The Ritz-Carlton, Okinawa — Hotel in Nago

I stayed here only for a night but it really gives me a great impression. Location-wise, it's quite far from the main city Naha, Nago also doesn't offer much city life as it's mainly residential. So you need to know that this resort is mainly for those people who wants a quite getaway, away from the crowds, away from everything. A bonus if you a fan of golf, the greenfields here looks amazing. My detailed reviews:||1) Location: As i have mentioned, this resort is secluded but still accessible. Public transit is slow and takes a lot of time from Naha. Private transfer can be faster although it's going to be expensive, but if you travel with groups and families, I think it's better to go with the private transfer. Don't expect any shops or stores here, you definitely going to be limited with options from the resort (don't worry, there are decent options you can have here)||2) Lobby/Reception: The lobby area can be a bit confusing, but rest assured you won't get lost because the concierge team will be happy to guide you to the reception area. The lobby lounge has a nice view of the green fields, the reception area is also nice with comfy seating.||3) Room: The room is really spacious. The ocean view from the balcony is really nice, sadly it mostly cloudy and rainy during our stay, so we don't spent much time in the balcony area because it can get wet and slippery. I appreciate plenty of storage space to store luggage, clothing, etc. both in the bedroom and bathroom area. The bathroom is nice, huge, good lighting, and the bathroom amenities is top notch! Room amenities also decent, complete with a Nespresso coffee machine. The bed also comfortable. In the evening, everything just so quiet and peaceful, and I have no complain or whatsoever. ||4) Gusuku: We had dinner here at the restaurant. I wish the dinner menu has more options, it's a bit limited between Japanese and Italian, however the taste is decent. The drink options are quite extensive though which is nice. The dining experience was really peaceful, there was a musical performance as well which elevated our experience. Breakfast also served in this restaurant, while the selection is fairly limited, it still has everything that I want and the ingredients quality is really good. Service that offered from the associates at the restaurant also very good with warm and friendly smile. ||5) Other aspects: The public bath is nice, especially the amenities that they offered is top notch. It was my first time doing public bath like this but the associates are really helpful guiding me on what to do as well explaining the etiquette. I had a bit of issue with my locker, but the associates are very responsive and manage to resolve my issue. The size is not that big, but luckily there was not many people at that time so I can enjoy comfortably. The sauna room also very quiet at that time. ||The overall service, including the turndown service, they are really great. All the associates here are nice, friendly, they won't be hesitate to help with whatever you need to ensure the comfort...

The Ritz-Carlton Okinawa is a prime example of true luxury and world-class service. From the minute that we entered the hotel, we were met with warmth, kindness, and supreme hospitality. ||The check-in process was a breeze and we were both provided lovely welcome drinks to kick off our 5 year anniversary. Having just travelled from the airport, it was nice to be taken care of so well immediately. ||Overall, the property is impeccably maintained and luxurious. The hotel grounds are tastefully appointed, clean, and whisper (not scream) luxury with ornate and timeless art and décor. However, the staff members are the true gems of The Ritz-Carlton Okinawa. ||Everyone that we spoke to (in particular, Maya from Gusuku during breakfast who went above and beyond to provide us exceptional service and Wes - I hope I translated correctly - from Housekeeping) truly embodied The Ritz-Carlton pinnacle of service. I would also love to spotlight the kind lady who was maintaining the lobby floor and cleaning the windows, she was absolutely a gem to say hello to, although I did not get her name. ||ROOM: We were located on the 4th Floor and had a beautiful view of the grounds and Okinawa; the room was immaculate, had every single item imaginable that we could need during our stay, and most importantly - comfortable! We had already been in Japan for about 2 weeks as this point, but my most relaxing sleep was during our stay at The Ritz-Carlton Okinawa!||AMENITIES: I spent my time at the pool during our stay at The Ritz-Carlton Okinawa. It felt like an oasis in the midst of a heatwave, and after braving a few rainy days, I truly loved being in the sun. Additionally, the grounds leading up to the spa and gym are a wonderful adventure. Although the gym equipment could be modernized a bit, it still proved useful during our stay. We also took advantage of the complimentary yoga classes offered by the hotel and loved them both! The instructors were pleasant, patient, and truly wonderful.||Overall, the highlight of our 3 weeks in Japan had to be The Ritz-Carlton Okinawa. However, if I may, I would like to politely provide some feedback regarding potential guidelines for other guests - our first night at The Ritz-Carlton Okinawa was soured a bit due to some loud guests who were yelling and using their phones on speakerphone. This was the only time that the magic of The Ritz-Carlton Okinawa was a bit shattered, but the rest of our stay proved to be absolutely...

Not recommended — this property does not meet the basic service, maintenance, or sustainability standards expected of the Ritz-Carlton brand or a five-star hotel. Even within the first night, the experience was marred by multiple issues that reflected poor value and a lack of attention to guest comfort.

Arrival was confusing due to inadequate signage, and our car struggled to find the correct entrance. At the main entrance, water from an overhead air conditioning unit was dripping directly onto guests—a jarring first impression.

Inside the room, basic functionality was lacking. The shower water temperature shifted unpredictably between scalding and freezing. The bathroom vanity mirror had loose screws and was difficult to use. While the interior design was tasteful, the room layout was awkward and unintuitive. Hallway noise—footsteps and conversations—was clearly audible due to poor sound insulation.

Communication and service were equally disappointing. The room did not have a clearly displayed number for the front desk, and repeated calls to both the operator and front desk went unanswered. In-room dining also failed to meet expectations—a burger arrived overcooked and not even warm, and when sent back, it was simply microwaved and returned.

At the Lounge Bar & Café, when we politely asked if we could view the terrace, the staff responded with a curt and dismissive attitude, leaving us feeling unwelcome. Adding to the frustration, we learned that a reservation is required even to access the breakfast buffet—something not clearly communicated in advance, and frankly surprising for a hotel of this category.

Sustainability practices also appeared inconsistent. The open-air lobby was being cooled with outdoor air conditioning, raising concerns about wasteful energy use.

To be fair, the cocktail at the pool was well prepared, the ambience was pleasant, and the room’s aesthetics were attractive. But these few positives were not enough to offset the repeated operational and service failures—especially considering that all of this occurred on the very first night.

Given the consistency of similar issues raised by other guests, this appears to be a systemic problem rather than a one-off experience. A serious reassessment by Ritz-Carlton corporate and Japan’s tourism authorities of this hotel’s five-star classification is warranted. Until meaningful improvements are made, I cannot recommend...