I stayed at the Naniloa Resort in Hilo, Hawaii over Thanksgiving weekend. Hilo is a pretty small city overall. At least the downtown part is small. The hotel was only minutes from the main downtown area and was in a nice location right on the ocean. There wasn't a beach at the hotel but they had a really nice pool with a waterfall which was cool. And another pool not too far from the ocean. The water was pretty cold though so I didn't go in. The views all around the hotel were absolutely amazing. When I looked out on my balcony, I could see the ocean and a small island called Coconut Island just off the coast.
The rooms were normal hotel sized and there wasn't anything really different about them except mine had a small balcony with chairs and a GREAT view of the ocean. The decor all around the hotel was very tropical in nature and the hotel was well decorated. There was at least one restaurant in the hotel and the food was delicious. This hotel also has a small gift shop with some pretty unique Hawaiian gifts and clothes as well as snacks and drinks. I bought several gifts in that shop as presents. There is a small store right next door also if the gift shop is closed and you want a snack.
The hotel is only a short drive to Volcanoes National Park too. I highly suggest visiting there because it is really something to see. I have never seen anything like it before in my life and I didn't even get to the actual lava. I would also suggest visiting the waterfalls. There are several little parks around that have really cool waterfalls. Ask anyone around there and they can give you easy directions. They were maybe 10 minutes max away from the hotel.
The hotel was a little older but still in good condition. I would highly suggest this hotel to everyone. I don't think there was anything special for children but the pools are always a good draw. The only problem I had was that Hilo is one of the rainiest cities in the USA so if you are looking for typical "Hawaiian" weather, you went to the wrong place. Hilo is more volcanoes, waterfalls, and rainforest than sun and beach.