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The Hawaiian island Oahu will not be all Honolulu, and Waikiki is much from the one — and even greatest — seaside on the island.
Now, that’s no shade supposed towards Waikiki, because the vacation spot is wealthy in historical past and has a lot to supply. However you’re lacking out on a variety of what makes Oahu particular if that’s the one slice of it you expertise.
On this journey to Hawaii, my household determined that we needed one thing totally different from the Oahu we’d skilled earlier than, so for a part of our trip, we headed north, sure for Oahu’s North Shore and the realm’s nicest lodging — Turtle Bay Resort.
Right here’s what we discovered hiding in plain sight on the island’s North Shore.
Associated: These are the very best resorts on Oahu
What’s Turtle Bay Resort?
Turtle Bay Resort is the one true massive resort on Oahu’s North Shore, and it’s an establishment unto itself because it has been there for over 50 years — since 1972, to be actual.
It sits on a large 1,400 beachfront acres and has 408 rooms unfold out over three wings. And, because the identify suggests, you might very nicely encounter inexperienced sea turtles there, amongst different wildlife.
You may additionally acknowledge the resort, or at the least a few of its surrounding terrain, because it’s been used over 150 occasions as a filming location for motion pictures and exhibits — “Forgetting Sarah Marshall,” “Pirates of the Caribbean,” “Starvation Video games,” “Alvin and the Chipmunks,” “Misplaced,” “Jumanji” and “The Superb Race,” to call just a few.
This resort leans into its surf tradition historical past, each by means of its decor and its modern-day choices, together with the on-site Jamie O’Brien Surf Expertise.
Standout options of Turtle Bay Resort
- The peaceable North Shore location is off the crushed path and gives loads of house to unfold out, calm down and revel in watching the sundown and the waves.
- There are various on-site actions, together with horseback using, surf classes, kayaking excursions, night time snorkeling, ukulele classes, a spa, golf and pickleball.
- The rooms have been renovated in 2021 with an all-new look that also feels fairly contemporary.
- You’re near some enjoyable, small shore cities reminiscent of Haleiwa, and you may as well go to see surfers catching huge waves on the close by Ehukai Seaside Park.
- You’ve acquired a very good shot at seeing some magnificent sea turtles on the seaside of the resort.
How you can guide Turtle Bay Resort
Turtle Bay Resort is expensive, however the excellent news is that it’s a part of the American Categorical Wonderful Inns + Resorts program, which makes that an awesome pathway to guide if in case you have The Platinum Card® from American Categorical.
Reserving by way of the FHR program unlocks late checkout, potential upgrades, a day by day breakfast credit score of $110 and a $150 property credit score to make use of as soon as throughout your keep. And belief me — you want these credit, in order that’s a extremely sensible strategy to guide.
Count on to spend about $700 per night time (earlier than taxes and the $58.99-per-day resort price) for normal rooms which are a bit over 400 sq. ft. Peak dates can go greater.
For budgeting functions, know that parking is an extra $40 per day, and valet parking and self-parking are the identical worth. Due to the resort’s location, you virtually actually wish to lease a automobile to get right here when you plan to do any exploring in any respect, which you completely ought to.
The place is Turtle Bay Resort?
As talked about, Turtle Bay Resort is on the seaside of Oahu’s North Shore, a few one-hour drive (longer if there’s visitors) from Daniel Ok. Inouye Worldwide Airport (HNL).
The vibe at Turtle Bay Resort
Turtle Bay had an attention-grabbing vibe as there was a big contingent of adults that seemed to be there for a multiday convention, but additionally loads of households like us that have been there on spring break. There are a number of outlets and a spa on-site — but additionally choices for households.
For instance, youngsters have been welcomed proper from the beginning with a go to to the treasure chest of toys subsequent to the check-in desk.
Due to the big and comparatively out of doors nature of the resort, it could possibly comfortably cater to each adults and households on the identical time.
The one group that I don’t suppose could be greatest suited right here is rowdy nightlife seekers, as this can be a sleepier, extra mellow a part of the island. And whereas I may see some teams probably creating their very own get together on the adults-only pool or foyer bar, this isn’t actually the sort of place that you simply go for thrilling nightlife.
Beautiful rooms with a view
Let’s now head as much as a room with a view — which I feel all of the rooms at Turtle Bay have resulting from its distinctive footprint out on this level.
Our room with two queen beds was completely very best for my two youngsters and me, with very comfy bedding, stable soundproofing and a balcony overlooking the water.
The air-con was top-notch at retaining the room cool, which I by no means take as a right on an island.
Housekeeping was included day by day, the room had a minifridge and there was a set of desk and chairs, which is clearly tremendous helpful for straightforward meals within the room and even doing a little bit work.
The toilet had a pleasant entryway with a closet, self-importance, bench and loads of house for baggage or to prepare. Then, there was a separate lavatory space with the bathroom and bathe.
