The largest resort on Oahu's North Shore has officially been rebranded The Ritz-Carlton Oahu, Turtle Bay, a decision longtime travel advisor Kari Mollan thinks will improve her ability to sell the 450-room beachfront property.
“It means that it's a true five-star hotel now,” said Mollan, a Hawaii specialist who works for Stellar Travel in Bellevue, Washington. “I think Turtle Bay has had kind of an identity crisis over the years. It's been a Hilton. It's been independent. But finally, you've got some true five-star branding behind it."
Formerly Turtle Bay Resort, the property was officially reflagged under Ritz-Carlton management on July 31 after being purchased by Host Hotels & Resorts earlier this year for $630 million.
Ritz-Carlton has two other properties in Hawaii: the 552-room Ritz-Carlton Residences, Waikiki Beach and the 463-room Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua.
“We take great pride in our Hawaii portfolio, and we are confident that The Ritz-Carlton Oahu, Turtle Bay will offer the unparalleled service guests have come to expect and love from a stay at one of our hotels,” said Jamie Kerr, vice president and global brand leader for Ritz-Carlton. “We look forward to welcoming back longstanding loyalists of Turtle Bay Resort and sharing this extraordinary destination with the world."
What to Expect at The Ritz-Carlton Oahu, Turtle Bay
All 450 guestrooms at the Turtle Bay property were renovated as part of a $250 million upgrade that wrapped up at the resort in 2023. Other improvements were made to the resort’s public areas, spa and dining outlets, and a new club lounge and fitness center were added, as well.
“Club Level access is something the North Shore has not had before,” Mollan said, noting that the Ritz-Carlton Club Level Experience offers guests complimentary food and beverages. “I feel like it's the closest you can get to an all-inclusive experience in Hawaii. And it makes it much more family friendly, because Ritz Kids is always a big thing at Ritz-Carlton that clients traveling with children really love.”
All 450 guestrooms were renovated during a $250 million upgrade completed at Turtle Bay last year.
Credit: 2024 The Ritz-Carlton Oahu, Turtle BayMollan was also quick to mention that Turtle Bay’s Ritz-Carlton rebranding will mean a great deal to many of her Bonvoy clients.
“People are so loyal to their brand,” she said. “And now they can use their points on a split stay. Maybe they spend a couple nights at a Marriott — or even The Ritz-Carlton — in Waikiki and then do a few nights up on the North Shore. Then you're getting the best of both worlds. You can enjoy the energy and excitement of Waikiki and then the calmness and serenity up on the North Shore — or vice versa — in whichever order you choose.”
What the Rebrand Means for Oahu
Former Starwood Hawaii executive Keith Vieira, who is now the principal at Honolulu-based KV & Associates Hospitality Consulting LLC, said the Ritz-Carlton rebranding at Turtle Bay will certainly help with Hawaii’s effort to maintain visitor spending revenue while reducing total arrivals, by attracting more luxury vacationers to the destination.
“Everybody knows that we just can't continue to grow arrivals,” Vieira explained. “We have to grow arrivals that match what the community needs, and the higher-spending traveler is going to spend more money on food, beverages and activities — not just at the hotel, but in the community.”
Is Further Development Ahead?
In a May 29 statement, Host Hotels & Resorts noted that it also agreed to pay $50 million for a “49-acre land parcel entitled for development” as part of the Turtle Bay acquisition.
Turtle Bay has a fraught history of off-island ownership angering Oahu residents and North Shore community members with extensive resort expansion plans. But Hawaii hospitality consultant Vieira noted that Host Hotels has an established history in Hawaii as a longtime owner.
“They aren't like a private equity company that needs to flip [properties] on a seven- to nine-year cycle,” Vieira said. “They've owned the Hyatt Regency Maui for about 20 years; they're a long-term owner, and that benefits the employees and the community, because you have consistency in communication and consistency in plan.”
Along with Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa in Kaanapali and The Ritz-Carlton Oahu, Turtle Bay, Host Hotels also owns Hyatt Place Waikiki Beach, Fairmont Kea Lani on Maui and Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort.
One thing I've always respected about Host is that they tend to respect the community or area they're in, and then try to make it better.
“One thing I've always respected about Host is that they tend to respect the community or area they're in, and then try to make it better,” Vieira said. “They're a good owner. And I think anything that gets suggested or planned to be done — it's going to be vetted by a lot of groups.”
Vieira added that residents and community leaders up on the North Shore of Oahu appear to currently be in “a watch and see” phase concerning Host Hotels’ plans for Turtle Bay.
That sentiment was echoed by Kathleen Pahinui, chair of Oahu’s North Shore Neighborhood Board.
“The new hotel owners at Turtle Bay have just gotten into place, and I know a few people have met with them,” Pahinui said. “It’s really too early to tell. Of course, everyone is curious as to what’s going on, and everyone has lots of questions. So, we’re waiting to have more meetings with them and to find out what their long-term plans are.”
