Luxury Healing Hotels Fairmont Orchid Gold Experience
1 North Kaniku Drive, Mauna Lani, Waikoloa, HI 96743, United States
HOTEL OVERVIEW
Look, I’ve stayed at a lot of resorts on the Big Island, and honestly? The Fairmont Orchid just hits different. You pull up to this place on North Kaniku Drive – which, by the way, is probably the prettiest approach to any hotel I’ve seen on the Kohala Coast – and there’s this immediate sense that you’re somewhere special. The valet actually remembers your name by day two, which sounds small but feels huge when you’re trying to unwind.
What really gets me about this place is how they’ve managed to feel both polished and authentically Hawaiian without that weird Disney-fied vibe you get at some resorts. I mean, you’re right in the heart of Mauna Lani, so you’re walking distance from some incredible ancient fishponds that most tourists never even know exist. The concierge – ask for Keoni if he’s still there – will point you toward the Kalāhuipua’a Trail, which starts basically behind the hotel and takes you through this otherworldly lava landscape. It’s maybe a twenty-minute walk, but you’ll feel like you discovered something secret.
The rooms themselves are… well, they’re what you’d expect from a 5-star place, but with those little touches that matter. The lanai actually faces something worth looking at (not a parking lot), and the bathroom has one of those deep soaking tubs that you’ll actually use. I love that they don’t blast the AC to arctic levels like some places do – you can actually open the sliding doors and hear the ocean without feeling like you’re melting. The Gold Experience part isn’t just marketing fluff either; you really do get access to that private beach area and the upgraded pool situation, which becomes clutch when the main resort gets busy around lunch time.
Here’s the thing though – and maybe this is why they’re pulling a 9.3 rating – it’s the staff that makes this place. They’re not hovering, but somehow your water glass never goes empty. The restaurant (try the opakapaka if they have it) sources from local farms you’ve probably never heard of, and the bartender at the Orchid Bar makes this lilikoi margarita that’s basically dangerous. Parking is handled, check-in is smooth, and honestly, I never felt like I was fighting crowds even when the place was clearly full.
If you’re debating between this and some of the other resorts in the area, here’s my take: you’re paying for the location as much as anything else. Being in Mauna Lani means you’re close enough to drive to Hapuna Beach (fifteen minutes) or even make a day trip up to Waimea for some upcountry exploring, but you’re also in this protected little bubble where everything just works. It’s expensive, sure, but you know what you’re getting. Sometimes that peace of mind is worth every penny, especially when you’re trying to actually relax on vacation instead of troubleshooting your hotel choice.
HOTEL HIGHLIGHTS
Reviews
Staff: 9.9
Comfort: 9.8
Location: 9.7
Free WiFi: 10
Facilities: 9.5
Cleanliness: 9.8
Value for money: 8.7
Randall from United States
We spent our honeymoon there and it was as amazing l. Keisha Rodrigues is wonderful
Teddy from United States
The Golden experience was private and personal with our own area to our floor. Everything from the landscaping to the staff everything was extraordinary.
Elizabeth from United States
Lots of food options and extras was awesome! Property was beautiful with colorful trees and flowers everywhere. Staff was very helpful and friendly.
Mary from United States
The staff were wonderful and the food selections in the gold lounge were delicious!
Carol from United States
Beach, food, staff, location, landscaping.
Narcy from United States
Gold lounge
Denis from United States
amazing)
Andrea from United States
Phenomenal vacation at the Fairmont Orchid. We were on the Gold Floor. Worth every penny. Had an amazing room that overlooked the pool and ocean. Room was spacious and immaculately clean. Staff at every level were friendly and kind. Browns Beach Club served delicious and flavorful food. Enjoyed a cabana rental at the lagoon one day. Snorkeling...
Ted from United States
The gold level offered a private breakfast, drinks and snacks. The staff was very helpful and friendly. They offered an area for adults only pool area. It was nice to relax without a brunch of children running around.
Lilly from South Korea
해변 바로 앞이라 너무 좋았어요. 시설, 청결도도 너무 좋았고 정원을 너무 잘 가꿔둬서 감탄했습니다.
골드는 같은 층에 라운지가 있어서 편했고 항상 마실 수 있는 음료나 시간 때에 따라 가벼운 음식이 있어서 너무 좋았어요. 그리고 라운지 앞에는 직원이 항상 있어서 물어볼 서 있어서 굉장히 편했어요~
추천합니다!!
