Surf-chic with old-timey beach boys energy. Very welcoming to families and groups.
The Location: 2 minutes to the sand, 5 minutes to the Honolulu Zoo
Sustainability: Plastic-free (aluminum water bottles provided) and ocean-first initiatives.
Although the controversy of westerners coming in and taking over will continue, the reality is that Waikiki has changed into an international tourist hotspot. There aren’t many places in the world quite like it, and visitors appreciate the convenience of nice restaurants and hotels being so close to a world-class beach.
But not all hotels here are the best to bring kids along. Some are a bit too fru-fru, and others border a seedier side of town that doesn’t get discussed in the tourist brochures. For families who want to be steps from the beach but don’t need something lavishly extravagant, we found a great hotel that is welcoming, clean, and has one of the absolute best locations in Waikiki.
The Twin Fin Hotel: A Modern Rebrand
The Twin Fin is a relatively new name in Waikiki, but the building has a long history. Before it was sold and remodeled, most knew it as the Aston Waikiki Beach Hotel. The property sold in 2018 and underwent a full-scale renovation to bring it into contemporary times. With that remodel came a whole new rebrand, giving the property a surfing energy that is palpable throughout.
Room Options for Families
The hotel offers several room configurations depending on your budget and family size. From a standard City View Room that offers great value, to an Ocean View Suite where you can sit out on the Lanai with room for four guests. If you are traveling with a massive group, they even offer a Luxury Suite with space for up to 10 guests, making it the ultimate basecamp for a big Waikiki Beach family vacation.
If there’s availability you can request an upgrade for a little bit extra (I think it cost us $50 for three days) and it’s well worth it to have this view out your door:
The Coconut Club: Breakfast with a View
One huge advantage of the Twin Fin compared to other hotels in the area is the Coconut Club—an open social area with a stunning 21st-floor view of the ocean that offers breakfast in the morning and entertainment at night.
During our stay, we enjoyed a full menu of breakfast delights, from usual staples like bacon and eggs to local fare such as loco moco and acai bowls. It’s the perfect way to start the day while watching surfers catch waves, whale-watching boats cruising out to sea, and massive cruise ships entering and exiting the harbor.
At night, we caught a launch party for Parley, an environmental organization dedicated to cleaning up our oceans. It included a panel discussion from some of the world’s top Big Wave surfers, including the winner of the 2022 Eddie Aikau Invitational, local North Shore lifeguard Luke Shepardson.
Twin Fin’s Sustainability Initiatives
Beyond simple marketing, the hotel has made great strides toward doing things better. In a place like Waikiki where excess is the norm, it was a welcome treat to see a hotel going far beyond just telling people to reuse their towels.
Twin Fin Waikiki has teamed up with Parley in an exciting multi-year partnership to protect Hawaii’s beautiful beaches. Visitors are encouraged to stop by the pop-up AIR Station at the hotel, where they can learn and get hands-on with local conservation efforts, including an interactive spot where guests can borrow sand sifters to help clean up a local beach.
There are also no plastic water bottles on site. Thanks to an exclusive partnership with Mananalu (the sustainable water brand started by Hawaii-born actor and ocean advocate Jason Momoa), guests find complimentary 16-ounce reusable aluminum water bottles in their rooms with fill stations located throughout the property.
Local Tip: The resort’s amenity fee includes rental credits for Waikiki Beach Candy, so guests can easily grab paddleboards, surfboards, or beach chairs. However, if you want to skip the rental lines entirely, check out our guide on How to Pack a Complete Family Beach Setup in Your Checked Luggage!
Location: The Honolulu Zoo is Right Next Door
The Twin Fin is located right next to the Honolulu Zoo. Being so close means you can come and go without much fuss, and you can time the visit for when it’s not so busy. Although there is much to criticize about what zoos are about, there is still plenty of value in humans having some degree of contact and understanding with wild animals, and kids absolutely love it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Twin Fin Waikiki good for kids?
Yes! It is located on the quieter, family-friendly end of Waikiki Beach. It is steps away from the Honolulu Zoo, Kapiolani Park, and the protected swimming lagoons of Waikiki, which are perfect for toddlers and young children to splash safely away from large shore breaks.
Does the Twin Fin hotel have a pool?
Yes, the Twin Fin features an elevated outdoor pool deck with cabanas, lounge chairs, and regular live music. It overlooks the ocean, making it a great spot to relax if you need a break from the sand.
How far is the beach from the Twin Fin?
You simply cross Kalakaua Avenue and you are standing on Waikiki Beach. It takes less than two minutes from the hotel lobby to the sand.
To Sum It Up…
We really enjoyed our stay at the Twin Fin with our little girl, largely thanks to its proximity to the beach and the Honolulu Zoo. The fact that the hotel is making proactive moves to do better by the environment resonated well with us.
Being so close to great restaurants and easy, surfable waves that everyone can enjoy was a huge treat. Our baby is just a bit too small to be surfing yet, but I’m sure Waikiki will be one of the first places she stands up on a board. In the meantime, the safe beach lagoons were a perfect place to play.
Waikiki isn’t for everyone, but with small children, the Twin Fin makes for an easy, hassle-free vacation at one of the best beaches in Hawaii. We will definitely be back!
We use affiliate links to pay the bills. We were not paid for this review, however the folks at the Twin Fin did kindly offer us a free stay. But this is all our opinion; we will never just fluff a place because we got a free stay… we really did like it!
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