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The Fairmont Orchid
- Price Range:
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$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Has TV:
- Yes
75 reviews for The Fairmont Orchid
Review Highlights
"I enjoyed my stay at the Fairmont Orchid on the Big Island."
(in 17 reviews)
"yes the the Brown's Beach House , Hale Kai restaurant great..."
(in 4 reviews)
"Third, they have green sea turtles near their beach areas."
(in 3 reviews)
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75 reviews in English
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Review from Julia J.
Chino, CA
1/28/2012 1 Check-in Here
This is a 4.5 rating.
The Fairmont takes being a resort seriously. Their staff is excellent - they go out of their way to make you feel special and even remember your name and greet you by name when they see you! (The valet and Beachboys).
The property is gorgeous and we enjoyed spending a day in the cabana you can rent. We never had an issue finding a spot to lounge at by the pool and we noticed the pool staff was ON TOP of making sure vacated lounge chairs were promptly cleaned up and ready for the next guest. The Hyatt in Kauai could take a lesson from them on this!
I love that they offer the complimentary beach boy activities - such as hikes and crafts. You are able to really learn about the Hawaiian culture and the beach-boys are happy to share their heritage with you! I thought this was a unique program and it said to me that the Fairmont in Kona is so proud of their Hawaiian heritage that they want to provide opportunities for their guests to really immerse themselves in what it is like to be Hawaiian. I loved that it was complimentary too - you score EXTRA BONUS points with me on that Fairmont because I feel that you are giving this as a gift to your guests!! Thank you for this!
We also signed up for the activities such as Yoga and I took a watercolor class. The Yoga instructors were excellent and also very caring. I learned a lot from them. Calley even took time to help me analyze how I sleep because I was complaining about my neck/shoulder pain. I also took my watercolor class with her (she is by profession an artist - how cool is that) and she helped me to unleash my inner artist and I'm happy to say that I am now painting in watercolors!!!
We were able to see the whales very well from the resort! Some of my best whale video was from the cabana. We did do a whale excursion too.
I happened to leave behind my iTouch at the Orchid court during the watercolor class. It was on my seat cushion. I remembered it later that night and hesitated to contact lost and found because I figured what are the chances that it is going to be returned (the restaurant was in off-hours at the time of our class)..but here's WHY you want to stay in a high caliber place like the Fairmont because people do the right thing!!! Someone actually turned it in and then they promptly sent someone to my room to return it to me AND he would not even consider accepting the tip I tried to give him twice!
So now you are probably wondering - why the heck am I giving this place 4.5 stars instead of 5 ...well, we did have one small issue - their wifi and internet. It wasn't up to par. Sometimes I could catch a weak signal and was able to surf on my iPad...most times not. I also had issues surfing using the wired connection on the Macbook air. I love their consoles - its all hooked up with the latest and greatest technology - usb ports, they have HDMI cables for your iPad (sweet - watch a movie on the TV from your iPad or view your photos) so they just need to get off your current provider because all the other surrounding area has great internet...so I know its not their location. PLEASE DO THIS BEFORE NEXT YEAR!!!!!!!
I am coming back to visit the whales and I plan on staying at the beautiful Fairmont.
Thank you also to the cleaning staff who cleaned our rooms in a consistent and timely manner - there is nothing better than coming back from an excursion tired and walk into a freshly cleaned room so you can take your afternoon nap!!!
Thanks for the great deal on Costco travel and for having a vacant refrigerator so I can stock it w/ food from Foodland and I love your $20 coffee UNLIMITED refill mug - which you said I can bring back next year and get more free refills (which makes it THE BEST thing I bought in Kona) and it helped me to overlook the crummy Kruerig coffee - I hate Green Mountain...I am surprised you don't have Kona coffee - but that's ok - Brown's deli did. Thank you for your President's club benefits...keep it up and I will one day be a gold member! :D (A girl can dream can't she?)
See you next year Fairmont!!! -
Review from Mr j.
Los Angeles, CA
i had a great stay at the fairmont.. we had a wonderful partial view of the ocean, within 20 seconds walking distance to the ocean front. we had brought our own snorkel gear (sold locally for $10-15 if needed for several days) so we didn't have to pay the outrageous renting price.
the food was great, the breakfast buffest was delicious, especially the loco moco.
we had to rent a car to get anywhere else, however it was a decent distance from kona airport.
rooms were good in size, weather was excellent, and friendly staff provided many options. -
Review from Ryan W.
Updated - 12/8/2011 5 photos
This resort is amazing. The staff is incredible, the grounds are immaculate, the beach lagoon is great for snorkeling in the morning, and Norio's restaurant was the culinary highlight of our 3-island trip.
Surfing is a quick drive south towards Kona, and there is plenty to explore North as well. We drove the Hamakua Coast one day, which I would recommend.
The rooms were very nice and well appointed. Room service was very good. For the price, this resort provides a lot of bang for the buck.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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2/21/2010
The Big Island and Kauai were on the list this December since we had been to Oahu and Maui a number… Read more »
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Review from Carlie C.
Irvine, CA
11/6/2011
This is a beautiful, quiet, and relaxing hotel. We looked at this hotel and realized that it wouldn't be in our budget, but then we saw that Costco offers travel packages for this hotel. That made it a much more reasonable option.
+The room was clean and comfortable, and had a nice little balcony.
+From the concierge to the restaurant staff, the service was friendly and professional.
+Valet is totally worth the $5 extra dollars per night. If you call ahead, they have your car ready and stocked with clean beach towels and cold bottled water.
+The food and drinks in the various hotel restaurants are delicious.
+The beach and pool are well kept.
+Costco Travel includes a free breakfast buffet every morning. They have a rotating menu, and it was very tasty. Great if you can get it included, but I wouldn't consider it worth the $30 you have to pay otherwise.
-Food is great, but expensive! Consider renting a car so you can eat off the property (a nearby excellent restaurant in Monstera).
Overall, my husband and I had a great stay. The Orchid is expensive, but given the right deals it can be well worth it. We felt that Costco offered a great travel package to stay here. -
Review from Angela M.
Capitola, CA
10/29/2011
So I'd actually give them 4.5 stars...I wouldn't give them 5 because it kind of sucks to pay $15 for internet and $17 for parking when you're already paying so much for the rooms. Otherwise, this was an awesome place to stay.