Included and add-on actions
Whereas Turtle Bay does have a resort price of near $60 per day, it contains plenty of experiences. Within the foyer, you’ll discover a record of day by day actions reminiscent of lei-making, hula classes, bike excursions, farm excursions, and so on.
The trick to that is that lots of the actions have restricted capability and do replenish, so you have to to plan upfront if you wish to reap the benefits of all that’s provided. Additionally, know that a few of the experiences listed do have an extra price, so don’t simply assume all the things on the board is free.
The one exercise we booked and paid for on our brief journey was a horse path experience, open to these age 7 and up. There are a variety of horse rides obtainable, starting from pony rides for the littlest riders to pricier non-public sundown rides.
Horse rides
We took a midmorning group path experience, booked simply the day earlier than, that lasted about 45 minutes and value $115 per individual (earlier than tip), and we discovered that to be cash nicely spent.
We walked alongside the shoreline and thru the forest a bit on well-trained horses that solely often would try to go for some inexperienced, leafy snacks. Fortunately, the guides have been useful, sort and instructive when one thing like that will occur.
Bike rides
Bikes have been complimentary and an effective way to get round, although technically solely obtainable for 45-minute leases. Golf carts are additionally obtainable as a strategy to traverse the huge property, however sadly, they’re solely obtainable to make use of when going to or from a booked exercise, which was a little bit of a bummer.
Nalu Spa
The Nalu Spa at Turtle Bay was an enormous spotlight for me. It was not overly fancy and had a calming open-air ready space the place you could possibly take heed to the ocean.
I used to be capable of guide a same-day 30-minute therapeutic massage. What made me really feel good pulling the set off is that whereas it was costly, the worth wasn’t inflated for being shorter than the usual therapeutic massage. On prime of that, it was a full remedy that got here with entry to all the identical facilities because the longer, pricier remedies.
I adored my half-hour within the open-air remedy room with a masseuse who was nice at checking in on strain and actually made the a lot of the brief time we had by specializing in precisely what I requested for. It was $120, but it surely felt like cash nicely spent.
Health lessons and fitness center
Turtle Bay has a big fitness center and a separate health studio. The health lessons vary from high-intensity interval coaching to yoga. Some lessons include an additional price, however some are included for resort visitors.
Nature middle
On the resort, you’ll discover a actually informative nature middle with instructional shows concerning the space. It’s a small however uncommon (in a great way) providing and completely value a go to.
Retailers
There are a few half-dozen (principally higher-end) outlets at Turtle Bay — my favourite was the Surf Home, which had surf-style clothes and decor.
Golf and disc golf
Whether or not you wish to play conventional golf or disc golf, Turtle Bay has you coated. The resort has not one however two 18-hole golf programs — the Arnold Palmer Course claims to be the No. 1 course on Oahu.
But when disc golf is extra your type, we noticed an expansive course close to the stables.
Laundry
Final however not least, on the subject of facilities, households will seemingly actually respect the on-site laundry that visitors can entry (there are easy-to-operate coin machines within the room) to get all the things clear. We have been grateful to have the ability to use them earlier than heading to the following cease on our journey.
Swimming pools and on-site seaside
If you happen to haven’t seen by now from a few of the pictures, we didn’t hit the climate lottery whereas on Oahu’s North Shore. Our two-night keep in March was chilly, grey and typically wet. Whereas any such climate can occur wherever, my expertise is that it does occur extra on the northern shore than in another elements of the island, particularly within the winter months, so I’d contemplate it the next threat right here.
This meant that our time on the swimming pools and on the seaside wasn’t as intensive as it will have been if we’d had higher climate.
Turtle Bay swimming pools
Though we didn’t use them very a lot, Turtle Bay has three on-site swimming pools which are layered in a manner that makes every really feel distinct from the others: the primary pool, the children pool with a waterslide and the adults-only pool.
The one pool that was ever busy throughout our keep was the adults-only pool, which was crammed within the afternoon and early night with conferencegoers.
My 8-year-old slide tester gave the waterslide a thumbs-up, even when it was a little bit chilly.
On a much less optimistic word, whereas the new tub within the adults-only pool space regarded pretty, the one on the primary pool stage regarded like there was a bit extra movie and/or scum in it and wasn’t very inviting to me.
However again on a optimistic word, there was included reef-safe sunscreen obtainable to be used, which helps tremendously with packing.
Turtle Bay seashores
The Turtle Bay Resort is positioned on the seaside, the place you’ll discover complimentary seaside chairs, umbrellas and toys.
Nonetheless, the Kuilima Cove seaside that’s instantly subsequent to the lodge will not be the one seaside. In truth, the Turtle Bay web site lists seven seashores that you may stroll to from the resort.
Kawela Bay is a little bit over a mile from the lodge, however simple to entry by bike, and was my favourite of the bunch as a relaxed bay that wasn’t very busy throughout my visits. That is additionally the place they maintain a variety of the surf classes.
