Review: Fairmont Orchid, The Big Island Hawaii
Everything you need to know about staying at the Fairmont Orchid, located in the Mauna Lani area of The Big Island of Hawaii
Fairmont Orchid
About the Fairmont Orchid
The Fairmont Orchid is a luxury, 5-star, oceanfront resort located on the Kohala Coast on the Big Island of Hawaii.
This luxury oceanfront resort on the Kohala Coast of Hawaii Island, features 540 rooms on 32 acres of gardens, waterfalls, and a beach. Located within the Mauna Lani resort complex, made up of resorts, a world-class golf course, dining and shopping. The Fairmont Orchid is home to six on-site restaurants, a 10-court tennis pavilion, conference center, and a wide range of activities for guests. It is known for its picturesque setting amongst lush gardens, waterfalls and koi ponds as well as its commitment to Hawaiian culture and sustainability.
As you make your way from the Kailua-Kona International Airport to the Fairmont Orchid, you will travel north along the Kohala Coast Line, crossing lava fields and spotting wild goats - it feels almost other-worldly. Upon arrival, you’re greeted with a lei and pure Hawaiian hospitality - instant relaxation after a long day of travel.
Our Room
Fairmont Orchid South Tower Garden View
We stayed in a Garden View Queen room for four nights. Our room was located on the 4th floor of the South Tower and overlooked a walkway leading to Pauoa Bay. It was equipped with:
Two, very comfortable, queen beds
Private lanai with chaise lounge chair and two-seat dinette
Seating area with small couch
Tub with shower as well as a standalone shower
Steamer
In-room safe
Refrigerator
Nespresso coffee maker and an electric kettle along with coffees and assorted teas (I LOVED the separate kettle, such a nice touch).
On-Site Dining
The Fairmont Orchid has 6 on-site restaurants ranging from grab & go to fine dining. Whether you’re look
Hale Kai - Open daily from 11:30 a.m.- 9 p.m., Hale Kai is a casual, outdoor, pool-side bar. We tried the Fish & Chips & Coconut Shrimp paired with a Hibiscus Lemonade ‘Ting (n/a cocktail) and a Kona Longboard. We heard several folks rave about the lobster tacos. Hale Kai is a great spot to have a casual sunset dinner.
Kahakai Cruiser - The Kahakai Cruiser is the perfect spot to grab lunch while hanging out beside Fairmont’s Pauoa Bay. They serve up a variety of Hawaiian/Latin fusion tacos. Our favorites were the tempura shirmp and kalua pork. Open 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. daily.
Brown’s Deli - Open daily from 5 a.m. - 4 p.m., Brown’s Deli offers coffee, smoothies, snacks, grab and go items and to-go meals. You can also find complimentary drip coffee here from 5 a.m. - 6:30 a.m. Their banana bread was awesome.
Binchotan Bar & Grill - A fresh take on traditional Asian cuisine. Reservations are recommended.
Browns Beach House - Brown’s Beach House is the Fairmont’s fine dining option serving signature Hawaiian flavors. Reservations are recommended.
On-Site Activities
Wellness:
Spa Without Walls - The Spa Without Walls is the Fairmont Orchid’s unique take on a luxury spa experience. Guests can enjoy massages in a waterfall hale tucked away in a lush garden or in an ocean front cabana.
As of our stay in November 2025, the Spa Without Walls was undergoing extensive renovations. Locker room amenities such as the sauna and steam room, as well as the waterfall hale treatment areas were not open. We recommend calling in advance to confirm availability of these amenities before booking.
Yoga & Wellness Classes - Complimentary yoga is offered daily at 7 a.m., additional classes may be available - check the resort website for the most up to date calendar.
Fitness Center - The Fairmont Orchid fitness center is well equipped with treadmills, free weights and weight machines. Stationary bikes are also available, but it may be worth noting that they are not Peloton bikes.
Golf & Racquet Sports
For tennis and pickleball enthusiasts, the Fairmont Orchid is a great choice with over 10-courts, including a 3500 seat stadium. The full-service tennis center offers racquet and ball machine rentals, private and semi-private lessons and lights for evening play.