This was the first time I had stayed at a resort, so maybe my standards were a little low and staying here was unlike any other place I have stayed. First off, we booked this resort with a vacation package, so they always try to give you the crappiest room. However, when we arrived (way before check-in time), the receptionist was so friendly and saw that we were staying a week so she upgraded us to a better room. The room was very clean and large, way more space than we were used to. The private balcony was also nice and we had a nice view of the garden and mini waterfall.
Given that we never stay at resorts, the cost of things were way out of our budget, so we would just take the free shuttle to Foodland and pick up whatever we wanted. The resort grounds are kept up very well and it's nice that you can walk the beach and check out the other resorts along the trail. The Fairmont's Beach is pretty rocky so we didn't spend to much time there...but I would recommend walking the beach trail during sunset. You can take the shuttle back to the hotel if you don't want to walk anymore. I would say that the majority of what made this resort great was the friendly staff...they were very accommodating and always willing to offer tips for good local places to eat that wouldn't break the bank.
After staying here, I think it will be pretty difficult to stay at a crappy hotel again. A lot of the crappy hotels tend to be only like $50-$75 cheaper a night and they are dirty with sucky service. Being on vacation, I think I would rather pay the extra $50-$75 for a way better experience.Comment from Monika P. of The Fairmont Orchid 11/24/2011
Thank you for posting your review. We are pleased that you… More » -
Review from Michelle T.
Oakland, CA
10/18/2011
Perfection. Service, rooms, lobby, facilities, and the private man made beach were excellent.
Resort was designed to be very spacious and my family and I never felt overcrowded during our stay even though it was in the middle of summer.
Compared to the Hilton that's 5 minutes away, this is a way better choice for visiters who prefer not having children running around. The Hilton seriously reminded me of Disneyland.
There are plenty of ritzy restaurants inside the resort and in nearby plazas. However, if you need a quick cheap bite, check out the market that's 2 minutes away and closes late around 11pm.
My favorite part of the Fairmont Orchid is the private man made beach. Like a page out of my favorite novel, I could spend days just lounging there admiring the scenery (and the hot towel boy I saw on my last day ooooweeeee.) There are private cabanas for $45 all day rental. If you are a novice swimmer, I recommend renting some snorkeling gear as I heard people seeing sea turtles and barracudas.
Also, pay a visit to the concierge for some excellent recommendations during your stay on the island. The guy who helped was extremely friendly and resourceful. -
Review from Brian S.
San Francisco, CA
11/7/2011
We just returned from our honeymoon at the Orchid for 8 days. Everything from the food to the service was 5 star. The grounds are beautiful with orchids, waterfalls and perfectly manicured lawns throughout.
If you go you should really join their presidents club. It's free to join and the extra service is phenomenal. Joining provides you free wifi in your room, golf club rental, BMW mountain bikes, and even work out clothes from adidas including shoes. If you can, you should request the south tower. With its closer access to beach and all the restaurants, you will do a little less walking.
Be sure to rent some snorkel gear and swim with the sea turtles. The turtles eat from the reef right outside the lagoon about 30 yards from the beach then climb on the lava rocks to take a snooze after their meal.
The food at the Orchid is really good but pricey even for vacation standards. Browns restaurant is a must try while you are there, but $40+ entrees are a bit ridiculous. It's good but not Micheal Minna good. I would recommend going to Roys in the Waikaloa shops for the miso glazed butterfish and chocolate lava cake. Holy Sh*t it's good and only 5mins down the highway. Easy drive or they have a shuttle.
I would give the hotel 5 stars but everything was pricey, from the $12 house chardonnay to the 24 dollar burger. There is a grocery store a mile down the road that has everything you need for easy snacks and booze in your room. -
Review from Monica F.
League City, TX
8/21/2011 2 Check-ins Here
This may not be a fair review because, as this was the 3rd stop on my Hawaiian Island Hopping Tour, and just after we left Poipu, Kauai and the AMAZING resort of the Grand Hyatt Kauai.
We arrived on the Big Island at 8:30 a.m. and decided to head to Kilauea rather than hang out at a resort that we could not check into. With that being said, we did not arrive at the Fairmont Orchid until 9:30 p.m. and we were exhausted after driving for so long and hiking Kilauea Iki. The valet, who were very pleasant, greet you upon arrival with a shell lei. I like this because the flower leis are a total waste of money, IMHO. We proceed to check in and the gentleman (name I don't recall) was pleasant, too. As typical for a resort, the bell hop tells you all about the resort on the way to your room. Blah blah blah, we were tired and were only here for 1 night before heading back to Houston.
Enough of that, on to the resort itself: When you enter the resort, you get a view of the ocean ... not really spectacular after one has stayed in Heaven ... aka, the Grand Hyatt Kauai, for 3 nights. The resort is very ornate, so much that we felt like we were transported back to the early 1900s.
Since we did not specify an ocean view with our travel agent because we were only here for one night, we got a garden view. The room has louvered doors that close, no blinds, no drapes ... louvered doors. Now, since we are on the 2nd floor, right above the walkway that leads to the pool and the ocean, I'm 99% sure that people can see into our room if the doors are open and they happen to look up. So this rules out me walking around naked in my room after taking a shower. TOTALLY LAME.
Pluses about the room: they have a Keurig coffee pot and K-cups ... so this was like being at home for me ... easy to get my morning coffee on. They offer robes for use, so this helps with the "seeing in my room issue from below". The beds were soft and the pillows were, too. **I could not get the wi-fi or the hard line to work and had to tether my laptop off my iPhone.**
The breakfast is a buffet and there was a wait. I do not know if this was the only place to eat in the morning, but I was surprised there was a wait. No biggie, they offer juice to drink while you wait. The problem is that they either ran out of cups or ran out of juice, so the 2 were never there at the same time. The breakfast as fine, typical fare.
Since we had to catch a flight home that evening, we opted to go to Kailua-Kona for a bit, but when we got back, took the trail that leads away from the resort. We were pleased to see several sea turtles resting on the beach and snapped some pix of them before they headed back out. This was probably the coolest thing about staying here.
The staff is not as pleasant as they were at the 2 other resorts we stayed at ... some would say Aloha as they walked past you, most would not.
The Sundry shop is hard to find here and we had to walk to the North Tower to get to it. Not too user friendly, IMHO.
