Where to stay in Waikoloa: Fairmont Orchid

The Fairmont Orchid combines the refinement of the Accor Fairmont resort collection with a deep sense of place, honoring the land, ocean, food and activities that make Hawaiʻi Island such a great place to visit. It’s one of my favorite places to stay on this island. Our family has celebrated Father’s Day here, my husband and I have enjoyed a romantic overnight getaway here and I’ve stopped by the resort to dine with friends. I’ve also enjoyed ditching everyone for some solo time at the spa.

Upon arrival at the Fairmont Orchid, we already know we have a luxurious stay ahead, thanks to beautiful views of the Pacific and hotel grounds that stretch out from the opulent lobby. It sets the tone for a stay that is both indulgent and deeply connected to the natural environment at every turn. We love exploring the property, which spans more than 32 acres and includes direct ocean access and lush landscaping highlighted by tropical plants, water features and thoughtful touches throughout.

Recently refreshed rooms and suites are subtle yet sophisticated, with understated earthy tones that leave space for the vibrant blues and greens outside to shine. The effect embraces the surrounding environment and instills a sense of calm that only an oceanside vacation can provide. While in the room, we ditch our regular pajamas so we can lounge in soft robes and slippers and spend time relaxing on the lanaʻi, an outdoor patio. My favorite feature is the spacious marble bathrooms, where I can stretch out and actually enjoy my skincare routine. Thoughtful room service offerings help ease the guilt when my husband and I leave the kids behind to enjoy a romantic sunset dinner on our own.

Most room options include at least partial ocean views, while garden rooms overlook a manmade waterfall. Oceanfront rooms allow guests to walk almost straight out to the beach. The property is laid out simply and is easy to navigate, making it well suited for families and guests with mobility needs.

Amenities include a 10,000-square-foot pool open 24 hours a day, easy-access tennis courts, golf within the Mauna Lani Resort, a 1,700-square-foot fitness center and wedding facilities. It’s everything you’d expect from one of the most awarded hotels on Hawaiʻi Island.

Rooms start from $581 per night

• Valet parking for $60 a day

• Self-parking for $40 a day

• A rental car is highly recommended if you plan to explore the island, but guests who plan to stay mostly on property will find shops, provisions and cultural sites within the Mauna Lani Resort complex.

• A 24-hour shuttle operates throughout the resort

• The concierge can assist with airport transportation

Brown’s Beach House, the hotel’s AAA Four Diamond Signature restaurant, is a destination in its own right. It appears on many travelers’ must-eat lists, and for good reason. The menu showcases local ingredients and flavors, thoughtfully crafted to highlight both land- and ocean-based offerings. For the best views at this oceanside retreat, arrive about 30 minutes before sunset to enjoy live music and a stunning evening backdrop. I’ve never had a meal I didn’t love at Brown’s, but the purple ube rolls served at the start are downright dangerous. They’re so good it’s hard not to fill up on them.

Breakfast at Orchid Court is another highlight, featuring a buffet of American and Japanese dishes, an Insta-worthy donut board that’s always my kids’ favorite and an omelet station my husband is reluctant to leave. For more family-friendly dining, Binchotan Bar & Grill offers alfresco meals centered on robatayaki grilling, along with sushi, bento boxes for kids and a standout Japanese dessert menu.

Additional dining options include Hale Kai for daytime outdoor dining, Brown’s Deli for coffee and grab-and-go fare, Luana Lounge for sushi and cocktails and Kahakai Bar for oceanfront appetizers and drinks. The Hawaiʻiloa Lūʻau takes place every Saturday. In-room dining and private dining options are available daily.

Hawaiian culture is central to the Fairmont Orchid experience. Led by Director of Hawaiian Culture Kaʻiulani Blankenfeld, the resort hosts a wide range of cultural activities and programming. Offerings include hula lessons, lei making, ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi language classes, cultural walks, art tours and more.

I’ve learned a great deal through these programs, which I always make time for during my stays. Some of my first hula lessons came from Blankenfeld, and the class we took as a family on Father’s Day weekend remains the only time all four of us have practiced hula together. On my most recent visit, I joined a lei-making class where Blankenfeld explained how creating and wearing lei can be an act of self-care. Spending time with her is always a highlight. Her compassion, warmth and deep knowledge of Hawaiian traditions make her a true kumu, or teacher, and ambassador of Hawaiian culture. Kids also love the nightly torch-lighting ceremony at sunset, when ambassadors move through the property lighting torches to signal the end of the day.

Guests should also explore nearby history. Within walking distance is Puakō Petroglyph Park, one of the largest and most accessible lava fields on Hawaiʻi Island. The park contains nearly 3,000 petroglyphs depicting ancient Hawaiian life. Visit early in the day to avoid the heat.

The jewel of the Fairmont Orchid is Pauoa Bay, a lagoon with a white-sand beach protected from waves by natural rock formations. The calm water is ideal for paddleboarding and relaxing, while coral reefs just beyond the lagoon offer excellent snorkeling. My 8-year-old especially enjoys using his underwater camera here, thanks to the bay’s gentle conditions.

Instructional signage explains how to navigate the bay’s mix of sand, rock and coral. Lounge chairs line the lagoon, with Kahakai Bar and the Beach Shack just behind them. This is where guests rent snorkel gear, paddleboards and other equipment, and where Hui Holokai beach ambassadors gather guests for ocean programs including shoreline fishing, surfing, snorkeling and canoe experiences.

The ocean is not just a playground here, it’s an ecosystem the resort actively works to protect. Fairmont Orchid was the first hotel in Hawaiʻi to collaborate with the ʻĀkoʻakoa Coral Reef Foundation to restore coral reefs along the West Hawaiʻi Island coast. In 2024, the foundation collected dislodged coral and nurtured it in a nursery. In summer 2025, 28 corals from four species were returned to the reef just offshore from the resort.

Spa-goers will find new reasons to visit in 2026, as Fairmont Orchid introduces enhanced wellness programming and upgrades at the Spa Without Walls. Eight outdoor waterfall hale, or huts, were recently refreshed and are set amid tropical gardens and a manmade waterfall that provides a soothing soundtrack. Six oceanfront cabanas and three indoor treatment rooms complete the facilities. New offerings will expand the spa’s menu of Hawaiian-influenced bodywork, facials, nail services and massages. Having enjoyed a facial here in the past, I’m eager to experience what’s next.

The Fairmont Orchid is a joyful yet serene place to celebrate. Festivities begin in the fall with Makahiki Season and continue into the new year. Makahiki honors Lono, the Hawaiian god of agriculture, with rest, games, cultural activities and celebration. It’s a season of renewal and connection with loved ones.

The resort marks the occasion with a signature event that has evolved over the years. In 2025, Makahiki was celebrated with a specially curated 12-course meal highlighting Polynesian flavors.