Grand Mercure Okinawa Cape Zanpa Resort — Hotel in Yomitan

This hotel is at least an hour away from the airport. Check in:Out of the four hotels we stayed at during our time in Japan, this had to be the slowest. We arrived after the recommended check in time, and were in a queue for over 30 minutes. Once at the desk, checking in time was about 10 minutes (considering we had already pre paid).RoomsWe are a family of four and booked two superior twin rooms (next door to each other). The rooms were clean and spacious. Maybe the extra space could be attributed to the fact that sofa that was meant to be in the room was missing. Beds very comfortable, and underneath each bed was a pull out bed, so essentially the room could house four people (if you do not mind comprising on space). Shower (nice and powerful), bath tub and as standard with every hotel we stayed, heated toilet seat with bidet. Products were of a high standards (toothpaste in paper sachets), shampoo, conditioner, hand soap and body lotion, all with a pomelo scent. Didn’t need to use my own products.Breakfast, lunch and dinnerWhen we booked, there packages on offer: breakfast only, dinner only and all inclusive (breakfast, lunch and dinner). Breakfast was very good. A large selection of food, coffee, beer, sparking wine, juices/smoothies. However, something needs to be done about queuing for breakfast. 40 minutes wait time not ok. Staff could not manage the large influx of guests. There were empty tables and guest waiting. Dinner was also of a high standard. No waiting (it would appear that more people opted for breakfast only). Free flow beer, juice, sparking wine and spirits (with a cocktail menu). What would be good, if there was a 7 day menu or a feature dish each night. After 5 nights, both breakfast and dinner became boring. Lunch was not available. This was a bit of sticking point. I asked management why there was no lunch as it was clearly included in my booking receipt. Apparently this is an error by trip.com and I will need to follow up with them.Based on this there is actually no all inclusive package, as the free flow champagne, beer drinks and snacks that was served from 3pm to 6pm and from 7pm - 10pm was available to everyone. What this created was mass queuing in the lobby area. Also, guests that opted not have dinner were permitted to order take away (McDonalds/KFC etc) into the hotel, so the lobby was packed with people and a cacophony smells from the food. I have never been to hotel where this has been permitted. Beach and swimming poolsZanpa beach was crowded and there are not enough umbrellas and chairs to go around. Poolside facilities, nice and new. Cabana’s for rent (4 hours at a time), which comes with a platter of fruit and a drink per person (maybe when the pool bar opens, you will cabana service).StaffFriendly and well dressed. Not many staff spoke English. So lots of gesturing and pointing. I think once the construction is finished, the hotel will be very nice. What is unfortunate, is that for a hotel of that size, which offers so much food and drink and is far from everything, there is no fitness suit/ gym and studio for fitness classes (to allow guest to keep fit and burn all the extra calories they are...

Overall: 3 Nights in a Not-Ready-for-Peak-Season Hotel

I recently spent three nights at the Grand Mercure Okinawa Cape Zanpa Resort in a Junior Suite on the 12th floor. While the hotel offers some great features, there are a few areas that could use improvement, especially during peak season.

Pros: The location of the hotel is excellent, just a five-minute walk from the beach, which enhances its resort vibe. The pool area is well-designed, and the new water slide, which opened on August 1st, added an extra element of fun to our stay.

Breakfast on August 1st was a pleasant experience, with fewer guests and consistently good food quality. The beachfront location and overall potential for a relaxing holiday are clear strengths of this hotel.

I’d like to specifically thank Honoka Ishiji, the operations supervisor, who promptly addressed the hygiene issues in my room. Without her quick intervention, the dust issue could have persisted throughout my stay.

Cons: The Junior Suite I stayed in had not been renovated and was quite dusty, with noticeable dust on the TV, ventilation, and light bulbs. This made the room uncomfortable and caused some nasal irritation. The elevators also posed a safety issue, closing too quickly and often hitting guests despite pressing the open button.

Communication with the front desk staff was another challenge. While they were polite, they relied heavily on translation apps, which made interactions slow and somewhat frustrating. This language barrier was a recurring inconvenience.

The breakfast experience on August 2nd and 3rd was pretty chaotic as the number of guests more than doubled, likely due to the influx of visitors following the water slide's opening. On August 2nd, the hotel provided a waiting number machine to help manage the crowd, which seemed effective. However, by August 3rd, the machine was removed, resulting in long lines and a less organized experience. It was evident that the hotel wasn’t fully prepared to handle the sudden surge of guests during peak season.

The lounge area was often overcrowded, particularly after guests finished swimming. With two beer machines but only one soft drink machine, the lines for soft drinks were very long. A better configuration of the machines, along with a separate lounge area for non-swimmers, could improve the experience. The swimming pools were also crowded, especially the main pool, while the other pools remained almost empty. I hope this improves once the flowing water pool opens.

Value for Money: Given the high room rate, I expected a higher level of service and overall experience. Unfortunately, the service didn’t match the cost, and I didn’t feel I received the quality I paid for.

Overall, the Grand Mercure Okinawa Cape Zanpa Resort has a lot of potential, especially with its excellent location and amenities. However, it’s clear that the hotel is not fully prepared for peak season, with issues in cleanliness, service, and capacity management. With some improvements, this hotel could offer a much more satisfying experience...

Disclaimer: It's important to note that during my stay at the Grand Mercure in Okinawa, the hotel was undergoing renovations. Some facilities were still being constructed, which may affect the full range of services typically available.

Location: The Grand Mercure is situated about an hour north of Naha Airport, placing it in a more scenic part of the island. This location not only offers tranquility away from the bustling city center but also features stunning natural landscapes. The hotel stands as the tallest building in the area, providing unobstructed views that are nothing short of breathtaking. It is adjacent to Zanpa Beach, where hotel guests benefit from direct access and discounts on beach equipment rentals. The beach mixes fine sand with rocky sections, making water shoes a recommended accessory for comfort and safety.

Hotel Atmosphere: Upon entering, the Grand Mercure impresses with a grand and expansive lobby that doubles as an open lounge. This area becomes a hub of activity during the complimentary snack and drink sessions offered twice daily (from 3-6 PM and 9-11 PM), including alcoholic beverages. These sessions were popular and always created a lively atmosphere in the lounge.

The front desk staff were consistently friendly and smiling, although there were times when the staffing levels were not adequate to manage the guest flow, leading to longer wait times and occasionally unanswered phones.

Rooms: The rooms are modern, spacious, and kept in immaculate condition. My room offered a stunning view of the ocean and daily sunsets, which were a highlight of my stay. While the softness of the mattresses and pillows, and the occasional inadequacy of the air conditioning during the hottest part of the day, were minor drawbacks, they did not significantly detract from the overall comfort of the room.

Facilities: The hotel features two operational pools—a large flower-shaped pool and a smaller paddling pool for children. We had a 3-heard old child who absolutely loved the swimming pool. It’s very child-friendly and there were many other families there enjoying the facilities. Ongoing construction includes an exciting pool slide, which promises to be a major attraction once completed. The absence of a fitness center was noted; however, the hotel staff were incredibly helpful in locating a nearby gym that offered day passes. This gym was fully equipped with all the necessary fitness equipment, and the staff even phoned ahead to inquire about fees and requirements. A suggestion for improvement would be to provide a water dispenser accessible throughout the day to help guests stay hydrated in the warm climate.

Overall: Despite the ongoing renovations, my stay at the Grand Mercure in Okinawa was memorable and enjoyable. The hotel's location and amenities, coupled with its vibrant lounge offerings and excellent service, make it a commendable choice for travelers. I am eager to see the enhancements and full potential of this hotel once renovations...