So, in a nutshell, I think had we stayed here before the Grand Hyatt, this would have received a 4 or 5 star review, but again, we were spoiled by all that the Grand Hyatt had to offer and were a little disappointed in this resort. I will say that it was not worth the $322/night that we paid for the garden view.
Nonetheless, had a blast on our 10 day whirlwind tour of the Islands! -
Review from Julie B.
Calabasas, CA
12/6/2011 1 Check-in Here
Just a beautiful resort. The pool and beach are amazing. Only downside is that everything is pricey
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Review from Melissa K.
Baton Rouge, LA
11/6/2011
Ok, so we booked the Fairmont Orchid for the second second 5 days as the more luxurious part of our honeymoon. I wouldn't say that this was a mistake, but it was not what we expected.
The first and most important difference we noted at this resort is that staff, while generally friendly, were not overly accommodating, helpful, friendly, or interested. Staff just didn't smile at all. It was such a shocking difference that we both commented on it.
Secondly, the size of the resort is very small. Granted it wasn't too much of a problem because the resort was not full, but the first couple of days there, they had a conference that added a large number of people. When we went to breakfast they asked us to wait 15 minutes for a table just for the buffet. This being the only restaurant available for breakfast, left us with no other options.
Thirdly, and his wasn't huge, but just more a sign of the level of attention to details, the breakfast area is all open air, like most places, but unlike the other resort we stayed at, this one did not have mesh covers for the food. Therefore, there were multiple flies on the food that was left uncovered. Not very appetizing.
Just my two cents, but we likely won't be staying here again.Comment from Monika P. of The Fairmont Orchid 11/17/2011
Aloha and thank you for posting your review. It is… More » -
Review from julie n.
Studio City, CA
4/30/2011
Our first 3 nights on the Big Island were spent at the Hilton Waikoloa which we thoroughly enjoyed and we booked the next 2 nights at the Fairmont because our friend was getting married here.
We just got the standard room, but could see the ocean from our balcony. The room was spacious including the bathroom (double sinks), but I just couldn't understand why our shower head was so dated. It looked 30 years old.
We found this hotel very relaxing and comfortable. They had a recliner on the balcony and I was able to enjoy a peaceful nap in the shade. However, I was annoyed with the service a few times. First, I wanted my laundry picked up and I had to wait about 20 minutes for someone to come. Second, housekeeping didn't come until late in the day to clean up our room. Third, the service at the Hale Kai restaurant was so slow that I lost my appetite.
Our friends had a beautiful beach wedding here followed by a reception on a grassy area by the water. We all had a great time and our friends looked very happy, so the Fairmont Orchid will always be a special place for us. -
Review from Christopher H.
Mountain View, CA
12/9/2011
I'm prefix by saying that resorts are definitely not my thing, so take this with a grain of salt.
Pros:
- Everyone on the staff, from front desk to valets to concierge to cleaners to wait staff in the restaurant are genuinely friendly and helpful, far beyond any hotel we've ever stayed.
- The food was just outstanding, a solid 5 stars. Brown's Beach House, although definitely expensive, was more than worth the cost. I never got tired of the menu and everything was delicious and healthy and downright beautiful. One nice thing we figured out is we could sit down at the Hale Kai restaurant and order from their menu (a solid 4 stars), but also order anything from the Brown's Beach House menu as well. Brown's Deli (also 4 stars) was also great for Breakfast and Lunch, featuring fresh juice and freshly made baked goods.
Cons:
- Like many resorts, it's a very artificial environment. All the landscaping was created in an area that was previously lava beds and looked like the surface of the moon. It's very unreal and fake feeling.
- The rooms are not very quiet as the ventilation systems are on the noisy side and you can also hear the elevators in some rooms. In the early morning, on the golf course side, the sprinklers start up.
- Landscaping activity seemed to be continuous and very loud, with lots of gas-powered equipment. Just not very peaceful at all.
- For those that don't want to spend all their time at the resort, the location is not very close to all the interesting stuff to do. Lots of driving to get anywhere.
- It was unusually windy when we were there, to the point that it was unpleasant to be outside at all. Apparently not like that all the time, but if you are expecting a nice, calm breezy place, this may not be it.
- The snorkeling is very unimpressive at the resort, much better if you head towards Kona.
- There is a lot of nickel-and-diming going on, from renting water gear (which is not very good quality), to renting shady places to sit, to parking fees, etc.
- The breakfast buffet was the one exception to the 5 star food. It was way overpriced ($40 per person) and the quality of food was not that great.
- We ran into people smoking on several occasions. Not really the resorts fault, but it would be nice if they'd keep a better eye on that.
If I were to come to the Big Island again, I'd head to South Kona and rent a condo or stay in a Bed & Breakfast. Much more low-key, quiet, and peaceful. If you like resorts, and don't really want to leave the facility, this is probably a good place and the food is just outstanding. If you're looking for serene and quiet and natural, this is probably not your place. -
Review from Eric W.
Novato, CA
4/15/2011
The Hale Kai Restaurant is a series of round tables with thatch umbrellas set on the sand. It's the perfect spot to have a casual cocktail and a mean while enjoying the sunset. It works equally well for families with kids and romantic couples.
We had two very different experiences there. On the first night we went, we had a server who was extremely thorough. Her accent hinted at her European roots and she gave us the service you'd expect from a Fairmont property. The wine list offered many nice choices by the glass, including Landmark Chardonnay. We had the lobster fried rice and garlic shrimp and both were good, though not exceptional. The kids ordered pizzas which we found could have easily been shared.
The second night we went we tried their entrees and found them to be of good quality, though not as good as the nearby Canoe House. (Just to be fair, the Canoe House is the top restaurant at the Mauna Lani and this restaurant is not meant to be the top option at the Orchid. That restaurant is the nearby Brown's.) The seafood stew they called Cioppino, though as a resident of the San Francisco Bay area, I can tell you is much more like a Thai seafood step than the tomatoey vinegary version of Cioppino found here.
The food was mostly good, but the only problem is that it took about an hour and a half for us to get our entrees. The server we had that night was friendly, but obviously overwhelmed. He kept coming to the table to report that the kitchen, which also cooks for Brown's, their upscale restaurant, was having all sorts of problems. It seemed to us that the kitchen was doing just fine and that he had just neglected to put in all or part of our order. When the food finally arrived, it was obvious that part of our order had been placed 90 minutes prior and the other part had just been cooked. Unfortunately, the medium-rare steak my son ordered was part of the 90-minute old version and had long ceased to be steak. We debated sending it back, but by that time our tired, beached-out kids just wanted to get something in their stomachs and get to bed.
