We have reservations at the Orchid in Sept. for business. Today received a letter from them about the construction. Now I AM worried! They say no building yet but digging. And a shuttle to the beach? It better be nice to pay that big a price for a mess! Can only hope for the best.

What kind of price is "that big a price" Barb...what did they quote you? <BR>

We have a conference rate of about $170 with a $12 daily fee for something. Looks like their regular rates are $400+ I imagine our conference rate will get us the noisy side described in earlier replies!

For the gentleman who is going to the Hapuna in Sept., I recommend a restaurant outside of the hotel which was recommended to us by one of the hotel employees! IT's called Cafe Pesto and it's 2 miles north of the hotel in a little town called Kawaihae; <BR>not real fancy or anything, but excellent food (and also not so pricy) <BR>We never dined at the hotel. It cost <BR>$11.00 for a hamburger which was served poolside, and $9.00 for a PIna Colada which had very little alcohol. But I'd still go back -- oh, yeah buffet breakfast was $49.00 for 2 not including tip! Isn't that special...

Yes, the food is pretty pricey at the Hapuna. However, you're at a beautiful hotel and only feet away from a fabulous beach. I had a $12 hamburger at Michael Jordan's in Chicago a few yrs ago and believe me it was no better than the one in Hawaii. If you want cheap eats, go to McDonalds. I hate to sound crass but live a little and enjoy yourselves. PS: I had a $13 hotdog in NY City but that's a whole other story.

All this talk about Hapuna got me nostalgic - I stayed at Hapuna about 30 years ago - when you could camp on the beach - no one but a bunch of Hawaiians playing ukes all night - breakfast by the hibachi and an early morning swim were the best - we went every year for Christmas when I was growing up - then one day - they said no more camping at Hapuna - and then one day much much later I came back and they had built a huge monstrous and not very attractive hotel right on this beautiful spot on earth. I can never forgive "them" for that - just wanted to give a different perspective on the Hapuna experience. <BR> <BR>My advice - stay at the Mauna Kea! <BR>