Located on the opposite side of Oahu from tourist mecca Waikiki, the North Shore offers visitors miles of pristine beaches, lush ironwood forests and tropical countryside. But visiting this
untouched island paradise takes some prior planning, because hotels are hard to come by—a reality that adds to the area’s rural charm. In fact, for those seeking luxury accommodations, there’s only one choice: Turtle Bay Resort in the town of Kahuku. With world-class golf, dining and spa services, Turtle Bay bills itself as the only full-service resort on not only the North Shore, but also all of Oahu. People come from all over the world to enjoy Turtle Bay’s five-star amenities and five miles of white-sand beaches. They also come to explore the unspoiled part of Hawaii beyond the resort’s grounds.
No matter which of Turtle Bay’s 443 magnificent guest rooms, cottages or villas guests choose, they are assured a spectacular ocean view and island-inspired décor. The 300-plus guest rooms in the hotel are the most cost-efficient (though still luxurious) option. Each offers nearly 500 square feet of living space, and the premium and deluxe rooms also have private lanais. Standard amenities include wireless Internet access and premium cable channels, such as HBO. Those who want more space can opt for either an oceanfront cottage or villa. The cottages are clustered into groups of six and range from 750 to 850 square feet. All of the cottages have
a stunning décor that rivals the ocean views, including Brazilian walnut floors, 15-foot ceilings and large marble
Try a Kukui Nut Massage or Pineapple Pedicure at Spa Luana.
baths. A private ho’okipa (concierge) takes care of guests’ every need. The villas are even more spacious than the cottages, the largest spanning 2,391 square feet. All of the villas have a private courtyard and shared amenities for villa guests, including a pool and Jacuzzi. Private chefs are available for parties of two or more.
With two championship courses, the Arnold Palmer Course and the George Fazio Course, Turtle Bay is a dream come true for golfers. Even the pros agree: a PGA Champions Tour, the Turtle Bay Championship, will be held on the Arnold Palmer Course through winter 2008. Designed by Arnold Palmer and Ed Seay, the Arnold Palmer Course was created for any level of golfer to enjoy. Each hole has five or six sets of tees for players to choose from. When played from the Palmer (black) tees, the course offers a challenge to even the best golfers in the world. The front nine is reminiscent of the Scottish
Links, with sand, water and rolling terrain. The back nine is more traditionally Hawaiian, meandering through a
jungle forest of ironwood trees and a bird sanctuary that is home to many endangered species of Hawaiian birds. The course’s signature hole, the 17th, sits on a plateau only 100 feet from the ocean.
The George Fazio Golf Course
The George Fazio Course, the only Fazio-designed course in Hawaii, features generous fairways, deep bunkers and immaculately sculpted greens. The course has hosted the LPGA Tour’s Hawaiian Open and was the site of the first Senior Skins Game, which included Arnold Palmer, Chi Chi Rodriguez, Gary Player and Sam Sneed.
Turtle Bay offers an array of dining options designed to appeal to every age and taste. For fine dining, contemporary island cuisine is served with style at 21 Degrees North. The restaurant’s floor-
to-ceiling windows offer breathtaking views of Turtle Bay, especially during sunset. The cuisine is a blend of Pacific Rim and Asian flavors with an emphasis on fresh local ingredients. The resort has several more-casual restaurants to choose from as well. After a game of golf, guests often enjoy a meal at Lei’s Bar and Grill, where signature dishes include slow-roasted prime rib and ginger-soy ahi. Those who want to sample multiple dishes
can opt for Palm Terrace, which has weekly dinner buffets with a variety
of international themes. For spa-style fare, Ola offers a menu of eclectic and figure-friendly dishes. Finally, Hang Ten Bar and Grill is a popular spot for enjoying pupus (appetizers) and casual cocktails while relaxing to the sound of the surf.
Of course, no visit to Turtle Bay would be complete without attending the Legends of the North Shore Luau held every Friday evening, which features a Taste of the Islands buffet, Polynesian dancing and a fire show.
Just steps from the ocean, Spa Luana (to be at leisure) offers six water-view indoor rooms and four outdoor cabanas where pampering is the order of every day. The spa’s specialty is its “island rituals”—uniquely Hawaiian services, including the Pineapple Pedicure, Coffee Bean and Macadamia Nut Scrub and Kukui Nut Massage. The most decadent treatment is the Spa
Splurge—a six-and-
a-half-hour service comprised of a Luana Massage, Polynesian Salt Scrub, Mud Wrap, Enzyme Facial, manicure and pedicure for $630. The spa also includes a whirlpool, steam room, full-service salon, personal training and nutritional counseling.
It’s almost impossible for guests to be bored at Turtle Bay, even if all they’re doing is lounging in the sun. The resort features two lushly landscaped pools, 10 tennis courts, horseback riding and 12 miles of oceanfront hiking and mountain biking trails. Kids who join the Keiki Turtle Club enjoy supervised activities, including reef walks, pole fishing, campfires and Hawaiian arts and crafts, such as lei making. Outside the resort, the North Shore offers never-to-be-forgotten experiences that will round out any vacation. As surfing enthusiasts no doubt know, the area is legendary for some of the world’s best surfing spots. In the winter, visitors can watch pro surfers charge 20- to 30-foot waves at Sunset Beach, the Banzai Pipeline and Waimea Bay and often catch a professional surfing contest. Just minutes away from Turtle Bay is one of Oahu’s most popular tourist destinations, the Polynesian Cultural Center.
Visitors have a chance to participate in the daily activities of Hawaiian and other South Pacific cultures in seven native villages. In the evenings, the center hosts an authentic Polynesian luau and performance fit for an ali’i (royal chief). Those who feel like a snack while out and about on the North Shore can cool down with a shaved ice in the laid-back surf town of Haleiwa or stop by the famous North Shore bakery Ted’s for a piece of chocolate haupia (coconut pudding) pie. But be warned: Waiting 20 minutes after eating before going in the water can be
a challenge in such a picture-perfect tropical setting! For more information about planning a vacation to Turtle Bay Resort, visit www.turtlebayresort.com.
