Turtle Bay Resort

452 rooms and suites make for a sprawling property in this picturesque setting at the tip of Oahu’s northern end. Once a Marriott property, the resort has been renovated with a beach theme. The location is cited repeatedly by guests as the main draw; while a car is necessary for taking full advantage of the area, there are a number of ways to explore the surrounding quiet bay and the nearby wildlife refuge, including hiking and biking (the resort offer bike rentals). The weather on the exposed outcropping that the hotel sits on can be erratic (some guests complain about the wind); the surrounding beaches are popular with surfers.

Turtle Bay resort is a self-contained property. As an isolated outpost on Oahu’s North Shore, it is popular with surfers because of its exposure to the open ocean and relatively wild coastline. The property is an hour’s drive from Honolulu International Airport; Haliewa and Kahuku, which both have food options, are a 25-minute and a 10-minute drive away, respectively.

Rooms and suites at Turtle Bay Resort completed renovations in 2014 and have an upscale island look. There are subtle accents in wicker, linen, and other natural fibers; the color palette is light blue, white, and brown. Most rooms have lanai doors that open onto a patio, which varies in size with room price, and many, though not all, have stunning ocean views.All rooms have coffeemakers, flat-screen TVs, and free Wi-Fi. The resort implements green practices, which means some limitations on extra linens.

Turtle Bay Resort provides a wide array of activities and services (though many come at an extra cost), including golf, horseback riding, volleyball, tennis, surfing lessons, snorkeling, and exercise classes. Guests can also take helicopter tours for an extra fee. Two hot tubs and two saline pools overlook the beach; one of the pools is designed for children and has a small water slide. There is also a spa with an extensive list of treatments and salon services, as well as a decent-sized fitness center with cardio equipment and weight machines.A handful of restaurants and bars are scattered throughout the resort, and range in formality from sit-down to poolside. Guests have commented that the property’s food can be expensive.The Cove Art Gallery showcases the work of local artists and offers drawing and painting classes. There is also a variety of boutique shops, which offer mainly luxury goods.