This was the most extravagant and expensive part of our trip to the Hawaiian islands, but well worth it. The hotel is built on the oceanfront between two bays.
It has 3 wings and because of the design, all three wings have ocean views regardless of which side of the wing your room is on.
Our room was on the 3rd floor facing west over the pool toward the sunset. The room was spacious with a large lanai (covered deck) and a large bathroom with two rooms and double sinks.
It was very difficult to leave at the end of our visit.
Turtle Bay Resort
One of the nice features of the Hotel is the sheltered bay called Kuilima
Cove adjacent to the east of the hotel. It provides a nice sandy beach for guests and the
cove is a great spot to snorkel and see a variety of tropical fish including reef triggers (Huma huma nuku nuku apua’a), velvet tangs and saddle wrasses.
The water isn't as clear as some other sites because of all the nearby wind and wave
action, but this location is a very safe one for the beginning snorkeller and it's only a few feet from the hotel. If you don't have a mask and snorkel, rent one from the hotel.
Then come back in the evening and try dining in the open air at Ola's on the
beach there.
Turtle Bay Resort
In the main hotel, we enjoyed eating at the Palm Terrace, which has views out over the pool and the ocean.
There's a buffet every night, but the first night, I had the the Filet Mignon and Jumbo Prawns.
For the starch I didn't go with the waiter's recommended Okinawan Sweet Potato Puree and I regretted it, but my wife bailed me out with some delicious
samples of hers. She also enjoyed the Asian slaw. For desert, I let the waiter pick, because I obviously should have
listened on the starch recommendation. He recommended the Banana Cheese Cake Carmel Xango and, even though I'm not a banana fan, this was exquisite.
The Hawaiian music from a live band rounded out a fabulous dinner experience.
At our second dinner at the Palm Terrace we choose the buffet and had an excellent array of meats and deserts, but was hard to top our experience from the night before.
All two soon our two nights were over and it was time to head to the surf competition at the Bonzai Pipeline before heading to Hanauma Bay for snorkeling and Waikiki for dinner.
