Oriental Hotel Okinawa Resort & Spa: Tips for a 3-Day Family Summer Vacation

Summer in Okinawa

Okinawa is a famous tourist destination year-round. It is the perfect place for a family summer vacation, with beautiful beaches and various activities.

The writer's family visited Oriental Hotel Okinawa Resort & Spa, located on a hill in Nago City's Kise district and an idyllic spot for enjoying the Okinawa summer. In this article, we share tips on how to make the most out of a trip to Okinawa.

Booking.com

Contents:

1. Oriental Hotel Okinawa Resort & Spa
2. Summer Night Events at Yambaru
3. Staying at the Club Room
4. Discover New Charms of Okinawa in Yanbaru
5. Visit Northern Okinawa in the Summer!

Oriental Hotel Okinawa Resort & Spa

Picture courtesy of Oriental Hotel Okinawa Resort & Spa

Oriental Hotel Okinawa Resort & Spa, which underwent a rebranding in October 2021, had its grand opening in March 2022. The accommodation is on a lush hill in northern Okinawa Island, the gateway to the nature-rich Yambaru area.

All of the guest rooms totaling 361 boast ocean views. From this great location, guests can gaze at the beautiful East China Sea and fantastic sunsets from private balconies.

From Naha Airport, rental cars, limousine buses, airport shuttles, and local buses can be used to access the hotel. During the summer vacation season, there is also a free shuttle bus service from the airport.

Book a Room at Oriental Hotel Okinawa Resort & Spa

Access to Oriental Hotel Okinawa Resort & Spa

Picture courtesy of Oriental Hotel Okinawa Resort & Spa

Rental Car
- Via Okinawa Expressway: About an hour and ten minutes from Naha Airport. Take the expressway from Naha Interchange (IC) to Kyoda IC, and get off at Busena Exit.
- Via National Route 58: About an hour and a half from the airport. The time will vary during rush hours.

Nippon Rent-A-Car/Tabirai Car Rental

Limited-Time Free Shuttle Bus
- From Exit 1 or 4 of the Naha Airport arrival gate, head to the multi-story parking lot, which is located past the bus stop for car-rental agencies. Wait at the bus stop located between P1 and P2 buildings.

https://www.okinawa.oriental-hotels.com/en/access/

Limousine Bus
About an hour and forty minutes from Naha Airport Domestic Terminal bus stop. Get off at Oriental Hotel Okinawa Resort & Spa bus stop.
Fare: 2,140 yen (Adults)/1,070 yen (Children from 3 years old to elementary school students)

https://okinawabus.com/en/ls/

Airport Shuttle
About two hours from the Naha area. Get off at Kariyushi Beach-mae bus stop, and call the hotel for a pickup service.
Fare: 1,600 yen (Adults)/800 yen (Children from 6 years old to elementary school students)

https://www.okinawa-shuttle.co.jp/en/

Local Bus
About two hours on the Nago Nishi Kuko Line (Bus No. 120) from Naha Airport Domestic Terminal bus stop.
Get off at Busena Resort-mae bus stop, and call the hotel for a pickup service.
Fare: 1,750 yen (Adults)

http://www.daiichibus.jp/map/ (Japanese)

MATCHA is offering a 10% discount voucher for overseas visitors, which is redeemable at Nippon Rent-A-Car, a leading car rental company in Japan. There are several Nippon Rent-A-Car offices around Naha Airport, so please check it out!

Summer Night Events at Yambaru

The hotel's highlight is the 170-meter-long garden pool, the largest of its kind in the prefecture. With a view of the ocean and forest, guests can experience the tropical atmosphere.

The waterslide, stretching 47.5 meters, is the most popular attraction. There are six pools, including one 2.5 meters deep and a kids' pool, shallow enough for infants and small children. The hotel is also furnished with a sauna and a whirlpool bath.

The spa, fitness room, and lounge offer a chance for guests to spend time with someone special.

From July 1, 2023 (Saturday) to October 31 (Tuesday), the pools will be open until 22:00, which is longer than any other facility in Okinawa Prefecture. The poolside bar will close at 23:00, perfect for those interested in utilizing the facilities late into the night.

Guests can also enjoy a poolside barbecue. Enjoy gourmet food made from Okinawan ingredients in a spectacular location for a luxurious, resort-like experience.

Special Summer Events

In 2023, a series of special events called FUN NIGHT@resort will be held at the hotel from July 22 (Saturday) to August 27 (Sunday). Various events will surely make your night in Okinawa memorable!

These events open to guests of all ages include: A poolside live performance of sanshin, a traditional three-stringed Okinawan instrument; Eisa, a traditional dance by a local youth organization; stargazing, a popular activity for children; and Night Trap, an insect-watching tour.

For more details, please check the official website.

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Staying at the Club Room

This was the writer's first trip to Okinawa with her children. She initially encountered problems while searching for a hotel where the whole family could relax.

These included expenses, access to the hotel, meals, and sightseeing details that had to be sorted out before the trip. That was when the writer found many online reviews about the Club Room at Oriental Hotel Okinawa Resort & Spa.

In 2022, 62 guest rooms on the top two floors (14th and 15th) with access to the Club Lounge were renovated.

