The Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii

Serene Retreat.

The Orchid is a refined and serene retreat surrounded by the dramatic lava fields of this side of the big island. It is "old style" but classic and beautiful. The food is excellent. We ate breakfast twice, nice menu with choices for every taste. One evening four of us sampled nearly every item on the appetizer menu at the terrace overlooking the gardens and everything surpassed expectations. We enjoyed that so much that we ate at Brown’s Beach House the following night. All delightful. Our only disappointment was the murky waters of the lagoon and the bay beyond. We like to snorkel and swim and the ocean beyond the Fairmont was not a good place for that. The ballroom bathrooms are the most beautiful I have seen anywhere! We would all go back.

Great vacation

The hotel was wonderful, well maintained and just enough off the "beaten track" that you feel like you are away from the real world for a few days. Perfect weather, the rooms were very large and had partial ocean views. Everyone we met on the island was very friendly and the hotel staff in particular made our stay really fun. The setting is just spectacular especially at sunset. On our 4 night stay the hotel had mostly couples and a few families with small children (we had 2 teenagers in tow and so we kept them (and us) pretty busy kayaking, golfing, horseback riding, ATV’ing and on the helicopter tour so they didn’t get too bored). The whole island was a really unique experience and we couldn’t have chosen a better place to stay. Definitely check out the Luau and hike nearby to the park (bring sneakers as the shoreline gets a little rocky).

So glad a former island resident recommended it!

Had considered staying in Kailua-Kona area for our 1st visit to Big Island (BI). Friend who had lived on BI searched Expedia and found bargain rate at the Orchid. So glad we stayed at this isolated resort area north of airport vs. busy, Waikiki-like (relatively speaking) Kailua-Kona area! Driver of rental car van said we could have stayed there for whole vacation and never left-I agree. Garden view room was fine, comfortable, nice lanai, good AC. Would definitely return. Preferred beach to pool, but pool area interesting. South area of beach offers nice shade all day. Very good snorkeling at hotel beach. Hotel food-pricey but tasty, deli offerings reasonably priced. Foodland market nearby and other restaurants too. Free, brief (up to 1 hour) computer access vs. daily in-room rate. Very nice staff! A real gem!!! One of top 5 best lifetime hotel experiences. Great ocean/sunset views!!!

I’m told it’s best to go after Iron Man in early October. Demand for hotel rooms likely is reduced and temps are cooler than in height of summer (or so I’m told).