Are you looking for where to stay in Kona with kids? Keep scrolling for my honest Fairmont Orchid in Kona review so you can decide if it’s one of the best hotels on the Big Island for families.
This Fairmont Orchid in Kona review was written by Hawaii travel expert Marcie Cheung and contains affiliate links which means if you purchase something from one of my affiliate links, I may earn a small commission that goes back into maintaining this blog.
Looking for the perfect Big Island hotel for your family?
I’m giving you my completely honest Fairmont Orchid review so you can decide if this Kohala Coast resort is right for your Hawaii vacation.
As a professional tourist who’s been to Hawaii over 40 times, I’ve stayed at a LOT of Big Island resorts.
The Fairmont Orchid has been on my must-try list for years. I’ve loved every Fairmont I’ve stayed at on the mainland, and I couldn’t wait to see if this one lived up to my high standards.
This year I finally got to check it out with my son and my mom. We spent a few nights here to really experience everything this resort has to offer.
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Where is the Fairmont Orchid?
The Fairmont Orchid sits on the northwest side of the Big Island in the Mauna Lani area, about 30 minutes from Kona Airport (when traffic is good).
You’ll definitely want to rent a car to get here and explore the island.
The address is 1 N Kaniku Dr, Waimea, HI 96743 if you’re plugging it into your GPS.
Because of where it’s located and everything it offers, I honestly think this is one of the best places to stay on the Big Island for families who want a true resort experience with all the amenities.
Getting to the Resort
There’s no complimentary airport shuttle, so you’ll need to arrange your own transportation. We rented a car which made everything so much easier.
The resort offers both valet parking ($60 plus tax per day) and self-parking ($40 plus tax per day).
Here’s a money-saving tip though: self-parking is actually included in the mandatory $48 daily resort fee, so you’re only paying the difference if you choose valet.
We did self-parking and honestly, the lot is super close to the entrance anyway.
Our Check-In Experience
When we pulled up, the bell services team greeted us with complimentary leis. I got a beautiful orchid lei and my son got a kukui nut lei. Such a nice welcome!
The front desk staff gave us our room keys and a property map. Once we got to our room, we found two reusable water bottles waiting for us (which you can refill at stations all over the property) plus a flyer with QR codes for resort activities and dining options.
Our Room at the Fairmont Orchid
About a week before our stay, I got an email asking if I wanted a stand-by upgrade to an oceanfront room for an extra $84 per night.
I was already spending a lot to stay here, so I figured why not go all out for the best view possible.
It was totally worth it.
The room itself was pretty standard but WAY more spacious than most Hawaii hotel rooms we’ve stayed in. There was plenty of storage for our suitcases and all the random stuff you accumulate on a trip.
Can we talk about the bathroom for a second? I’m super picky about hotel bathrooms, and this one impressed me.
There’s a long countertop with double sinks and all the toiletries you need. Plus a full bathtub (perfect if you’re traveling with little kids) and a separate shower stall.
The cabinet under the TV has a mini fridge, coffee maker, glasses, and even a hot water pot for making tea.
But my absolute favorite part? The lanai. Those lounge chairs became my spot for working on my laptop or reading a book when I needed a break from the sun. The view was incredible.
Check current rates and availability on Expedia.
Dining Options at the Fairmont Orchid
Hotel food can be hit or miss, right? But I was genuinely impressed with the variety and quality here. Yes, it’s pricey. But the food was really good.
Brown’s Deli
As a Seattle girl, I need my morning coffee fix. I don’t do drip coffee, so I’m always hunting for a good latte.
Brown’s Deli has specialty coffee drinks plus fresh malasadas, smoothies, and grab-and-go breakfast options.
We grabbed breakfast and lunch here several times. Their turkey sandwich was MASSIVE. I could only finish half.
This is also where you get shave ice. Now, I’m a bit of a shave ice snob after 40+ trips to Hawaii. The ice here is chunkier than the finely shaved ice you get at the best shave ice spots, but it was still refreshing and my son absolutely loved it.
