Boutique beauties: These are the best design hotels in Okinawa
You've explored the colours of Tokyo and uncovered culture in Kyoto, but have you been to Japan's tropical islands to the south?
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
You’ll find Jusandi located in the middle of subtropical forest in Ishigaki, just a short flight from Naha. Meaning sunset in the local Okinawan dialect, be prepared to step into 20,000sq-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
2. Hyatt Regency Seragaki Island, Okinawa
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
3. The Uza Terrace Beach Club Villas
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
4. The Ritz-Carlton Okinawa
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
5. Hyakuna Garan
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
6. Hoshinoya Taketomi Island
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
7. The Terrace Club at Busena
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 rundown or 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
8. Sesoku Sansui
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 bath tubs. Need more hydrotherapy? Spend some time in the onsite Jacuzzi or head to any of the surrounding beaches just a short walk away.
Find out more about Sesoku Sansui
9. Hotel Shigira Mirage
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 onsite, 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
But wait, there’s more…
- Have you seen our list of best boutique hotels in Hong Kong?
- We reviewed The Savoy in London
- And you’ve got to visit these gorgeous hotels in Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam
