Renaissance Resort Okinawa

The room was the highlight for me. I booked for three adults and worried it would feel cramped, as it often does in Japanese hotels, but it was surprisingly spacious and the beds were arranged well. The staff were very kind and helpful, and valet parking on arrival was smooth and convenient. As a loyal Marriott Bonvoy member, I wasn't let down. There are lots of facilities, including the hotel's dolphins, turtles, and indoor and outdoor pools. There's plenty to do without leaving the property, and I imagine summer would be even more fun. The windows could use better insulation. On our first night, loud motorcycles or drivers on the road outside disturbed us around 10:30 PM, which was annoying. The breakfast and dinner buffets were just okay despite the range of choices. Dinner lacked high-quality protein options, and the roast beef was average and hard to chew, which was disappointing. Still, it was a solid stay, and I'll choose this hotel again.

I live in Okinawa, but this was my first stay at the Renaissance Hotel. The service was good for the price, and the bellboy escorted me to my room with the kind of service you'd expect at a luxury hotel. My room was upgraded to a renovated deluxe room, so it was clean and had a nice balcony view. Parking was a real hassle for me. I arrived in a car with a Y plate as part of a US military family stationed in Okinawa, and was told I couldn't use the usually free valet service. I had to park myself in a designated area that was very narrow, and parking is already the hardest part for me. I'd read that this is a kid-friendly hotel, but the birds in the lobby caught me by surprise. The atmosphere was unlike any hotel I'd experienced before. My baby is very young, so we didn't do many activities. Outside, I saw a large turtle and could vaguely see a manta ray as we passed a feeding area. Despite the cold December weather, couples were snorkeling at the beach, with a lifeguard on duty. The guard said you can still see some fish in December, which surprised me. As a Platinum member, I got free evening cocktails at Four Seasons, but there were no non-alcoholic cocktails, only juices. That was a bit disappointing, though the food was okay. I also paid an extra 1,000 yen for breakfast there. The pancake line was long and the pancakes were decent, but the food selection was smaller than I expected. I had a simple Ryukyu breakfast set at the Kaiseki restaurant called Irodori, and it was quite good, better than expected. Overall, the food and drinks at the Renaissance Hotel were surprisingly good. The extra 1,000 yen breakfast charge wasn't applied correctly at first, and it took over 15 minutes to fix after I asked. The worst part was the valet service when I left. The young female staff member who helped me was so inattentive and rude that she spoiled what had otherwise been an enjoyable stay. That needs serious improvement. I also received a free hot spring ticket, but couldn't use it because my baby is too young. I'd like to return when the baby is a little older.

The beach area has very good activities, and the food and staff were good. The property is amazing, but a few things need attention. As Bonvoy Gold Elite members, we didn't receive any upgrade or complimentary items in the room, and we had to call five or six times for water bottles. I understand the hotel may be busy, but that shouldn't be an excuse. Getting around by cab can also be difficult, since sometimes the wait is long. Thank you.

The friendly staff and good lobby restaurant are the only reasons I'm giving this place two stars. The room felt dated, smelled bad from the carpet, and had no dresser for clothes, which seemed odd. There’s no hot tub, and the fitness room is far too small and limited for the number of guests. The parrot in the lobby screeches horribly, and the resort is isolated, with nothing within walking distance. Work is covering my stay. Otherwise, I wouldn't have stayed.