Mfarriott waikoloa Beach resort on the Big Island
 

Anyone stayed there and is it luxury or just okay - read something about their cabana rooms being better than ocean front but don't seen anything offered for them on their website - know anything about those....If you would stay in one great hotel on the big Island which would it be. Planning for next year anniversary....

I would not call the Marriott Waikoloa "the one great hotel on the Big Island". Mauna Kea Beach or Four Seasons would be more like it. I have always loved the beach at Mauna Kea. It is gorgeous.

Note that the beach in front of the Marriott has been cut in half by the tsunami. The King's Pond between the beach and hotel) wall was breached (ocean water flooded in and pretty much tanked it), and there are caution poles and yellow tape up in the center section. Some palm trees evidently died and are ready to be taken down, too. So, the beach on the north side is still there, with chairs, the center beach is inaccessible (the sand berm that was there was destroyed), and if you want the south part of the beach, you have to walk a little farther around the grounds to get to it.
Haven't seen mention of the plans to rebuild the pond or the beach (but the current going in and out of the breached pond is very strong).

WOW thanks for all the info. Interesting what website pictures show and what is reality..I am still leaning toward the Fairmont Orchid and waiting for some good deals.

Hapuna Prince, Mauna Kea sister property, is another you might consider

Hapuna Prince. Got some negative reports on Trip Advisor - "very 50's style, needs to be updated" and that was from May of this year. Anyone tell me different from recent trip? Good prices but $299 room at Hapuna vs $495.00 + room at Orchid tells me there must be some difference that isn't coming thru on their website pix. Anyone know of damage at the Fairmont or Mauna Kea.....

I've seen sales for Hapuna as low as in the low $100s range; in this economy, seems like you could do much better than $299 (make an offer...)! Beach is fabulous there, far better than the F. Orchid.
Tsunami damage was pretty much farther north (the FS and Kona resort next door). Mauna Kea (fab beach also) seems to be business as usual (as of 2 days ago; sigh).

oops, I meant the damage was farther south, not north.

I stayed at the Marriott a few years ago, and it was great. It wasn't on the level of a Ritz or Four Seasons, but it wasn't trying to be like that and was priced accordingly. To me, it seemed like a better place to stay than the Sheraton and even the Hilton.

We just returned from the Fairmont Orchid and absolutely loved it!!! The staff were extremely nice and friendly, the facilities top notch, and the food was very good. Room service delivered breakfast w/i 30 minutes of ordering! If you book a room, be sure to get a room at least on the 2nd floor or above. The 3rd floor had a concrete railing on the balcony that looked like it would obstruct the views; we had a north tower room which overlooked the golf course and had a good ocean view. Massages available oceanside; can rent cabanas on the beach - and they come with a picnic basket full of snacks. Would return in a heartbeat!!

Aren't the massages on the beach awesome. My DH and I did that 2 years ago - what a treat. We were there as the sun was setting - magnificent. I do love the Fairmont Orchid but want to try something different next year so we opted for the Mauna Kea hope I like it as much as the F.O.....