Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii

Our family had an absolutely incredible stay at the Fairmont Orchid, and the Fairmont Gold experience exceeded even our highest expectations. We left saying that this was one of the best family vacations we've ever had. One of the things that made our stay so special was the Fairmont Gold team. Lora and everyone we interacted with were exceptional—warm, welcoming, knowledgeable, responsive, and genuinely invested in making sure we had the best possible vacation. They consistently went above and beyond, from recommending activities and contacting the activities team to gather more information, to offering to make reservations for us. Their proactive approach and genuine care made us feel supported throughout our stay. The Fairmont Gold Lounge was outstanding. The food was excellent throughout the day, and we looked forward to every breakfast, snack, and evening canapé. Everything was fresh, beautifully prepared, and delicious. The lounge dining staff were equally wonderful—always friendly, attentive, and welcoming. The resort itself is beautiful. The grounds are immaculate, our room was exceptionally comfortable, and the housekeeping staff were thoughtful and kind. The beach was absolutely perfect and became one of our favorite places to spend time. Every employee we encountered made us feel genuinely welcome. There was a warmth and spirit of hospitality throughout the entire resort that made us feel completely at home. We're already looking forward to returning and making the Fairmont Orchid part of our family's traditions for years to come!

My daughter and I had a lovely 5 night stay. There were so many nice touches, like the guy by the pool who passed out pineapples. Also we got lucky in being able to extend our checkout to 8 pm for an 11 pm flight for an extra fee. Snorkeling off the beach was so convenient and easy. We saw turtles, lots of different kinds of fish and a moray swimming out mid morning. Our two queen bed room was very comfortable. There were two showers in the bathroom. We got the ocean view room facing the golf course so the balcony very private and quiet. Location of the hotel was kind of remote but that meant it was a quieter place which I liked a lot. It took us 2.5 hours to drive to Volcano National Park driving just above the posted speed limits across the Saddle Road. Yes we can see some wear and tear, like cushions had stains, but it was cosmetic. Overall service and facilities were great. I would stay here again

My wife, grandson and I spent 6 nights here. The property was fantastic and the staff were well trained and professional. There was one person who stood out for her service and attitude. Salvy took care of our room almost the entire time and we found her delightful. She treated us like family and made a great stay even better.

I'm posting a review not for the hotel but for Elijah and the hula instructor at the Fairmont. I attended the turtle talk and the culture walk with Elijah. He's amazing! I learned so much about Hawaiian culture and history from him and from the hula instructor. If you stay at the hotel, you MUST take advantage of the Hawaiian culture experiences. I left with such awe and respect for the Hawaiian people!

My wife and I took our daughter and her three girls to Hawaii. The 3 girls --7, 10, 12--had never flown, and they and their mom had never been to Hawaii. We like the Big Island because it is more laid back (yes, Kona can be busy) and reminds us of some of the out of the way islands in the So Pacific--like the Cooks. We stayed at the Fairmont Orchid when we were last in Hawaii and enjoyed it very much, so we thought a trip back would be a good fit. Was I wrong, it was an extraordinary fit. From beginning to end, the staff and resort did not disappoint. After our travel agent booked us, I contacted the resort to see if they still had Manta Rays visit at night. I received a reply from the hotel night manager, Renalyn Gruezo, and she said they no longer had a viewing area. She advised about Mauna Kea having a Manta Ray program and we recalled that from a previous stay with our son and his family. Renalyn, then asked if I would be ok with an upgrade to an oceanfront suite with adjoing room for our daughter's family. You don't have to think too long about my answer. We arrived after a 6.5 hour flight from Arizona, checked, and were blown away by the two rooms. Fantastic. From that moment on everything was great. We ate at the Hali Kai oceanfront, open-air grill that night. My wife had a medication reaction at dinner(she didn't drink enough water on the flight over) and the staff--Irene, Debra Murray, and Ted Gaspar--were fantastic. Our grandchildren were shaken by grandma falling ill and Debra went to the gift shop and got them some plush animals to help them get over the event. Security checked in on us later. They were so nice. Grandma was fine the next morning and we were good to go for a busy week. All the staff was so friendly. Jacey (I think that was the spelling) who seated people at breakfast, Aileen who was our server one morning but always said "Hi, good to see you again". The hotel's staff is their best advertising. We always try to recognize and acknowledge staff and this staff deserves it...from the bellmen to the chefs, to the desk staff, all good. The hotel is great, the restaurants do a great job, the staff is responsive, and the grounds are beautiful. There is some good snorkeling onsite and their beach shack does a good job accommodating your needs. We recommend their luau. Very well done, the food is good and plentiful given the buffet style, and a very good array of beverages (adult, too) is included. If you go, recognize costs are high because staff has to afford to keep pace with the cost of living in the Islands. Tip often and generously. Try the Orchid. If we are able to return next year, this will be our destination. Mahalo to all the staff, you made our kids so happy. The two youngest were in tears when we checked out-- "we don't want to leave!". That pretty much says it all.