The 540-room Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii perches on rocky stretch of coast in its own corner of the Mauna Lani development. The drive in takes you right by its complex of 10 hard courts—one of them a sunken stadium—conveniently situated just a few steps out the hotel's front door. Tim DiDonato, who's management company runs the Mauna Lani Racquet Club and the Hilton Waikoloa Resort, took over the Fairmont Orchid operation late in 2005 and installed Hector Mendoza to run its programs. Though Mendoza had been working at a private club in the Pacific Northwest, he's a familiar name on Big Island, having worked at the now-defunct Mauna Lani Tennis Garden in its heyday and at the Kona Surf in town.

For the moment, he's changed little. "We still run the 90 minute clinics daily, as well as hit with pro sessions, a skills court, and out first bounce program," he told me, "and, of course, we arrange matches.". He continues to schedule the periodic K-Swiss Academy and plans to add a kids' clinic. As his program evolves, I'll post more information here.

The hotel itself stands out for the number and convenience of its amenities and diversions. Almost everything you could want in a Hawaii vacation is steps from your spacious room, including not only that tennis complex but also a blissful "Spa Without Walls," whose treatments take place in outdoor thatched huts called hales set in their own private tropical garden. The two lodging wings of the hotel frame a vast free-form pool, which stretches almost to the coast. Families love the small lagoon, protected from the waves by a lava-rock frame, while beach lovers head to the crescent of sand immediately to the south, where there is a watersports center staffed by a crew of beachboys who, among other things, give surfing lessons.

Otherwise the hotel is known for its a Keiki Aloha children's program (ages 5-12), four restaurants (one a sushi bar), a gourmet deli, four bars and lounges and even a field of ancient Hawaiian petroglyphs left on the ancient lava flows. Guests also have access to Mauna Lani's two Francis I'i Jones golf courses.

Your Call

Here's what others have had to say about Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii.

• "The Fairmont Orchid Hotel, located on the Big Island, "Hawaii" is truly a sanctuary for tennis and all round enjoyment. The island is known for it's diversity but driving into the Fairmont Orchid at Mauna Lani and looking eastward this past December to the snow capped Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa mountains was breathtaking. And minutes later my wife and I are enjoying a 9:00 AM clinic overlooking the ocean in a comfortable 81 degree temperature.
  The tennis facilities are absolutely gorgeous and the instruction provide by Hector Mendoza was second to none. Hector provides a great teaching style that is accomodating to all levels, very upbeat and informative. They truly embrace the "Aloha Spirit" throughout all their tennis programs as well as the beautiful "Orchid" hotel."—R.G., Adv. Int., January 2008

Golf Courses. The resort has the 36-hole Francis I'i Brown Golf Course, a spectacular course carved out of a black-lava flow and extending from the coast inland.

See Also

Apart from looking at the other resorts along the Kohala Coast (see the Southwest Map), you may also want to consider the following resorts, all of which have beach, golf, tennis, and a spa:

• Boca Raton Resort & Club, Florida
• The Breakers, Florida
• The Cloister, Georgia
• Four Seasons Resort Nevis, Nevis
• JW Marriott Ihilani Resort, Oahu, Hawaii
• The Lodge at Pebble Beach, California

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Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii
1 North Kaniku Dr
Kohala Coast, HI 96743
808-885-2000
Toll-free: 800-845-9905
Fax: 808-885-8886
Web Link: The Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii

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Book Online: The Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii

 

Travel Instructions. From Kona International Airport, turn left at the stoplight at the airport exit onto Queen Ka`ahumanu Highway 19 and drive north for 19½ miles. Turn left (toward the ocean) at the entrance to Mauna Lani and follow Mauna Lani Drive for about a mile to a roundabout (or traffic circle). Enter the circle and take the first right, which is North Kaniku Drive. Proceed for another mile until you see the entrance to The Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii at the end of the drive.

General Tourist Information. Visit the Big Island Visitors Bureau web site or contact them at 250 Keawe St., Hilo, HI 96743. Phone: 808-961-5797. Or for information about Hawaii as a whole, visit the Hawaii Visitors Bureau web site or contact them at 2270 Kalakaua Ave. #801, Honolulu, HI 96815. Phone: 808-923-1811 or Fax: 808-924-0290.

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