Turtle Bay Resort, located on Oahu’s North Shore, recently completed over $45-million in renovations. We talked with Experience Creator Mark “Skip” Taylor of Replay Resorts to learn more about the re-launch of this iconic resort.
Tell us about the infrastructure changes Turtle Bay Resort has made.
We’ve done a lot of things that are really topical, including improvements to rooms, restaurants and the new Nalu Kinetic Spa. We’re proud to say we’ve also incorporated environmentally friendly elements and sustainable solutions throughout the resort.
One spot you’ll definitely want to visit is Surfer The Bar – you never know who’ll be dropping in. It’s an amazing spot to check out local and international acts as they roll through the North Shore – we’ve seen Donovan Frankenreiter, Timmy Curran, Matt Costa, John Cruz.
Plus the amazing Talk Story Series hosted by Rocky Canon – that recently saw feature interviews with filmmaker and creator of Korduroy.tv Cyrus Sutton; Oakley team rider and 2013 VTC Champion Seabass; the legendary Mark Richards; our hometown hero J.O.B, Australian film producer Tony Harrington; and photographer Clark Little. Check out the replays or upcoming lineup at SurferTheBar.com
Turtle Bay Resort is also perfect for family surf and adventure trips– with our all new “Guidepost,” centrally located in the lobby of the resort, we can help you get your surf on or dialed in with all there is to do on the North Shore.
There’s so much more to do than just surf too for everyone on the trip, including the horseback riding stables, two 18-hole golf courses, the Tennis Center, the “Magnum PI” Chopper, sea kayak tours, fat tire biking, Segway tours and more. It’s an amazing spot for a fun-filled week of family action – check it all out at TurtleBayResort.com
Please tell us more about Turtle Bay’s commitment to sustainability and the community.
We believe sustainability is paramount. Turtle Bay is the North Shore’s biggest single employer and we are grateful for the chance to be able to live and work in this amazing location.
When designing our renovations, we worked very hard to be Pono- a Hawaiian word that means doing things right. We took the opportunity to make changes that honor our commitment to the environment and to our community. Here are just a few of the changes we made:
• A massive Solar Panel installation on the upper roofs and adding a living or “green” roof on the lower rooftops of the hotel – both big steps in energy sustainability.
• Working with our friends at the North Shore Community Land Trust (a special thank you Doug Cole!) to establish conservation easements preserving over 1100 acres of lands – including Kawela Bay. This also includes over 450 acres of Mauka lands (mountain side lands) that are now in progress to become a robust agriculture program that will support both the resort and community food needs.
• Becoming certified with our friends at StokeCertified.com means TBR is now certified as a sustainable tourism facility, joining other great surf destinations like Tavarua and Wavepark resort in the Mentawais.
• Turtle Bay also proudly partners with key non-profits that include Sustainable Coastlines Hawai’i – supporting their mandated beach cleanups and ocean plastic awareness; NOAA and the Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary that sits immediately offshore of TurtleBay, offering refuge to humpback whales, monk seals, green sea turtles, and dolphins; plus SustainableSurf.Org which support the recycling of EPS foam from the resort to create new blanks for future surfboards
What’s coming next for Turtle Bay Resort?
Turtle Bay will be hosting Wanderlust Oahu this February 26 to March 1, featuring four magical days of yoga, surf and music with the likes of Nahko, Medicine for the People and Brett Dennen.
This year’s concert series, set on Kuilima Point, will see all proceeds donated to the North Shore Community Land Trust. Drop by the Turtle Bay Booth on the beach to find out more about Wanderlust Oahu or check out Wanderlust.com
We’ll also be the hub of action for the upcoming Volcom Pipe Pro and the Sunset Pro Stand Up World Tour event that includes the Turtle Bay Women’s Pro and Na Kama Kai Junior events held right at “Pool Bars”, which is an amazing spectator friendly setting – and you can have a Pacifico as you take in the action.
What else should people know about the new Turtle Bay Resort?
Some of the top athletes in the world have been here sailing, surfing and freediving – and have had the time of their lives. This is a paradise for fun and adventure. Check out the recent GoPro Global Athlete Summit– this is all every day action anyone can do at Turtle Bay.
If you’re planning a surf trip this winter, you should definitely check out Turtle Bay Resort – not only will you be able to easily access all the breaks along the seven-mile miracle, but when you stay onsite, every room has a view of a surf break with lots of “walk-to” breaks that are super fun – especially when the winds go “Kona.”
At Turtle Bay Resort, the business of surf is partnering with the business of hospitality. It’s a revolutionary paradigm, and it’s been a success.
Visit us online at TurtleBayResort.com or OahusFabledNorthShore.com.