Now I know what you are thinking...it's a beach bar and I shouldn't be so hung up on the quality of the food or service. It's just that the first night we went the service was so darn good, up to Fairmont standards, and the second night we went during the same week was such a completely different experience. So, my rating is a "4" for one night and a "2" for the other and that's why I gave it a "3."
Next time, I plan to give them another try if for no other reason to see which one of those nights was a typical Fairmont Orchid experience. -
Review from Barbara G.
Colorado Springs, CO
11/3/2011
The Fairmont exceeded my very high expectations. I'm not sure if it was because if the beautiful grounds and amenities, or the unbelievably friendly staff. I did not meet an employee that was not friendly and attentive. Most were excellent. The staff really cares.
I'll be back!
I'm starting my 2012 planning now, and I love the Fairmont!Comment from Monika P. of The Fairmont Orchid 11/17/2011
Aloha and thank you for your positive feedback. It is very… More » -
Review from Kyle F.
7/11/2011
This place is one drop dead gorgeous hotel right on the sand in what can only be describes as "paradise." My family and I have been to the Hawaiian islands many times for vacations, we mostly stay on maui (about 99% of the time) and every once and a while we are drawn to other islands. This time it was the big island because of a conference my dad had to attend (ya i know what a tough life having to attend a conference in hawaii, how unfortunate lol).
We got one of the suites at the end of the hall in the north tower and this room was HUGE, my family has 4 people and we could easily have slept 8 in this room. When you walk in there is a small hallway and then on your right there is a closet and a bathroom (i know it may seem like a small deal to have a room with 2 bathrooms, but honestly solely based on that I would have given it a 5/5 lol). the there is a big sitting space/living room area that faces out towards the beach/pool/ocean, with three comfy chairs and a big cushy couch...not to mention EVERY room has giant 48 inch flat screen tv's. then when you get into the bedroom there is a giant king bed, that is like sleeping out a could and another TV in the bedroom!!! Then you make your way past the bedroom into the bathroom which has 2 giant closets and a bunch of hangers so that you could ever hang up your socks if you wanted to. Finally main bathroom has this giant tub and a stand up shower with a waterfall shower head. I mean I know your already in paradise being in hawaii, but the faimont really knows how to take it to the next level and make you feel like a Hawaiian king, or queen.
Now as for the other amenities they have, there is a huge fitness room that is empty most of the day, and a decent sized pool (but its just a normal pool no slides or anything so thats kind of a drag) and they they have this beach cove that they made so that you can get the whole beach experience but not have the worry of the waves crashing around you. In the cove they offer classes to learn how to paddle board, and even yoga on the paddle boards haha, on top of that they have scuba diving (but you need to be padi certified), and at night they have up 3 giant telescopes so that you can stare at the stars.
In addition, I wont go into it much and you can read my reviews on these places, but the food here is incredible and you must try the sushi restaurant! All in all this place is amazing, and if you come to the big island you must come here to stay, we have 4 more days here and I hope they last forever!!
The one huge plus about this place, that more should do, is that for the TV's they provide you with cables to hook up almost any electronic that you could imagine (whether it be an ipod, camera, laptop, ps3, or whatever they have it...and if they don't they will get it for you...like a hook up cable for a macbook).
Also, if you are a fairmont presidents club member, which is free to sign up for, you get free high speed internet! on last note, if you have ever been to the ritz in kapalua on maui, this hotel is a spitting image of it and was bought by the Fairmont a few years back...i don't mean its almost the same it is literally like they took that hotel and rebuilt it here.Listed in: Hawaii (The Big Island)
Comment from Monika P. of The Fairmont Orchid 8/24/2011
Aloha, and thank you for posting your review. We are… More » -
Review from Scott C.
Dublin, CA
11/22/2011
Not the Four star hotel you would think. Rooms are dated and staff always have their hand out for a tip. We charged some things to the room and wanted to pay for them with our bank card instead of the credit card we gave them on check in. They kept running that card after each room charge. The card had a small limit and was eventually declined. The started calling our room asking us to come down and give them a new card number. I told them to charge all of our stuff to our bank card and that I would not be charge anything more to the room. When you pay $400+ a night you think they would trust you a little bit more.
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Review from Mike C.
Austin, TX
11/2/2010
This was my 2nd visit to the Fairmont Orchid and my wife and I were severely disappointed. The first time that we came here was in January of 2006 and we loved it. The service and food were amazing back then but this time is was not nearly as good. The rooms were ok. We have stayed at the Hilton up the road a few times since and enjoyed it but wanted a nicer experience so we went back to the Fairmont. Bad decision.
We travel all over the world every year and this was our 12th stay at a resort this year alone. It was the most disappointing visit that we have had.
This time around at the Fairmont Orchid, we found slow service and the food was just so-so. The front desk experience at check-in was good but we were put into a room with two double/queen beds when we had reserved a king room. We were too tired to make much of a fuss although we did go back to try to get a king room, none were available. Annoying but liveable.
The rooms were not cleaned up very quickly at all, sometimes it was after 5 pm when they would get around to making the beds, refreshing the towels etc. Turn-down service was non-existent. We left our rooms by no later than 8 or 9 am each morning.
The last time that we stayed here they had mini-bars and this time the mini-bar was gone but they did have the mini-fridge so that was nice.
We rented small cabana's at the beach for a couple of days. The young lady that set them up for us was very nice and friendly. The first day we had a waiter come to us only once all day long. He was too busy hanging out with a bunch of drunk cougars by the pool. The second day we had a really, really awesome server named Auburn. This young man was friendly, always around, and attentive. If the Fairmont had 20 more like him then this resort would be second to none instead of sub-par to what I am used to.
The one time that we ordered breakfast from room-service it was very fast and the food was perfect. The young lady that brought the meal to us was awesome, pleasant, and had a lot of great tips for us for things to do around the area. This young lady, like Auburn, is a clear asset to the Fairmont Orchid as well!
