North Shore hub to get renovations

The Turtle Bay Resort on Oahu's North Shore

Surf Travel

Turtle Bay Plans Extensive Renovations to Overhaul Guest Rooms, Spa and Restaurants

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 30 November, 2012 : - - Turtle Bay Resort, the only destination resort on Oahu’s fabled North Shore, will embark early next year on the largest component of $60 million in upgrades. The renovation, which will begin in early January and be completed by the end of 2013, will encompass all of the 840-acre resort’s 397 standard and premium guest rooms and hallways; the Spa Luana and fitness center; two restaurants; as well as improvements to the main building roof and lobby area.

“The focus of these improvements is in ensuring that each guest room is given the highest level of attention and detail to fully enhance the guest experience,” said Danna Holck, vice president and general manager. “These renovations also allow the resort to capitalize on underutilized space, which includes the large-scale expansion of our spa and fitness center.”

These planned renovations follow the recent addition of Surfer, The Bar in November 2011; and enhancements to the resort’s lobby and lobby bar, all of which are line with the resort’s rebranding campaign, launched in 2011. In 2003, the resort completed $60 million in upgrades to its 42 luxury beach cottages; the addition of the Kuilima Ballroom and high-tech meeting facilities; and room upgrades.

The redesign will be led by award-winning Honolulu-based firm WCIT Architecture and will include all-new fixtures, furnishings, bedding and décor in the guest rooms, as well as completely remodeled bathrooms with new tile, vanities, and walk-in showers. WCIT previously worked with the resort on its design of Surfer, The Bar, as well as the master plan for the property.

Additional improvements in the resort’s 112 premium guest rooms, which are located on the sixth floor as well as each floor’s end suites, will include ocean-themed elements, such as shell décor; expanded walk-in natural stone showers; and a deep-soaker bathtub that is open to the room.

“The guest rooms will be redesigned to have a contemporary, beach-house feel, authentic to the North Shore," said interior designer Lisa-Maria Priester of WCIT Architecture. "Typically, a Hawaiian home is light and airy, done in a neutral palette because with scenery like we have here, especially on the North Shore, the accents are the views. As with our design of the recent lobby renovation, the new guest rooms will inspire a casual, hip sophistication with subtle accents of island and Hawaiian motifs custom designed exclusively for Turtle Bay Resort."

The resort’s full-service Spa Luana will nearly double in size to 11,000 square feet, which will include the creation of a movement studio for popular wellness programs such as Zumba and yoga; the relocation of the fitness center from the ground floor to the lobby-level Sunset Room, which will allow for expansive ocean views from all-new fitness equipment; as well as an expanded salon; reception and retail area; and women’s locker room. Three open-air treatment rooms will be added, and two single treatment rooms will be converted into one larger indoor couples treatment area.

Two of the resort’s premier restaurants – Palm Terrace/Leonardo’s and 21 Degrees North – will be completely renovated in the spirit of their new menus, with natural décor and lighting, wood accents and the cool blues and greens of the nearby ocean and farmland. At Palm Terrace/Leonardo’s, the enhanced menu will feature locally sourced cusine as part of a farm-to-table focus that incorporates the rich agricultural history of the North Shore.

Guests will be able to choose from a “farmer’s market” of fresh vegetables, fruits and dressings; as well as premium meats and seafood with sauces inspired by Hawaii-sourced flavors such as macadamia nuts, pineapple and coconut. 21 Degrees North will highlight Hawaii’s abundant array of fresh seafood, with a customizable menu including a mix-and-match approach of sauces, side dishes and cooking styles. New décor will feature an ocean theme.

Turtle Bay Resort is also continuing its focus on conserving Oahu’s natural resources, implementing a 59,000-square-foot landscaped native plant garden on all lower main building rooftops; an effort that will enhance views, double the lifespan of the roofing materials to two decades, and lower energy use. High-efficiency LED lighting will also be installed throughout the resort to provide additional energy savings.

The renovation will be completed in phases to minimize impact on guests, with little disruption expected in public or exterior areas of the resort. Guest rooms will be renovated one wing at a time, and the affected restaurants will be upgraded at separate times to ensure that a selection of dining options are available.

Turtle Bay Resort is host and a part-time home to many of the world’s elite surfers, stand-up paddlers and surf industry executives. It is the official partner and headquarters to some of the world’s premier ocean events including The Vans Triple Crown of Surfing, Pipeline Masters, SURFER Magazine Peer Poll Awards, SUP World Tour, Volcom Pipe Pro etc