The Newly Reimagined Turtle Bay Resort on Oahu's North Shore Has Opened After Major Transformation

July 2021 – (Kahuku, HI) – Hawaii’s legendary Turtle Bay Resort has opened its doors following a major transformation that completely embraces the captivating beauty and natural splendor of Oahu’s North Shore. Set on 1,300 pristine oceanfront acres, Turtle Bay Resort immerses visitors in its stunning landscape, nestled alongside five miles of coastline with secluded sandy beaches, a working farm, and world-famous surf breaks.  Guests of the resort can enjoy a host of curated experiences that invigorate the body and soul. Whether lounging with a hand-crafted Mai Tai at one of three brand new pools, horseback riding on the beach, riding the waves with a local surf instructor, relaxing at the spa or enjoying the new locally-focused culinary concepts, guests will be enveloped in a sense of place, found nowhere else in the world. Images of the resort are available here.

Turtle Bay Resort’s reinvention was led by a team of hospitality visionaries, including  award-winning architect Rob Iopa, a Hilo native who has been very active in the conservation and planning efforts on the North Shore. Born and raised in Hawaii and founder of WCIT Architects in Honolulu, Iopa has deep ties in the local community and has been working closely with the resort for many years to preserve the authenticity and heart of this sacred area.  It was also his vision to open up the lobby so that it offered panoramic views and ample natural light. Working in tandem with Los Angeles-based interior designer Dianna Wong, they were guided by a deep respect and gratitude for the land, Hawaii’s natural beauty and the ever-embracing spirit of Aloha and adventure for which the island is best known. In the coming weeks, designers will put finishing touches on the resort, from lush landscaping to a full range of retail programming and new guest rooms still to come.

“Turtle Bay is such a special and revered place on O’ahu,” says Iopa.  “We are very excited to share our vision with new and returning guests and the local community. The team’s thoughtful approach to this reimagination has breathed new life into the resort and truly captures the essence of this spectacular and truly magical part of the island.”

The only full-service resort on the North Shore – the home of big wave surfing – every aspect of the resort has been reinvented. Taking its cues from nature, the new light-filled lobby has had walls replaced with windows to create awe-inspiring views of the seemingly endless stretches of beaches, surf and sky in all directions. To celebrate the local artistic community, the lobby features large-scale works of art by Hawaii-based artists including Nick Kuchar, known for his vintage travelogue-inspired designs, and Abigail Romanchak, who specializes in Native Hawaiian printmaking.

Beyond the lobby, infinity-style water features lead guests to a terraced pool deck with a new adults-only pool, redesigned family-friendly pool, and front-row views of the crashing waves and surfers just beyond. The adults-only pool serves as a tranquil respite perfect for sipping mai-tais or getting lost in a novel, while the main pool offers an expansive area for family-friendly frolicking. The pool deck also features luxurious new cabanas and Sunset, a new pool bar that serves hand-crafted tropical drinks to guests as they swim, lounge and enjoy the front-row view of a favorite local surf break.

Turtle Bay's vision is for guests to leave with memories centered around their culinary experiences that elicit storytelling and keep them coming back for years to come. The resort’s entire food and beverage program has been reconceived to celebrate the local culture and bountiful ingredients grown on the island. The lobby bar, Off The Lip, features a sunken footprint that provides unimpeded views of the breaking surf and brilliant Hawaiian sunsets. Just off the lobby, the resort’s main dining destination, Alaia, evokes relaxed luxury and incorporates the bounty of the North Shore’s sustainable agriculture throughout the menu, including produce from the resort’s on-site farm. A new lobby cafe, Ho’olana, greets guests with panoramic views of the sunrise while offering gourmet locally-sourced coffees and light bites. A new lounge, The Club, is the centerpiece of the resort’s exclusive new Ocean Club Level offering, which will provide guests who book it with a host of upgraded amenities and services.

Celebrating its legendary surf DNA and deep connection with the North Shore community, a new gathering place, named the Surf House, will become a destination for surfers and fans alike to come together and celebrate the sport. The space features tributes to surfing’s icons and a curated retail experience including vintage surf gear. Turtle Bay has also enlisted Jamie O’Brien, professional surfer, content creator and North Shore local, to lead its surf program. O’Brien honed his skills on the Banzai Pipeline – one of the world’s most famous surf breaks – and is excited to bring his unique approach to the sport to Turtle Bay’s guests. At Turtle Bay he’ll create surf experiences that range from helping beginners catch their first wave, all the way to the experienced surfer training for Pipeline.

Set on a peninsula and designed with three wings of guestrooms, every room and suite has stunning ocean views. In addition to 410 guestrooms and suites in the main building, which will be renovated over the coming year, the resort has introduced a new category, The Ocean Bungalows. Grouped in clusters of six, these 42 expansive, private accommodations are just steps from the water, providing unparalleled views and ocean breezes. With towering 15-foot vaulted ceilings and private lanais that open to the living areas, the Ocean Bungalows offer a more secluded experience for guests looking for a bit more privacy. The Ocean Bungalows also feature a private pool area for the exclusive use of its guests.

“We are proud to welcome guests and the community back to discover a new Turtle Bay Resort that is as dynamic and ever-evolving as the North Shore itself,” said Tom Donovan, Vice President and Managing Director of the resort. “With this reimagination, we are continuing to demonstrate the resort’s deep commitment to providing outstanding experiences for our guests and the community while serving as responsible stewards of this magnificent land.”

Turtle Bay Resort’s 1,300 acres of land includes 650 acres of permanently allocated conservation space, reaffirming the resort’s commitment to positive stewardship of the land. As the only full-service resort on the North Shore, Turtle Bay has become synonymous with the unique experiences and stunning vistas that can only be found on this side of the island. Guests have significant room to roam the beaches, forests, and farm land on the property. The resort features two golf courses (including one designed by Arnold Palmer), as well as horseback riding, helicopter tours, hiking and mountain biking trails and, of course, miles of pristine beaches. Whether on land, in the air or at sea, Turtle Bay’s extensive roster of activities and experiences provide nearly endless opportunities for exploration.