Amami Resort Thida Moon

Japan was dealing with a typhoon and my flight was cancelled, but the hotel wouldn't cancel my booking. Their policy says cancellations three days before arrival cost 50%, yet when I cancelled three days before my stay they charged me 80%. Is that the hospitality this place offers? I wouldn't recommend this island to anyone.

The beach view was excellent, and there was a very nice onsen, a sauna, and an outdoor pool. The staff were friendly and helpful, too. One thing to know is that the hotel may feel a little too Japanese for some foreign visitors, if that makes sense. That's not a bad thing, but I was hoping for a more Western-style hotel. Four stars.

Be sure to book an ocean-view room. From here you can watch the sun rise over the blue sea, offshore. The hotel faces the eastern ocean side of Amami. My room was clean, with well-made wooden furniture, and dinner was delicious, nicely served, and made with local ingredients and gentle local flavors. The public bath is small, with room for only a few people at a time, but you can use the clean bathtub in your room instead. Checkout is at eleven, so on a slow day you can sleep in with the quiet around you.

The food was very nice, and my room was clean. Service was really good, with an extremely friendly staff. If the weather cooperates, I’d strongly recommend trying the grill on the terrace. It’s a bit pricey, but worth it.