Family Christmas at Marriott Waikoloa

A Magical Christmas With Family at the Waikoloa Beach Marriott: Holiday Memories on the Kohala Coast

Spending Christmas in Hawaiʻi is unlike any other holiday experience—warm breezes, sparkling ocean views, swaying palms wrapped in lights, and unforgettable moments with the people you love most. And if you’re planning a family Christmas vacation on the Big Island, few places capture the spirit of the season quite like the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa. Nestled along the stunning Kohala Coast, this resort blends tropical luxury, family-friendly amenities, and the warm aloha spirit that makes holiday memories last a lifetime.

From sunrise walks along Anaehoʻomalu Bay to festive Hawaiian Christmas events, to the ease of strolling to Queens’ Marketplace for shopping, dining, and a refreshing shave ice at Gecko Girlz, the Marriott Waikoloa offers the perfect setting for a relaxing, joy-filled holiday getaway.

A Warm Hawaiian Welcome at the Waikoloa Beach Marriott

Arriving at the Waikoloa Beach Marriott feels like stepping into a holiday postcard—just with palm trees instead of pine trees. The open-air lobby looks out toward the ocean, capturing that classic Big Island beauty with a modern, peaceful vibe. Families love it because it’s easy, walkable, and full of things to do without ever needing to leave the property.

Christmas season at the Marriott is extra special. The resort typically features:

  • Decorated palm trees and festive Hawaiian-style Christmas lights

  • Holiday music mixed with soft Hawaiian melodies

  • Family-friendly events such as lei making, hula lessons, cultural workshops, and outdoor movie nights

  • Special Christmas Eve or Christmas Day meals at the resort’s restaurants

It’s a perfect blend of holiday magic and island relaxation.

Family-Friendly Rooms and Ocean Views for the Holidays

The rooms and suites at the Waikoloa Beach Marriott are ideal for families celebrating Christmas together. Many rooms offer private lanais with ocean, garden, or pool views, letting you wake up to the soft sounds of the waves instead of winter snowplows.

If you’re traveling with kids or a larger group, adjoining rooms and spacious suites make it easy to stay connected. Imagine opening gifts on your lanai with the warm Hawaiian sun shining down and the Pacific Ocean sparkling in the background. It’s a Christmas morning your family won’t forget.

Pools, Beaches, and Holiday Relaxation at A-Bay

One of the best parts about Christmas at the Marriott Waikoloa is how much there is to do right outside your door.

Beautiful Pool Areas

Kids love the multi-level pool complex, complete with:

  • A relaxing infinity-style pool

  • A children’s pool

  • Lounge chairs surrounded by palm trees

  • Heated water for cooler winter evenings

Parents can sip a tropical drink while the kids splash, play, and soak in the sunshine.

Anaehoʻomalu Bay (A-Bay)

Just steps from the pool, A-Bay is one of the most peaceful beaches on the Kohala Coast. In December, the water is calm, making it great for families. You can:

  • Snorkel with tropical fish

  • Paddleboard

  • Take family photos with palm trees and lava rock backdrops

  • Enjoy stunning sunsets that paint the sky with Christmas colors of red, gold, and pink

Unlike the busy holiday chaos on the mainland, Christmas at A-Bay is beautifully simple: warm sand, gentle waves, and quiet moments with the people who matter most.

Holiday Adventures Around Waikoloa Beach Resort

While the resort offers plenty to enjoy, families spending Christmas at the Marriott love how easy it is to walk everywhere. The Waikoloa Beach Resort area is designed for strolling—safe, clean, well-lit, and festive during the holiday season.

Kings’ Shops

A quick walk from the hotel, Kings’ Shops offers:

  • Holiday gifts and local boutiques

  • Jewelry stores

  • Restaurants with lake views

  • Occasional Christmas-themed events or live performances

It’s a great place to pick up last-minute gifts or enjoy a relaxed dinner after a day of swimming.

Queens’ Marketplace

Just a few minutes’ walk in the other direction is Queens’ Marketplace, one of the most family-friendly shopping and dining centers on the Kohala Coast—and home to the delicious Gecko Girlz Shave Ice & Ice Cream.

A Christmas Treat: Walking to Queens’ Marketplace for Gecko Girlz Shave Ice

One of the highlights of staying at the Marriott during Christmas is how easily you can stroll to Queens’ Marketplace to grab a refreshing shave ice from Gecko Girlz. Kids absolutely love it, and adults often find themselves just as excited.

Gecko Girlz is known for:

  • Island-style shave ice made super soft and fluffy

  • Pure cane sugar syrups (no high-fructose corn syrup)

  • Local Hawaiian flavors including lilikoi, mango, strawberry, blue hawaii, Kona sunset combos, and holiday favorites like cherry or coconut

  • Macadamia nut or vanilla ice cream at the bottom

  • Creamy snowcaps and fun toppings

Shave ice is a classic Hawaiian treat, and enjoying it during Christmas adds that perfect tropical twist to your holiday vacation. Instead of hot cocoa in the snow, you’re enjoying chilled lilikoi under swaying palms—and trust us, your kids will talk about it for years.

Plus, the walk itself is relaxing and scenic. You pass through the landscaped paths of the Waikoloa Beach Resort, often decorated with holiday lights, giving your Christmas nights a tropical sparkle.

Holiday Dining, Sunsets, and Family Memories

Whether you’re eating at the Marriott’s restaurants or exploring nearby spots in Kings’ Shops and Queens’ Marketplace, the Waikoloa area offers plenty of family-friendly holiday dining.

Popular choices include:

  • Fresh seafood dinners with ocean views

  • Hawaiian-style Christmas feasts featuring local dishes

  • Quick, casual meals perfect for families with kids

  • Dessert walks to Gecko Girlz after dinner

But one of the best Christmas activities is simply finding a spot along the beach to watch the sunset. December sunsets over the Pacific are vibrant, colorful, and peaceful—ideal for holiday photos or quiet family time.

Why Christmas at the Marriott Waikoloa Is Unforgettable

A Hawaiian Christmas isn’t just a vacation—it’s an experience that stays in your heart. At the Waikoloa Beach Marriott, families get the perfect mix of comfort, relaxation, kid-friendly fun, and festive island magic.

Where else can you:

  • Swim on Christmas morning

  • Open gifts on a lanai overlooking the ocean

  • Watch the sun set in holiday colors

  • Attend Hawaiian cultural activities

  • Walk to Queens’ Marketplace for shave ice from Gecko Girlz

  • Trade freezing winter weather for flip-flops and aloha shirts?

Every moment feels special because it blends holiday warmth with the beauty of Hawaiʻi’s Big Island.

Final Thoughts

If you’re dreaming of a family Christmas filled with sunshine, ocean breezes, and unforgettable island moments, the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa is the perfect place to celebrate. From the pools at the Marriott to the beach at A-Bay to the short walk for shave ice at Gecko Girlz, every part of your holiday becomes a joyful memory.