Golfers will love playing in paradise - with dramatic landscapes and ocean views at the award-winning Mauna Lani Golf Course, featuring two distinct 18-hole courses. Golf club valet is included with your daily resort fee.
Fairmont Orchid Pool, adults only section
Activities:
Cultural Classes
Guests at the Fairmont Orchid will be treated to cultural classes including hula, lei making and more. Check their website for current offerings during your stay.
Walking Trails
There are several walking trails throughout the Mauna Lani resort area. The Fairmont Orchid has QR codes featured on screens throughout the resort to provide you with guided hikes and curated trails via the RunGo app/website.
Kalahipaua’a Historic Park and Fish Ponds - Take the Shoreline Trail south of the Fairmont Orchid to visit the Kalahipaua’a Historic Park and fish ponds. Along the way, keep your eyes peeled for turtles that like to hang out on the rocky beaches between the Fairmont Orchid and Maua Lani, Auberge Collection.
The brackish water fish ponds were used by native Hawaiians for raising fish like mullet and milkfish and are fed by both freshwater springs and the sea. A full loop around the fish ponds, returning via the shoreline trail to the Fairmont is approximately 3 miles.
Petroglyph Park - Take the Shoreline Trail north of the Fairmont Orchid towards Holoholaki Beach Park, from there follow the signs for the Puako Petroglyph Archaeological Preserve. This approximately 2 mile round-trip walk will reward guests with with thousands of preserved petroglyphs among the lava rocks. The best time to visit is in the early morning. Be sure to wear sturdy shoes and be mindful of thorns on the trees in the thicket section of trail.
Pool -The Fairmont Orchid has one, large oceanfront pool with plenty of lounge chairs. For those looking for a more serene experience, a corner of the pool is sectioned off for adults only. Stop by the towel hut for chair covers, pool towels, complimentary reef-safe sunscreen and water station.
Hot Tub - Nestled into the waterfall landscape and surrounded by koi ponds, the Fairmont Orchid’s hot tub spa will have you thinking you've found a natural hot spring. The seat is even made of lava rock.
Green Sea Turtle seen in Pauoa Bay
Water Sports
Snorkeling: The Fairmont Orchid Pauoa Bay offers some of the best resort snorkeling I’ve ever seen. Your daily resort fee includes 1-hour of snorkel equipment rental per day. We snorkeled every day of our stay and saw a multitude of tropical fish, eels, green sea turtles (honu) and even a spotted eagle ray.
The protected bay is perfect for snorkelers of all skill levels and those with a more adventurous spirit can venture a bit further out.
Kayaking & Paddleboarding
Single and double kayaks are available for rent and can be taken out beyond the lagoon.
Stand-up Paddleboards are also available for rent for use within the lagoon.
Outrigger Canoes - The Fairmont Orchid offers several opportunities for guided tours on a traditional Hawaiian outrigger canoe - including sunrise paddles and fishing excursions.
Fun in the Sun Pass
The Fairmont Orchid offers a Fun in the Sun Pass for $85 per person, per stay. The pass includes unlimited rental of snorkel equipment, kayaks, paddleboards and fishing equipment in 1-hour increments for your entire stay. This is a great option if you want to snorkel more than 1-hour per day or participate in paddle sports for more than one day of your stay.
Nearby Restaurants
Foodland Farms - Poke Bowl, Tempura Shrimp and Orange Chicken
These restaurants are located within the Mauna Lani resort area and can be accessed by the Fairmont’s complimentary shuttle service or complimentary beach cruiser bike rental.
💸 Juice 101 - Juice 101 offers fresh pressed juices, smoothies, acai bowls and wraps. We loved the OG Acai bowl and turkey & egg wrap (add avocado).
💸 Mauna Lani Coffee Company - Mauna Lani Coffee Company serves 100% Kona Coffee. My go-to order anytime I’m in Hawaii is an iced latte with coconut syrup and coconut milk - theirs did not disappoint.
