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. Hawaiian-born Rudy Embernate directs the tennis program. A teacher for 15 years and certified by the USPTA, he’s currently offering daily drills for adults and kids, private lessons, and a weekly round robin and working to put together a list of players available for game matching.
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 and lined with white sand. There is also 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.
A complex of 10 hard courts—one of them a sunken stadium—conveniently situated just a few steps out the hotel’s front door
Hawaiian-born Rudy Embernate directs the tennis program. A teacher for 15 years and certified by the USPTA, he’s currently offering daily drills for adults and kids, private lessons, and a weekly round robin and working to put together a list of players available for game matching.
Additionally, Island Slice Hawaii Tennis Camp offers an exclusive tennis camp for adult tennis players who seek to improve their tennis game and obtain better results. This exciting Hawaiian island tennis camp focuses on tennis strategy and the mental game of tennis.
Off Court
Fairmont Orchid hotel & Island Slice Hawaii Tennis Camp also offer:
- A fantastic week of tennis training and play
- Excellent tennis coaching from accomplished local pros and a fun, action-packed training camp that includes low coach-to-player ratios and over 20 hours of instruction
- An Aloha! kickoff tennis mixer and dinner/reception for all players and coaches
-Your free time on 'adventure Wednesday': the whole day to relax and EXPLORE Hawaii
- A friendly competition and mini-tournament with local players, followed by a farewell awards party.
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.
Accommodations
Getting there
Seasons: Year-round.
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.
I went to Island Slice Tennis three days while on the Big island. I attended two of the daily open tennis clinics, with Rudy and Jonny, as well as had a private lesson with Jonny. Overall the experience was fantastic. Both coaches have a keen eye for improvements and provided drills that helped improve some deficiencies in my tennis game.
The open clinics were a great source of exercise and drills as well as receiving some instruction and tips on my game. They were a ton of fun.
The private lesson with Jonny was incredibly helpful as he picked up on two fast fixes in my ground strokes and volleys that I could take with me and practice. The improvement was immediate and he was great to work with.
The courts and grounds were surrounded by beautiful Hawaiian vegetation. The team was super helpful. And they validated parking! Give yourself at least 5-10 minutes to park and check in. Parking is to the left of the entrance of the resort and the courts are off to the right. This was a super fun experience and I’ll definitely do it again when I’m on the Big Island.
LH
We spent a week taking clinics at Island Slice tennis. Rudy the manager has a wealth of experience and specializes in high performance tennis strategies. Every pro we worked with was extremely friendly and encouraging. The overall vibe is very welcoming. The setting and facilities are gorgeous! Rudy will match you up with other guests and locals to play with. We can’t wait to return for their week long camp next summer!
CL
AI
Slice of Island Tennis Camp 1 week was excellent. Well organized. Instructors were great. Friendly, fun, we learned strategies, drills, games. Good food. I love the Mother and Son duo instructors. They were energetic and experienced. All staff were awesome though. Overall would love to comeback.
TP
The tennis professionals are some of the best I have met: they are passionate about the sport, the care about the players and they always deliver a great experience. They are so welcoming and supportive that you want to come back every day. The facilities is right off the ocean and STUNNING views.
JF
Great tennis resort. Rudy, the owner, gives personal service making sure the clients needs are known and addresses. Great adult and children’s private lessons. Thanks Rudy, we will be back next year.
TP
My experience at the Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii Tennis Facility was Top Notch. I highly recommend tennis with the pros (and the clinics) at Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii. The pros are fantastic teachers/coaches and the whole team there is attentive, professional and welcoming. I joined the clinics and it really helped to improve my game. I appreciate that the staff was so helpful to connect me with players of similar skills so that I could get a lot of playing in.
MH
Rudy runs this tennis pavillion with beautiful ocean views. Attentive and professional staff. Super friendly and welcoming. Well maintained courts. I have a condo nearby with lots of tennis choice but this is the best in the Kohala area of the Big Island
AS
Rudy is the head professional at the Fairmont Orchid Tennis Club and he is a joy to work with and an excellent coach. His other professionals are similarly talented and great to work with. Their facilities are to notch and court time is pleasantly easy to book. Don’t miss this Club if you’re staying on the Kona Coast anywhere near the Mauna Lani Resort and Orchid Hotel (dog friendly, by the way!).
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59 Reviews on “Fairmont Orchid Hawaii”
I went to Island Slice Tennis three days while on the Big island. I attended two of the daily open tennis clinics, with Rudy and Jonny, as well as had a private lesson with Jonny. Overall the experience was fantastic. Both coaches have a keen eye for improvements and provided drills that helped improve some deficiencies in my tennis game.
The open clinics were a great source of exercise and drills as well as receiving some instruction and tips on my game. They were a ton of fun.
The private lesson with Jonny was incredibly helpful as he picked up on two fast fixes in my ground strokes and volleys that I could take with me and practice. The improvement was immediate and he was great to work with.
The courts and grounds were surrounded by beautiful Hawaiian vegetation. The team was super helpful. And they validated parking! Give yourself at least 5-10 minutes to park and check in. Parking is to the left of the entrance of the resort and the courts are off to the right. This was a super fun experience and I’ll definitely do it again when I’m on the Big Island.
We spent a week taking clinics at Island Slice tennis. Rudy the manager has a wealth of experience and specializes in high performance tennis strategies. Every pro we worked with was extremely friendly and encouraging. The overall vibe is very welcoming. The setting and facilities are gorgeous! Rudy will match you up with other guests and locals to play with. We can’t wait to return for their week long camp next summer!
Slice of Island Tennis Camp 1 week was excellent. Well organized. Instructors were great. Friendly, fun, we learned strategies, drills, games. Good food. I love the Mother and Son duo instructors. They were energetic and experienced. All staff were awesome though. Overall would love to comeback.
The tennis professionals are some of the best I have met: they are passionate about the sport, the care about the players and they always deliver a great experience. They are so welcoming and supportive that you want to come back every day. The facilities is right off the ocean and STUNNING views.
Great tennis resort. Rudy, the owner, gives personal service making sure the clients needs are known and addresses. Great adult and children’s private lessons. Thanks Rudy, we will be back next year.
My experience at the Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii Tennis Facility was Top Notch. I highly recommend tennis with the pros (and the clinics) at Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii. The pros are fantastic teachers/coaches and the whole team there is attentive, professional and welcoming. I joined the clinics and it really helped to improve my game. I appreciate that the staff was so helpful to connect me with players of similar skills so that I could get a lot of playing in.
Rudy runs this tennis pavillion with beautiful ocean views. Attentive and professional staff. Super friendly and welcoming. Well maintained courts. I have a condo nearby with lots of tennis choice but this is the best in the Kohala area of the Big Island
Rudy is the head professional at the Fairmont Orchid Tennis Club and he is a joy to work with and an excellent coach. His other professionals are similarly talented and great to work with. Their facilities are to notch and court time is pleasantly easy to book. Don’t miss this Club if you’re staying on the Kona Coast anywhere near the Mauna Lani Resort and Orchid Hotel (dog friendly, by the way!).