Another couple of mornings we ate at the Orchid Court and the first morning that we did we had great male server (probably in his early 50's) and he was friendly, fast, and attentive. The second morning that we ate there we arrived at 10:25am and they told us that the buffet was closed but that we could order ala-carte. Seating went until 10:30 which means that it should have been open but it was Halloween so people wanted to go play I guess. We ordered from the menu and our food took just under 45 minutes to get to us! Bacon (from the buffet), eggs, and pancakes... Our waitress was not too friendly and when our bill came, they had added $2 to the basic price of each entree above what was printed in the menu. It was annoying.
When we went to check-out we were assisted by a different lady from the sweet lady that helped us check-in. My name was correct on our bill but it was an incorrect address and state. I asked if she could make sure to correct the address and she became rather short and rude about it. She obviously doesn't belong at the front desk of a Fairmont but would rather be better suited at a rent-by-the-hour place in Honolulu.
Bottom line: The rooms were just average, the food was nothing special, and the service was sub-par. I can't recommend this property for the price. The Hilton had better food, service, and the rooms were much, much better. -
Review from John O.
12/27/2010 1 Check-in Here
Spent a few days at the Fairmont and I have to say I was impressed. The hotel in general in very nice. Beautiful grounds and common areas.
The rooms are nice. Not as nice as some Fairmont's I have stayed on the Mainland, but overall in pretty good condition. The bed was very comfortable. The furnishing were adequate. I did not notice any damage or major flaws with the furnishings. There was a mini fridge and a coffee maker with plenty of glasses. The bath area was large. Double vanity sinks, separate shower and tub. The bath amenities where Harris Miller and was stocked daily. The TV was a modern flat screen HDTV.
Most of the rooms do not face the ocean. There are very few rooms in the ocean View and Ocean Front category due to the way the hotel was built.
The pool area is rather large. It is probably one of the largest one other than the Hilton. What I did notice was that the pool was not very busy which was nice. There are two whirlpools and a kiddie pool. The bar is close by the pool and attendants often come around for drink and food orders. -
Review from laura f.
12/27/2010
4 stars solely for the weekend brunches. Amazing. I could've eaten plate after plate of the french toast, my god. Omelettes to your liking, endless fresh fruit, bacon, eggs, oatmeal, cereals, hawaiian specialties, even miso. What more could you ask for? (okay, maybe some crab legs, but I digress).
The grounds are gorgeous - staff are attentive, and the pool area is fun.
Added bonus - french fry eating kitties who aren't afraid to beg for food.
I've never stayed IN the fairmont - i've just eaten at the restaurants and used the facilities. It's gorgeous though, really truly gorgeous. -
Review from Anthony Z.
Chicago, IL
1/31/2011
Stayed for 7 days in mid-late January 2011. Sixth time here, and continue to enjoy it and plan on returning. Front desk staff was EXCELLENT on check in; she was friendly and quick. Rooms are starting to get a little tired and are in need of a refresh, but maid service was very good and thing were kept clean. Very comfortable bed, good towels, and good hot water pressure in the separate shower. Grounds remain beautiful and very well maintained, despite some rough weather during our stay. Groundskeepers appear to have pride in their work; it shows. Food was inconsistent. Pools are great and very well maintained. It's worth renting the cabanas for 30 bucks/day. Service was better on the whole than on earlier stays. Decent work out area.
As an aside, there were a bunch of smoking, swearing, consistently drunk 20 and 30 something Yahoos attending some sort of rewards "conference" mostly held poolside which did detract from the stay; management should consider being more selective for this type of property, but it sure did seem that this group took a lot of rooms, and of course, money talks...
This is a solid 4+ star resort. What keeps it from being 5 star is a lack of consistency of high level of service, at times mediocre food (particularly Norio's), and rooms that are starting to get a little tired. -
Review from Ping P.
East Bay, CA
7/21/2011
We had an ocean front suite on the top floor. View was amazing. Really loved the lagoon (we overlooked it) - fun to wade and swim. Very relaxing! The grounds are simply gorgeous. Highly recommend this for a home base. All the amenities you could possibly imagine. Gracious service.
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Review from Rob M.
Danville, CA
4/26/2011 1 photo
This is our 4th time here. She is starting to get a little rough around the edges. For what you pay for an ocean view room, rooms could be a little better taken care of.
Over priced drinks and food.
Most of the staff is great. Don't think we are coming back.
My biggest pet peeve, was yesterday. They closed half the pool deck off at 1:30 for a private event. Causing the loss of about half the umbrellas. If we are paying full boat for our rooms, we should at least get a whole pool deck everyday. Hotel made a profit off closing the deck, but we pay the price of having no where to sit by pool. Not good!
Oh, and our first meal at the poolside restaurant, the service SUCKED! We didn't go back the whole week. -
Review from Sonny Q.
Cedar Park, TX
9/13/2010 1 Check-in Here
This was our third trip to the Big Island, and our first stay at the Fairmont.
Like most of the high-end resorts on the island, the overall property (lobby, lounges, beach, pool areas) is very nice, well-maintained, and absolutely screams "Hawaii". With the exception of the pool Staff (and the waiter we had at Brown's), the staff at the property was very friendly and professional.
The rooms (at least our room) was very nice. Granted, there were parts of the room which were very dated/worn (the TV and bed, to be specific). But, as a whole, the room was very nice, and Housekeeping did an excellent job of keeping it clean and tidy every day.
The little semi-man-made cove is a very cool place to hang out. Besides being absolutely picturesque with a million-dollar view, it's a great place to go snorkeling, especially for those a little nervous to get out into the ocean. It is popular with children and families, and, as a result, can be quite loud at times.
Parking is slightly worse than most big resorts on the island. We decided to self-park. While this was cheaper than valet, it was still a criminal $17/day. This included a LONG walk from the hotel lobby to the parking lot, a relatively small number of available spaces, and an annoying system that requires you to use your room key to both enter and exit the lot. By the end of the week, we avoided getting off of the resort just to avoid the hassle of getting the car.
We only ate twice at the hotel restaurants: once at the Orchid Court for breakfast, and once at Brown's for lunch. The breakfast buffet was nice with a spectacular view, but in no way did it justify the $30/person they charge. The food was good, but not that good. For that kind of money, go to the breakfast buffet at the Four Seasons Hualalai. It's absolutely worth the money.
