Boutique beauties: these are the best design hotels in Okinawa, Japan

From discovering boutique hotels in Kandy, Sri Lanka to hunting down the world’s coolest pink hotels, and chatting with hotel designers like Bill Bensley we’re on a mission to share our favourite accommodations. Here at The Hotel Journal, we’re big fans of exploring the gorgeous islands of Okinawa prefecture in Japan. Filled with historic World War II sites, Naha still retains a US military base and the blend of cultures is abundantly clear throughout the city. Further out, breathtaking beaches are just waiting to be discovered, while in the cooler months you can do a spot of whale watching or catch the cherry blossoms in bloom before the varieties to the north. Be sure to book into one of our favourite boutique design hotels in Okinawa to have a completely magical experience.

We also have a guide to the best boutique hotels in Tokyo and Kyoto. Plus a list of the quirkiest unique hotels in Japan. And tune into our playlist of some of our fave Japanese tunes while you’re there.

The best boutique design hotels in Okinawa, Japan

1. Jusandi | Ishigaki Island

Hotel: Jusandi
Location: 470 Fukai, Ishigaki, Okinawa 907-0451, Japan
Neighbourhood: Fukai, on Ishigaki Island’s north-eastern coast
Rooms: Five private suite villas surrounded by subtropical gardens
Style: Minimalist architecture by Norihiko Dan, using local limestone, natural materials and expansive glass
Family-friendly: Children are accepted, although the secluded villa setting is particularly suited to couples
Wellness: Private tent sauna and in-villa relaxation experiences
Pool: Each villa has its own private swimming pool
Dining: On-site restaurant serving Japanese and Western breakfasts and locally inspired dishes
Best for: Couples, privacy and secluded luxury escapes
Prices starting from: ¥100,000 per night, depending on room and season

You’ll find Jusandi located in the middle of a subtropical forest in Ishigaki, just a short flight from Naha. Meaning sunset in the local Okinawan dialect, be prepared to step into 20,000 sq m of absolute luxury here, with just five suite villas available (see main image).

Blending the culture of the Yaeyama Islands with exceptional design by architect Norihiko Dan, Jusandi villas each have their own private pool and inside, local limestone has been used on many of the walls. Enjoy the best local ingredients at the restaurant and then explore the gorgeous beaches and caves that are dotted across the island.

Learn more about Jusandi or Book through Booking.com

2. Hyatt Regency Seragaki Island, Okinawa | Seragaki Island

Hotel: Hyatt Regency Seragaki Island, Okinawa
Location: 1108 Seragaki, Onna-son, Kunigami-gun, Okinawa 904-0404, Japan
Neighbourhood: Seragaki, Onna Village, on Okinawa’s western coast
Rooms: 343 rooms and suites, all with ocean views and open-air balconies
Style: Contemporary island architecture with spacious interiors and natural coastal colours
Family-friendly: Yes. Two-bedroom Beach House accommodation and family activities are available
Wellness: Spa, fitness centre, yoga pavilion and marine activities
Pool: Multiple pools, including an infinity pool and lagoon pool
Dining: Six restaurants serving Japanese, Okinawan and international cuisine
Best for: Families, couples and full-service island holidays
Prices starting from: ¥40,000 per night, depending on room and season

Sitting on a private island, yet easily accessible from Naha, Hyatt Regency Seragaki Island, Okinawa is simply dreamy. From the azure waters that surround the property to the luxe spa where you can bathe looking out into the ocean, it’s a little slice of paradise.

Be sure to book in for a yoga session in the pavilion, where, during the winter months, you may be lucky enough to spy a whale or two. The rooms are incredibly spacious and the restaurants serve exquisite Japanese cuisine with all the best local ingredients, including umibodu (sea grapes). Make sure you upgrade to get access to the beautifully appointed club lounge. And who can resist those pools?!

