Joe McConnell
Earlier this year, it was announced that the iconic Turtle Bay Resort on the North Shore of Oahu in Hawaii would be transforming into a Ritz-Carlton. Points and miles enthusiasts greeted the news with excitement, as it meant another Hawaii property would be joining the Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program.
Now, there’s more good news: The Ritz-Carlton Oahu, Turtle Bay is finally bookable with Marriott Bonvoy points.
Initially, award rates were flat at 132,000 points per night across the calendar. But now, award rates vary per night, with the lowest starting at 84,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night and the highest currently topping out at 132,000 points per night.
Cash rates at the new Ritz-Carlton resort fluctuate greatly throughout the year. The low rates for 2024, mostly in the weeks leading up to Christmas, are $665 per night, but skyrocket to over $1,500 per night during the holidays.
But is The Ritz-Carlton Oahu, Turtle Bay a good use of points? It certainly can be, but as always, you have to do the math.
As of August 2024, TPG valued Marriott Bonvoy points at 0.85 cents each, so 132,000 Marriott Bonvoy points are worth $1,122.
During the holiday week between Christmas and New Year’s, the price totals $1,909.81 per night, which is much higher than the 132,000 Marriott Bonvoy point value. For those nights, you’d get a value of about 1.45 cents per Marriott Bonvoy point, which is significantly higher than TPG’s current valuation of 0.85 cents per point.
Of course, for nights that reach 85,000 points per night, it’s definitely a good deal to use an 85,000-point award certificate that you earn each anniversary year with the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card instead of paying the daily rate in cash, which is typically between $700 and $800 (some hotels charge resort fees).
People with Chase Ultimate Rewards points (earned through cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, Chase Sapphire Reserve®, and Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card, among others) should know that there’s currently a 70% transfer bonus to Marriott Bonvoy. Chase points typically transfer to Marriott Bonvoy at a 1:1 ratio, but with the bonus, the ratio becomes 1:1.7, meaning that transferring 78,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points to Marriott Bonvoy will net you 132,600 Marriott Bonvoy points, enough to book an award night at Turtle Bay on even the most expensive nights.
Daily News
Reward your inbox with TPG’s daily newsletter
Join over 700,000 readers for breaking news, in-depth guides, and exclusive offers from TPG experts
According to TPG’s August 2024 valuations, Chase Ultimate Rewards points are currently valued at 2.05 cents each, so 78,000 Chase points are worth $1,599. That means you’d still save on those Christmas or New Year’s Eve getaways to Hawaii.
It’s also worth noting that since the property is new to the program, these award rates may change over time, especially considering that Marriott uses a dynamic pricing system.
Why We’re Raving About The Ritz-Carlton Oahu, Turtle Bay
Before it was announced that Turtle Bay would become a Ritz-Carlton, we visited the resort to write a review, describing it as “the jewel of Oahu’s north shore.”
The property features beautiful pools with some of the most spectacular ocean views we have ever seen – there are seven different beaches within walking distance. The area is known for its amazing surfing. You can watch world-class surfers ride larger than life waves or learn to surf on the much calmer part of the ocean.
Numerous bars and restaurants will be able to satisfy guests or offer them a piña colada; also not to be missed is the cowboy-themed luau.
Other great amenities and activities include a spa, golf course, hiking and biking trails, horseback riding opportunities, and even nighttime snorkeling trips to see what’s under the water after dark.
Bottom line
Now is definitely a great time to use your stash of Marriott Bonvoy or Chase Ultimate Rewards points to book a stay at North Shore Resort. The Ritz-Carlton Oahu, Turtle Bay is a fabulous property, and one we can’t help but be even more excited about now that it’s bookable with Marriott Bonvoy points.
Related readings:
