Fairmont Orchid

We recently stayed at the Vermont Orchid Hotel in Hawaii, a resort that carries a 5-star rating and certainly has many beautiful features. The grounds are lush and tropical, and the pools are clean, well-maintained, and perfect for both relaxing and swimming. However, from a European perspective, I would personally rate this hotel as more of a 4-star. The rooms are okay in size and the balconies are pleasant — ours overlooked a tennis court and a bit of forest — but the cleanliness of the rooms didn’t quite meet the high expectations I associate with a 5-star stay. Not bad, but not impressive either. There were also some inconveniences during our stay. We were in the north section of the hotel, where only one elevator was operational — the second one wasn’t working, which made things a bit uncomfortable. I also missed having power outlets on the balcony, which would’ve been useful. One thing to note is that the actual sandy beach area is quite small. It’s a bit limited compared to what you might expect at a large resort. That said, the hotel offers complimentary snorkeling gear, which was a great bonus. If you go snorkeling, you might be lucky enough to spot some sea turtles and colorful fish — a truly memorable experience. The breakfast was a highlight, with a nice variety and fresh ingredients. Staff were friendly and helpful overall. While the Vermont Orchid has many qualities of a luxury resort, it needs a bit more attention to detail and maintenance to truly live up to its 5-star promise. Still, it’s a lovely place to stay — just be aware of a few limitations.

This is definitely not a 5 star hotel. 4 at best. Having stayed at a lot of 5 stars this place lacks consistent 5 star customer service. I decided to spend more money for a partial ocean view. Don’t waste your money. Except for the end units that I believe are suites all the rooms look and feel pretty much the same. We rented two rooms. The floor we were on had a leaking water filter station. The floor reeked of mold. They had a fan directed on wet water on the floor. We stayed for 3 nights and every day the puddle around the water filter got bigger and bigger. They obviously never shut off the water to the water unit. They just put a sign on it saying something like “out of order”. I ever tried telling one of the staff that the water on the ground was growing but nothing changed. The rooms were fine but not outstanding. There was excellent customer service and not so great. We won’t be back.

There’s no denying that the Fairmont Orchid is set in one of the most stunning locations in Hawaii. The natural beauty of the coastline and grounds remains a huge draw and is a major reason I’ve been returning here for years. Unfortunately, while the surroundings are exceptional, the property itself is no longer keeping up and it shows. The rooms have undergone some renovation, but oddly enough, the bathrooms were left untouched. The explanation I was given was that the marble is "classic," but in reality, the bathrooms feel outdated and in desperate need of a full refresh. Likewise, the hallway carpets are musty and stale, signaling a clear need for new flooring and better upkeep. The spa is another weak point. It feels old, uninspired, and not up to the standard you'd expect from a luxury resort in this price range. Meanwhile, the dining experience is hit-or-miss. Brown’s Beach House is still solid and enjoyable, but the other venues particularly Binchotan and Luana Lounge served disappointing meals and lackluster service. The dining density and layout also need a rethink, especially during peak hours when the experience feels crowded and rushed. One of the most disappointing aspects of this trip was how poorly Accor members, especially long-time loyal guests are treated. While I watched new guests being given free perks as part of recruitment efforts into the Accor program, I wasn’t offered any of the benefits that I, as a long-term member, should have received. That left a bitter taste and made me question the value of continued loyalty. A final major concern is the pool and beach setup. The pool area is outdated and in desperate need of new loungers and umbrellas. The resort’s approach seems to prioritize squeezing extra dollars from guests rather than providing comfort and hospitality. They rely on guests paying extra for shade or cabanas a practice that feels like a blatant money grab. As for the beach, I was told they couldn’t place umbrellas in the sand due to it being a managed beach or having concrete beneath, but there are rolling umbrellas designed exactly for that purpose. It feels like an excuse, not a solution. Overall, the Fairmont Orchid has the potential to be a world-class resort again. The setting is truly magical. But it desperately needs renovation, better management of amenities, a focus on guest comfort over upselling, and a much better appreciation of loyal Accor members. Until then, it’s hard to justify the cost or return as enthusiastically as I once did. Bottom line is this is no longer a five-star hotel. It’s coasting on its location and charging luxury prices for a mid-range experience. I hope they invest in the updates and service improvements that are clearly needed but until then, I won’t be rushing back.