Kevin_Mar

Fairmont Orchid v. Mauna Kea

Honeymoon. Beach & resturant selection important. Which is less crowded? (going in December).

Any thoughts?

thanks

fdecarlo

With regard to beaches and lack of crowds the Mauna Kea wins hands down. Its own beach is much larger than the Orchid's, and Hapuna (which is even larger) is a 5-minute shuttle/10-minute walk away.

The MK also has an amazing ability to make it seem like you're the only ones there, even when the hotel is at or near capacity. The layout of the common grounds is much more spread out than the Orchid.

Not that the Orchid is a zoo, but it has one large common area, between its two buildings, and every time we've stayed there this area has been crowded.

For restaurants the choice is tougher to make. The MK has a better breakfast buffet (especially Sunday brunch), but the Orchid has Brown's Beach House which sits right on the sand.

You didn't ask about room quality, but in case that's also important, the two hotels are very different in approach. The Orchid has newer rooms that are (at least in my opinion) better furnished than the MK's. Its bathrooms especially are larger, with dual sinks (the MK's standard rooms have one, unless you're renting a suite). The MK goes for more of an authentic Hawaiian feel, while the Orchid's rooms are more formal in tone. The Orchid also has larger TV's if that matters.

Jenn

Have not stayed the MK -but did have a lovely week at the Orchid 2 summers ago. We thought it was a wonderful hotel with many relaxing common areas to just sit, relax and enjoy a drink and the view. Also - Browns rest. is so good and the location just cannot be beat. You are just off the shore and have the BEST view of the sunset from your table each night. Next door to the Orchid is the Mauna Lani hotel which has the Canoe House restaurant. That too has very good food and a wonderful view. Not sure how you feel about the pool area- but the Orchid has a lovely free form pool that we loved. Rooms were nice -we did not think they were "formal"-just very nice. Best part of the whole trip was my massage right by the ocean. IT'S TERRIFIC!

matnikstym

Mauna Kea for sure for honeymoon!

Kevin_Mar

Thanks, fdecarlo.

Which would u pick for a 5 night stay? . . . considering first time to BI.

fdecarlo

Personally I'd choose the MK, especially for a honeymoon.

Jenn: Between the Ritz-Carlton green on the walls, white wood trim, dark wood furnishings etc the Orchid's rooms do strike me as formal, or at least more formal/traditional American compared to the MK. If you close the shutters and take the artwork off the walls in an Orchid room, there's really no way of knowing whether you're in Kohala or Kansas City. The MK's rooms are different, they're furnished with rattan, native woods etc, it's more of a Hawaiian look and feel.

newyorkergal

The Orchid used to be a Ritz Carlton back in the late 90s and then Fairmount bought it. I went the Dec after the transfer. It was lovely EXCEPT that there were a lot of families there on upgrade certificates (avg 5-6 people staying in a suite or connecting rooms, i.e. parents, kids, gramma and the nanny). We stayed at the club level and the evening cocktail hour was filled with kids swarming around the food.

If it was still a Ritz this would not have happened.

I'd go again and stay at Mauna Lani. You can walk there from the Orchid via the beach. We ate at the Canoe House there almost every night. THE FOOD IS TO DIE FOR!!! DH still talks about that place.

The one thing that the Orchid has going for it is that DH loves to snorkel and the off shore snorkeling was fantastic. Water was cool so bring a wetsuit.

Jenn

fdecarlo - Let's just say that I AM allowed to have my own opinion - even if it does not agree with yours. And I AM allowed to share it with others on the forum. Right? Perhaps my standards and expectations differ from yours. We enjoyed the Orchid very much and did not find its decor a negative in any way.

calitexan

Thanks for that very appropriate response, Jenn.
IMHO represents my feeling about the point of this forum: "in my humble opinion." That's why we're all here, isn't it?--to share and learn and discuss, without "attitude" or judging.
Kevin, have a great honeymoon...whichever you choose. IF you're looking for a more economical way to do MK, they may have great rates via Priceline. See "biddingfortravel" or "betterbidding" web sites.

iamq

I would do MK because of the beach.

I've read this thread and the only "attitude" I detected was Jenn's defensive comeback to fdecarlo's expansion on his previous remarks.

fdecarlo has been posting here and helping people long enough to know what the purpose of this forum is.

-Bill

fdecarlo

Jenn: In my first response I said I thought the Orchid's rooms were *better furnished* than the MK's. I don't consider formal or traditional to be negative words. The two properties have different approaches to room furnishings, that's all. I've run into many people who prefer the Orchid for this very reason, and consider the MK dated by comparison.

dina4

We have friends that return to the Mauna Kea every year, and friends that return to the Orchid every year. Both are really nice hotels.
We stayed at the Orchid in 2002, and absolutely loved it. We were there in July. The water was warm, and the snorkelling was like swimming in an aquarium. We saw sea turtles every day. But the best part was that it was NOT crowded. We must have been lucky, but it was mid-July and we had the beach almost to ourselves. It was divine. I don't think I could bare to stay anywhere else on the big island.
BTW, don't miss going to Volcano National Park. IF the lava is running... it's a once in a lifetime experience. Drive down Chain of Craters Road, where tennis shoes, and hike out along the ocean. The new black land crunces under your feet. It's like being another planet. Gorgeous...