Hotele Beach w: Okinawa Prefecture, Japan

Grand Mercure Okinawa Zanpa Beach truly impressed us with its spacious, comfortable rooms and stunning ocean views. The well-equipped swimming pool and other facilities make it an ideal choice for family trips. The friendly and attentive staff further enhanced our stay, making it a thoroughly satisfying experience.

The service was excellent, and the hotel environment was fantastic! The breakfast and dinner were standard buffet style, with above-average quality. However, the staff at the small shops might need more training, as they were unhelpful and seemed clueless, which is not the standard of service expected from a top-tier hotel.

An absolutely delightful choice! The room was spacious, with a separate wet and dry area in the bathroom, a tatami zone, a sofa and coffee table, and a large balcony (which even had a patch of soil for planting!). The hotel's outdoor environment is fantastic, featuring a semi-indoor pool, an outdoor infinity pool, and a specially designated beach swimming area. It’s an amazing experience when the weather is good. Since we arrived just before a typhoon, we were lucky enough to book the last snorkeling trip before it hit (you're supposed to book by 4 PM the day before, but the staff probably offered it because all offshore activities were canceled for the next day). Snorkeling was 6000 JPY per person, and they provided masks, snorkels, fins, and life vests. However, they really didn't teach anything else [facepalm emoji]. But when the two guides came into the water to show the kids sea cucumbers and played underwater, hearing their hearty laughter, I quickly let it go. They probably assumed everyone knew how to do it naturally [dog head emoji]. The kids could stay on the floating board, so the safety factor was quite high. There were 7 of us in total for this session, which lasted from 1 PM to just before 2 PM. For beginners, it was a pretty good experience. The next day, due to the typhoon, all facilities except the semi-indoor pool were closed. We booked the limousine bus at the front desk; they helped us purchase tickets, which were cash-only. It goes directly from the hotel to Naha Bus Terminal or the airport, with departures around 9 AM and at 11:31 AM. It took about an hour to get back to the bus terminal, which was much faster than the OAS bus we took on arrival. Overall, extremely satisfied!

I would like to use this hotel again. Since I don't have a driver's license, I looked for the hotel's location and facilities before booking. What was particularly good was that they have bicycle rentals, a large public bath, and it's a 10-minute walk to Yonaha Beach North. We went to Yonaha North Beach to watch the sunset and had an amazing view. The facilities are more like a business hotel than a resort hotel, but everything you need is there so there's no need to worry. Also, there is a large public bath and you can relax in the quiet building. *There are no restaurants or convenience stores nearby, but there is a restaurant inside the building.

This is a well-established hotel with a private beach, offering great value for money. Here are some detailed tips: 1. **Transportation**: You can take the Limousine Bus (CD line) directly from Naha Airport to the hotel entrance. The last bus departs at 6 PM. Look for the 'Airport - Domestic Terminal' direction, and purchase your ticket at Gate 2. Cash payment is required. The hotel front desk can book a return bus to the airport/Naha Bus Terminal, but only morning departures are available. The bus stop is located just a short walk to the left after exiting the hotel. The journey typically takes 1.5 hours. 2. **Dining**: I recommend booking a stay that includes breakfast; the buffet breakfast is excellent, and you can enjoy it with ocean views. For dinner, you can purchase the buffet on-site. Remember to use the 10% discount coupon provided by the hotel. Dining options nearby are limited; about 100 meters from the hotel, there's only one shabu-shabu restaurant, which also offers sukiyaki. 3. **Shopping**: The hotel has a souvenir shop and a convenience store, but prices are a bit high. About 100 meters from the hotel, across the road, there's a Family Mart convenience store with reasonable prices. 4. **Facilities**: All water sports activities on the beach incur extra charges, but the pricing is transparent. The outdoor and indoor pools are free, and the indoor pool is heated. There's a fee for the hot springs, which varies depending on the time of day, with mornings being cheaper and evenings most expensive. I suggest going in the afternoon; it opens after 4 PM, there are fewer people, and you can enjoy the beach view. It's located near the indoor pool on the first floor and can be a bit hard to find, so ask a staff member for directions. It costs 600 JPY per person in the afternoon. If you opt out of room cleaning, the hotel provides a 1000 JPY voucher that can be used at the hotel's hot springs, restaurants, or convenience store. 5. **Rooms**: The rooms are generally clean. Remember to request a high floor from the staff, especially if you've booked an ocean view room. Late check-ins might only get lower-floor rooms, but it's worth trying to get a higher floor; while all ocean view rooms offer a sea view, the perspective differs significantly. 6. **Surroundings**: You can take a taxi to Onna Station, which is like a service area with some snack stalls and a supermarket. The taxi ride takes about 15 minutes and costs approximately 100 RMB for a round trip.

