Locals in Japan

Okinawa, a popular resort destination in Japan, is known for its beautiful beaches and delicious cuisine. During the Golden Week in May, my family of four had the pleasure of visiting this tropical paradise. In this post, we would like to share our experience and provide some helpful tips for foreign tourists considering a stay at Hotel Monterey Okinawa.

Hotel We Stayed:

Hotel we stayed: Hotel Monterey Okinawa
It is a family-friendly resort located in Onna Village, along the central coast of Okinawa’s main island. Actually it was our second time staying there. We first stayed there in 2021 during COVID19 and were so impressed that we decided to return. The facilities are immaculate, and the hotel offers a wide range of amenities, including shops, restaurants, indoor and outdoor pools, marine activities, a coin laundry, and microwaves. The hotel’s banana juice, made with Okinawan brown sugar, is a must-try at breakfast buffet!

Booking and Accomodation:

As our visit coincided with the peak travel season in Japn, called “Golden Week“, we made sure to book our room through Booking.com three months in advance to secure the most economical standard room and avoid sold-out situations or high prices. We requested an extra bed for our 6 year old boy, which was actually provided as per our request. While we would have preferred a room with a separate bedroom and living area for work purposes after the children went to sleep, such rooms were unavailable at the hotel. As a solution, we created a makeshift workspace in the bathroom and hallway…

We highly recommend opting for the breakfast-included plan, as the hotel’s breakfast buffet offers a wide variety of delicious dishes. FYI, the hotel’s top floor (12th) is a club floor, which provides additional services such as breakfast room service and access to the club lounge.

Dining:

The breakfast buffet at Hotel Monterey Okinawa is a highlight, featuring a wide array of Okinawan, Japanese, and Western dishes, fresh banana smoothies, bread, and even ice cream. After staying there this time we found out the buffet menu alternates between two main patterns, so guests staying for more than three days may encounter the same menu. However, the variety is extensive enough to prevent boredom. 😊

During peak seasons, the breakfast venue can become crowded. To manage the queue, the hotel uses a LINE application for virtual queuing. QR codes for the app can be found at the restaurant entrance and in the elevator halls on each floor, allowing guests to join the queue without physically standing in line. We were unaware of this system during our first breakfast and ended up waiting for 40 minutes… (However, we learned from this experience and utilized the app effectively for the remainder of our stay.)

For dinner, there are several restaurants within the hotel, as well as along the street where the hotel is located. Some restaurants even offer live Okinawan music performances. We enjoyed meals both inside and outside the hotel, including a buffet dinner with live Okinawan music at the hotel, which was enjoyable for the whole family. During our previous stay in 2021, we also had a memorable experience dining at the hotel’s beachside restaurant, savoring a BBQ while listening to the sound of the waves.

Beach and Pools:

The hotel boasts a private beach called “Tiger Beach,” as well as outdoor and indoor pools. The beach is located right in front of the hotel and features a protected area enclosed by nets, ensuring a safe swimming environment.

The outdoor pool area consists of multiple sections, including an infinity pool, a wave pool, and a kids’ slider pool, catering to both adults and children. Even on rainy days, the indoor pool offers a slider-equipped kids’ area for family fun.

While the indoor pool is subject to a fee, some accommodation plans include access to the indoor pool and gym. If you plan to use these facilities, be sure to select the appropriate plan.

The hotel employs an adequate number of staff to supervise and clean the pool areas, providing a safe and pleasant experience.

Hot Springs:

The hotel features a natural hot spring with carefully selected free-flowing water. Guests can access the indoor pool, hot spring, and fitness area for a fee of 1,500 yen, valid until noon the following day.

We took advantage of this option on a rainy day, enjoying the indoor pool and hot spring with our children from morning onwards. Despite the gloomy weather, the indoor pool facilities ensured that our children had plenty of reasons to smile, making for a satisfying experience.

Other facilities and Activities:

The hotel offers three play areas for children: one outdoor park and two indoor play areas (one for 0-1-year-olds and another for 2-5-year-olds).

A wide range of marine activities is available too, including snorkeling, glass-bottom boat tours, kids’ snorkeling, diving, yoga, and stand-up paddleboarding (SUP).

Parking is available in the underground or outdoor parking areas. As most guests are resort visitors with rental cars, the parking lots are often filled to capacity. Foreign tourists also use rental cars, and the hotel staff provides guidance during parking.

The hotel’s shops sell various items, including souvenirs, food, and Ryukyu glass, making browsing an enjoyable experience in itself.

Conclusion, reflecting our stay:

Our second visit to Hotel Monterey Okinawa was just as satisfying as the first, thanks to our familiarity with the hotel’s offerings. The staff is friendly and attentive, well-equipped to cater to the needs of the many families who stay at the hotel.

With delicious food, ample shopping opportunities, and a wide range of pools that are sure to delight water-loving children, the hotel is an ideal choice for creating wonderful family memories.

The only drawback we experienced was the weather. Okinawa’s rainy season typically starts from May to June, leading to an increase in overcast and rainy days in May. During our six-day stay, we encountered about four days of cloudy or rainy weather. For the best experience, we recommend visiting Okinawa between June and October, after the rainy season, to fully enjoy the beautiful beaches and pools.

Booking your stay:

You can easily reserve rooms at Hotel Monterey Okinawa through popular platforms like Booking.com as listed below.

We hope this post serves as a useful guide when selecting a hotel in Okinawa. The hotel offers English-speaking staff, family friendly staff, and accepts international credit cards. Book well in advance, particularly during peak seasons, and communicate any special requests to ensure a comfortable stay. Experience the best of Okinawan hospitality and natural beauty at Hotel Monterey Okinawa for an unforgettable vacation!

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