This lounge is open exclusively to guests staying at the Club and Suite Rooms. They can also enjoy other privileges, such as free use of the spa.

The purpose of the trip was to revive the mind, body, and make a beautiful summer vacation memories, along with some digital detox. So, the writer decided to try the Club Room. There were also some fun activities in the Yambaru area, which will be mentioned below.

Book a Room at Oriental Hotel Okinawa Resort & Spa

After checking into the hotel, the writer's family headed to the Club Lounge, one of the privileges for guests staying at the Club Room. The greenery and wooden interior makes guests feel like they're in a lush forest.

Small cakes, fruits, and chinsuko (a biscuit-like Okinawan snack) along with coffee and juice is served at the lounge. After leaving the house early in the morning, this turned out to be a perfect break!

The room was on the 15th floor, with a breathtaking view of the Yambaru forest and ocean.

The rooms have a natural and luxurious design, with a clean, contemporary ambiance. The bathroom is covered in marble while the large bathtub is ideal for families. There are various amenity items as well, including a Fukugen dryer used by professional hair stylists.

The Popular Buffet-Style Breakfast

The writer's family tasted Okinawan cuisine at the hotel restaurants, Buffet & Grill Qwachi and Uchina Dining Jinanbo.

At Qwachi, the writer enjoyed many servings of sea grapes, a variety of seaweed. Soki soba was a hit among the children, an Okinawan dish where hotel guests boil the noodles and choose their toppings. The restaurant also serves breakfast featuring a wide array of dishes.

Jinanbo serves authentic Okinawan cuisine such as jimami (peanut) tofu and Agu pork shabu-shabu. This restaurant is recommended for those wishing to enjoy their meals in a private atmosphere.

The delicious meal, along with a stunning sunset view, was a truly unique experience in Okinawa.

A Gem of a Drink at the Lounge

After the meal, the family visited the Lobby Lounge. This is where guests can savor the Cacao Pairing Cocktail: an original cocktail created by Tomoaki Nakamura, a Ryukyu drink coordinator, and a chocolate platter by Okinawa Cacao (Japanese) crafted with local ingredients.

The romantic atmosphere is a perfect setting for anniversaries. The limited-time cocktail will exclusively be served at the lounge until September 30.

Night Pool: Open until 22:00 for a Late-Night Dip!

The next stop was the night pool, which the children were most looking forward to on the trip. The atmosphere was different in the daytime, and everyone had a ball! It was well past their usual bedtime, but we enjoyed the moment because this is a vacation, after all.

After putting the kids to bed, the writer went to the spa. One of the privileges of the Club Room is using facilities such as the whirlpool bath, aroma bath, and the sauna without additional charges.

Bathing leisurely while watching the stars is a great way to revive the body!

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Discover New Charms of Okinawa in Yanbaru

A trip to Okinawa would not be complete without enjoying activities and exploring the Yambaru area. The writer joined five tours.

The first was an ATV (all-terrain vehicle) ride at Yambarunture Nago Shop. Running through the Yambaru forest, we were thrilled to encounter many rare creatures and plants.

Children over 11 years old are allowed to drive an ATV on their own. Visitors can enjoy zip-lining at Yambarunture Higashimura Shop. An ATV ride is also available at Gajumarunture Itoman Shop.

The next stop was Nakayama Coffee Farm (Japanese). Visitors can try roasting coffee beans at this facility, surrounded by a forest filled with ferns, birds, and butterflies.

After a stroll in the forest, tour participants can taste a cup brewed from freshly roasted beans. Since the farm uses natural cultivation, their products are herbicide and pesticide free. Carbonated coffee cherry was served as a complimentary drink, so the writer decided to purchase it as a souvenir.

Goro, the cute farm cat, was very friendly!

After returning to the hotel, the writer and her family headed to Kariyushi Beach (Japanese) to experience some marine attractions. The water was crystal clear, and the children were delighted by the sight of small fish in the shallows.

At Waterland, the family thoroughly enjoyed the Okinawan beach with attractions like the thrilling dragon boat ride and fish-feeding from a glass-bottomed boat. After swimming, they also tried earthing—a detoxification process for 21st-century people.

The Aqua Adventure Pass is a cost-effective ticket for guests planning to visit the beach, which can be purchased at the time of booking. For further information, please check the official website.

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Visit Northern Okinawa in the Summer!

Yambaru, located in the northern Okinawa Island, is a natural World Heritage Site full of energy and the perfect place to refresh one's mind.

The area is also close to the central and southern parts of the island, offering a wide variety of sightseeing spots and dining. Visitors can enjoy the beauty of nature, along with the traditional culture. In other words, Yambaru is an attractive area with a relaxed atmosphere.

While the writer's daily life tends to be hectic, it was worthwhile to spend time in Okinawa with her family. The vacation also doubled as an opportunity to re-calibrate the mind.

Okinawa in the summer has many attractions alongside beaches, and the trip created a nice memory for us. We highly recommend planning a trip to Oriental Hotel Okinawa Resort & Spa with someone special or your family!

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In cooperation with Oriental Hotel Okinawa Resort & Spa
Photos by Shizuka