Brown’s Beach House
This is the resort’s signature AAA Four Diamond restaurant. You need reservations, and it’s right on the beach with epic ocean views. Perfect for sunset dining.
We chose not to eat here during our visit because the winds were crazy that week and most of the seating is outdoors. But if you’re visiting during calmer weather, this is definitely the spot for a special dinner.
Hale Kai
We actually ate here twice because it was so good! It’s a casual beachfront grill right by the pool.
The first night we did drinks and appetizers by the pool. I’m still dreaming about that macadamia nut hummus. Seriously, it was AMAZING.
We went back for lunch on our last day and it was just as good. They have kids menus and even provide markers and coloring sheets to keep kids entertained.
Binchotan Bar & Grill
We had dinner here on our last night. Full confession: I needed the waitress to explain the menu to me.
Most things are ordered family-style. They have a bunch of skewers and small plates for sharing.
They also have an option where they bring a little grill to your table with an assortment of skewers (their Robatayaki Experience).
We just ordered some skewers and small plates and everything was delicious. The macadamia nut shrimp was the standout dish.
My son got the kids ramen for dinner. We thought about adding potstickers but the ramen was plenty.
Don’t skip dessert! Their Japanese cheesecake is incredible.
Luana Lounge
This is right off the lobby with fantastic views. They serve tropical drinks and fresh sushi, plus small bites. It’s more of a drinks and appetizers spot than a full meal, but the setting is beautiful.
Orchid Court
If you want a full breakfast buffet, this is where you go. They have hot and cold breakfast items, a made-to-order omelet station, and Hawaiian specialties.
Fair warning: the breakfast buffet is expensive. But it’s a nice option if you want a big breakfast to fuel up for a day of island adventures.
Kahakai Bar
This outdoor bar has some appetizers that are perfect for snacking while you hang out by the pool.
Kahakai Cruiser Food Truck
The resort added a taco truck that serves lunch by the beach. According to recent reviews, these might be some of the best tacos on the island!
In-Room Dining
We took advantage of room service on our first night because we were completely exhausted from traveling.
The menu is small but features dishes from the on-site restaurants. My son had mac and cheese, I had short ribs, and we got dessert. Perfect for a night when you just can’t face getting dressed for dinner.
The Pool Area
The pool area is absolutely beautiful. There are lounge chairs everywhere: around the pools, on the grass near the ocean, and at the lagoon.
Main Family Pool
We spent hours here every single day. The pool is huge and sort of wraps around, with tons of cushioned lounge chairs and plenty of umbrellas for shade.
We saw lots of kids playing games in the pool. One girl was even swimming with a mermaid tail!
Brown’s Deli is just steps away, making it super easy to grab shave ice for an after-swim treat.
Adult Pool (Palula Pool)
Since I had my son with me, we didn’t spend time in the adults-only pool. But I snapped a quick photo.
The lounge chairs have orange cushions so it’s easy to spot which area is for adults. It looked truly peaceful and quiet.
Lagoon
I couldn’t pull my son away from the main pool long enough to check out the lagoon, but I could see families enjoying it from our lanai.
The water looked really calm, perfect for little kids. We even saw people snorkeling.
Cabanas
There are a TON of cabana options. We saw poolside cabanas and smaller lounge-chair cabanas that would be great for families during busy times.
The beachfront cabanas overlooking the ocean really stood out to me. These would be perfect for reading a book or just enjoying the view in peace.
Activities for Families
I’ll be honest, I didn’t realize we could book activities online before our trip. By the time we arrived, I was in full relaxation mode and didn’t bother checking the schedule.
But when I looked at it while writing this review, I was kicking myself!
The resort offers complimentary Hawaiian canoe rides, seaside yoga, coconut frond weaving, hula lessons, and haku lei making. These all sound amazing and I’m definitely doing them next time.
Hawaii Loa Luau
One of the best parts of staying here? They have an on-site luau every Saturday night.