Numerous eating decisions
Hoolana
Hoolana, the bistro simply off the foyer the place you may get your espresso, muffins, flatbreads and extra, opens day by day at 5:30 a.m., which is nice for these jet-lagged mornings the primary few days in Hawaii.
We actually loved the pineapple coconut muffin — simply funds accordingly, as breakfast for myself and two youngsters was at the least $40 right here, even after we have been ordering very conservatively.
Sundown
A straightforward spot to eat outside — and benefit from the sundown — is the aptly named Sundown restaurant.
Sundown had pleasant service, however the meals was simply OK. It did the trick for that first night time, however regardless of costing about $135 for 2 youngsters and me, nothing was memorable.
Seaside Home by Roy Yamaguchi
After that first meal at Sundown, I used to be nervous that the meals at Turtle Bay wouldn’t be a spotlight of the journey. Fortunately, that first impression wasn’t consultant of the entire.
Our lunch the following day at Seaside Home by Roy Yamaguchi was wonderful.
Right here, even the youngsters’s meal ($19) was thoughtfully introduced in three programs, together with a cute salad and quesadilla starter.
I had the bento field with tempura shrimp, a poke bomb and an alae roll ($28), and it was completely incredible. This open-air restaurant is simply off the seaside and is an absolute star that all of us beloved. Make reservations upfront on OpenTable to make sure you get a spot right here.
Alaia
The fanciest restaurant at Turtle Bay is probably going Alaia, which is in the primary constructing. We tried each breakfast and dinner right here — and that is the place you’d use your Amex FHR breakfast credit score when you booked by way of that program.
Some standout objects we had have been the focaccia bread with whipped butter that got here with dinner, and, surprisingly, the children meal that was served in one other three-course type with a crudite starter, a foremost of our selecting (we went with hen) and ice cream for dessert. The youngsters meal was $29, so once more, funds accordingly, however all the things was fairly flavorful. I used to be craving veggies, so I had the beet salad ($21), which was additionally contemporary and flavorful, but it surely wouldn’t go far when you have been actually hungry.
Whereas our go to wasn’t lengthy sufficient to attempt all of it, at Turtle Bay, you’ll additionally discover the Off The Lip bar, Lei Lei’s Bar & Grill and The Seaside Membership. On Wednesdays, there’s a Paniolo Luau close to the stables that begins at $195 for adults and $120 for youths 4-12 (3 and below are free).
Environment friendly service
Service was at all times sort and useful at Turtle Bay, however not constantly proactive. For instance, when you requested about an exercise and the workers member mentioned it was full, they wouldn’t proactively recommend different ones or verify for the following day. It was extra of a transactional question-and-answer-style interplay, however nonetheless, everybody was at all times sort and useful.
It’s value mentioning that there’s a nice valet system the place you may scan a QR code in your ticket once you’re prepared to your automobile, which instantly texts to your automobile to be introduced round.
Causes the lodge might not be the one for you
We actually loved our time at Turtle Bay, although it didn’t develop into a pool-and-beach kind of journey, however no resort is for everybody, so listed below are some causes it won’t be for you.
- It was very windy and a bit chilly throughout our March go to, which might occur in the course of the winter months on the North Shore, so when you simply desire a heat and sunny time in Hawaii and are touring within the winter months, this might not be the fitting spot for you … although, in fact, nobody can actually predict the climate.
- Turtle Bay is in a comparatively remoted spot in comparison with another elements of the island, so whereas there are some meals vans and smaller seaside cities on that aspect of the island, if you wish to be “near all the things,” this might not be the fitting spot to remain.
- This might be true for many locations in Hawaii, but it surely’s costly. Not solely are the room charges going to be fairly excessive, however meals and exercise prices will add up — together with the parking and resort charges.
- This would possibly differ from season to season, however there was a convention vibe, so whereas there are households at Turtle Bay, it’s not as family-centric as, say, Disney’s Aulani on the identical island.
- It’s very massive and unfold out, which can be an awesome factor for some vacationers, however if you’d like or want all the points of the resort at your fingertips, this might not be your best option.
Accessibility
Turtle Bay has a very detailed web site of choices on the subject of accessibility.
Highlights embody 16 totally different accessible rooms, together with one ocean bungalow, with door ramps to the balcony, seize bars within the lavatory, and decrease towel bars and gown hooks.
The resort additionally has switch methods for the swimming pools and scorching tubs, accessible entrances to all the eating places and bars, and extra.
Testing
I’m an enormous fan of Hawaii’s totally different north shores, and this one was no exception. It may be simple for first-timers to imagine that Waikiki is the place to be on Oahu, however I’d say after getting skilled it, it’s time to discover extra of the island, and heading north is an effective way to do this.
Whereas Oahu’s North Shore is actually changing into extra commercialized and tourist-driven, it nonetheless feels rather more genuine to Hawaii than another elements which are lined with resort after resort.
Turtle Bay is a strategy to have a style of the very best of each worlds — the facilities and comforts of a big resort only a brief drive away from small cities and true surf tradition.
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