💸 Knead and Bake Pizza - With only one table, this to-go pizza shop offers a variety of 12” pizzas. We are firmly in the camp of “pineapple belongs on pizza” so went with the Island Regular featuring pineapple, bacon, kalua pork, jalapenos, sauteed onions and honey.
💸 Foodland Farms - If you love poke, don’t miss the seafood counter at Foodland Farms. With nearly a dozen varieties to choose from, you’re sure to find a style that you love. They also offer samples of flavors to ensure you like your selection.
My husband, who is not a poke fan, loved their prepped food items including spicy tempura shrimp and orange chicken. Additionally, all of their Maika’i house brand items we tried were wonderful - we loved the coconut water without pulp, sparkling coconut water, toasted coconut chips and beef sticks.
If you forgot a beach bag or are looking for a functional souvenir, their reusable grocery bags are so CUTE!
💸💸💸 CanoeHouse - Located at the Mauna Lani, Auberge Collection, this ocean front restaurant features a seasonal menu of Japanese-inspired dishes. Try the chefs tasting menu.
Additional Kohala Coast Dining
💸💸 Lava Lava Beach Club - Located in the Waikoloa area, about a 10 minute drive from the Fairmont, the Lava Lava Beach Club is a casual, family-friendly ocean-front restaurant serving modern takes on traditional Hawaiian dishes. Some of our favorites were the ceviche, Hook Line and Sinker, and the Teriyaki Steak. This is a great spot to catch the sunset. The restaurant validates parking, just snap a photo of your rental car’s license plate and let the hostess stand know you need validation.
💸💸💸 ‘Ulu - Located at the Four Seasons, about at 30 minute drive from the Fairmont, ‘Ulu emphasizes Big Island ingredients with over 75% sourced from the island - resulting in incredible seafood and sushi. We loved the Crispy Chicken and Hamachi Roll. The Four Seasons offers complimentary valet parking for dinner guests.
Excursions
There are tons of incredible things to see and to on the Big Island of Hawaii - here’s a few ideas to get you started but be sure to check out my guide to the Big Island for more!
Manta Ray Night Snorkel (approximately 1-hour away)
The manta ray night snorkel is one of the coolest experiences I’ve ever had. We opted to go with Fair Wind Big Island Ocean Guides for a few reasons:
Proximity to the original manta ray viewing area, they are only about a 5 minute boat ride - great for those that struggle with motion sickness.
They provide shorty wetsuits (sleeves to the elbow, legs to the knee) for guests to help keep you warm throughout the experience
Their commitment to sustainable tourism.
The mantas are wild and not coerced into participating in the experience - they are attached to the plankton, their primary food source, that gather at the lights on the custom floating boards you hang onto throughout the experience.
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park (approximately 2.5 hours away)
Located on the Southeastern corner of the Big Island, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is home to two active volcanoes, Mauna Loa and Kilauea. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park offers visitors diverse landscapes ranging from rugged lava fields to rainforests and dramatic coast lines. Whether you prefer to drive the Crater Ring Road or hike through a 500 year old lava tube, there’s a little something for every fitness level in the park. For current park hours and fees, click here.
Waterfalls (Approximately 1.5 hours away)
Akaka Falls - Approximately 20 minutes north of Hilo, and a 1.5 hour drive from the Fairmont Orchid is Akaka Falls. The 442-foot waterfall can be viewed by walking a 0.4 mile, paved trail. Parking is $10, and there is a $5 per person entry fee. For current park hours and fees click here.
Rainbow Falls - Located just outside of the town of Hilo, Rainbow Falls is so named because of the rainbow effect that it’s spray creates at the base of the falls. It is free to visit and the viewing area is nearly in the parking lot and is ADA accessible.
About the Big Island of Hawaii
The Weather
The Big Island is home to over 10 unique climates ranging from arid deserts to the rainiest city in the USA. Locals joke, if you don’t like the weather where you are - just drive 10 minutes and you’ll be in an entirely new climate. Generally, here’s what you can expect:
East Side - tropical and humid, known for its frequent rainfall
West Side - dry and sunny with very little rain
Interior and Higher elevations - ranging from temperate to cold. The highest peaks of Mauna Kea can even be snow capped in the winter.