We splurged on VIP seats and this was hands-down the best Big Island luau we’ve ever been to. Read my full Hawaii Loa Luau review.
They greeted us with cocktails and fruit punch as soon as we walked in. There were several fun pre-show activities to keep everyone entertained.
The food was outstanding. They had a HUGE spread: fresh poke, Asian dishes, American-style options, and even a kalua pig carving station.
The show was fantastic. The dancing and storytelling were incredible, and it ended with a mesmerizing fire knife dance. Book your luau tickets on Viator.
Spa Without Walls
I didn’t have time for a spa treatment on this trip (mom fail), but it’s definitely on my list for next time.
They have 8 outdoor huts nestled between waterfalls in the middle of the property. There are also 6 private oceanfront cabanas and 3 indoor treatment rooms.
They use local products featuring tropical aromas, Hawaiian sea salt, and lava rocks. How cool is that?
Golf at Mauna Lani
My husband didn’t come on this trip, but if he had, he definitely would have hit the golf course. The resort is next to the award-winning 36-hole championship Mauna Lani Golf Course.
It’s actually two separate 18-hole courses designed for golfers of all skill levels.
Things We Loved
The filtered water stations deserve a special shout-out. Most Hawaii resorts only have them in the lobby, but the Fairmont Orchid has them on every floor near the elevators AND at the pool area. Since they give you free reusable water bottles at check-in, it’s super easy to stay hydrated all day.
The resort fee of $48 per room per night (plus tax) includes a lot:
- Wellness classes
- Shuttle service within Mauna Lani Resort
- Golf valet
- Those reusable water bottles
- Early morning coffee service
- Hawaiian cultural classes
- Resort activities
- Lei greeting
- One hour of snorkel equipment rental per day
- Pool amenities
- Washer and dryer use
- And even a 45-minute photo session with Pacific Dream Photography (photos available for purchase).
A Few Minor Disappointments
Nothing’s perfect, right? After visiting Hawaii 40+ times as a Hawaii travel expert, I’ve developed pretty high standards for shave ice.
The shave ice here is more like a snow cone with chunkier ice versus the super finely shaved ice you get at the best spots. But honestly, my son still loved it and it was refreshing on a hot day.
I was also a little surprised the pool didn’t have a water slide or something for kids. Not a deal-breaker, but it would have been fun.
What Families Should Know
Your kids will fall in love with this place. Fair warning: they might never want to stay anywhere else!
The resort offers different room types and suites for families of all sizes, including connecting rooms and suites with kitchenettes. We found our double queen room to be super spacious.
Every restaurant has kids meals, which is really helpful. And kids can get virgin pina coladas and lava flows.
Beyond the resort, there are tons of family-friendly activities nearby. You can go ziplining in Kohala, swim with dolphins, or explore Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
For professional family photos during your stay, I highly recommend booking Flytographer. You’ll save $20 when you use my link, and you’ll get gorgeous vacation photos without having to ask strangers to take pictures of your family.
Need help planning your perfect Big Island itinerary? Check out my comprehensive Big Island travel guide or listen to my podcast episode How to Plan a Trip to the Big Island.
Would We Recommend the Fairmont Orchid?
This is now one of our favorite Big Island resorts. The views, the pools, the dining options, the activities… everything was impressive.
If you’re looking for a luxury resort on the Big Island that genuinely caters to families, the Fairmont Orchid is perfect. Check current Fairmont Orchid rates on Expedia and start planning your dream Big Island vacation.
Want more help planning your trip? I offer one-on-one Hawaii travel consultations where I can create a customized itinerary just for your family.
Or sign up for my free 5-day email course to learn how to travel to Hawaii like a professional tourist.
The Fairmont Orchid isn’t cheap, but in my opinion as someone who’s stayed at dozens of Hawaii hotels, it’s absolutely worth it for families who want a full resort experience without having to leave the property for entertainment and dining.
Looking for more places to stay on the Big Island with kids? Check out our review of the Courtyard by Marriott King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel, Royal Kona Resort, and Hilton Waikoloa Village.
