Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii

I went on a mother daughter trip to the Fairmont and we had a wonderful time. We had an issue with our room (technical / air conditioning) the night manager Rose was absolutely amazing, she took care of the issue for us and checked in with us the next day to make sure everything was ok, which it was. Samson, one of the rec organizers at the beach and pool was great. He told us about things we could do, answered all our questions and checked in on us during our stay. The shuttle drivers were great and were always available to give us a lift. The staff by far went above and beyond to make our stay extra special. The only things we felt could use some improvement was the food, it really was not great. We ended up going off site for most of our meals. The resort also needs some TLC in regard to wear and tear. There were torn lounge cushions, a couple of our pillow cases had holes, no deal breakers as we would definitely go back.

Fairmont Orchid is over priced and in serious need of updating. Last visit was 2013 and not much has changed. The rooms are shabby. The pool cushions are disgusting and the food was overpriced. $65 buffet breakfast and $300 dinner for two and you have to grab a burger afterwards because portion size was so small.

This resort far exceeded my expectations! And I’m so sad we did not book a longer stay. Rooms were clean and our view from building 2 was stunning!! Service and food were both fantastic. Our favorite part was snorkeling right in front of the resort. Would definitely recommend and we will be back to stay again.

First trip to the Big Island after many visits to Maui, and the Fairmont Orchid delivered where it counts. Different vibe altogether: fewer tourists, fewer crowds, fewer restaurants, and a staff that feels genuinely rooted here. Many were born and raised on the island, and it shows in how they carry themselves. Service: 4/5. Arrival set the right tone: leis for the women, kukui for the men, and a genuine aloha spirit from the moment we walked in. Housekeeping was exceptional: turndown service, timely, high quality, consistently warm. The one notable gap was breakfast at the Orchid Court. Plenty of hosts, not enough attentive servers. Four tables waiting too long for coffee on multiple occasions. The omelet station cooks were clearly understaffed and overwhelmed, doing their best with long lines and not enough hands to keep pace. A word of advice: ask for a cover for your food immediately. The birds may find your plate before your server does, and they've clearly done this before. Management should make covers standard issue, not optional. Beach/Ocean: 5/5. The standout. Lagoon-style, family-friendly, with solid and convenient snorkeling: good fish, sea turtles, all within easy reach. Complimentary snorkel gear and no shortage of chairs. Walk the Ala Kahakai coastal trail in either direction; it connects the resorts and passes a historic fishpond with some impressive fish along the way. Day one we assumed we couldn't do it (you walk on sand briefly to get started), but it's very doable. Cool walk. Food: 4/5. Resort pricing is the reality here and across the Kohala Coast, so budget accordingly. Beyond breakfast, the food is solid. Don't miss the Kahakai Cruiser, an Airstream taco stand tucked behind the beach shack. Blackened ono, jackfruit al pastor, kiawe brisket birria. Easily one of the best meals of the trip, and it's right on property. Rooms: 4/5. Largely updated, comfortable, and well-appointed. Ocean view double double worked well for us. One minor note: the shower pressure is underwhelming, which matters here given the mineral-based reef-safe sunscreens you'll be washing off daily. I support the cause, but I need the water pressure to save me too. Fitness Center: 2.5/5. Hasn't kept pace with the rest of the property, and that's being generous. Older equipment, limited selection, and a dumbbell rack that borders on unsafe. I've seen more inspiring setups in hotel hallways. For a property at this price point and caliber, it needs a serious refresh. Spa. Didn't partake, but the outdoor massage area looked stunning. Parking tip: Self-park. Short walk, less expensive, no waiting for valet. Big Island Gems (don't skip these) - Manta ray night snorkel. Book early with Sea Quest. Other-worldly. These 1,000-pound rays are gentle giants and they will put on a show. Don't hesitate. - Waipio Valley Lookout. Non-negotiable. Just go. - Northern loop to Hilo and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Kilauea and the lava tubes are spectacular. Worth a full day. - Ala Kahakai coastal trail. Walk both directions from the Fairmont if you can. - Gil's Lanai near Hawi. More locals than tourists, and that's a very good sign. - Waimea Saturday Farmers Market and Waimea Coffee Company. Great morning stop. - Tommy Bahama at the Shops at Mauna Lani. Solid lunch. And don't sleep on - Juice 101 in the same complex — acai bowls and healthy sandwiches that punch well above their strip mall location. Good find. - Wildlife. Boars crossing the road, goats, monk seals on the beach walk, geckos, sea turtles. Keep your eyes open. - Download the Shaka Guide before you explore. Worth it. - Saddle Road (Daniel K. Inouye Highway) at night. Don't. Dark, foggy, no lights. Take the coastal route back. The extra 20-25 minutes are worth your peace of mind. Bottom line: A serene, elegantly low-key property with a genuine aloha spirit. Not stuffy, not modern. It feels like Hawaii. We'll definitely be back.

This has been our go-to on Hawaii for more than a decade. Sometimes we have strayed, but we have always come back, because some things are always true: The pool and pool deck are so massive that, even if the hotel is fully booked, there is always a pool chair and the pool always feels uncrowded. Hands down the best waterfront location on Hawaii. Staff is…mostly…great. We returned for the holiday weekend and while we enjoyed our trip overall, some things stuck out. We booked a Fairmont Gold suite. I still believe the Gold lounge is great. But our room had worn mattresses, some mildew in the shower, a very scummy and oily feeling bathtub floor, and the AC struggled to keep the room cool. We also heard about the AC from other guests and on TripAdvisor. The bathrooms have not changed in 10+ years, and lack ventilation. Mostly staff continue to be great. But I have to echo other reviews on TA: the hostility towards tourists has invaded the Fairmont. A few bellhops almost ran us over. At the shops, 2 of 3 storekeepers ignored us entirely. Front desk never acknowledged us. Food options across all venues have been reduced. But what we had (poolside) was good. Live music at the Luana Lounge is gone, as is the traditional property torch lighting (now it’s a guy with a blowtorch). Just enough lapses to make us think about another venue, like the new Rosewood. Makes us sad because we have loved and been mostly loyal to this hotel for years. Helpful hint: you cannot use both USB’s in your nightstand at the same time. It’s either/or. You can use the plug and one USB concurrently. Do not ask me why, in the age of multiple devices, this was the update selected.