Find out more about Hyatt Regency Seragaki Island, Okinawa or Book through Booking.com

3. The Uza Terrace Beach Club Villas | Yomitan

Hotel: The Uza Terrace Beach Club Villas
Location: 630-1 Uza, Yomitan-son, Nakagami-gun, Okinawa 904-0328, Japan
Neighbourhood: Uza, near Cape Zanpa and Yomitan’s traditional pottery villages
Rooms: 48 private villas, including one- and two-bedroom configurations
Style: Contemporary tropical design with natural materials, open-plan living areas and private terraces
Family-friendly: Yes. Multi-bedroom villas accommodate families
Wellness: Spa treatments, gym and beauty treatments
Pool: Every villa has a private swimming pool; a communal outdoor pool is also available
Dining: Fine-dining restaurant, poolside BBQ, café and bar, with in-villa dining
Best for: Families, couples and private pool-villa holidays
Prices starting from: ¥100,000 per night, depending on room and season

Around a 20-minute drive north of Naha, The Uza Terrace Beach Club Villas are perfectly located in the pottery village of Yomitan. Perched above the East China Sea, with stunning views, each of the 48 villas offers the ultimate relaxation and comes complete with a private pool.

The interiors are bright and breezy with a minimal aesthetic, and the restaurant is the perfect place to watch the sunset. Be sure to visit the hotel’s farm to see how they grow much of their own produce while you visit.

Find out more about The Uza Terrace Beach Club Villas or Book through Booking.com

4. Grand Mercure Okinawa Cape Zanpa Resort | Yomitan

Hotel: Grand Mercure Okinawa Cape Zanpa Resort
Location: 1575 Uza, Yomitan-son, Nakagami-gun, Okinawa 904-0328, Japan
Neighbourhood: Cape Zanpa, on Yomitan’s scenic western coastline
Rooms: 465 rooms, with Japanese and Western-style accommodation options
Style: Contemporary resort interiors with Japanese design influences and coastal views
Family-friendly: Yes. Children’s pools, waterslides and family facilities make it suitable for all ages
Wellness: Public bath, open-air bath and sauna
Pool: Large outdoor pool complex with four pool areas, a heated lazy river and waterslides
Dining: Buffet and à la carte restaurants serving Japanese, Okinawan and international dishes
Best for: Families, all-inclusive-style stays and beach holidays
Prices starting from: ¥20,000 per night, depending on room and season

If it’s an all-inclusive spot for the whole family that you’re looking for, Grand Mercure Okinawa Cape Zanpa Resort is where you want to be. Pool are aplenty, plus they have loads of water slides to keep the young ones busy.

Choose from either Japanese or Western-style rooms, with many offering exquisite views of the nearby beach. When it comes to dining, you’ll be spoiled for choice, plus the hotel is located close to a lovely local pottery village.

Read our full review of Grand Mercure Okinawa Cape Zanpa Resort.

Read more about Grand Mercure Okinawa Cape Zanpa Resort or Book through Booking.com

5. Hyakuna Garan | Nanjo

Hotel: Hyakuna Garan
Location: 1299-1 Aza-Hyakunayamashitabaru, Tamagusuku, Nanjo, Okinawa, Japan
Neighbourhood: Hyakuna, on Okinawa Island’s quiet southern coast
Rooms: 14 executive rooms and three suites, all facing the ocean
Style: Japanese-Ryukyu architecture featuring limestone walls, red coral tiles, local timber and traditional craftsmanship
Family-friendly: No. Children under 13 are not permitted
Wellness: Six private rooftop open-air baths, with ocean views
Pool: No swimming pool
Dining: On-site restaurant serving Japanese and Okinawan cuisine
Best for: Couples, honeymooners and adults seeking a secluded traditional retreat
Prices starting from: ¥80,000 per night, depending on room and season

Just a 30-minute drive from Naha, Hyakuna Garan is the ultimate haven for any design lover. Standing on the tip of a cape where the sea and mountains meet, the property has been built in the Japanese-Ryukyu style using a range of renowned Okinawan materials such as red tiles, Ryukyu limestone and CHAGI (native wood).

Enjoy your very own open-air bath that looks out onto views of the ocean, and take in the sunrise and sunset from your room. Guestrooms are elegantly furnished with a minimal aesthetic that lets the surrounding vistas do the talking.

