The Orchid on the Big Island looks wonderful
and I am ready to book... but I have just learned that it used to be a Ritz Carlton. We had drinks at the RC on Maui and did not like it as it didn't feel Hawaiian. It was
very nice - but could have been any RC in any
big city. How does the Orchid compare? I want a wonderful place -but it must feel like
Hawaii. Any help ???

That's the biggest complaint people have about the Orchid. It doesn't feel too Hawaiian.
I stayed there when it was still a Ritz and it had all the same decor and fabrics and colors as the RC Philadelphia!
Now my biggest complaint about it is that it caters to too many conventions.
Conventioneers can ruin a resort when they 'take over', and that's one way management fills rooms there.
Hit and miss, though.

I didn't stay at the Orchid but I did check it out while staying at the Mauna Lani (which was wonderful). The Orchid had way too much marble for my taste and didn't seem Hawaiian enough. I would highly recommend the ML. Check out the Mauna Lani Experience package on the hotel web site. It was a good deal!

Thanks for the help. Has it changed
at all since it is no longer a Ritz ??
I was hoping to find out if the lobby
and main areas were open and airy to the ocean or enclosed.

Thanks

you wouldn't be spending any time in the lobby or other public areas, which are away from the water.
when the place was built these were all closed areas anyway.