Lunch at Brown's was even more disappointing than breakfast. Besides being WAY over-priced, our simple salad and sandwich took around 30 minutes to arrive to our table, and our waiter (while polite) was MIA during most of the meal. I would definitely avoid this place. If you REALLY have to eat on the property, try the deli next to the pool. The prices are sightly better than the restaurant, and you get your food immediately...plus, the people who work there are very friendly.
We also had very bad luck with drink service at the pool. It took about 15 minutes to flag down a waitress. Once we did, she handed the drink menu to my wife and said she'd be right back to take our order. Forty five minutes later, the waitress came back...acting as if she'd never seen us before.
It might sound like there are a lot of things wrong with the Fairmont and that I wouldn't recommend it. That might be the case if you're the kind of traveler who never (or rarely) leaves the confines of the resort during your vacation. But, if you are a little more adventurous and self-sufficient, and don't need to rely on the resort for food or services, then the Fairmont would make an excellent place to call home base during your stay on the Big Island. -
Review from Cynthia W.
Huntington Beach, CA
11/2/2010 1 Check-in Here
We chose the Fairmont Orchid for our honeymoon trip to Hawaii. The hotel and surrounding grounds are BEAUTIFUL. Hawaii is just beautiful. EVERY single member of the staff was friendly and professional. But I must say I think the quality for the price is lacking.
The rooms, as some prior reviewers have noted, are in serious need of updating. We had splurged to make sure we had an ocean view room. There were several conventions going on during our stay- and we were dismayed to learn that our lovely lanai and ocean view subjected us to the loudspeaker announcements as the convention attendees had 7am breakfast events, and late night outdoor parties. This detracted from our experience.
The food served at the restaurants and through in room dining is very good.
IF not for the good food and great Aloha service- this review would be only 2 stars. The rooms just are not worth the price. -
Review from Patrick W.
San Francisco, CA
7/15/2011 1 Check-in Here
Lovely last night at the beach enjoying a cocktail with a couple of friends. It's a great location right next to Brown's Restaurant at the Fairmont Orchid down by the beach. Very casual, yet a very special location for a special occasion. You can be sipping an island drink while watching the sunset and a few turtles making their way through the surf.
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Review from D S.
Redondo Beach, CA
5/19/2011
First off, I think people who review the Hale Kai restaurant or Brown's Beach house should not post it here, since this is for the actual hotel. Please go and find the restaurants and post it there.
That being said ... I love the Fairmont. The service and ambiance is always exceptional and I enjoyed every second of my stay here.
The rooms are spacious and have all the features you could ask for. Flat screen TV, Keurig coffee maker, empty fridge, docking station for phone, computer etc, and they even have a little zipper pouch with different cables (e.g. iPod connector for the car) that we all like to forget at home.
The bathrooms are spacious and I found them to be perfectly fine. I don't care about the look of the shower head (like some reviewer) as long as I have good water pressure.
Due to the way the property is positioned there aren't too many ocean view rooms. We actually had a garden view room on the ground floor with a nice big lanai, and enjoyed the view and the tranquility. If I want to see the ocean then I go and sit on the beach. How much time do you really spend in your room while on vacation anyways?
Definitely sign up (for free) for their presidents club, so you can enjoy free wireless. Also, if you like coffee, go get the reusable coffee mug at Brown's Deli. It costs $20 but you get free refills whenever you want for your entire stay. Also, Luana lounge has a 25% off selected drinks and pupus (appetizers) happy hour from 5:00 until 6:30 pm. Great place to sit and unwind, listen to the wonderful guitar player/singer, wait for the evening ritual of the conch blower/torch lighter to signal the start of sunset. Their fresh made Ginger Ale is the delicious. At $6 it's unfortunately not on the HH menu, but well worth it and quite large. They also have a $25 corkage fee if you want to bring your own wine. We were lucky enough to get away without paying that for 2 out of 3 nights. There are wine glasses and bottle opener in the room as well.
Self parking is $17 a day. Pretty standard, since pretty much all hotels in the area charge for parking.
The grounds are immaculate and even though the Big Island Film Festival took place while we were there and a few other big groups were there during our stay we never felt crowded or hindered in any way when the hotel closed off a certain area for some of their activities etc.
Thanks Fairmont for an amazing time!Comment from Monika P. of The Fairmont Orchid 6/1/2011
Thank you for posting your review on Yelp. It was very… More » -
Review from Lisa B.
6/15/2011
We went for my boyfriends sisters weddng, it was right on the beach at the hotel. The wedidng planner, catering, music, etc was all set up by the hotel, they did such wonderful job putting everything together. I was so impressed by the service, the food, the hotel, the drinks, etc... I would recommend this is ANYONE that wanted a great place to celebrate something, or even just to stay.
Comment from Monika P. of The Fairmont Orchid 7/11/2011
Thank you for taking time to share your recent experience at… More » -
Review from Wes Y.
Honolulu, HI
4/27/2010
We are fans of Fairmont properties all over the globe. We are in the President's Club. But this location was a disappointment. But the price is standard Fairmont, unfortunately ($330/night kamaaina president's club rate).
All the 3 star and below reviews are true.
Bratty kids, worn down rooms (old CRT tv, small fridge that is WARM inside, takes some time for hot water in the shower, thin robes, no wireless internet - cisco modem with purple ethernet patch cord instead).
The property and the building is spectacular. Which makes it even more painful when you arrive at your room. Its not a dump, but its definitely 3x more than they should be charging.
Staff was attentive and nice.
One night stay was plenty. We bailed after that. -
Review from Chris S.
New York, NY
9/30/2011 1 Check-in Here
Our stay at the Fairmont Orchid is the second leg of our honeymoon, the first being at the Koa Kea in Kauai (which is fantastic, we highly recommend it), and thus far we've been disappointed.
After reading other critical reviews now that we've stayed there, we feel that they are accurate. We've experienced the following,
* the A/C system in our first room (2315) had mold in it. This resulted in us being sick the entire first day we were at the Orchid, a full day of our honeymoon which we will never get back. This was compounded by the fact that when you feel sick, you stay in your room, but our room was making us sick.