The Vibe
The Big Island is known for it’s natural laid-back vibe - perfect for those looking for a more authentic, less commercialized Hawaiian experience. With diverse landscapes and topography, the Big Island is perfect for adventure seekers.
Tips for Visiting the Big Island of Hawaii
✈️ Flying to the Big Island
There are two airports on the Big Island Kona (KOA) and Hilo (ITO). Kona offers direct flights to and from the mainland while Hilo requires stop-overs in either Honolulu or Maui.
Most visitors fly in and out of the Kona Airport due to its closer proximity to the popular resort areas. Direct flights to/from Kona include Los Angeles, Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Phoenix, San Diego and Denver.
🚗 Getting Around / Transportation
🚙 Rental Car
Whether or not you need a rental car truly depends on the type of vacation you prefer.
If you’re a “flop & drop” traveler, spending the majority of your time on the resort, you could probably get away without one, but if you plan to explore areas like Hilo or Volcanoes National Park you would definitely want one. There is a Hertz desk on site at the Fairmont should you opt to rent a car for just a portion of your stay. For those renting a car, the Fairmont offers both self-parking and valet services for a daily fee.
🚕 Uber/Taxis
There are Ubers available, however, they can be more difficult to come by with longer waits. We ended up only utilizing traditional taxi services for our airport transfers - scheduled in advance with the Fairmont transportation desk. The cost was slightly higher, but it was so nice knowing our driver was waiting for us at baggage claim after a long travel day.
🚐 Fairmont Complimentary Shuttle
The Fairmont Orchid complimentary shuttle service is also wonderful for transportation within the Mauna Lani resort area. Just let the transportation desk know you’d like to use it and they will provide you with a card for pick up instructions when you are ready to return to the resort.
FAQ’s
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Yes, the Fairmont Orchid has a spa offering massage, facials and salon-style services. For more information on the ‘Spa Without Walls’ click here.
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Yes, the Fairmont Orchid has a swimable beach area along Pauoa Bay. It is perfect for snorkeling and wading.
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Yes, the Fairmont Orchid has 6 on site restaurants ranging from casual to fine dining. For more information on their restaurant offerings, click here.
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No, the Fairmont Orchid does not have complimentary airport transfers. Their concierge staff is happy to assist with booking taxi services. The estimated cost is $70-80 each way.
Our Concierge is available from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. HST and can be reached at +1 808 887 7320 or via email at FairmontORCconcierge@bluehawaiian.com.
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The below amenities are included in the Fairmont Orchid’s daily $48 resort fee.
Wellness classes. Weekly wellness activity calendar available at fairmontorchid.com
Shuttle bus service within the Mauna Lani Resort.
Golf Valet. Handling and storage of personal golf clubs during your stay.
Branded reusable water bottle for each registered guest per stay, to be filled at purified water stations located throughout the resort.
Coffee and tea service in the lobby between 5:00 a.m. and 6:30 a.m.
Hawaiian Cultural Classes & Resort Activities. Weekly activity schedule available at fairmontorchid.com.
Lei greeting upon arrival.
Snorkel equipment rental for one hour (available to each guest, per day—resort use only). Guests who purchase Fun & Sun passes may sign out snorkel equipment multiple times per day.
Pool amenities (sunscreen, water).
45-minute photo session with Pacific Dream Photography. Reservations required. Photos available for purchase.
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The Fairmont Orchid has several sustainable initiatives including reusable water bottles and water filling stations, complimentary reef-safe sunscreen, reef restoration efforts and more. For additional details on all of the Fairmont’s sustainable initiatives, click here.
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Yes, complimentary beach cruise bike rentals are available ALL Accor members.
Want more tips, personalized recommendations and access to perks such as complimentary upgrades and spa credits?
I would love to help you book your Big Island getaway!
*I was not compensated for this review, however in the spirit of transparency, I did not pay for my room at the Fairmont Orchid. Our stay was paid for by my husbands employer as part of a business trip. This post may contain affiliate links - by purchasing through these links I may earn a small commission at no cost to you.