Find out more about Hyakuna Garan or Book through Booking.com

6. Hoshinoya Taketomi Island | Taketomi Island

Hotel: HOSHINOYA Taketomi Island
Location: 1955 Taketomi, Taketomi-cho, Yaeyama-gun, Okinawa 907-1101, Japan
Neighbourhood: Eastern Taketomi Island, within a traditional Ryukyu-style village
Rooms: 48 detached pavilions surrounded by private gardens
Style: Traditional Okinawan village architecture with red-tiled roofs, white-sand paths and handcrafted details
Family-friendly: Yes. Children are welcome, with bed-sharing available for younger guests
Wellness: Spa treatments, massage and traditional bathing experiences
Pool: Heated outdoor swimming pool
Dining: Restaurant serving French-influenced cuisine using local Okinawan ingredients, plus a café and lounge
Best for: Cultural experiences, couples and slow-paced island retreats
Prices starting from: ¥90,000 per night, depending on room and season

Featuring red-tiled roofs complete with the shisa lion figurines that can be found across Okinawa, Hoshinoya Taketomi Island is a must-stay for anyone looking for an authentic Japanese experience. This is where you want to go for a slow holiday where the devil is in the details thanks to the traditional methods implemented in the building process.

Each pavilion features south-facing floor-to-ceiling windows to allow the winds to naturally cool the space in the summer months, and a number of other special design features so you can experience the village like a local. Each of the 48 pavilions are surrounded by gardens to enhance the sense of place on the island, and the hotel is home to a gorgeous swimming pool, as well as a restaurant that blends techniques from French cooking with local ingredients.

Learn more about Hoshinoya Taketomi Island or Book through Booking.com

7. The Terrace Club at Busena | Nago

Hotel: The Terrace Club Wellness Thalasso at Busena
Location: 1750 Kise, Nago, Okinawa 905-0026, Japan
Neighbourhood: Kise, near Busena Marine Park and Nago’s coastline
Rooms: 68 rooms with ocean or garden views
Style: Contemporary tropical design with bright interiors, natural materials and open sea views
Family-friendly: No. Guests must be aged 13 or above
Wellness: Dedicated thalassotherapy centre with 13 treatment rooms, hammam, sauna, gym and relaxation areas
Pool: Outdoor swimming pool and specialised seawater thalasso pool
Dining: One main restaurant, alongside three bars and lounges
Best for: Adults, wellness retreats and restorative seaside holidays
Prices starting from: ¥60,000 per night, depending on room and season

The Terrace Club at Busena has built its reputation all around wellness with a personalised element. Offering a selection of original thalassotherapies that combine Okinawa’s stunning surroundings and natural healing to restore balance, this is the place you need to visit if you’re feeling run down or in need of a reset.

Guestrooms are bright and breezy, with many offering views of the turquoise sea below. Enjoy cuisine that refreshes from the inside out, stellar service that will lift your spirits, and massages done in-room.

Learn more about The Terrace Club at Busena or Book through Booking.com

8. Sesoku Sansui | Sesoku

Hotel: Sesoko Sansui
Location: 2471-23 Sesoko, Motobu-cho, Kunigami-gun, Okinawa 905-0227, Japan
Neighbourhood: Sesoko Island, near Sesoko Beach and the northern Okinawa coastline
Rooms: Two main-house rooms and three annex accommodation spaces
Style: Japanese-inspired interiors featuring traditional Ryukyu textiles, Okinawan pottery and natural materials
Family-friendly: Check the occupancy of each accommodation space before booking; the property promotes an adults-oriented retreat
Wellness: Spa and treatment programmes featuring Okinawan botanicals, including shell ginger
Pool: Private-use infinity pool overlooking the surrounding landscape, plus a jacuzzi
Dining: No on-site restaurant; cafés and restaurants around Sesoko Island and Motobu serve local ingredients
Best for: Couples, private stays and travellers seeking a quiet island escape
Prices starting from: ¥40,000 per night, depending on room and season

Located on the west of Okinawa on the island of Sesoko, Sesoku Sansui is a tranquil paradise and the perfect antidote to stress and fatigue. Unwind in the breathtaking infinity pool and watch the world go by as the sun looks down on you from above.

Guestrooms provide exceptional views of the surrounding ocean, as do the deep, freestanding bathtubs. Need more hydrotherapy? Spend some time in the on-site Jacuzzi or head to any of the surrounding beaches just a short walk away.