* Watered down drinks (we are ordering wine now at least that way we know what we get) and a mediocre bar staff
* $15 for Internet access (I'm writing this review from my iPhone, at least AT&T reception is decent here)
* dirty and dated rooms, they need a coat of paint
* our first room had a tiled floor throughout, our second room finally had carpeting
* things close early (by NYC standards) here, most shops are closed by five or six, though the pool is open 24 hours
* no breakfast after 10:30am, so don't sleep in or try hitting up the gym before breakfast
* loads of old (60's+) and Japanese guests, not that there's anything wrong with either group, just not the clientele we were expecting as yuppie honeymooners from New York City
* pricing was odd, $10 for edimame, $12 for a California roll, and the $14 for a specialty roll, it's like they try to up charge things for unadventurous eaters
* it might be hard to do, but when walking along the paths, keep your eyes on where you are walking and not the beautiful foliage around you, as they trimmed/lined the walkways with lava rocks with no buffer between path and rock. Be sure not to misstep in your flip flops and scrape the side of your foot on the rocks as I did, it leaves a nasty series of cuts.
They say the devil is in the details, and in many ways the Orchid is overlooking those details, especially when it comes to the cleanliness of the resort. Some things that jumped out at us included:
- mold in the a/c of our first room (already noted above)
- the backs of the doors to the showers in the spa were disgusting, the cleaning crew is obviously not stepping into each stall and shutting the door when they clean, but guess what, your guests close the doors EVERY time they use the showers.
- the spa showers had trace evidence of prior guests (pubes)
- there were spots of mold all along the crown molding in our bathrooms, a little higher than the average person would look, but a detail that jumps out at 6'6" person like myself.
- fridge had last guests items in it,
- bathroom grout has spotty mildew throughout
- our balcony has bird sh*t all over it
A few bright points, the food and service at Brown's was great, beds are comfy and our experience with the concierge was good, he helped us plan the best day we had on the Big Island, when we drove to Hilo to see the waterfalls and volcano (please note, our best day there was the day we LEFT the resort to enjoy the rest of the island).
All in all, the resort is past it's prime, reminiscent of 80's opulence and it has not kept up with the what my generation would expect of a four/five star resort.
And, my wife asked me to add, this is NOT a romantic place for your honeymoon (as you probably gathered based on this review). -
Review from Sara L.
Costa Mesa, CA
6/9/2010
I went to the Fairmont Orchid with my boyfriend in early June for the 1/2 Ironman. The hotel is beautiful, luxurious, and well maintained. The grounds are beautiful-a pool, hammocks, two jaccuzzis, and a private beach as well as fountains and gorgeous trees and flowers. The lobby overlooks a view of the pool and beyond, the ocean. Staff was very friendly.
Rooms are pricey but nice. As opposed to a previously stated review, I didn't find the rooms to be shabby or outdated. The only critique I have is that there is no free wi-fi.
The restaurants at the hotel are expensive but delicious. I recommend hitting the Safeway in Kona and keeping some items in your mini fridge.
The spa! Pricey but then again, how many times do you have the opportunity to get a massage in a tiki hut listening to a waterfall or the ocean. Glad I did the spa, though the lomi lomi 80 min was $209 (on special). My massage therapist was nice enough to re-work my service due to having gotten sunburned that day. Also took a yoga class-more like meditation than actual yoga. Not a workout at all unfortunately but on the sand, facing the ocean, still pretty good.
I'd like to go back to the Orchid sometime-once I save up more $$! -
Review from Vicki D.
6/3/2011 1 Check-in Here
This is a beautiful hotel. As with most Fairmont hotels, it is high class, clean, and impeccable. I personally didn't stay here but did do a walk through after dinner at the sushi restaurant. They had several outdoor massage areas for couples treatments, oceanside. Where else can you find something like that? What a treat. The staff is friendly and the valet is "at your discretion" so park and play.
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Review from Nish N.
6/10/2008
Having just returned from a seven day stay at the Fairmont Orchid, there are so many ways to look at this hotel and resort. Overall, I'd say our experience here was 4.5 stars (gorgeous grounds, tennis courts, big room, etc.), probably made so more by a few key staff members than anything else (and the beach helped).
Traveling with our nine-month year, the hotel was very accommodating, and, having eaten at almost all of the restaurants on the property, it's nice to be able to say that we had just amazing service. In specific, I'd like to call out Frances and the other staff at the Orchid Court, for making each morning extra fun and practically babysitting for our little guy while we ate.
Why not five stars? Well, as mentioned above, the beach was just divine, and we were in a very private area. The water was just unreal, at least by San Francisco standards. While the pool was nice, for some reason they were doing maintenance on it for like four of the days we were there; so swimmable but you were sort of reminded of the chemicals they use to clean the pool. Similarly, one of the main bars closed for repairs while we were there, just something we should have been told about before checking in.
If you're planning a visit to the Big Island, the Fairmont is right up there (ask about their policy on bringing kids, which was really great), probably just second to the Four Seasons, and looking on the Internet, noticeably less expensive. Hawaii is expensive enough as is!Listed in: The Big Island
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Review from Leslie S.
Madison, WI
2/11/2010
We had just gotten married and went to Hawaii for our honeymoon. We got a spa package here, which included a couples massage on the beach, lunch, and a beach cabana for the day for about $300. The massages were outstanding and the therapists excellent, but a bunch of screaming children playing football outdoors did interrupt the first part of our service, which was supposed to feature nothing but the sounds of the ocean. The kids didn't bother paying any attention to the signs out front of the Spa Without Walls asking for silence. My husband ultimately asked the therapist to remind the kids to be quiet, which she did. Things were better from there out.
Kids, kids and more kids really drag down the Fairmont Orchid. It's literally overrun with children, and they are not supervised/monitored by adults, either parents or hotel staff. I've met polite kids from all socioeconomic backgrounds, but these kids really exemplified the "My mommy and daddy are rich so I can do whatever I want" mentality. Nice parenting.
The next day when we went to the beach to enjoy our cabana, there was a veritable onslaught of children. The noise was incredible. There was one kid who kept kicking or bouncing a ball, not caring that it continued to hit other beachgoers, and in fact he hit the server who was carrying our lunch to our cabana - who then promptly dropped it and we had to wait another 30 minutes for our meal. When I went to the pool to see if that was any better, it was CLOGGED with kids as was the secluded tropical hot tub that, even though the sign right out front declared it was for adults only. There were at least 10 of them in there.
That being said, the cabana was otherwise pleasant. It's basically two beach chairs with a nice hood so you don't get overexposed to the sun. And the snorkeling there was first-rate, there were about thirty humpbacks visible from shore, and the grounds were meticulously maintained and the flowers were beautiful.
