One and Done

[trip style = luxury]

Most travel publications, including this one, encourage you to see the world, highlighting must-dos and must-stays around the globe. But, sometimes you need a break, even from the musts.

Last month when I was on The Island of Hawaii with the rest of the Trip Styler crew, we purposefully ended our trip on a relaxed note. I call it the "one and done" holiday, which is code for: We never left the hotel. 

For this one-and-done stay we chose a resort we know well: The Fairmont Orchid, which has a special place in my heart given it's where our son learned to walk, in addition to a perfect set of beach-luxe amenities. Cue an orchid- and succulent-adorned lobby; space to roam; gradual-approach beach; protected swimming lagoon; curvy pool; tropical gardens, expansive grass fields; gorgeous spa with outdoor huts; an excellent Gold Floor lounge serving breakfast, tea and hors d'oeuvres, and staff who remembered us from past visits; "kids eat free" inclusion; and value for dollar when compared to other high-end beachfront accoms {I booked two adjoining rooms}.

Truth be told, staying put felt really, really good given our normal go-go-go pace. In our break from the "musts" we let the sun—and only the sun—dictate our "schedule."

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Video: Fairmont Orchid

[photos taken by @TripStyler] 

Video: Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii Island

[trip style = sun + spa + beach + luxury + food + wine]

After my second stay in three years at the AAA Four Diamond Fairmont Orchid, I wanted to show off the unique hotel in a short video {below}. Set over 32 acres of oceanfront along Hawaii Island's famed Kohala Coast, the 540-room resort combines the spaciousness of 24 football fields {approx}, with the seclusion of a boutique escape due to its wide-angle footprint and thoughtfully designed enclaves. 

Complete with all the accoutrements of a high-end property—think: meandering pool, lagoon-style beach, multiple restaurants, spa, tennis, golf, kids club, etc...—the escape has everything you need for a complete stay; so much so, when I visited with the Trip Styler crew {Mr. + Baby Styler} in late 2015 for five nights, we didn't leave the hotel once. We didn't need to. Note: Because we explored the island from its heights to its depths in past visits, this time we opted for c-o-m-p-l-e-t-e relaxation.

Video

Details
Who --> For families, honeymooners and couples who value well-groomed oceanfront stay complete with stunning sunsets, nightly. 
Where --> 45 mins from the Kona International Airport along the Kohala Coast.
Cost --> from $251 nightly + daily resort charge of $30.00 per room per night, which includes self-parking, basic internet access and more...

Trip Styler Tips for a Sweet Stay
* For an easy-breezy stay, consider staying on the Fairmont Gold floor with complimentary lounge access. While this option is a touch more pricey than the regular rooms, it's nice to have a dedicated concierge, breakfast, non-alcoholic bevs, teatime, and nightly appetizers always at the ready—a perk we really relished with Baby Styler in tow! 

* Book a treatment at the hotel's Spa Without Walls. Few spas in the world can open their doors and let nature in. Totally in. This spa is an exception. Here, 14 hales (huts) are perched at the ocean’s edge or atop waterfalls for a tropical take on rejuvenation. While just lying in my hale listening to water flow and birds chirp is almost a treatment unto itself, the Ali’i Experience adds a dose of regal to your relaxation. Designed with royalty (Ali’i) in mind, the 110-minute journey from your hut to Hawaiian heaven calms with a lomilomi massage, cleanses with a locally-sourced herb scrub, and culminates with warm coconut oil cascading down your scalp in an experience so pampered, it’s as though you’re being readied for your coronation.

* Don't miss the Fairmont's happy hour in Luana Lounge from 5pm-6pm daily. Also, every Friday, sample a complimentary taste of the island during Social Hour from 4pm-5pm.

* If you want to use beach gear such as snorkels and stand-up paddleboards for your entire stay, consider an Activity Pass instead of paying per use. Also, there are complimentary cultural hikes, daily arts and crafts and activities available through the hotel's Beach Club program.

* Fairmont president club members {a prog that is free to join} receive $10 off of a beach or pool cabana

[photos via @tripstyler taken while I was a partial guest of the resort, which I sought out during my Big Island visit because I enjoyed it so much the first time I stayed]