Laguna Garden Hotel

For the price, I was really happy with the stay. The pools were incredible, and we had no trouble with our tattoos when we covered them with bandages. We also saw some guests with full sleeves, so I guess your experience may vary. I wasn’t sure about the shallow pool at first, but ended up liking it. The outdoor water area connects to tropical beach, one of my favorite places to watch the sunset. The rooms are huge by Japan standards. I’d worried that the beds were only twins, but they pushed them together into a sort of giga-king bed that was amazing. The balcony view was incredible, and the little lounge couch and TV made it easy to have a snack. The bathroom was really nice too. The rooms were perfect. Breakfast was really good. I was told there were two options, but the queuing system only ever let us try one. Maybe I misunderstood. We didn’t try the in-house restaurants beyond breakfast, though the 13th floor bar was really, really nice.

The Paddle Bar was a highlight. The bartender was really cute, and the drinks were amazing. Michiko, my therapist, was wonderful and gave me lots of help figuring out what to see and what to avoid. We had some trouble with the reservation before arriving, and Yuri helped us a lot with that and with information about the resort and area. The hall and all the Christmas decorations looked amazing, and the infrastructure was very good. At the front desk, no one spoke English, so we used translation, but everyone was very nice. It was a nice stay in general. I think it would be even better in summer.

I ended up having a pleasant two-day stay at this Okinawa hotel, even though I’d originally booked somewhere else. It was a chance to try a larger property that hosts both tourists and events. Getting around on foot was manageable, and nearby attractions were easy enough to explore. My corner suite was spacious and well laid out, with a comfortable bed, two seating areas, big windows, and a balcony that brought in plenty of light. The breakfast buffet was gourmet, and I could also use it for lunch, which made for a relaxed meal. There was a great range of dishes, including local food, and wine was free-flowing. The staff were friendly and accommodating, and free parking was a nice extra. The room had a slight smell at first, probably from humidity, but it faded quickly, and the air purifier helped. The bathroom felt a little dated next to the rest of the suite, though it wasn’t a big problem. I enjoyed the stay, with good amenities, dining, and service. It’s a solid choice for a comfortable stay in Okinawa.

The kids cried when we left, saying, “I want to live in this hotel.” We had a great time and are already planning to return. Our 43 square meter ocean view East Wing Room was huge, especially for Japan, and the indoor pool and onsen were phenomenal. The hotel mostly serves domestic Japanese tourists, and you could feel the Omotenashi throughout. Japanese and non-Japanese staff alike worked at a very high level, like at 5-star resorts overseas. The location was great and the cospa even better. At breakfast, the coffee machines made a delicious cappuccino or caffe latte in under five seconds. We visited at the end of the year in low season, just when we needed a break. It wasn’t beach-swimming weather, but it was perfect for a stroll.