AYANNA Miyako

We came back to Ayana Miyako this year for our wedding anniversary and spent eight peaceful days in an Executive Suite. By the pool, we could simply relax and enjoy dolce far niente, the sweet pleasure of doing nothing. Ayana Miyako really is a place where time slows down and you can just breathe. The staff were warm and professional, and their thoughtful care showed throughout the resort. For anyone who wants privacy and refined hospitality, this is a special experience. We found ourselves returning, and I can imagine doing so again.

The seclusion was a real pleasure. We were grateful for the privacy, and if we'd brought snacks or microwave meals, we might not have needed to leave the room at all. There are trade-offs, though: without a vehicle, restaurants are quite a distance away. With one, the location is great. There's a restaurant on site, but at about C$190 per person it was too expensive for us. The accommodation itself is incredible, from the pool to a bathroom you could spend hours in, with high-end features all around. The staff were fantastic too. We'd left it too late to get dinner and no taxis would come, so the manager, who spoke fairly good English, drove us in her own car to a local Izakaya she recommended. She helped translate the menu and arranged a special birthday breakfast for my partner the next morning. That was far beyond what we expected. I only wish we'd stayed longer, and we'd happily come back.

The floating breakfast by the private pool was a real treat. The setting was lovely, and the omelet and pancakes were surprisingly good, easily top-chef quality. Everything around us was peaceful, and the hospitality was outstanding. The friendly butlers' smiling faces have stayed with me. Service felt both personal and professional. It was a true escape.

The staff went above and beyond, and both the in-room breakfast and dinner courses were excellent, with local ingredients and flavors. The rooms were beautifully designed, and having a private pool made the stay feel even more luxurious. On my first trip to Miyako, I couldn't have chosen a better place. Ayanna sits just off the bridge linking Irabu and Miyako, so it was convenient to reach and still offered a peaceful setting beside the beautiful coastline. I can't wait to return to Ayanna.