Fairmont Orchid hotel, Big Island, Hawaii

Fairmont Orchid, Big Island, Hawaii

The basics

Part of the Big Island experience is lava and drama; part is luxury and decadence. The Fairmont Orchid falls firmly in the second category. With its lush gardens, open courtyards, and white stucco buildings fronting a lagoon, it feels like fantasy Hawaii, particularly at sunset (you’re on the west coast, so twilight is spectacular).

Wedding details

A lot of the Orchid’s grounds look as though they were built with weddings in mind: Turtle Point, a grassy knoll overlooking the water with a gazebo and built-in stage; Coconut Grove, ringed by towering palm trees and tikis; the Plantation Estate, surrounded by velvety lawns. There are small, waterfall-backed spots and lanais for intimate ceremonies; you could also corral the gang at Brown’s Beach House, where you can time your cocktail hour to take in the beachboys lighting the torches. Regardless of location, the Orchid’s special events team is a well-oiled machine prepared to do anything from tempura, teppenyaki, and pan noodle station to a seven-course seated dinner.

Where it is

Near the northwest tip of the island, the Orchid is part of the Mauna Lani resort area, which is home to another hotel, condos, and a small mall. It’s a 45-minute drive from the Kona Airport.

Keep in mind

If you want to make your entrance via outrigger canoe, this is your spot. You’ll be paddled around the bend from Pauoa Bay to the beach near Coconut Grove, where the beachboys will help you out of the canoe while your groom wipes away a tear.

 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Money-saving Tips
Get the most out of your wedding budget with clever planning strategies; advice on where to spend and where to save; and places where your dollar stretches the farthest. Read More »
Fashion & Beauty
From bridal frocks that were born for the beach to the season’s most glamorous sandals to an airport-friendly makeup kit, these are our favorite destination wedding finds. Read More »