Hotel Thomas Nago

It feels more like an apartment than a hotel, so don’t count on room service. There’s just one person at reception, an older man who may be the owner. Call when you arrive, though he’s usually at the back of the entrance. Lots of cats are around; please don’t feed them, as someone else looks after them.

The room was spotless and modern, and the building seems well maintained. We had a double bed and a single bed despite booking for two. Towels were supplied, along with large bottles of shampoo, conditioner, and body soap, which came in handy since I hadn’t brought any. It’s more like an apartment, with a fully equipped kitchen and washroom, detergent, and a drying rack. After a day at the beach, that made washing our swimsuits easy. Longer stays mean keeping the room clean yourself, but there’s a vacuum provided. You’ll want a rental car here, as it’s a bit far from everything. Gorilla Chop snorkeling spot is about 11 minutes away by car, and the Okinawa aquarium is 25 minutes away. With the full kitchen, cooking may be easier than finding restaurants. 7/11 is across the street, which was very convenient, and parking is free. The hotel is in an old mansion building, so there are some critters outside, especially in the parking lot. We didn’t see any roaches or bedbugs at all. For snorkeling and beach days, they rent flippers, goggles, life jackets, and snorkels for ¥1,000 a day, and you can take the gear with you instead of renting from a dive shop. I’d highly recommend this place for a family beach vacation.

We found the proprietor friendly and the hotel very comfortable. The location just didn’t suit us, and we preferred staying in Naha. If you’re interested in nature hikes, it may work well, but you’ll need a rental car or a very good grasp of local bus routes and schedules. Otherwise, expect to rely on taxis. Whether it suits you depends on what you want from the location.

Hotel Tomas Nago is new and small, but our compact room had all the basics: a washing machine, stove, fridge, hanger, and laundry detergent. The staff were friendly, though they spoke very little English. It’s hard to find without a car. WAKE, where you can snorkel or go stand-up paddling, is a one-minute walk away, and the coach there was helpful and friendly. Family mart is nearby too. There are also lots of cemeteries around, but it’s very peaceful.