HOSHINOYA Okinawa

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.

This hotel was a huge disappointment. Quite frankly, I am surprised it holds a 5-star rating. The most significant issue was unquestionably the food. There are only two main restaurants: the OLU Grill and the fine dining restaurant (Ryukyu Gastronomia — Bellezza). The fine dining restaurant offers a nice experience but has a set menu both at breakfast and dinner, so once you have it that option is done. For lunch the only option that you have is the OLU grill, which literally only has burgers. Unless you are really keen on burgers, having that for lunch every day is absurd. The hotel is also quite far from any town so it is quite a hassle to go get food outside. There is no food nor beverages by the pool nor any real service. All they do offer is two types of cookies and some tea (no sodas or alcoholic drinks). There is a cafe nearby the hotel (Banta Cafe) that is also super barebones, but if you are in a pinch and you do need some food that is not a burger you can get a hotdog here. I must note that the staff at this cafe are super nice people and very kind and friendly. Now let's talk about the final dining option available, which is the in-room dining. For the modest price of 16,000 yen they will bring you cold food at some undetermined time (we selected 5:30pm but apparently that means that the food can arrive between 4pm and 7pm) and you can heat up the food yourself. To me this was the cherry on the cake. I dont usually pay >$100 for one HelloFresh meal. On a more serious note, I was expecting them to actually come with the food fully prepared for that price, but that was not the case. Stepping away now from the food. They do not properly clean the rooms, even after asking them to do full housekeeping (by default they offer no housekeeping at all). The bath was not cleaned—they only changed the towels and replenished the toiletries. The floors were very obviously not vacuumed or wiped since there was sand in the room after several nights. I am not sure if they actually change the sheets. Overall it is just abismal for what is expected of a hotel of this caliber. On a brighter note, the views from the hotel room were truly stunning, the pool area was beautiful, and the beach was spectacular. Unfortunately, the views do not make up for the lack of food and below mediocre service. I sincerely hope this hotel significantly improves its offerings and service. Please, do better.

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.

My stay at HOSHINOYA Resort Okinawa was nothing short of extraordinary! The service was impeccable—attentive, warm, and personalized, making us feel truly pampered from start to finish. The grounds are breathtaking, a perfect blend of natural beauty and elegant design that creates a serene oasis. The massage was hands-down the best I’ve ever experienced, surpassing even world-class spas in other countries—pure bliss! The 9-course meal was a culinary masterpiece, each dish a delightful explosion of flavors, beautifully presented. The heated pool was a highlight, with its stunning design and inviting warmth, perfect for relaxing. The creative, fun drinks added a playful touch, and I absolutely loved the provided sleep and walk-around attire—stylish, comfortable, and such a thoughtful touch. This resort is a gem; I can’t wait to return!

Amazing resort. The pool was beautiful and the local restaurants in Yomitan are really good. Definitely hire a car, explore zanee beach! The rooms are beautiful clean modern and spacious. The view is unreal. The layout is very spread out so lots of walking or calling for a buggy, but we never waited very long for them. Thank you

I wasnt sure what to expect after reading some of the negative reviews on this site and I wanted to come back and write a review after our visit to help future guests decide whether it is for them.||||I have seen another review on here which does a good job of explaining why it is that some people may not enjoy their time here. It really is an incredible place with the most stunning architecture, gardens, seaside, pools and people. ||||Nothing was too much for the staff who went above and beyond our expectations. From the moment we arrived we felt like we were in an alternate universe. The food at the main restaurant is essentially Michelin star style, which some people may find too much for every evening, but there are alternatives on site which are absolutely fine. Uber works well in Japan and it is easy to reach thousands of other restaurants if you are not content with what is available. There is also an extensive in room dining menu. Our room also had a full kitchenette with microwave/oven, sink and full size fridge/freezer. ||||The hotel is not like any other place we have been before - it is like a work of art with design behind every aspect of it. Perhaps some people find it is just too different from a conventional hotel, but we were delighted. If you are not sure, have a close read of all the reviews on here, but in my experience the good ones are most accurate. The bad ones seem to be when people have had a specific problem with their stay or booking and of course sometimes things will go wrong.||||Overall, we (travelling with my wife and 2 kids) would rate this 6 out of 5 if that were possible.

From the moment we arrived at Hoshinoya Okinawa, we knew we were somewhere truly special. The architecture is absolutely stunning—modern yet deeply respectful of its natural surroundings and Okinawan heritage. The lobby, with its deep blue tones and natural wood accents, immediately sets a tone of tranquility and understated elegance.||We stayed in a Fushi room on the 2nd floor, and the views were nothing short of breathtaking. Every room opened up to the sea, creating a constant connection to the ocean that was both peaceful and awe-inspiring.||What sets Hoshinoya apart is how beautifully it weaves in Okinawan tradition. We loved the cultural activities—from mesmerizing Ryukyu music performances to peaceful traditional tea sessions and even energetic karate demonstrations. Every experience felt authentic and thoughtfully presented.||It’s hard to pick a favorite part, but the pool area is a definite highlight. The infinity edge creates the illusion of blending right into the sea—it’s the kind of place you could easily lose track of time just floating and soaking in the view.||Dinner at Oku Grill is a must—not only for the refined flavors but also for the magical sunsets that light up the horizon. And for a slower pace, Banta Cafe is the perfect spot to unwind with a coffee or cocktail, surrounded by the sound of the waves.||Hoshinoya Okinawa is not just a resort—it’s an experience. Peaceful, immersive, and unforgettable.

Stayed for 3 nights in March 2025. Chose the location for its proximity to the ocean and to certain destinations I had in mind to visit during my trip. I also had positive experiences with other Hoshino Resorts properties. Service: Exceptional. Staff were extremely friendly and helpful. They went above and beyond to make sure our stay was comfortable and enjoyable. Room: Very spacious. Beautiful large windows looking out over the ocean. All amenities were great. Appreciated that the room did not have a television. Food: We purchased a mix of in room and restaurant dining for breakfast and dinner. Meals were well balanced and delicious. The in-room meals were good, however components of the meal were delivered in a plastic oven bags which was reheated using a pan on an induction stove. It made the experience feel a little less luxurious compared to the restaurant. I also think that guests may have growing concerns about food being served/heated in plastic. The concept makes sense to me from the hotel's standpoint (prepare food in advance, allow guest to eat at their desired time), but I think a better balance that requires the guest to eat at a certain time to elevate the dining experience would be my preference. Activities: Nice variety of free/paid activities. I didn't take advantage of most but did enjoy reading poolside and taking part in the afternoon tea. Location: Beautiful property and exactly what we wanted. Having a room that's right on the beach was amazing. Everything was wonderfully maintained and it was nice to feel connected to nature.