Big Island: Fairmont Orchid vs Mauna Lani
 

Mrs CO FF has a "0" birthday this winter, so we're going to the Big Island. After a little lava time (we hope!), we'll head to the Kohala coast. My options as of now are:

FAIRMONT ORCHID: Deluxe Ocean View room, w/bkfst, $800/night all-in.
MAUNA LANI: Deluxe Ocean FRONT room, w/bkfst, $650/night all-in.

We'd stayed at both properties about 10 years ago, and they're both quite nice (not Four Seasons, but...), but I've read very mixed reviews on other sites about the Mauna Lani after its refurbishment last year.

Does anyone here have any recent experience with either property?

TIA...

Just curious...you're in the price range for a golf ocean villa at Four Seasons - why not consider that option? You can PM me for further details

All-in, the no breakfast rate at Four Seasons is $1150. That's for golf-course view -- compared to ocean front at the other properties.

I know that the Four Seasons is better - but I'm not sure it's $1,000-$1,500 better to have a lesser view.

What are your dates? I can check quickly to compare plus all of my rates include breakfast for two at no additional cost

Please note that when booking these hotels through a Virtuoso agent, you receive complimentary full breakfast for two daily, an upgrade on arrival, if available, plus a value-added amenity.

When booking the Four Seasons through a Preferred Partner agent, you receive complimentary breakfast for two daily, an upgrade on availability, free basic wifi and a $100 food and beverage credit.

I stayed at the Fairmont Orchid with my wife a couple years ago (August 2013) and loved it.

Just got back from a stay at the Fairmont Orchid last month, which was our second or third time staying at the property, and loved it. The Mauna Lani is right next door (the properties are easily walkable from one another via the beach path) and felt very dated and sleepy to me, although I didn't see any of the rooms.

I think both properties are rated 4-star on hotels.com, etc. (with the Four Seasons being a "5") but from initial impressions, I'd put the public areas of the Mauna Lani at more like a 3 or 3.5...

Second that sentiment as well. Fairmonts have a rap for being a bit on the older side as well, but this felt very up-to-date, and the dining options with the views are excellent.

Big Island: Fairmont Orchid vs Mauna Lani
 

The Mauna Lani has a much more "Hawaiian"
feel than the Fairmont which could be a beach resort anywhere in the world. For this reason I prefer the ML. In that price range, however, I'd be staying oceanfront at the Mauna Kea. Much better beach and great hotel.

I would agree with that. IMHO, at $600-800 per night (and assuming that the 4S Hualalai is noticeably more, which it usually is) IMHO, the Mauna Kea is definitely the choice on the Kohala coast - particularly for the superior beach.

I stay at the 4 Season on business frequently and while nice it is NOT worth the price. It is actually getting a little run down for the money. The gym and locker room area need to be redone. The restaurants are often crowded and difficult to get reservations at. Golfing is VERY expensive, I think it is now north of $250. A lot of weird rules with owners, renters, hotel guests, and property guest having different status levels of priorities on pool seating, reservations, and golf times/costs (kind of like the airlines). Having said all that it is still one of the nicest places to stay on the island.

While I agree the gym and its equipment have seen better days, the locker room is perfectly fine and follows the traditional Hawaiian design concept throughout the resort. I am there frequently as well, and I think it's worth every penny when you consider the combination of room quality, bedding, amenities and service.

There aren't many weird rules - owners of Hualalai residences have priority at all Hualalai facilities outside the FS resort, specifically certain golf courses including one course off limits to non owners/members, and the Residents Beach House restaurant which is sort of a hybrid facility which can prioritize tables for owners/members (there is another restaurant which is off-limits to hotel guests and even unaccompanied guests of the residential properties).

At Hualalai, you're either a property owner, and as such can be a club member or non-member (further distinguishing your rights to certain amenities), or a guest (all renters are considered guests) with no rights or access unless accompanied by an owner or member, or you're a hotel guest who is restricted to the resort proper. I don't really see anything wrong with this arrangement as the hotel exists as a standalone operation inside of a residential resort which is normal for much of Hawaii and also governs hotels inside Waikoloa and Mauna Lani.