The Ritz-Carlton O‘ahu, Turtle Bay — Hotel in Oʻahu

"Scenic but Short of Expectations - Platinum Elite Experience at Ritz-Carlton O'ahu" As a Platinum Elite member who regularly experiences Ritz-Carlton properties worldwide, my recent stay at The Ritz-Carlton O'ahu, Turtle Bay fell somewhat short of the brand's usual standards. Having enjoyed an exceptional stay at the Ritz-Carlton Goa earlier this year, I found myself making inevitable comparisons. Location & Transportation: The resort's remote setting, while picturesque, presents logistical challenges. The 90-minute drive from the airport is significant, but what's more concerning is the lack of organized transportation services. The stark difference between my arrival fare ($60 via Uber) and departure costs ($150) highlighted a need for better guest transportation solutions. Room Experience: As a Platinum Elite member, I received an upgrade, though it was modest compared to usual Ritz-Carlton standards. The room, while well-maintained, felt compact and lacked the spaciousness typically associated with upgraded accommodations. The welcome amenities, while thoughtfully accompanied by a personalized card, weren't quite at the level I've experienced at other properties. Dining & Service: The dining experience was adequate but unremarkable. Service staff, though friendly, sometimes lacked detailed knowledge about their offerings, particularly regarding the beverage menu. The maintenance of public spaces, such as the lobby seating area affected by weather conditions, needed more consistent attention during evening hours. Highlight - Recreational Activities: The absolute standout of my stay was the horseback riding experience. Thanks to Claire (from Australia) and Tina, I enjoyed an exceptional private session that showcased the property's natural beauty. Their expertise, enthusiasm, and willingness to capture photos and videos of the experience exemplified the level of service I expect from Ritz-Carlton. However, the uncertainty surrounding other activities, such as night snorkeling availability, seemed uncharacteristic of the brand's usual organizational standards. Positives:

Breathtaking natural setting Courteous staff overall Outstanding horseback riding experience Welcome personalization efforts

Areas for Improvement:

Transportation solutions Room upgrade standards for elite members Consistency in service knowledge Activity coordination Public area maintenance

While the resort benefits from O'ahu's stunning natural beauty and maintains a generally pleasant atmosphere with courteous staff, several aspects need refinement to truly reflect the Ritz-Carlton standard. The property shows potential but currently falls short of justifying its premium positioning, particularly for elite members accustomed to the brand's typically exceptional service level. For future visits to O'ahu, I would likely explore alternative accommodations, as the overall value proposition at this property didn't align with the usual Ritz-Carlton experience I've come to expect. While there were certainly enjoyable moments during my stay, the resort needs to elevate several aspects of its service and offerings to fully deliver on the brand's promise of exceptional luxury and personalized attention. Worth noting for potential guests: Plan your airport transfers carefully, make activity reservations well in advance, and set expectations appropriately for room configurations, even with...

From the moment we arrived at this resort, we were absolutely floored by its stunning beauty and peaceful atmosphere. The ocean views were simply breathtaking, and everything about the place seemed designed to make you feel at ease. With the beach and hiking trails just steps away and healthy food options everywhere you turned, it was the perfect place to unwind, especially after a busy, kid-centered week at Aulani. What really made this place special, though, was how it catered to the whole family. With tons of kid and adult friendly activities, it truly felt like vacation for all of us.

BEACH: The beach is right there, and it’s everything you could hope for—wide, long, and peaceful. The waves are gentle because of the rock formations that protect the shore, similar to the lagoons at Ko Olina. From the beach, we watchd surfers in action, took in gorgeous sunsets, and snorkeledd. When we needed a break, there were two restaurants nearby, The Beach House and Sunset, plus a large lawn where we could relax under the shade.

SNORKELING: We came for a week in early September, and snorkeled in clear waters on half of the days; on the other days, swells made the water too cloudy. There are fewer fish here than Shark’s Cove, but still plenty of variety to see.

TRANSPORT: We traveled primarily by public bus, which was convenient and gave us a sense of the local community. Bus No. 60 came every 30 minutes. It took 1.5 hours from Waikiki. Lyft and Uber was hit or miss—some requests never got matched to a driver. Scheduling Uber in advance, like for the airport, worked well.

