Onna Luxury Hotels

"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 hotel has a minimalist design. We were upgraded to a lagoon view room, and the water was beautiful on a good day. There are two small, enclosed beaches, but the sea was still quite cold in May. The two pools close early and apparently won't be open late until September. There are a few massage hot spring pools which are quite comfortable. For breakfast, sometimes you have to get a number and wait for a table. The French toast with cream and jam was super delicious, the bread was so soft it melted in your mouth. The pudding bread was also good. Overall, the desserts and bread were outstanding. The dishes varied daily. On the first day, there was freshly grilled steak, and the bitter melon scrambled eggs were very tasty. On the second day, there was Agu pork hotpot."

"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."

"The service was excellent, and the hotel environment was fantastic! The breakfast and dinner were standard buffet style, with above-average quality. However, the staff at the small shops might need more training, as they were unhelpful and seemed clueless, which is not the standard of service expected from a top-tier hotel."

"Fantastic hotel! The room was huge and incredibly clean! All the rooms in this hotel are sea-view with very large balconies. The weather during my stay was absolutely perfect, so I spent both days and nights lounging on the sofa on the balcony, enjoying the sea breeze and the ocean view! Personally, I felt this hotel perfectly met my needs! If any of the following points are a big deal for you, then definitely consider them; otherwise, just book it without a second thought: 1. To get to the nearest beach, you have to cross a road yourself, and there are no rentable sun loungers or parasols on the beach. 2. The hotel pool water was a bit cold. 3. The breakfast can't compare to what you'd find in China, though there is one with a nice sea view."

"Had the pleasure of staying at this property for four nights and was impressed by the overall quality of the experience. The hotel’s central location in Onna Okinawa is an advantage, providing easy access to shopping, dining, and cultural attractions. It serves as an excellent base for leisure travelers if you self drive. The room was spacious, modern, and thoughtfully equipped with a kitchen and washing machine, making it particularly convenient for longer stays. The layout was comfortable and functional, offering both relaxation and practicality. Breakfast was a highlight of the stay. The buffet spread was wide. The system of collecting a queue number before lining up was efficient and ensured a smooth dining experience. Evenings were made memorable by the hotel’s stunning sunset views. Watching the sky transition into vibrant hues from the property was a truly special experience that added to the charm of the stay. Overall, the hotel delivered on all fronts: location, comfort, amenities, and atmosphere. I would not hesitate to return and will certainly choose this property again on my next visit to Okinawa."

"I saw reviews mentioning the North Building being older, but my stay there this time completely changed my mind. The facilities are well-maintained, and the room was quite spacious, with plenty of room in the bathroom, bedroom, and balcony! The breakfast selection was relatively limited, and the dishes didn't change much over my two-day stay, but it was acceptable. The hotel is very close to the beach; you step right out onto it, and the sea view is perfect. The water is clear, and the swimming area is open until 5:30 PM, after which swimming is not allowed. To use amenities like beach chairs, golf, water kayaking, and the sauna (seven or eight items in total), you need to purchase a pass at check-in, which then grants free use. Other water activities like snorkeling require an extra fee (you can rent life jackets, goggles, and snorkels to snorkel independently in the hotel's sea area, and there are quite a few small fish near the reefs). Notably, the hotel's seaside boardwalk is beautiful! Few people venture there, especially at sunset, when the scenery is absolutely stunning. The maga zip line charges hotel guests the same as other visitors, which is interesting. It's definitely worth trying."

"My girlfriend and I come from Hong Kong, and we’re honored to visit Okinawa for the first time, staying at your esteemed hotel for four days and three nights. All the staff at your hotel are exceptionally friendly and eager to assist. Whether at the front desk, restaurant, or cleaning team, every colleague is impeccably polite. Even though our Japanese is nonexistent, the staff patiently communicated with us in English, which truly touched our hearts. This time, I successfully proposed to my girlfriend right here at your hotel—sincere thanks to your hotel for creating such unforgettable and beautiful memories for us. Additionally, we absolutely loved playing with the parrot in the hotel’s basement; it’s so adorable and fun! We hope to see it again next time and have more joyful playtime with it. We look forward to the opportunity to return in the future and share more warm moments together."

"The room was incredibly spacious! I've never stayed in a Japanese hotel this large before. This place is perfect for a relaxing getaway from the hustle and bustle. The hotel is quiet, peaceful, and the room was huge and super comfortable. I felt completely relaxed after sleeping here. The ocean view was lovely to gaze at, and the atmosphere was wonderful. The staff were also very attentive, making me feel as warm and welcome as if I were staying at a lovely holiday home. Breakfast was delicious too. It's definitely a place I'd love to visit again."

"Taking bus number 120 from the airport and getting off at Atsuta Station is very convenient; the hotel is right there. The hotel is very new, with aesthetically pleasing decor, and the pillows were excellent. The French cuisine at the hotel was delicious, featuring innovative dishes designed by the chef that were both exquisite and surprising; even the tableware was like works of art. The service completely exceeded expectations; the staff remembered guests' preferences, making us feel very attentive. Overall, I was very satisfied with the experience and will definitely come back next time!"