gcashin

I'd stayed at the property recently, and had stayed last year as well prior to the Accor transition. Used Suite upgrade to a Garden View suite, and the room was very well appointed, spacious, and the bed was fantastic. Overall the staff were still quite friendly, and a number of familiar faces from last year's visit that continued to provide great service. But overall, the hotel has taken a downward turn. A few of the negatives:

• No Platinum welcome amenity provided, even though it's still listed as a standard Accor Platinum benefit. When I'd asked the front desk why I hadn't received a Platinum welcome amenity, they said the welcome drinks had replaced the Platinum amenity, even though they're specifically listed as separate benefits. When questioned further, they said the Platinum amenity is hotel specific and the hotel doesn't provide them any more (although sounds like some others continue to receive them).
• Welcome drinks said they're good for beer, wine, or cocktail, but staff said they're not eligible for cocktails (not even a Mai Tai, which is pretty much the standard drink there)
• Getting a late checkout (e.g. 4 PM) was like pulling teeth. Asked at check-in, and said they'd see what they could do and get back to me. Asked again next day, and they said ask on day of check-out. Asked on morning of check-out, and they wanted $150 or half the room rate for a late checkout that would typically be offered as a Platinum benefit. Eventually was able to get a 4 PM checkout, but it was a major hassle.
• Happy hour options in Luana Lounge have gone downhill, and aren't really much of a happy hour any more

Overall the property is great and many of the staff are still the same friendly Fairmont staff, but it's definitely become less customer friendly under Accor. Unfortunate to see.

ac/elite

socaltam

what ended up happening? did you get the 7 night stay?
we were given 7 nights from our 5 night certificate at Fairmont Wash DC but it was slow season for them when we stayed.

ordogg

Considering the Orchid for a February stay though a Costco package ($2600 for 6 nights including RT airfare from HNL and car, and resort fees included). Breakfast not included.

Called the hotel. Only 2 restaurants open - the steak house and pool bar. No breakfast buffet, only ala carte.

Gym open, but must make a reservation.

nmenaker

Is the SPA open? they have all those great outdoor spa treatment rooms (for massage mostly) where I could image it being outdoors, wearing masks, etc..

Arthurrs

Seems like the SPA is open, but obviously with reduced capacity and extra precautions:
https://www.fairmontorchid.com/all-safe/

I could use a massage in an oceanfront cabana about now!!

zs58

Any recent stays here? Believe they have been operating with just the North tower/wing open; planning to open the gold lounge this coming week but wondering if there are any more recent updates...

ordogg

we were here 6-13 feb. only north tower only, very empty but picked up at end of stay. Everyone was very nice and very vigilant about wearing masks. Delightful stay.

fishy21

Had a very disappointing 3 night stay at the Fairmont Orchid last week. I had high hopes since the property looked very nice. Aside from the man-made beach, everything else was disappointing. Staff was nice, but not genuine. It's like the hotel management has cut corners everywhere, and it shows. From staff shortages, outlet closures, to lack of amenities, people just didn't seem happy working at this hotel. Gorgeous property, just too bad it's not taken care of. At almost $1,000/night after taxes & resort fees, I expect a lot more.

When I wrote an email to voice my concerns, all I got was a canned answer. "Sorry to hear about your disappointment about your recent stay. We hope that you will give us another chance in the future". Not even a name for me to contact if I wanted to return to the Fairmont Orchid. No thanks....

nmenaker

Wow, $1000 a night what did you book?

Jasper2009

Demand for accommodation in Hawaii is crazy at the moment, so you're looking at $600-$800++/night for an entry-level room.

If the OP was lucky, $1000 incl. taxes may've gotten him an Oceanview room, but nothing extravagant.

fishy21

Yup... this. After taxes, resort fees, it was close to $1,000/night for an Oceanview room.

Demand is high, and hotels are running at nearly full occupancy. So it's justified to increase prices... but service has been cut, so yes, very disappointed.

Arthurrs

Unfortunate that services have been cut. How busy was the hotel? Were both the south and north buildings full?

beachfan

I have a four night stay coming up booked through Costco travel. $1900 all in (including resort fee) for the room and transfers to/from the airport (which I won’t use since I have a car, part of a longer stay).

Sorry to hear about it going downhill, I was wowed by the Kea Lani a few years ago.

As I’ll be already there for 9 days, I was thinking I’d be spending most of the time at the resort. Since they are selling gift cards with a 20% bonus this afternoon, I wonder what a daily cost for lunch and dinner would be (excluding alcohol), including a couple of dinners at their high end restaurant. (We aren’t breakfast people, coffee and a yogurt with fruit is plenty).

seems like dinner would run about $250 for two at Browns (app and entree and sparkling water), lunch maybe $50? Sound about right?
Thanks in advance.

Jasper2009

Most of the menus are published on the Fairmont website.

$250 for dinner incl. tax/tip excl. alcohol should be more than sufficient.

$50 for lunch for two is rather ambitious unless you order the absolutely cheapest option. $60-$80 incl. tax/tip would be more realistic.

As a cheaper alternative, Brown's Deli would be a good choice (offering sandwiches, salads, pastries etc.)