Hoshinoya Okinawa

“A serene experience with a unique charm”

Hoshinoya Okinawa is a serene, sea-facing resort with a clean, minimalist Japanese vibe, ideal for large groups seeking a unique cultural experience. We booked two Fushi rooms for five people, which were spacious, clean, and well equipped, though the thick blankets may be uncomfortable in summer … Plus

Hoshinoya Okinawa is a serene, sea-facing resort with a clean, minimalist Japanese vibe, ideal for large groups seeking a unique cultural experience. We booked two Fushi rooms for five people, which were spacious, clean, and well equipped, though the thick blankets may be uncomfortable in summer with no alternative option. Staff are helpful with bookings and local recommendations. The location is good, near attractions like Blue Cave and Yomitan Pottery Village, but a car is essential. The hotel offers unique activities and a heated pool with ample seating. However, there is no gym on the property, which is unusual for a large, luxury resort. Wi-Fi quality could be improved as it was slow. The hotel’s atmosphere is distinctively Japanese and minimalist, so don’t expect Western-style luxury. A notable downside was the misplacement of a guest’s white linen pants during housekeeping, which were not recovered. Overall, Hoshinoya Okinawa provides a peaceful, culturally immersive stay with friendly service.

Moins

“Not what we expected”

The good: The hotel is architecturally beautiful with well maintained gardens The staff are sweet & speak some English but don’t ask them to help with more than 1 thing as only the last thing you asked for will be actioned. The rooms are spacious with a modern, high end bathroom & separate toile… Plus

The good: The hotel is architecturally beautiful with well maintained gardens The staff are sweet & speak some English but don’t ask them to help with more than 1 thing as only the last thing you asked for will be actioned. The rooms are spacious with a modern, high end bathroom & separate toilet & all of them have sea views. The pool area is lovely but there’s very few sun beds for sunbathing, the majority are covered so you either have the option of lying on the 1 4 poster lounger if free or sitting on a chair that is semi submerged in the shallow end of the pool. The hotel offers some free activities: bubble tea in the activity room - nice gesture but didn’t taste of anything. Morning stretch & evening breathing classes. Garden tours (we didn’t see anyone doing this) The not so good: We were booked on a RO basis & im glad we did as I ordered the western breakfast to my room when my husband went out scuba diving on the 1st morning & it was disappointing. Eggs & sausages are cold. There’s no butter or jam to accompany the pastries. I’m not sure why there was a cup a soup included nor a green salad. The fruit was nice. For £22 pp we decided not to bother with b’fast for the rest of our stay. We ate at Oku grill once taking their latest reservation at 7.30… they close the kitchen at 8.30. Food was average & we felt rushed to leave. We cancelled our reservation at the Italian’s as a result & ate out. There is no bar in the hotel. The lounge area by the pool has a small menu of a few drinks you can order while at the pool, it was unclear if this was available in the evening. There’s no gym. Really odd for a 5* hotel. The Wi-Fi is pitiful, we ended up having to use our eSIM data in the evenings. It worked much better after 10.30 (presumably when other guests were going to sleep) It’s worth noting that this hotel is mainly occupied by Japanese tourists which is maybe why it is the way it is. It was the 1 hotel on our trip I was most looking forward to & it just missed the mark on too many things sadly.

Moins

“Fur coat and no knickers”

Other reviews have mentioned the beauty of the location, the stylish design of the hotel and it's lush gardens and they are right. The reception area that greets you on arrival has a wow ! factor too, like an upmarket art gallery, with similar hushed tones and smartly dressed staff bustling about. … Plus

Other reviews have mentioned the beauty of the location, the stylish design of the hotel and it's lush gardens and they are right. The reception area that greets you on arrival has a wow ! factor too, like an upmarket art gallery, with similar hushed tones and smartly dressed staff bustling about. But dont be fooled. This is a bit of a fur coat and no knickers establishment. Few of the staff speak anything but Japanese which given the international clientele, creates problems and frustration on a daily basis. The restaurants are open for short periods and are inflexible if you want anything other than the set menus offered, even at breakfast. Any request for sonething non standard results in hours of negotiations, phone calls and referrals up the chain of command. Stressful. You have to find your own way to the beach, which we did on a daily basis, to avoid the screaming kids at the pool all day long. Hoshinoya prides itself on being a sophisticated Zen like destination, with activities to help to unwind and find that peaceful place. Well it needs to make up its mind . Either it's a kindergarten or a retreat, it can't be both.

Moins