Ishigaki Resort Grandvrio Hotel

The rooms are very large, and both the indoor and outdoor pools were clean and pleasant. The staff were genuinely friendly and ready to help. Still, for the price, there are better choices on the island. Getting between the two parts of the resort is a hassle. There’s no direct route, so you need to take a shuttle or walk a long way around the main road. A lot of activities shut early too: table tennis and billiards end at 8 p.m., and the outdoor pool closes at 6. The hotel tours weren’t anything special. I’d look on Google Maps for small local guides instead, since they’re often cheaper, more informative, and more relaxed than a large group tour. The beach wasn’t what I hoped for. There’s no proper sandy shore, just concrete steps into the water, and the backdrop is city and harbor rather than tropical scenery. For a more natural island feel, the north has lovely beaches and clear water. The location may suit people wanting to be near the city, but it felt too urban to me. The island is small enough to visit town from elsewhere. The restaurant was my biggest disappointment: expensive food that didn’t taste good, and it closes early. When you’re tired, having to figure out where else to eat makes evenings more stressful and eats into your time. Overall the hotel isn’t awful, but the restaurant and layout made the stay less relaxing. It could suit people who aren’t looking for nature or a beautiful beach, don’t mind high prices for average food, and want a large room or even a whole house.

The ocean view from the room was lovely, and the room itself was fine, but the bed and pillows were uncomfortable. Yakiniku was a good restaurant; the others felt overpriced for what they served. If you want to lounge by a pool with a cocktail, you’ll probably be disappointed. The pool shuts at 6 p.m., drinking by it isn’t allowed, and the outdoor areas felt empty and lifeless, with no music. The resort is dated and doesn’t feel like a relaxing place to hang out. Its location works well as a base for exploring the island, though, and there may be cheaper places around if that’s all you need.

The location worked well, the property seemed well cared for, and my room was a good size. It’s easy to get a taxi, and the shop was handy. The woman working there was especially helpful. Breakfast was good, though at 2,800 now it’s less of a bargain. For this price, there were quite a few annoyances. The pool is really small, and apparently you can’t use it after having a drink, even though lots of restaurants have pool bars. We arrived at the games room ten minutes after closing and were turned away, which seemed mean. The eco cleaning system was confusing, and staff didn’t explain it clearly. As far as we could find, no restaurant was open for weekday lunch. The coffee machine was out of filters, needed cleaning, or had some other problem on three of my four visits. The poolside bar was also poorly stocked. It didn’t feel like good value.

The staff made the stay for me. From the front desk to maintenance, everyone was willing to help, even with limited English. They booked a reservation-only restaurant for us and were very helpful. We also booked two hotel experiences, and both were great value. The outdoor space felt relaxed, and the hotel had plenty of facilities, including an onsen with an outdoor bath where you could enjoy the clear sea air. Our room was older, but clean and well looked after. The bed suited me, though it was on the firm side. I didn’t care for the mirror facing one of the beds, so I covered it with a towel. The balcony and ocean view were a big plus. For a first visit to Ishigakijima, I had a great time. Consider renting a car, since the buses run too far apart to see much of the island. I’d stay here again when I return to Ishigakijima.