Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii

1 N Kaniku Dr, Waimea, HI 96743, USA

In many ways, the Fairmont Orchid is the quintessential Hawaiian luxury resort. Its big, elegant lobby is blooming with purple orchids and birds of paradise, its enormous, 24-hour swimming pool wends its way around black rock islands, and its 32 lush acres include tropical gardens and a white-sand beach that frames an aquamarine cove. The 540 guest rooms and suites, located in two six-story towers, all have lanais; half have ocean (or partial water) views, the others overlook the spotless grounds. It’s the dream Vacationland, and as such, the mood is jolly round-the-clock. Cheerful staff oversee the long list of activities—canoe excursions, petroglyph hikes, stand-up paddle-boarding, and about a zillion other options are available both on property and off (some activities are complimentary, others cost extra)—and the crowd tends to be a fun-in-the-sun bunch. On any given day, there might be a Canadian family in a heated volleyball game on the beach, or a group of Silicon Valley execs soaking in the hot tub.

Carve out a day to spend at the award-winning Spa Without Walls, where the Hawaian-influenced treatments are performed in 17 treatments rooms, some with ocean views and private outdoor spaces. Them, fuel up on Japanese meats and sushi, fresh seafood, robatayaki (grilled) items, beachside classics, and more at the numerous dining outlets. Along with repeat guests, the hotel’s most frequent visitors are the giant sea turtles that regularly hang out at the Orchid’s beachfront. They’ve become such an integral part of the property that even guests at other hotels drop by for a peek.

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Hawaiian Perfection

Pure tropical trade winds dance through palm trees on the edge of the Pacific Ocean at the Fairmont Orchid’s Kahakai Bar Oceanfront. With an immaculate grass roof to shade visitors from the sun, the bar offers refreshment with the backdrop of the ocean tide gently touching the sand. As a hungry beachgoer, the pupu (appetizer) menu can easily hold anyone over until the next meal. But it’s when you’re holding a ice cold mai tai in hand, with the sand still in your flip flops, reflecting on the cerulian blue water, and listening to the trees whisper to each other, that you’ll feel like you are experiencing the Hawaii you came to see, taste, and feel.

Picture Perfect Stay at the Fairmont Orchid

For a truely stunning resort stay, the Fairmont will have you feeling like you are in the lap of luxury. This property is the perfect place to hide away for your entire stay. With onsite restaurants, a cultural show, and outrigger canoes, the Fairmont offers a number of entertaining activities. For those who want to get out and about on the Island, the town of Kailua-Kona is only a short drive from the resort and there is a helicopter port nearby for Island tours by air.

Beautiful Indoor and Outdoor Lounge

The Luana Lounge at the Fairmont Orchid Resort on the Kohala Coast of the Big Island luxuriates guests in comfortable seats inside or outside on the lanai (patio). Food and drinks are thoughtfully crafted to coincide with the indoor/outdoor lounge atmosphere. The Lounge offers a sunset view over the Pacific Ocean followed by the late night pau hana (happy hour) menu of pupus (appetizers) is half price and cocktails are 25 percent off between 8 to 10pm.

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