Find out more about Sesoku Sansui or Book through Booking.com

9. Hotel Shigira Mirage | Miyako Island

Hotel: Hotel Shigira Mirage
Location: 1405-201 Ueno Shinzato, Miyakojima, Okinawa 906-0202, Japan
Neighbourhood: Ueno Shinzato, within the Shigira Seven Miles Resort area
Rooms: 160 rooms across Bayside and Hillside accommodation, including suites and villas
Style: Contemporary island design with natural tones, expansive windows and ocean-inspired colours
Family-friendly: Yes. Spacious Bayside suites and family-oriented accommodation are available
Wellness: Access to resort hot springs, spa treatments, golf and marine activities
Pool: Outdoor swimming pools and private pools in selected villas
Dining: Three restaurants, including Shigira Turtle Bay for seafood, plus a lounge and bar
Best for: Couples, families and luxury beach holidays with resort facilities
Prices starting from: ¥50,000 per night, depending on room and season

Sitting on the beach in Miyakojima, Hotel Shigira Mirage is the perfect place to enjoy the natural surroundings of Okinawa. Guestrooms all have views of the ocean, and minimal natural interiors that let the outdoors shine.

With three restaurants on-site, including a beach-side seafood option, you’ll be able to indulge in the rich selection of local produce that the island is famed for. Don’t miss out on exploring the ocean with a kayaking or snorkelling trip too.

Discover more about Hotel Shigira Mirage or Book through Booking.com

10. The Ritz-Carlton Okinawa | Nago

Hotel: The Ritz-Carlton, Okinawa
Location: 1343-1 Kise, Nago, Okinawa 905-0026, Japan
Neighbourhood: Kise, within Kanehide Kise Country Club and near Kise Beach
Rooms: 97 rooms and suites
Style: Contemporary luxury inspired by Shuri Castle, combining Okinawan design details with elegant natural materials
Family-friendly: Yes. Family accommodation and children’s facilities are available
Wellness: Award-winning spa in a separate building, fitness centre and treatments using local ingredients
Pool: Indoor and outdoor swimming pools
Dining: Four dining outlets, including Riva Ristorante, plus the Lobby Lounge & Bar
Best for: Couples, golfers and luxury wellness escapes
Prices starting from: ¥70,000 per night, depending on room and season

Home to 97 modern guestrooms and suites, The Ritz-Carlton Okinawa does style up right. Sitting amid the championship golf course at Kanehide Kise Country Club, it’s the perfect spot for golf fans or anyone looking for complete rest and relaxation.

Take time to unwind at the luxury spa that is set inside Yambaru Forest, and indulge in a treatment that incorporates a range of local herbs or oils. Enjoy a selection of delights from the three restaurants on site or explore the popular Kise Beach that is located nearby.

Learn more about The Ritz-Carlton Okinawa or Book through Booking.com

11. Halekulani Okinawa | Onna

Hotel: Halekulani Okinawa
Location: 1967-1 Nakama, Onna-son, Kunigami-gun, Okinawa 904-0401, Japan
Neighbourhood: Nakama, along Onna’s protected coastline within Okinawa Kaigan Quasi-National Park
Rooms: 360 rooms and suites, plus five private villas
Style: Contemporary coastal luxury by Champalimaud Design, using Halekulani’s signature white palette and natural Okinawan influences
Family-friendly: Yes. Kids’ facilities, family accommodation and children’s programmes are available
Wellness: SpaHalekulani, natural hot spring baths and fitness facilities
Pool: Five swimming pools, including four outdoor pools and one indoor pool; villas have private heated pools
Dining: Four restaurants, including SHIROUX, AOMI, KINGDOM and HOUSE WITHOUT A KEY, plus bars
Best for: Families, couples and luxury beachfront holidays
Prices starting from: ¥70,000 per night, depending on room and season

This five-star resort located in the village of Onna offers guests a luxe stay when visiting Okinawa. Complete with access to white sand beaches, here, you’ll enjoy designer touches around every corner, from the breathtaking lobby to the elegant rooms and suites. Our tip is to book a villa that comes with private pools, natural hot springs for relaxing, and sensational vistas of the surrounding national park.

Foodies will appreciate the four on-site restaurants that serve up everything from traditional Japanese to local Okinawan cuisine and a range of international dishes. And when it comes to relaxing, the spa is on hand to help you wind down or book in for a Blue Zone retreat and experience local cooking classes alongside other highlights like a sunset cruise meditation.

Learn more about Halekulani Okinawa or Book through Booking.com

But wait, there’s more…

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