Hyakuna Garan — Hotel in Nanjo

Hyakuna Garan is quite a distance away from the main Okinawa city of Naha, which is a plus or a minute depending on your plans on the island itself. For us, it served as a great hideaway from the hustle and bustle of the main town, as well as a means to get away from the cold spell that usually grips the main Japan island of Honshu during the Winter months. It was also the perfect base for exploring some of the things that interested us, including Okinawa World (and the Gyokusendo Cave), Sefa Utaki and Gangala Valley. And since we had a rental car with us, getting to more distant tourist spots was not too inconvenient for us as long as we planned the course properly.||||We stayed at the Garan Annex Bekkan, a stand-alone and separate unit that was a massive 130m² in size, which doesn't even factor in the terrace as well as a second enormous rooftop terrace (which has a hot tub and offers a commanding view of the ocean). It's the only room that allows children - the rest of the resort is an adults-only affair. The Annex also had a dedicated parking spot and a separate entrance (there is also a second entrance that is connected to the main building via an indoor walkway.) It was a private hotel within the hotel, and was perfect for enjoying a peaceful time in Okinawa. The Annex was almost too large for its own good. In addition to a dedicated bedroom (with two large Western bed), two restrooms and a large kitchen, the main living room consisted of a dining area with a massive table and 8 chairs, a lounge area with a generously-sized sofa and a king-sized day bed off to the side. There were other nooks and crannies (a weird storage closet didn't have any racks or shelves, and it wasn't necessary - the walk-in closet in the main bedroom was massive) that only served to make the Annex seem a bit less cavernous than it actually was.||||The room - and, for that matter, the entire resort - was in so-so shape. You can tell that it's getting up there in age, and could stand to be renovated sooner rather than later. And the somewhat dated furnishing and decor was straight out of the 80s, and the quality of the furnishings was a bit on the cheap side. Not exactly shabby, but not contemporary and pristine, either. For the room rates that Hyakuna Garan commands, I feel that a refurbishment is overdue.||||Service was of generally high quality. Everyone was warm, gracious and attentive - it was less formal than the typical luxury Japanese hotel, but was not in any way overly familiar, either. This is, after all, an island resort and not a buttoned-up city hotel, so the service style was appropriate, in our opinion.||||The food was unique and varied, and focused on local ingredients from both land and sea. We learned a great deal about Okinawan produce, sea creatures, seaweed/sea kelp as well as the dishes that included them, and really appreciated the efforts by the wait staff to explain the ingredients, preparation of each dish as well as the contrasts of the food relative to what you'd typically find in larger Japanese cities. Some of it was a hit, others were a miss. The fish were undoubtedly fresh, but there is only so much variety of top-notch fish that comes from an island that's surrounded by warm(-er) ocean water. Similarly, the local Okinawan beef was tough, chewy, bland and completely devoid of marbled fat. It's nice that Hyakuna Garan made an effort to focus on locally-sourced ingredients; on the other hand, one taste test would've been sufficient (and then they could have moved onto better-quality Wagyu from other parts of the country.) The food at Hyakuna Garan was not without its highlights, however. The Goya Champuru (Stir-fried Bitter Melon with Agu-Pork, scrambled eggs and Tofu), a local staple dish, was fantastic, as was the traditional Okinawan Soba noodles. And for those with a sweet tooth (like us) will be delighted at the dessert offerings, both in terms of quality and quantity. Each dessert serving consisted of at least 5 different little bites, resulting to a wonderful finale to a good overall meal.||||We felt that 4 nights (3 full days) was the right amount of time for us. One day was spent relaxing in the Garan Annex Bekkan, while for the remaining two days we explored both the local area as well as more remote locales on the island. Hyakuna Garan is not really a beach destination, however, so if that's what you're after you are best served to search for alternatives. We were looking for a small secluded luxury hotel with a nice room, great views and local food - for us, therefore, it was the optimal property to enjoy our...

A paradise of peace and enjoyment This hotel is a true gem and made my stay in Okinawa an unforgettable experience. From the moment I arrived, I was pampered by outstanding service. The staff was always attentive, friendly, and helpful, without being intrusive. The culinary delights in the hotel restaurant were simply excellent. Each course was a feast for the senses, artfully prepared with fresh, local ingredients. Featuring traditional Okinawan cuisine and other Japanese specialties, the quality and creativity of the dishes delighted me every evening. The hotel's location is ideal for those seeking relaxation while exploring the island. Direct access to the water allowed for refreshing swims in the sea and long walks along the beach, where you could watch the fascinating spectacle of the tides. With my rental car, I was able to easily explore the surrounding area and discover the beauty of southern Okinawa. A particular highlight was the tranquil yoga room, which provided an oasis of peace. Here, I was able to unwind wonderfully and practice my yoga exercises in a relaxed atmosphere. The library, with its selection of books, also invited me to linger. My room was spacious, spotlessly clean, and offered a breathtaking view of the ocean directly from the bathtub. An absolute must is reserving one of the extra-warm baths with panoramic views of the sunrise or sunset over the ocean – an unforgettable experience! This wellness hotel perfectly combines relaxation, excellent service, and a dream location. It is the ideal place to unwind and enjoy the beauty of Okinawa. I highly recommend this hotel and will definitely stay here again on my next visit...

If you can't convince yourself to pay for this ( i had a hard time actually...), then you could be missing out a great experience.||Staff spoke good English. Rooms are huge and you can shower with a view. Love their pajamas as they are so comfortable. Please book their little bath house on the top level. It's free of charge and suggest you head there before breakfast. You can enjoy a hot bath with your partner before the wonderful breakfast. The sea view is calming and this hotel is a great place to unwind. There is nothing much around the hotel and no convenient stores around but you won't want to waste time outside because this place just gave me the relaxing vibes. Dinner is provided and we chose to eat in our rooms. ||They have an art gallery below, a zen room and a library. The beach is not fantastic. However, the service is impeccable. I drove into their car park and headed up to collect my room keys after lunch outside. When the lift door opened, they just said good noon and passed me the keys. I do not even need to walk to the reception. How fast and good service is that? ||Overall, this is one of the best hotels I have ever stayed. The ambience, the service and it really was therapeutic for me. A getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city - but be...