Fairmont Orchid
The Harmony of Luxury and Heritage
The first to greet me at the Fairmont Orchid was the scenery. Through the open-air lobby—minimalist in design, yet expansive in spirit—I caught sight of a row of swaying palms, their edges lit by the late afternoon sun, against a backdrop of the calmest blue sea.
As the gentle weight of a fresh lei settled on my shoulders, a quiet realization bloomed in my mind: I truly am in Hawai’i. What I knew to be everyone’s favorite screensaver was suddenly real, tangible, and alive.
At that moment, I knew that the Fairmont Orchid was the right place to experience the real Hawai’i.
A SPACE TO FLOW WITH, FROM THE FIRST STEP
Set across 32 oceanfront acres on the Kohala Coast of Hawai’i Island, the Fairmont Orchid strikes a perfect balance between elegance and cultural reverence. The property boasts amazing features such as its 10,000 square foot oceanfront pool, golf and tennis courts, and indoor and outdoor event venues
Its recently refreshed rooms and common spaces showcase earth tones and textures, from sand-to-soil color palettes to natural wood furniture.
This thoughtful restraint in design allows nature to take the spotlight, where garden or ocean views can be soaked in through private lanais or inside-outside interiors in common areas. Here, Hawai’i isn’t the backdrop—it’s the experience.
FAIRMONT GOLD: TRUE LUXURY IN PARADISE
Staying at the Fairmont Gold tower felt like entering a sanctuary—a home within a home, if you will. Fairmont Gold is a separate, exclusive wing of the resort. It offers a private check-in, personalized concierge services, an all-day snack bar, and access to an exclusive lounge
My room had the feel of a luxurious island residence. Incredible details such as the 500-thread count linens, the marble bathrooms, and a private lanai made my experience of the Big Island even more intimate.
The locally inspired canapés and cocktails served each sunset at the lounge’s ocean-view lanai, the complimentary chef-crafted breakfasts, and the concierge who checked in with me throughout my stay made it feel more like home than any island resort I’ve visited.
EXPERIENCING TRADITIONS
What spells true luxury at the Fairmont Orchid is its invitation to experience Hawaiian culture right within the property. I did a private hula lesson with their Director of Hawaiian Culture, Ka’iulani Blankenfeld, a kumu hula (hula master teacher). Not only did she guide me through the choreography, but she also deepened my understanding of its cultural roots.
“When parents and keiki (children) dance together, they’re not only learning a dance,” she said. “They’re connecting to generations of Hawaiian tradition and to each other in a meaningful, lasting way.”
She’s also particularly excited about introducing bamboo stamping to the resort guests. “Bamboo stamps were once carved and used to imprint intricate designs onto kapa (bark cloth), each symbol carrying its own mana, or spiritual energy. By sharing this practice with guests, we invite them to experience the beauty of Hawaiian design and storytelling through their own hands—it’s both a creative expression and a respectful nod to our ancestors’ artistry.”
Other cultural invitations include a walkthrough of the chef’s garden, kukui bracelet-making, and family-friendly storytelling sessions on the beach. These aren’t just resort activities; they are the community’s way of connecting with visitors and inviting them to honor the land as they do.
NATURE ADVENTURES
At the resort, and in Hawai’i in general, nature and culture are one and the same. In the mornings, guests get to join the Hui Holokai ambassadors with their outrigger canoes, greeting the sunrise with a conch shell call.
Throughout the day, you can snorkel in the private lagoon or check out the 80,000 bees that create rare Kiawe honey at their onsite hives. You can also go on a guided cultural walk around the property and cap off the day with the sunset torch-lighting ceremony.
THE SPA WITHOUT WALLS:
A FULL SENSORY EXPERIENCE
At the resort’s Spa Without Walls, you can enjoy a professional massage surrounded by the sights and sounds of streams, lapping waves, and lush tropical foliage. The spa offers treatments located in open-air thatched hales, where elements like birdsong or the island breeze become part of the healing experience.
The spa offers eight garden hales, six oceanfront cabanas, and three serene indoor rooms for skincare treatments. You can choose from traditional Hawaiian massages, aromatherapy, reflexology, facials, and more, all featuring antioxidant-rich botanicals like coconut oil or Hawaiian sea salt.
Standout treatments include the Fairmont Orchid Ali’i Royal Experience, a two-hour immersive session that features a scalp treatment, skin-polishing scrub, a lava rock massage, and a mud wrap. Another highlight on the menu was the Kahinu Clear Mind: a head and shoulder massage with a leg and foot mud wrap that’s extremely indulgent and grounding.
BROWN’S BEACH HOUSE:
A MEAL TO REMEMBER
Dinner at Brown’s Beach House truly made a mark on me. Something about the oceanfront setting—the evening waves hushing in the background as you enjoy live Hawaiian music—reminded me what it truly means to unwind.
The menu elevated the already rich island ambiance. Options such as the Coconut Red Curry Lobster Bisque or the Duroc Pork Chop prove the resort’s commitment to fresh, local flavors that enhance the beachside experience.
AN INVITATION TO THE ISLAND
At the Fairmont Orchid, luxury is never superficial. Luxury doesn’t end at the intricately designed rooms or the immersive spa treatments.
True luxury here is synonymous with access. From the private amenities at Fairmont Gold, to the culture-based activities led by respected community leaders, to food sourced from the freshest local ingredients, to spa treatments while the island lives and breathes around you, the Fairmont Orchid opens doors to the deepest, most authentic Hawaiian experience.
I can truly say that I didn’t just visit Hawai’i. I met Hawai’i, in all her beauty.
For more information Visit: fairmont.com/en/hotels/hawaii-big-island/fairmont-orchid.html