Compared to hotels in the city center, this hotel is quite good for Okinawa overall. The room is spacious, and it didn't feel cramped for two people. The room amenities and hotel facilities are all excellent. The hotel service is great, and all the staff are very nice and try their best to meet our needs. What I liked most was that you could book snorkeling directly through the hotel. After sending an email, I received a booking link, making online reservations very convenient. The tour departed directly from the hotel's pier, which was hassle-free. The snorkeling instructor was excellent, very patient, and had a great attitude. The hotel's water activities were super fun, and the jet ski instructor was fantastic and entertaining; we had an absolute blast. For breakfast, we chose the buffet, which primarily offered Japanese and Western options. There weren't many Chinese dishes, and no noodle station. There are several restaurants right outside the hotel along the street. The ones across the street have similar flavors. There's also a Lawson across the street, making it very convenient for dining and picking up small items. The hotel is a bit far from Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium, American Village, and Kokusai Street. American Village is about a 30-minute taxi ride (1 hour by bus), the aquarium is an hour by taxi, and Kokusai Street is over an hour by taxi. Taking the bus would be very time-consuming.

The room view is simply incredible, hands down the best on Miyakojima. The Coral Wing rooms are newer, but not as close to the ocean as the Ocean Wing. Personally, I think the Ocean Wing offers better value for money. The buffet breakfast and dinner are served in the same place; breakfast is definitely more lavish than dinner. A huge shout-out to the staff! My husband left some clothes behind, and while Trip.com was no help at all, I contacted the hotel directly, and they went above and beyond to mail them to us in Naha! A big thank you to the staff for their help!! They were truly dedicated and sincere in assisting us, not just going through the motions. Thank you!

Oceanic Grandeur at The Orion Motobu: A Masterclass in Northern Okinawa Hospitality Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5) The Verdict ”The Hotel Orion Motobu Resort & Spa remains a benchmark for luxury in Northern Okinawa. With its expansive footprint and strategic location adjacent to the Emerald Beach and Churaumi Aquarium, it offers a resort experience that feels both grand in scale and intimate in comfort. As a traveler who appreciates the higher standards of Japanese hospitality, I found this property to be a highlight of the Motobu Peninsula.” Location & Aesthetic The positioning is peerless. To have Emerald Beach as your front yard and the aquarium as your neighbor is a luxury few hotels can claim. The architecture maximizes the stunning views of Ie Island, and the transition from the sophisticated lobby to the pristine coastal surroundings is seamless. The resort successfully captures the 'Okinawa Blue' spirit in every corner. Service & Amenities The service here felt notably more 'high-touch' and personalized. The staff navigate the complexities of a large-scale resort with grace and genuine warmth—a step above the standard 'transactional' service seen in city hotels. You can feel the passion and warmth the moment you arrive at the resort. Accommodation Note The rooms are impressively spacious by Japanese standards and the location is right in between Churaumi Aquarium and Bise Fukugi Tree Road by foot!!! Guest Tip: Ensure you are present at your balcony to embrace the magnificent sunset. Watching the sun dip below the horizon around 5:00 PM is a transformative experience that defines the beauty of this resort.

Pros: The swimming pool and small beach are convenient for playing in the water; parking is close and ample; the rooms are spacious and functional; the hotel is clean; the staff speak Chinese; the housekeeping staff are very polite and smiling; the hotel shop has a wide selection of common souvenirs and local specialties. Cons: The surrounding dining options are not as numerous as in the city; latex pillows are not provided; and the breakfast options and variety are limited.

Nothing to complain about if you choose this location. Nothing much area. Good for stopover and free car park. Surprise the car park is almost full even with a big carpark. Room: Mine is quite dated but clean. Come with a balcony with partial sea view. Amenity: You can pick up toothbrush and shaver at the check in lobby. Swimming pool is nice. 2 bath house to choose. I choose one at the Seaview tower building since I am staying there. Some shop in the hotel. Breakfast is adequate. Nothing fantastic to shout about. I go early. I see a long queue when I finished my breakfast Overall: value for money. 20 min from Naga town.