We understand kids like to make a lot of noise, but we didn't notice them behaving half so badly at the Halekulani. To some extent, the hotel ought to consider providing separate areas where kids can have fun away from adults, and vice versa. I'd say I feel as if the Fairmont Orchid delivered about 50%, and when people are on their honeymoons they are looking for an experience that hits a lot closer to the mark.
Although I've never heard anything to this effect in their specific or stated policy, the end product is clear - this resort caters specifically to families with children - so don't bring your big honeymoon dollars and expect quiet, luxury, or satisfaction. -
Review from Frank C.
Camarillo, CA
7/28/2011
A little delayed in writing a review, but not because it was worth forgetting. We stayed at the Fairmont Orchid for one night in the middle of an anniversary trip to the Big Island.
If you stay here, the Gold Floor is the way to go. Private check-in, concierge, and breakfast and lunch are included. Don't think you're going to get filet mignon and eggs benedict for breakfast. It's a nice, quaint offering of pastries, fruit, and smaller fare. If you want real food, try Norio's if you want to stay on the property.
I worked with their special events department to plan a surprise, private six-course beachfront dinner at sunset for my wife. They did not disappoint along any step, and the dinner went off without a hitch.
The room was gorgeous, providing golf course and ocean views.
Had I known the Fairmont would make life so easy, we would have stayed longer. You definitely get what you pay for!Comment from Monika P. of The Fairmont Orchid 8/24/2011
Aloha, and thank you for posting your review. We are so… More » -
Review from Meredith R.
San Francisco, CA
3/9/2010
There are so many wonderful things about the Orchid - many already listed so I'll be brief. We were lucky to visit last week; the resort was very quiet, maybe half full, though you'd barely know it. Kids were present but all very well behaved and did not take away from anything like some gripers have suggested (boo). I went with my two girlfriends and we just absolutely loved our time. Highlights:
*Amazing customer service - just truly friendly people
*Good food choices should you stay there all day and night. There is a deli by the pool that has somewhat affordable options.
*Shopping center on the property off the main hwy - a 20-minute walk or 2 minute car ride from the resort. You can get even less expensive lunches and snacks there at the supermarket.
*Best snorkeling on the Kohala coast: turtles abound!
*Free internet and other perks if you join the Presidents Club online (free to join)
Who needs the Four Seasons when the Fairmont is just as beautiful (and on a better beach) and less expensive?! -
Review from gretchen d.
Albany, CA
6/20/2011
We just got back from a week here and it was wonderful! The first night we arrived so late that we were too groggy to find our room-the front desk person greeted us at our car and helped us to our room. The next day we realized we did not get the room we had requested and they moved us right away. We had a lovely ocean view from our deck-room was big and clean and very comfortable. Service excellent all around. I agree that the drinks and food were a bit expensive but we bought some snacks at the local store and kept them in our fridge in the room. This place is huge but we never felt like it was crowded or impersonal. Extra plus-GREAT gym with all the equipment needed to work out.
I would definitely return here. -
Review from Katherine W.
San Jose, CA
11/14/2007
This was the worst hotel to stay at during my trip to the Big Island. First, it wouldn't be so bad if it didn't cost $380 +tax per night. For that price, I got a room where when I looked out the window, I saw pool lounge chairs stored at the bottom and in the other direction on-going construction of their timeshare properties. Nice. Second, the furniture looked old and worn out. The wooden cover to the mini-bar was barely hanging on to its hinges. Third, after sitting down for almost 15 minutes, the bartender at their Kahakai bar didn't even ask me what I wanted to drink. After a while, I had to call him over to order something. Where is the Aloha spirit? The pool was not great either. It was oddly shaped and full of kids.
There were a few good things. First, the valet was great. We realized the valet at the other hotel accidentally forgot to put the golf clubs in the car, so they called to make the arrangements to have them brought over. Second, the main lobby and common area are nice and updated. Third, they have green sea turtles near their beach areas.
I was supposed to stay a couple of nights, but decided to check out after one night. The room was that hideous. Dark and dreary - nothing that I wanted my vacation to be. I re-checked in at the Prince Hapuna (read my review on Hapuna - love it). -
Review from Earl G.
8/5/2008
Wow! Attended a wedding right by the beach over here and it was beatiuful. Gorgeous grounds that looked exactly out of a scene from a Romantic movie.
The food they served here was exceptional some of the hors devours served here were bacon wrapped sea scallops, foie gras, and kobe beef strips. -
Review from Sean M.
Edmonds, WA
6/4/2007 2 photos
We got married at this resort. The staff did a great job helping us plan the wedding and seemed excited to for us to have the wedding on their property even though it was a small (10 person) wedding party.
The hotel is large and as with most Fairmont's exudes that old world charm rather then having that Disney land feel that most resorts have. This has its positives and negatives. On the positive side it makes for a very romantic getaway that is quite and secluded compared to other resorts in the area. On the negative side, its got a very small pool and one can get a little stir crazy if you spend alot of time on the property.
The hotel is also open to the out side in a number of areas so don't be surprised if you see assorted animals in the lobby. While staying here I saw a number of birds, two cockroaches, and three lizards moving about the area. Again, this is the tropics and there are no doors or walls in much of the lobby area. If this kind of stuff bugs you (pun intended) then don't look down when your in the main hotel area.
Lastly, I just want to put one more plug in regarding having a wedding at this establishment. It was amazing and their staff did an amazing job.Listed in: Fairmont
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Review from Rich J.
9/25/2011
On an island that many including me consider Paradise, this resort was itself 32 acres of Paradise. Most beautiful place I have ever stayed at...waterfalls all over the place that fall into ponds dotted on the property, filled with those cool looking koi fish. Trees..actually a little man-made rain forest, gardens, a huge pool, beach, tiki torches that light up the place at night, a big room with a lanai and a view of the ocean, close enough that I could here the waves crashing. Decent if overpriced restaurants, but its like that at all resorts in Hawaii. We rented a private cabana right on the ocean one day and got served drinks and lunch, never had to get up. Wife got a massage by the ocean, but you can get them anywhere you want on the property..they have those little massage houses by the gardens and waterfalls and that must be very relaxing. Staff was very nice, room was always clean, no issues whatsoever. Just an amazing experience that I can't wait to relive again.
