Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii

Located on the ocean along the upmarket Kohala Coast, the Fairmont Orchid offers a plush and relaxing retreat. Open-air public spaces feature raw concrete walls and earth-toned accents that allow the ocean views to shine. The Gold Lounge, a private space for guests of the pricier Gold Floor, has a more elegant feel while maintaining the property’s easygoing island style with touches of raffia and pottery. Grassy grounds studded with palm trees offer plenty of outdoor dining space, such as a thatched-roof bar and romantic two-person tables overlooking the ocean. Thanks to its expansive size and well-designed layout, the property never feels crowded, allowing vacationing families and business travelers alike to enjoy a bit of tropical paradise. 

Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii has a stunning location on the Kohala Coast of the Big Island. The resort feels private and quiet, but is situated just off the Queen Ka'ahumanu Highway. The immediate area features a few other luxury resorts as well a golf course, the 36-hole Francis H. I'i Brown golf course at Mauna Lani, which runs alongside the property. Along with its own private beach, the hotel is within an easy drive of several others. Anaeho'omalu Beach and Hapuna Beach State Recreation Area are within 13 minutes, while Mauna Kea Beach is a 15-minute drive, to name just a few nearby options. Punaluu Black Sand Beach is about two and a half hours away by car, while Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is about two hours and 15 minutes away by car. The resort can also arrange day trips, such as hikes, visits to a seahorse farm, and visits to Pu'ukohola Heiau, a historic temple site that is part of the National Parks System. The town of Hawi is a 40-minute drive away and offers boutiques, galleries, and restaurants. Kona International Airport is a half-hour drive, while Hilo International is about 90 minutes by car. 

The 540 rooms and suites at the Fairmont Orchard are decorated in a relaxed, contemporary style similar to decor throughout the resort. Bright and spacious, at 522 square feet each, the rooms are decorated with pastel-painted walls and light-brown carpeting. Dark-wood furniture includes large work desks and TV cabinets, and there are generic beach-themed paintings on the walls. While appealing, they're underwhelming and simplistic for a luxury hotel. All rooms have private balconies with simple patio furniture, overlooking either the resort or the ocean -- full and partial views are available, and some are better than others, so ask ahead if you’re concerned. Marble bathrooms offer separate rooms with toilets, as well as separate shower/tub combos. Fairmont toiletries are provided, along with hairdryers and bathrobes. Standard features in all rooms include mini-fridges, Keurig coffeemakers, 42-inch flat-screen TVs, and safes. Wi-Fi is included with the resort fee. Suites are available and have living rooms separated by French doors, as well as two balconies, and extra half-bathrooms. Suites offer views of the ocean or the resort’s tropical gardens.

Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii offers numerous features, as is typical for a resort of its size and category. Direct access to a private sandy beach is a great perk for guests. However, beach chairs and other gear, such as snorkel equipment, cost extra. Also, it's worth noting that this is a smaller beach than those found at comparable properties. There's also a 10,000-square-foot oceanfront pool that's open 24 hours and winds through a tropical setting with palm trees and rock gardens. The large concrete deck is lined with sunbeds and umbrellas, and guests typically don't have problems securing a spot for the day. There are six restaurants on the property, including the popular Brown's Beach House, which serves regional Hawaiian cuisine for dinner only, and offers live music and private dining on the beach. There are also a more casual restaurant located by the pool, a deli, and a lounge serving tropical cocktails and pupu (appetizers) with nightly entertainment. Room service is available. The full-service spa features outdoor treatment huts beside waterfalls as well as beachfront cabanas. Modern cardio and weight-training equipment can be found in the fitness center. A host of sports and activities, including tennis, golf, yoga, kayaking, and paddle-boarding are available, for an extra fee. The resort also offers a children's program for ages 5 to 12, and kids' menus are available. There’s 30,000 square feet of indoor function space and another 76,000 square feet of space for meetings and events indoors. The options range from corporate boardrooms with audiovisual equipment to ballrooms, a ramped amphitheater, and a beach area that can be used for weddings. The daily resort fee covers Wi-Fi, some beach gear, parking, a shuttle service, cultural activities and crafts, a photo session, and more. The hotel is pet-friendly, for a fee.