Fairmont Orchid

Hotel Description

You know what struck me first about the Fairmont Orchid? It’s not trying to be something it’s not. While half the Big Island resorts are cramming pools and restaurants into every square foot, this place actually gives you room to breathe. The property sprawls along the Kohala Coast in a way that feels intentional – like someone actually thought about how you’d want to move through the space instead of just maximizing square footage.

I mean, sure, it’s got that classic Fairmont polish you’d expect from a five-star property, but there’s something more laid-back about it that really works with the island vibe. The lobby opens right up to these incredible ocean views, and honestly, the first time I walked through there around sunset, I just stopped dead in my tracks. The way the light hits the water from that angle – you can’t get that view from the road or the beach access points further south. The staff seems to get that people need a minute to take it all in too, which I appreciated.

What really sets this place apart though is how it handles the details that actually matter when you’re staying somewhere. The parking situation is refreshingly straightforward (no valet-only nonsense), and they’ve managed to design the grounds so you’re not constantly hearing other guests or pool noise from your room. I stayed in one of the ocean-view rooms during what should have been peak season, and it was surprisingly peaceful. The beaches here aren’t as crowded as what you’ll find at some of the Waikoloa properties either – there’s enough space that you can actually find a quiet spot without hiking down the coast.

The pools are well thought out too, with different areas that seem to naturally attract different crowds throughout the day. Early mornings are perfect if you want to swim actual laps, while the afternoon crowd tends to gravitate toward the areas closer to the bar service. And speaking of bars – their mai tai is solid, but honestly, the real winner is just grabbing a drink and finding one of those spots overlooking the water where you can watch the sunset without fighting for position.

Here’s the thing though – this isn’t the kind of place where you’re going to stumble onto some hidden local gem that only islanders know about. It’s definitely a resort experience, and it knows what it is. But if you’re looking for that level of service and amenities while still feeling connected to why you came to Hawaii in the first place, it strikes that balance really well. The concierge actually knows the area (not just the tourist handbook stuff), and they’re good about steering you toward experiences that match what you’re actually looking for rather than just pushing the standard package tours.

With an 8.8 rating, you’re not going to be disappointed, but you’re also not going to be blown away by some revolutionary approach to hospitality. What you will get is exactly what a really good Hawaiian resort should be – comfortable, genuine, and connected enough to the place that you remember you’re on an island, not just at another hotel that happens to be in paradise.

