Crystal Villa Bayside

On this, our seventh visit to Miyakogima, we brought our kids, ages 7 and 3. The villa ended up being a highlight of the trip. We made a lot of memories using the BBQ we rented from the villa, and the outdoor jacuzzi let us enjoy the night sky in warm water on cold days. The newly decorated room and equipment were also better than we expected for the price. We don’t speak Japanese and worried about needing help since the counter isn’t at this site. Fortunately, Kobayashi San speaks English very well and was there to assist whenever we needed. After five days, we felt it was worth the cost both for the service and the facilities. We appreciated the villa and Kobayashi San’s help.

Memo: the villa is in the south of Miyako Island, far from the main town, so you really need a car. With no receptionist, I couldn’t tell anything about the neighbors or other villa guests, and that left me uneasy about security. The outdoor jacuzzi might suit men, but I don’t think women would want to use it at night. Taxis are almost impossible to find that far from town, and you can’t get one dispatched there. If you want alcohol with dinner, bringing your own food is your only option. I didn’t use a designated driver service, so I can’t say how that works. There’s a free Shigira Resort shuttle bus, but you have to walk 15 minutes to reach it. It’s hot, far, and dark at night. Bugs float in the pool, though the kids loved it. The supplied inflatable rings were a welcome extra.

When we arrived, there was hair on the floor and lots of dead flies stuck to the ceiling and by the air conditioner. It made me wonder whether the villa had actually been cleaned, and anyone who cares a lot about cleanliness might find it unpleasant. The amenities were modern and well stocked. There were also so many bugs floating in the outdoor pool that I didn’t feel like getting in. I figured that was just how villas are, but the next day I stayed in another villa in the same price range, and it was really clean and comfortable. That’s why I gave this one its rating.

The property was very clean, and I had a comfortable stay. Being able to check in and out without meeting local staff was convenient. I stayed in Building F, where the villa key was in a key box outside the building, opened with a PIN. The mirror in my room was quite dirty, though. I also didn’t get the key box code until the day before, so I had to contact the email address on the official website myself. If you book through Agoda, it’s a good idea to check on the code in advance.