Okay people, what do y’all know about Okinawa? Known for its pristine white sand beaches with turquoise waters, Okinawa is not only the birthplace of karate and a globally recognised Blue Zone (aka. regions in the world where people are scientifically known to live longer). It was also once the independent Ryukyu Kingdom with UNESCO World Heritage Sites like Shurijo Castle in Naha, making it uber-popular among adventure seekers and culture vultures alike.
Whether you’re travelling solo or with your S.O., bunch of friends or family, start your journey at Naha International Airport and work your way up the island for the full Okinawan experience (renting a car is a must, dahling). When you reach a town called Yomitan, be sure to check in to Hoshinoya Okinawa, a luxury property that opened in 2020 for a bit of seaside R&R, oh yesss.
Location
Perched on a secluded stretch of Okinawa’s eastern coast, Hoshinoya is designed after historic “Gusuku” residences — medieval stone fortresses built across the Ryukyu Islands (modern-day Okinawa, Japan) during the Gusuku Period. ‘Cos of that, the property feels less like a hotel and more like entering an ancient castle or fortress, replete with a 4.5-metre-high, gently curved stone wall that cocoons and protects the peace of the guests inside.
Checking In
One of the most unique lobbies we’ve ever seen, the Hoshinoya Okinawa lobby is a dark, cavernous space lit by hundreds of tiny lights that feel like stars trapped between massive tree trunks.
Paired with ambient music, you literally feel like you’ve walked into a fantasy forest by night, an experience made only more mystical by the staff wearing stylish, flowing uniforms inspired by ancient Ryukyu court dress in royal tones of blue and yellow (cue the #ootd fomo). Check-in is swift and smooth, and before you know it, a golf buggy is ready to deliver you to your room.
Rooms and Suites
With just 100 rooms and suites, all with oceanfront views and a minimum size of 64 square metres, you’ll have plenty of space to sprawl out and detach from city life. My ocean-front suite had two plush double beds, a full-sized dining room with a long table and kitchenette, lounge sofa, walk-in bathroom with Japanese shower and bath tub, and of course, a huge balcony for ocean gazing.
There are no TVs and no noisy distractions, just the waves, flower gardens, and plenty of opportunities to immerse yourself in Ryukyu culture (more on that later).
Guests are also provided with a set of super soft pajamas in lavender and a set of samue (traditional Japanese loungewear) in navy blue, meaning there’s no need to think about what to wear when you’re at the hotel—hello, uniforms, goodbye, decision fatigue. There are even slippers provided and a cute cloth pouch to carry your personal belongings around with you, proof that Hoshinoya Okinawa have really thought of everything.
Dining
With not much around the hotel in terms of shops or restaurants, the F&B options at Hoshinoya Okinawa will give you absolutely no reason to leave the property.
Breakfast is a choice of Ryukyu or Sicilian—a Japanese omelet versus a frittata and poached egg, Yushi tofu versus plain yogurt, and steamed rice and miso soup versus bread and olive oil. Both are presented in typical Japanese fashion—colourful, dainty, and as tasty for your eyes as it is for the stomach.
For lunch, head to Banta Cafe for seaside snack foods (think onion rings, pizza bread and spicy fried shrimp) or Olu Grill by Hoshino Resorts for juicy burgers, thick-cut fries and kakigori. Dinner at Ryukyu Gastronomia — Bellezza is a full-on spectacle.
Each course is like a painting, with the food arranged like an art installation that looks almost too pretty to eat. This is a type of fine dining that impresses without being stuffy, and we loved how the knowledgeable staff explained each dish and ingredients used.
LUXE tip: Yes, it’s fine dining, but it’s perfectly acceptable to show up in your samue (blue) outfit for dinner.
On nights when you can’t be bothered to “dine out”, Hoshinoya Okinawa offers a unique option called the Gathering Dinner. After finding out your food preferences through a in-depth questionnaire, they’ll set up all the ingredients and cooking equipment in your room—little stoves, fresh veg, local fish and sauces—for you to cook and assemble yourself.
As someone who dislikes cooking, I was initially hesitant but pleasantly surprised that most of the actual “cooking” was simply reheating the ingredients and mixing them together, such as the delicious mushroom risotto and bag of vegetables that steamed quickly on the hot plate.
The entire process was actually quite relaxing and therapeutic, in contrast to the experience of dining out all the time and indulging in rich and greasy foods in loud, look-at-me environments. Wearing my Hoshinoya Okinawa lavender pajamas made it feel ever more homey, and being able to step outside onto the balcony and enjoy the night sky right after was an added bonus.
Wellness & Activities
The pool is an absolute stunner at Hoshinoya Okinawa, which extends out towards the ocean with plenty of sun beds on both sides. Closer to the lounge are a few cabanas and seats inside shallow waters (10 cm to be exact), so you can unwind with a book, podcast, or simply sunbathe or meditate with just your feet submerged.
Hoshinoya Okinawa also has an in-house spa, which is located at the very end of the resort (take a 10-minute walk there or be dropped off by the buggy). The super zen space features low lighting, soft music, and aromatherapy scents to lull you to sleep. Using locally sourced oils for my hour-long massage, my therapist was strong, firm and knew exactly where to apply pressure to release my knots.
In addition to oil massages, the spa also provides traditional Japanese treatments such as shiatsu, acupuncture, and moxibustion by certified practitioners. After my treatment, I was given plenty of time to wake up and enjoy the view of the secluded courtyard with a cup of tea, making it a pleasant way to spend the afternoon.
Activities
When it comes to activities, you definitely won’t be bored at Hoshinoya Okinawa. From learning Ryukyu karate (or watching karate demonstrations in the lounge) to playing the sanshin (a traditional stringed instrument made with snake skin), to horseback riding along the beach, the hotel’s roster of activities were more than plentiful.
LUXE tip: The horseback riding is definitely more of a photo opp than anything, so don’t expect to be galloping into the distance as you will be led by a dedicated staffer to specific photo points.
As an extremely walkable property, you can also choose to go for a beach stroll outside Banta Cafe and Olu Grill (see if you can spot all the sea creatures in the house reef), or simply wander around the hotel gardens on the elevated wooden walkways (we dare you not to take pics of all the flowers).
We also loved hanging in the lounge near the pool, which had complimentary, tea, coffee and cookies all day for guests to enjoy (and stash away). There’s also a retail corner stocked with premium Japanese products such as local ceramics, fabrics, journals, sweets and more.
Verdict
Quiet, zen, luxurious and exclusive, Hoshinoya Okinawa is the perfect place to immerse yourself in the beauty of nature and learn more about Ryukyu culture. Check in to unplug, slow down, and treat yourself to some amazing ocean views and delicious food, and you’ll forget all about the outside world soon enough.
Learn more at hoshinoresorts.com/en/hotels/hoshinoyaokinawa