VERSUS Aulani at Ko Olina: After staying at Aulani, we really appreciated the peaceful vibe here. Aulani, while fun, felt chaotic—crowded pools, tons of kids, and a constant buzz of activity. Our 4-year-old loved both places, but as an adult, this resort felt like a real break. The pools at Aulani were cloudy and salty from all the kid activity, while here everything felt calm and restorative.

VERSUS Halekulani in Waikiki: Like Halekulani, the ocean views here are breathtaking, and both places provide a peaceful escape amidst busy surroundings. There’s no beach at the Halekulani though, and that’s pretty much a deal breaker for us. However, the service at Halekulani stood out for its attentiveness, with a level of care that felt like we were back in Japan. For example, when I asked for directions to a spot in the hotel, they walked me there. Asked for tea, and they brought a pot, then return in a few minutes to pour it once it’s steeped.

EXCURSION: We did one child-friendly excursion each day and loved them all. Bus no 60 made everything easy to reach. Shark’s Cove - remarkable spot for snorkeling. Rated among the top reef diving spot in the world. Recommend bringing a full-face snorkel mask and water shoes, but if you forget yours, you can grab gear at the Foodland across the street from Shark’s Cove. Wimea Beach - where you can jump off a cliff into the ocean. Toa Luau – authentic and fun, we’d gladly do this again. Kahuku Farm Tour – great for kids and fruit lovers. Recommend lunch at their cafe afterward Kuilima Farm Tour – a shorter 1-hour tour, still enjoyable. Stargazing – we also did the stargazing at Aulani, and it didn’t feel repetitive at all. Hike to the Pillbox – Easy hike to the stables and beach, with great...

I have been staying at this hotel for 30 years. This week was the first time we’ve stayed there since it was taken over by the Ritz Carlton. We have stayed in many different Ritz Carlton hotels and as others have said, it doesn’t live up to the brand….yet. ||Service|I think the transition to a higher quality of service will take time as the staff needs to adapt. I got the impression some of the staff I talked to are inherently bothered by tourists which is true of a lot of local Hawaiians. It doesn’t really bother me because I used to live on the north shore and I get it. However, the hospitality didn’t match the Ritz Carlton brand. ||Room|The rooms are obviously the same footprint as they’ve been since the building opened 50 years ago, so yes, they’re small for Ritz Carlton. The mattresses were not yet upgraded. There were no robes nor slippers. The towels were thin and small. I found a dirty pair of compression socks in our room. I didn’t see any cockroaches though which is a major concern on the north shore. The doors close very quietly even from the outside which is nice if you have a sleeping kid or family in the room. ||Activities |My child attended some classes such as hula lessons, lei making and ukulele playing. All the instructors were amazing and so nice. We totally enjoyed every moment of the classes which are included in the resort fee. On the last day of our trip I noticed there was a “passport” for the kids. I asked the concierge desk about it, said she had done all those classes and asked if we could have one. She suspiciously asked me if I had photos I could show her before she gave me the passport. It was a piece of card stock paper haha. I asked her if she was asking me to show her proof and she narrowed her eyes at me. It was a very strange encounter as if she thought I was trying to pull a fast one on her for this piece of paper. Nevertheless, my kid got the paper and a stamp for each thing she had done. Apparently if your child gets enough things checked off they get a prize. Fun and cute idea. They don’t have a Ritz Kids but I’m hoping they will incorporate that soon. |We went to the luau that is paniolo (cowboy) theme and it was nice. Honestly the Polynesian men they had up there dancing in cowboy clothing was comical to me. Seemed a little strange. They’re really trying to make the paniolo theme work with the “stables” and such. It feels a little awkward and forced. They should stick with a regular luau. They did have a Samoan fire dancer at the end who also gave a somewhat awkward performance though he was great at fire dancing. The food was great but I wouldn’t say it was worth the $600 or something my husband paid for the evening. I probably wouldn’t do that again unless they changed the theme. Someone tell them it’s okay to be traditional. ||Beach|The beach was so overrun this time. This is the first time I’ve felt like there were just hoards of people there. I noticed there were tour busses parked in the Kam highway that must’ve dropped loads of people off and were waiting to pick them back up....