Really can't decide Hapuna or Orchid
 

I am currently booked for 7 days at the Hapuna on Hawaii. But cannot help thinking<BR>we would be happier at the Orchid. The Hapuna is a better rate...but the Orchid looks better. Grounds and pool are very important to us. How bad is the beach at the<BR>Orchid ?? Should I switch.. or make it 5 days at the Hapuna and 2 days at the Orchid<BR>for a little luxury ?

Hello Jenna, if you do a text search you'll find this exact debate discussed several times. I've stayed at both and personally prefer the Orchid. To me the views are much better. There is man made ocean swimming at the one end of the resort also. Yes, the shore and beach are better at the Hapuna but everything else is nicer (sea turtles, food, etc.) at the Orchid. imo.

Personally, I prefer the Mauna Kea over both hotels. The Rockefellers, the original owners of the Mauna Kea, were there before any other resorts and they picked the best beach on the island: a perfect crescent shape. All that being said, I did spend plenty of time at the Hapuna and Orchid for meals. The Orchid just seems like a superior hotel. It is gorgeous. (In fact, it's where Kevin Costner stayed during the filming of Waterworld, and when he got into all that trouble because the tabloids reported some philandering. His wife left him shortly thereafter.) Even if you stick with the Hapuna, be sure to go to the restaurant at the Orchid. It is so romantic, and the food is EXCELLENT!

Jenn:<BR><BR> Haven't been to the Orchid but you should note that it is has been sold and is now run by Fairmont (the people who run the Kea Lani on Maui).<BR> If you're a beach lover, the Hapuna has one of the best beaches anywhere, and it is much larger than the one at the Mauna Kea.<BR> You mentioned that grounds and pools are important to you and that you were looking for a little luxury. In those departments, the Four Seasons is tops. The FS is spread out so that it is quiet even when full. There is a wonderful, heated, adults only pool (Beach Tree) where you can lounge in a cabanna (no extra charge) and have attendants bring you water, towels and refreshments the whole day. The buildings are very close to the ocean, so the soothing sound of the surf is always with you. The vast majority of rooms face the ocean. The free form Seashell pool is family oriented (right next to the toddler pool) and is set up so that you can swim right up to the jacuzzi. There is also a snorkeling pond which is stocked with colorful fish.

The Mauna Kea is for an older crowd. The Hapuna is nice, but a plain Jane hotel. The Orchid is the old Ritz Carlton and is very nice. Mauna Lani Bay Hotel is the best of the bunch in the area. However an upgrade from that is the Four Seasons, which is much closer to the airport.

Aloha Jenn,<BR><BR>Both are good choices for different reasons. You may want to consider the following-<BR><BR>Hapuna - <BR>*next to one of the best rated beaches in the entire US<BR>*has a very Zen minialist feel to the public areas<BR>*there really is not much around the resort and it stands by itself<BR><BR>Orchid -<BR>*may have once been a Ritz property many years ago but has been a Sheraton for some time<BR>*beach is just OK<BR>*location is closer to other hotels and restaurants-not so out of the way<BR>*Fairmount have only upgraded towels and linen at this point<BR><BR>I would agree with the other posters who recommended the Mauna Kea, the Mauna Lani <BR>or the top of the line 4 Seasons.<BR><BR>Have a great vacation!!