Full Review of the Turtle Bay Resort on Oahu's North Shore

Imagine that you could take all of Waikiki and place it on one piece of property. That is how expansive the Turtle Bay Resort is - 880-acres of resort hotel and spa, swimming pools, golf courses, wetland preserves, ironwood groves and some of the most amazing beaches and bays you'll find anywhere in Hawaii.

You'll never feel crowded while at Turtle Bay - something you can rarely say when you're in Waikiki.

All of the Turtle Bay Resort's 375 guest rooms, 26 suites and 42 Beach Cottages were redone as part of a $60 million renovation completed by the resort's new owners in 2003. I heard they actually rebuilt all of the lanai's (balconies). The rooms are spacious, comfortable and ALL feature spectacular ocean views. As they say, there's not a bad seat or view in the house.

Each room has double or king sized bed, comfortable chairs, coffee tables, cordless phones, color TV, mini-refrigerator for your own use, coffee maker, in-room safes and close to my own heart - free wireless internet capability.

From the moment you walk into the resort's lobby and glance out the floor to ceiling windows facing the ocean, you'll know that you somewhere special. The resort's staff comes across as friendly and relaxed but at the same time highly efficient.

The 7,000 square-foot beach-level Spa Luana is a full service spa - including an outdoor ocean-front private massage tent. Have a sunset massage - it's wonderful, but don't talk as much as I did. Try to relax and enjoy the experience. There's also a fitness center next door which is available to all guests for no additional charge.

I certainly never expected to sit at a poolside bar for lunch, eat a large grilled cheese sandwich, lots of fries and have two large mai-tai's for under $20; but I did just that at the Hang Ten Bar and Grill.

How about a huge breakfast buffet featuring over 10 hot items plus an omelet station together with a seemly endless selection of breads, cereals, fresh fruits, juices and pastries? How about all of this for under $20? Just have breakfast at the Palm Terrace which is also a great place for am informal, relaxed lunch or dinner.

For a more formal dining experience, dinner at 21 Degrees North features some of the best contemporary island cuisine on Oahu, and certainly the best on the North Shore. Char Broiled Hawaiian Ahi or Nori Wrapped Moi Filet? How can you choose? It's a bit pricey but wait till you taste the deserts!

There are four other restaurants and lounges I haven't even mentioned. I hear that Lei Lei's Bar and Grill located next to the Golf Shop is a place you should really try.

It's really hard to know where to begin when discussing the activities available at the Turtle Bay Resort.

If you're a golfer, you can choose to play on a course with wide fairways designed by legendary course designer George Fazio or you can really test your skills on the Arnold Palmer Course which hosts both an LPGA and Champions (Senior) Tour event each year.

If tennis is your game, the resort has 10 plexi-paved tennis courts, two of which are lit for night play. Lessons are available.

Horseback rides are offered through a forest of ironwood trees and across secluded beaches or if you don't ride, then just take a horse-drawn carriage ride. Watch for all of the places where ABC's hot series LOST is filmed.

If you've always wanted to learn to surf, you can take a lesson or two at the Hans Hederman Surf School. You can then say that you have surfed at Oahu's famous North Shore.

In addition you can snorkel in Kuilima Cove or stay dry and take a hike on one of the resorts 12 miles of tropical forest trails and seaside paths.

There's even a helipad located right on the property from which Paradise Helicopters offers 20 to 60 minute tours of Oahu.

For visitors wishing to experience what Hawaii is like on the outer islands without ever having to leave O'ahu, the Turtle Bay Resort is the perfect getaway from the hustle and bustle of Waikiki.

With a wide assortment of available activities, excellent dining options, magnificent views from every room (all of which have been recently renovated) and the proximity of Oahu's amazing North Shore beaches and activities, the Turtle Bay Resort is an ideal destination for visitors to O'ahu.

I've stayed at many hotels and resorts throughout all of the Hawaiian Islands and the Turtle Bay Resort is right up there at the top of the list as one of the best.