SURROUNDINGS
Restaurants & cafes:
- Cafe/bar Kahakai Bar: 2 m
- Restaurant Brown's Beach House: 50 m
- Restaurant Hale Kai Restaurant: 50 m
Natural beauty:
- Lake Waipuhi Fishpond: 1.8 km
- Peak Pu'Ukoholā (40m): 14 km
Beaches in the neighbourhood:
- Puako Beach: 5 km
- Pauoa Bay Beach: 750 m
- Mauna Lani Beach: 3.6 km
- Holoholokai Beach: 750 m
- 49 Black Sand Beach: 3.9 km
Closest airports:
- Waimea-Kohala Airport: 33 km
- Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keāhole: 35 km
ROOMS
- Fairmont Gold Garden View - 1 King with 1 large double bed for 2 adults, 1 child
- Fairmont Gold Ocean View Room - 1 King with 1 extra-large double bed for 2 adults, 1 child
- Fairmont Gold Premium Ocean View Room - 1 King with 1 extra-large double bed for 2 adults, 1 child
- Fairmont Gold Premium Ocean View Room - 2 Queens with 2 large double beds for 2 adults, 1 child
- Fairmont Gold Ocean View Suite - 1 King with 2 × 1 large double bed for 2 adults, 1 child
FACILITIES
View:
- View
Bedroom:
- Linen
- Wardrobe or closet
- Alarm clock
General:
- Shuttle service
- Pet bowls
- Pet basket
- Shared lounge/T V area
- Designated smoking area
- Air conditioning
- Non-smoking throughout
- Allergy-free room
- Executive lounge access
- Wake-up service
- Heating
- Soundproofing
- Private entrance
- Car hire
- Packed lunches
- Carpeted
- Soundproof rooms
- Lift
- Family rooms
- Barber/beauty shop
- Ironing facilities
- Facilities for disabled guests
- Non-smoking rooms
- Iron
- Wake up service/Alarm clock
- Room service
Kitchen:
- Coffee machine
- Electric kettle
- Refrigerator
Bathroom:
- Toilet paper
- Towels
- Towels/sheets (extra fee)
- Bath or shower
- Slippers
- Private bathroom
- Toilet
- Free toiletries
- Bathrobe
- Hairdryer
- Bath
- Shower
Outdoors:
- Outdoor furniture
- Beachfront
- Private beach area
- Patio
- Balcony
- Terrace
- Garden
Wellness:
- Fitness/spa locker rooms
- Fitness
- Full body massage
- Hand massage
- Head massage
- Couples massage
- Foot massage
- Neck massage
- Back massage
- Spa/wellness packages
- Spa lounge/relaxation area
- Steam room
- Spa facilities
- Hair styling
- Hair colouring
- Hair cut
- Pedicure
- Manicure
- Hair treatments
- Make up services
- Facial treatments
- Beauty Services
- Sun umbrellas Additional charge
- Sun loungers or beach chairs
- Hot tub/Jacuzzi
- Massage Additional charge
- Spa and wellness centre Additional charge
- Fitness centre
- Sauna Additional charge
Activities:
- Bicycle rental Additional charge
- Live music/performance
- Tour or class about local culture
- Happy hour Additional charge
- Beach
- Tennis equipment Additional charge
- Evening entertainment Additional charge
- Water sport facilities on site Additional charge
- Entertainment staff
- Snorkelling Additional charge
- Cycling
- Canoeing Additional charge
- Golf course (within 3 km) Additional charge
- Tennis court
Living Area:
- Seating Area
- Desk
Food & Drink:
- Coffee house on site
- Fruits Additional charge
- Wine/champagne Additional charge
- Kid meals Additional charge
- Special diet menus (on request)
- Breakfast in the room
- Bar
- Restaurant
- Tea/Coffee maker
Accessibility:
- Lower bathroom sink
- Higher level toilet
- Toilet with grab rails
- Wheelchair accessible
- Upper floors accessible by elevator
Room Amenities:
- Socket near the bed
- Clothes rack
Languages spoken:
- English
- French
- Japanese
Cleaning services:
- Daily housekeeping
- Trouser press Additional charge
- Ironing service Additional charge
- Dry cleaning Additional charge
- Laundry Additional charge
Safety & security:
- Fire extinguishers
- CCTV outside property
- CCTV in common areas
- Smoke alarms
- Security alarm
- Key card access
- Key access
- 24-hour security
- Safety deposit box
Media & Technology:
- Flat-screen TV
- Satellite channels
- Radio
- Telephone
- TV
- Pay-per-view channels
Reception services:
- Private check-in/check-out
- Concierge service
- ATM/cash machine on site
- Luggage storage
- Tour desk
- Express check-in/check-out
- 24-hour front desk
Business facilities:
- Fax/photocopying
- Business centre
- Meeting/banquet facilities Additional charge
Great for your stay:
- 6 restaurants
- Parking
- Private bathroom
- Balcony
- Spa and wellness centre
- Pets allowed
- Bath
- View
- Free WiFi
- Air conditioning
Outdoor swimming pool Free!:
- Opening times
- Open all year
- All ages welcome
- Pool with view
- Heated pool
- Shallow end
- Pool/beach towels
- Pool bar
- Sun loungers or beach chairs
Entertainment and family services:
- Babysitting/child services Additional charge
Parking Public parking is possible on site (reservation is not needed) and costs U S$38 per day.:
- Valet parking
- Electric vehicle charging station
- Accessible parking
HOUSE RULES
Pets:
- Pets are allowed. Charges may be applicable.
Check-in:
- From 16:00 to 00:00
- Guests are required to show a photo identification and credit card upon check-in
Check-out:
- Until 11:00
Cancellation/prepayment:
- Cancellation and prepayment policies vary according to accommodation type. Please enter the dates of your stay and check the conditions of your required option.
HOTEL ADDRESS
1 North Kaniku Drive, Mauna Lani, Waikoloa, HI 96743, United States
Send Us a Message
Fill out the form below, and one of our concierge specialists will get back to you promptly.
