Here's what others have had to say about Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii and Vic Braden Tennis College, The Fairmont Orchid.
"Jon Griesser was great with our three kids ages 10, 7 and 5.
Jon's enthusiasm is infectious and his teaching methods made it very easy for even young kids to understand. We took a week of lessons from Jon and the kids had a blast and learned a lot. Thanks Jon for a great experience."—J.M., Adv., March 2010
"Excellent instruction in a relaxed atmosphere!"—A.L., Low Int., January 2010
"Exceptional setting with magnificent facilities. Great experience with Head Pro, Steve, and Instructor, Colleen. Both teens and adults thoroughly enjoyed the lessons. Teens were videotaped using Dartfish system which was very beneficial in breaking down and analyzing strokes."—L.G., Adv., January 2010
"My son who is a High School Competitive Tennis player worked with Jon at this top notch resort and it was an amazing experience. He is so knowledgeable and within minutes of starting there work so clearly what he could and would do to help with his game. Look up Jon at the Fairmont Orchid, he is the real deal!"—M.F., Adv., January 2010
"Strengths of the 3 day camp were using Dartfish software to analyze stoke problems then using the Pro's expertise to coach "break through" solutions."—C.W., Int., December 2009
"Excellent instruction with outstanding professional pro's in one of the most beautiful tennis settings in the world."—G.C., Int., November 2009
"The tennis facility is one of the best I've ever seen. The instructors were professional and friendly. The courts were impeccable and set in a tropical paradise."—M.A., Int., October 2009
"The pros are extremely friendly and are excellent with kids."—L.B., Adv. Int., October 2009
"Beautiful resort with first rate staff, try to accommadate your every need. The Vic Braden staff is truly building something on The Big Island. The teaching pro Jon Griesser is excellent."—C.H., Adv. Int., October 2009
"A very nice for tennis. Courts all new with plenty of equipment. Took 2 hours lessons and Jon, the teacher, was the best teacher I've ever had (and I have had plenty). Make sure you ask for him, he is not only cool and fun but he will change the way you play tennis! The teachers I used to have were good players, jon is also a good teacher and that change everything!"—R.N., Adv. Int., October 2009
"The grounds and courts are exquisite and beautifully maintained. Coach John was absolutely fabulous with our two girls and has inspired in them a love for tennis. They wanted to do the class every day of our vacation!"—B.E., Low Int., July 2009
""—W.S., Int., July 2009
The 540-room Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii perches on rocky stretch of coast 
in its own corner of the Mauna Lani development. The drive in takes you right by its complex of 10 hard courts—one of them a sunken stadium—conveniently situated just a few steps out the hotel's front door. The tennis operation got a shot of adrenaline in the spring of 2009 when Vic Braden acolyte Steve Campbell (he'd been head pro at Coto de Caza back in the day) assumed the tennis directorship position and David Bryner arrived to run a branch of the Vic Braden Tennis College. For the first time in years, management is paying attention to tennis again.
The week-to-week program is understandably still a work in progress, but the Braden methodology is already in place along with Dartfish digital video analysis and twice weekly Cardio tennis. "We've gone outside the realm of doing a stroke of the week and doing a game plan of the week instead," Campbell told me. "So we might do something like »How to win from the net» instead, something that is more specific than a single stroke." That approach readily allows incorporating segments of the Vic Braden Tennis College. As at Green Valley in St. George, Utah, where Bryner trained, the Big Island college offers a choice among a 3½-hour morning session, a 2-hour afternoon session or both. They are also looking at adding yoga classes to the package, says Bryner. Vic Braden himself arrives in mid June to inaugurate college by personally conducting a week of sessions. Otherwise, they're encouraging groups to with a series of tailor-made packages based on four themes: Social, Competitive, Instructional, or a combination.
The hotel itself stands out for the number and convenience of its amenities and diversions. Almost everything you could want in a Hawaii vacation is steps from your spacious room, including not only that tennis complex but also a blissful "Spa Without Walls," whose treatments take place in outdoor thatched huts called hales set in their own private tropical garden. The two lodging wings of the hotel frame a vast free-form pool, which stretches almost to the coast. Families love the small lagoon, protected from the waves by a lava-rock frame, while beach lovers head to the crescent of sand immediately to the south, where there is a watersports center staffed by a crew of beachboys who, among other things, give surfing lessons.
Otherwise the hotel is known for its a Keiki Aloha children's program (ages 5-12), four restaurants (one a sushi bar), a gourmet deli, four bars and lounges and even a field of ancient Hawaiian petroglyphs left on the ancient lava flows. Guests also have access to Mauna Lani's two Francis I'i Jones golf courses.
Golf Courses. The resort has the 36-hole Francis I'i Brown Golf Course, a spectacular course carved out of a black-lava flow and extending from the coast inland.
Apart from looking at the other resorts along the Kohala Coast (see the Southwest Map), you may also want to consider the following resorts, all of which have beach, golf, tennis, and a spa:
Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii
Rates are the same year-round, except over the year-end holidays. Prices vary according view and are subject to tax. Ask about their discounts for USTA members.
Vic Braden Tennis College, The Fairmont Orchid
The rates quoted below are for the College sessions only and include neither taxes nor accommodations.
3-day college: Mon.-Wed. or Fri.-Sun. 2009
All Day: $610. Morning: $415. Afternoon: $355
Seasons. Year-round.
Travel Instructions. From Kona International Airport, turn left at the stoplight at the airport exit onto Queen Ka`ahumanu Highway 19 and drive north for 19½ miles. Turn left (toward the ocean) at the entrance to Mauna Lani and follow Mauna Lani Drive for about a mile to a roundabout (or traffic circle). Enter the circle and take the first right, which is North Kaniku Drive. Proceed for another mile until you see the entrance to The Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii at the end of the drive.
General Tourist Information. Visit the Big Island Visitors Bureau web site or contact them at 250 Keawe St., Hilo, HI 96743. Phone: 808-961-5797. Or for information about Hawaii as a whole, visit the Hawaii Visitors Bureau web site or contact them at 2270 Kalakaua Ave. #801, Honolulu, HI 96815. Phone: 808-923-1811 or Fax: 808-924-0290.