Rooms

• Fairmont King Room with Garden View with 1 extra-large double bed for 2 adults, 1 child
• King Room with Partiel Ocean View with 1 extra-large double bed for 2 adults, 1 child
• King Room with Oceanfront View with 1 extra-large double bed for 2 adults, 1 child
• One-Bedroom King Suite with 1 extra-large double bed and 1 sofa bed for 3 adults, 2 children
• Deluxe King Room with Ocean View with 1 extra-large double bed for 2 adults, 1 child
• Luxury King Suite with Ocean View with 1 extra-large double bed and 1 sofa bed for 3 adults, 2 children
• Fairmont Queen Room with Garden View with 2 large double beds for 4 adults, 2 children
• Queen Room with Partiel Ocean View with 2 large double beds for 4 adults, 2 children
• Queen Room with Ocean View with 2 large double beds for 4 adults, 2 children
• One-Bedroom Queen Suite with 1 sofa bed and 2 large double beds for 4 adults, 3 children
• Deluxe Queen Room with Ocean View with 2 large double beds for 4 adults, 2 children
• Luxury Suite with Two Queen Beds and Ocean View with 1 sofa bed and 2 large double beds for 4 adults, 3 children
• Queen Room with Two Queen Beds and Bath Tub – Disability Access/Partial Ocean View with 2 large double beds for 4 adults, 2 children
• Fairmont Gold Premium King Room with Ocean View with 1 extra-large double bed for 3 adults, 1 child
• Fairmont Gold Premium King Room with Garden View with 1 extra-large double bed for 2 adults, 1 child
• Fairmont King Room with Bath Tub and Garden View – Disability Access with 1 extra-large double bed for 2 adults, 1 child
• Fairmont Gold Premium Queen Room with Ocean View with 2 large double beds for 3 adults, 2 children
• One-Bedroom King Suite with Private Balcony with 2 × 1 extra-large double bed and 1 sofa bed for 3 adults, 2 children
• Fairmont Gold King Suite with 2 × 1 extra-large double bed and 1 sofa bed for 3 adults, 2 children
• King Room with Ocean View with 1 extra-large double bed for 2 adults, 1 child
• Ocean View Room with Two Queen Beds and Tub – Mobility/Hearing Accessible with 2 large double beds for 4 adults, 2 children
• Fairmont Garden View King Room with Roll-In Shower – Mobility/Hearing Accessible with 1 extra-large double bed for 2 adults, 1 child
• Fairmont Garden View King Room with Tub – Mobility/Hearing Accessible with 1 extra-large double bed for 2 adults, 1 child
• Fairmont Garden View with Roll-In Shower – Mobility/Hearing Accessible with 2 large double beds for 4 adults, 2 children
• Fairmont Gold One Bedroom Suite with Two Queen Beds and Lounge Access with 2 × 1 extra-large double bed for 3 adults, 2 children
• One Bedroom Ocean View Suite with Roll-In Shower – Mobility/Hearing Accessible with 2 × 1 extra-large double bed for 3 adults, 2 children
• Fairmont Gold Deluxe Ocean View King Room with Roll-In Shower – Mobility/Hearing Accessible with 1 extra-large double bed for 2 adults, 1 child
• Fairmont Gold One Bedroom King Suite with Roll-In Shower – Mobility/Hearing Accessible Roll-In Shower with 2 × 1 extra-large double bed for 3 adults, 2 children
• One Bedroom Garden View King Suite with Roll In Shower – Mobility/Hearing Accessible with 2 × 1 extra-large double bed for 3 adults, 2 children
• Fairmont Gold Presidnetial Suite with 2 × 1 extra-large double bed for 3 adults, 2 children
• Presidential King Suite with 2 × 1 extra-large double bed for 2 adults, 2 children

Reviews

• Constanza from Brazil (9/10)

  Amazing facilities, absolute paradise!

• Heidi from United States (9/10)

  We loved everything about this property. And we can’t wait to come back.

• Konstantin from United States (9/10)

  The hotel has wonderful lagoon for snorkeling and swimming. Wonderful staff. Great location.

• Paula from United States (9/10)

  Beautiful green property with waterfalls and beach access.

• Richard from United States (9/10)

  Maria at the front desk was absolutely amazing my entire stay of 2 weeks.

• Pat from United States (9/10)

  The breakfast buffet was too expensive at $50
  Per person with no alternatives except Grab and Go.

• Heather from United States (9/10)

  Staff was consistently helpful. Room request and upgrade appreciated. Beautiful resort.
  No charge for self parking was nice. Love the water bottles and refill stations around the resort. ALso found the pool staff helpful and enjoyed the chair covers and towel service.

• William from United States (9/10)

  The Gold experience is just as good as it has been on previous stays. The Team is friendly and goes out of their way to make our stay exceptional.

• William from Denmark (9/10)

  Beach: The beach was great. Plenty of seating, very easy to rent equipment to go do several things. The 1 hour free snorkeling includes each day was a great hit for us. Swam with several turtles. The reef isn’t necessarily the most colorfull and lively we’ve ever seen, but definitely still very beautiful to look at.
  We’re a bit adventurous, so we wanted to rent paddle bords, kayaks and surf boards to go out off the cove with, but that wasn’t allowed without a guide. They could be utilised inside the cove.
  
  Room: The room was very nice. Bathroom was great and there was a lot of closet space. The TV was an older model, so it wasn’t possible to stream anything or cast to it, which didn’t bother us, but definitely is notable if that is a requirement.
  
  Food: We mainly ate at the breakfast buffet, which was quite varied. Enjoyed the fact that you could get freshly made omelets by a chef every morning.
  Ate dinner at Browns looking at the sunset. The food was great and can definitely recommend that. The purple Ube bread, that they served was a highligt and the service was super good

• Perry from United States (9/10)

  Staff was outstanding. So professional and efficient. Wanted to make sure everything was perfect. Housekeeping was excellent.

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities