Hotele Hot Springs w: Okinawa Prefecture, Japan

I was very disappointed they AJ cancelled my booking at last minute while we were on the way to the hotel. We found out there was a big group staying that night. The hotel has no business to cancel my booking via Agoda by offering us a upgrade to cottage with condition to reply. The booking was confirmed and payment was already done to Agoda. Apparently they wanted to cater to a big group. Agoda was not helpful at all too. Call to Agoda was responded by a chatbot. I am forced to book AJ at a higher room rate on that afternoon itself. That time, thypoon wind was approaching and we were on bicycles, scare that no room as available in the vicinity. AJ did not even apologize for the cancellation and did not offer us the original room price. The counter staff cannot converse in English and compounded the issue. Food choices were limited. When we want to checkout during typhoon rain, we requested to pay for transport to send us cyclists to community bus station, but was turned down. Even there was an AJ coach available. How pathetic and uncaring! We could have been stuck at AJ. The cycle ride back out will be impossible and dangerous in the rain, wind and unforgiving hill terrain over 12km. This episode was the only unpleasant incident during out nice cycling trip around Okinawa island. AJ is an isolated place. The cottage was dated. The only thing nice was the surrounding, at the end of the cape. From now on, i would not use Agoda for bookings. At this time of writing, i have yet to receive my refund. Other booking platforms would have refunded immediately. Btw, a lovely Japanese lady offered us a lift back in her car for us 2 stranger cyclists, 2 Brompton bicycles and bags to Yanobaru. We were truly indebted to her and wish her well.

Our stay in Okinawa was incredibly comfortable and enjoyable. The hotel's location is superb, right by the shopping district and the beach, making it super convenient for dining, entertainment, and everything else. Although the room wasn't huge, it was cozy and impeccably clean. The separate shower and toilet were a really practical touch. The staff were exceptionally friendly and attentive, always ready to help, and even went out of their way to recommend local eateries and sightseeing routes. Overall, it offered great value for money and perfectly suited our vacation needs. I'd definitely choose to stay here again on my next visit!

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.

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.

My stay at the Okinawa Hinode Hotel was a wonderful experience and one of the highlights of my trip to Okinawa. The hotel is conveniently located near Kokusai Street, making it easy to explore local restaurants, souvenir shops, and popular attractions. The monorail station is also within walking distance, which made transportation very convenient. The room was clean, modern, and comfortable. Although the space was not very large, it was well organized and had everything I needed for a relaxing stay. The staff members were friendly, polite, and always willing to help whenever I had questions. One of the best parts of the hotel was the complimentary services. Guests could enjoy free drinks, ice cream, and late-night ramen, which created a warm and welcoming atmosphere. The public bath was also excellent and helped me relax after a long day of sightseeing. In addition, the breakfast offered a variety of delicious Okinawan dishes and fresh ingredients. Overall, I was very satisfied with my stay at the Okinawa Hinode Hotel and would highly recommend it to anyone visiting Okinawa.

We were welcomed warmly by the hotel staff. One of the hotel staff (feeling bad for not getting their names) brought us to our room and showed us our room amenities. The Premium Suite is very big and there is only one such suite in the whole hotel. The Suite comes with a balcony, living room, bedroom, futon area, large bathroom and a separated toilet. The balcony faces the beautiful sea. The only downside during our trip is that the sunset was covered by the clouds. The dining area is on the 2nd floor where our booking included one full-course meal for both dinner and breakfast. The staff will ask for your preferred dining timing during the check-in. Our futons were set up during our dinner time. We got to eat a good variety of dishes during our meals, and the food was very good and fresh. The staff also tried to introduce each dish in English. Thank you. Hot bath/onsen and steam room is located on the 1st floor. Not sure if everyone is enjoying the bath within their room, it was pretty quiet during our visit. We did not notice any gym or laundry facilities though.  Price aside, it is definitely highly recommended for families and larger group of friends who likes to enjoy the hotel stay and amenities. You will probably not feel like travelling out after stepping in.

It’s surrounded by massage parlours but felt quite safe. Can walk to the busy part of Naha in about 15 minutes. The only reason I’d stay here again is if I wanted to onsen. That was the biggest draw for me. There wasn’t much customer service. Check in with a computer. Same with check out. We had a small Honda N box and they said it’s too tall for their car park. They provided a list of nearby car parks. Again not much service there.

I come to Okinawa almost every winter for vacation and have stayed at many ocean-view hotels here. Halekulani Okinawa stands out for both its significant strengths and weaknesses. **Pros:** (1) As a newly built hotel, the facilities are much newer than other hotels. The rooms even have smart tablets to conveniently book restaurants and check out various amenities. (2) Although the restaurant prices are noticeably higher than other hotels, the quality of both the buffet and à la carte restaurants, and even room service, is excellent and worth the price. (3) The service is very good. If you're taking public transportation when checking out, they'll even provide a car to take you to the station. (4) If you skip breakfast, you can change it to lunch, which is convenient for those who like to sleep in. **Cons:** This seems to be a common issue with Western hotel brands. Halekulani Okinawa, along with two other Hilton hotels here, shares the following problems. I believe this might stem from differences in Western brands' operational philosophies. However, for a hotel like Halekulani, which costs more than double other ocean-view hotels, these shortcomings are quite unacceptable. (1) The hotel lacks a well-stocked convenience store and souvenir shop. Other Japanese-owned ocean-view resort hotels usually have one or two such stores with a wide variety of items. Here, there's only one shop selling some Halekulani branded merchandise and a very limited selection of ”eco-friendly, natural” snacks, with hardly any beverages. If you want something to eat, you have to walk a few hundred meters outside the hotel to a chain convenience store. (2) The mini-bar drinks in the room are chargeable, and the prices are 4-5 times higher than at outside convenience stores. Considering this hotel is 2-3 times more expensive than others, and many other hotels often offer free mini-bars, this difference is quite significant. The main issue is the lack of an internal convenience store, forcing guests to frequently go out to a convenience store a few hundred meters away for a wider selection of drinks and snacks. Not to mention, it's truly unpleasant to go out when it's rainy or windy. For someone like me who enjoys staying at a comfortable and convenient hotel for several days or even a week, it's hard to stay long if a resort can't meet all my needs in one place. (3) The price for the self-service laundry and dryer (700/800 JPY) is also about three times higher than at other local ocean-view hotels (200/300 JPY). While the hotel's price is more than double that of others, the convenience and comfort aren't significantly higher (aside from newer facilities). Coupled with a mini-bar and self-service laundry that are several times more expensive, and the need to go outside to buy necessities due to the lack of an on-site convenience store, it feels like they're trying too hard to squeeze every penny. It's more suitable for a short, 'check-the-box' experience rather than a prolonged, relaxing stay. The quality of the seawater is also just average compared to hotels in Onna Village and Cape Zanpa.

The staff didn't speak much English, which caused a problem at check-in. I had to call Trip.com Korea to sort it out, and check-in was delayed by over 30 minutes, but I never got a clear explanation for the issue. Overall, the hotel is clean, and the room size is decent. It was great to have a convenience store nearby. There's a large public bath, but it's more of a regular bathhouse than a hot spring. Guests can use it for free, but note that the lockers are not free.