Bruce F.
Yelp
Our stay at the Faimont did not meet our modest expectations of a luxury resort on Hawaii. As a baseline, I set my expectation based on my last stay in 2018 when we paid $400 per night.
Ravaged by the pandemic, the labor pool on Hawaii became accomstomed to not working for over a year, seeing no tourists on the island, being locked down longer than reasonable, and earning more from stimulus pay and unemployment benefits at the state and local level than they earn working in a difficult and demanding hospitality industry.
Returning to work and being greeted by demanding tourists was a rude awakening. As a result, many hospitality and foodservice workers are rude (everywhere) and the service at the Fairmont is no different. The service here is very inconsistent and the overall experience, diluted. If you have very high expectations for an elevated luxury experience, and can wait a year or two, I highly recommend not visiting the Fairmont Orchid at this time.
I feel sympathy for the service workers here and elsewhere in Hawai'i, so I just smiled and was very polite, even when everything wasn't just right or a hostess was rude. I feel privileged to live in a country where I can enjoy places like Hawai'i and the Fairmont Orchid.
My grandparents, born in an east Europe former Soviet republic used to tell me, "Children are starving in Russia" whenever I didn't finish my vegetables. It wasn't until I grew up that I appreciated I am lucky to live in a country where, although many are indeed hungry, nearly everyone has the opportunity to work, food is plentiful, and we should be grateful for what he have (and not waste it). Children are still starving in Russia and thanks to Russia, they're starving in the Ukraine, and wherever Ukrainians are fleeing, too. So I want to keep this all in perspective. Moving on.
The Orchid is truly showing its age and is badly in need of updating. I observed the same thing during our last visit in 2018. The Orchid is wilting. It was built 32 years ago in 1990 and looks it. It appears never to have received a face lift. My house, by comparison, has been fully updated twice in that period. The Orchid lacks any "wow factor" whatsoever, except perhaps the natural beauty of the site on which it sits--and that's something, for sure. Very pretty grounds, neatly maintained, beautiful waters and lush tropical vegetation.
The hosts in two locations stood out as being awarded most rude: the host at the beachside/poolside Hale Kai (casual dining spot with bar) and Orchid Court (brunch venue) stand out as in desperate need of another long vacation. I was rudely sniped at by the host at Hale Kai, who showed us to our table and was wiping it down (a good thing) when I asked if I could sit while she was wiping the table (I have a bad back and need to sit). Her response, a sarcastic, "Do you mind if I finish wiping it first"? She wasn't asking me a question. That was her way of saying go away, the table's not ready for you yet.
While there are clearly some bright spots noted during our stay,
I have buyers remorse for spending $5,000 to stay 3 nights in a building designed for last century's aesthetic, with bad technology, depression-era supply of brunch fare at the Orchid Court (Fairmont's brunch venue), and mean staffers. I've written a separate review of the Orchid Court, but attached some photos below for added effect. The attached photos taken between 9:30 and 10:00 am Saturday at the Orchid Court are a metaphor for the state of the Orchid presently. Anyone seen the "Oliver" scene when Oliver asks for more mush? "Please sir, I want some more."
I wish I would have donated that $5,000 spent for 3 nights at the Fairmont instead of spending it here -- to distribute food and clothing to the Ukrainian refugees. When I get home, I'm going to try to forget my horrendously poor value received at Fairmont Orchid and focus on how I can help more people with less than me. I think that will be more personally gratifying than yet another trip to this tired property. Aloha, Fairmont Orchid until the property is updated and the staffers are in a better mood and treating guests with aloha more consistency.