Sheraton Okinawa Sunmarina Resort

Even though the resort gives itself a four-star rating, I found it better than many five-star hotels in Japan and across Asia Pacific. I’m a Marriott Titanium elite and Lifetime Platinum member. I chose it for the Marriott loyalty and location, returning to Okinawa with a particular itinerary in mind. The hotel was quiet and pleasant despite having many guests. It also felt peaceful even though the spacious parking lot, with plenty of spaces and a short walk to the entrance, showed how busy it was. There are at least two other restaurants within walking distance for anyone without a car, and a family mart across from the hotel’s grand drive-in entrance. Check-in was the frustrating part. After the long drive from Naha, I was “upgraded” to a room that felt more like an insulting downgrade. We had to take our luggage through mazes to the South Tower, where my first-floor balcony looked out at a row of rundown boats, a storage or garage area with a crane, and workers making noise. That wasn’t the “high floor ocean view” room I’d booked and paid extra to guarantee. I had to walk back through the mazes to the front desk, and they promptly fixed it. My original room was no longer available, I guess they’d given it to someone else, so I got a fourth-floor room in a seven-floor building, if I remember right. It wasn’t a high floor, but the actual sea view was much better, so thank you. I got the impression the hotel isn’t very generous with Marriott elite upgrades. My suite night award was declined even though the Marriott app showed the room available throughout my stay. I’m fine with that, since it isn’t guaranteed, but please honor the high-floor sea-view booking I actually paid extra to secure. The frustration faded during the rest of the stay. All the staff were kind and helpful. The views were amazing, and both breakfast and dinner at the hotel were excellent. The buffet spread at both meals was fantastic and high quality. The hotel is old, but I couldn’t tell from the entrance through to my room. It smelled good, looked good, and seemed so well maintained that it felt like someone had polished or mopped everything every hour. I understand the hotel closed for renovations the day after I checked out. Once that work is done, I highly recommend the resort.

The route to the day-pass changing room was flooded and muddy from the rain, and the room itself was old, rusty, dusty, and very dark. I was shocked and wanted to cry. It wasn’t what I wanted for my child’s birthday. I didn’t take a photo because I was stressed, the rain was heavy, and I had to look after my child. We were too exhausted to go back for another pass to use the indoor pool, so we used the outdoor pool in the rain instead. I booked the 5,700 yen Pool + Lunch package through TableCheck while looking for an Onna-area buffet for my child’s birthday. It was promoted as “OUR MOST POPULAR PACKAGE DURING SUMMER” and included pool access and a lunch buffet. At the entrance, the woman didn’t know what the package was, even after I showed the reservation confirmation, and sent us to the Beach Play Counter. Someone there sent us to Senses, the buffet restaurant, so we were passed around twice, walking in the rain. At 10:30 AM, the man at Senses said we couldn’t use the pool yet and had to eat first, and that we’d get guidelines after lunch. We got blue wristbands after eating, but no instructions, and were sent back to the Beach Play Counter. The woman there pointed out the locker room, changing room, and pool on a map, but most changing rooms we tried required key card access. I had to ask again and learned that day-pass users’ changing room was at the farthest end of the hotel. I understand day-pass holders may be treated differently from hotel guests, but not to this extent. This was the worst pool day-pass experience we’ve ever had. We’re paying customers too, and I hope management takes the facilities and customer experience seriously.

The range of things to do here makes it easy to spend several days at the resort without needing to head out. I especially like staying here in Okinawa. The new wing has a more resort-like room layout, though its hallway feels a bit plain. Dining choices on site are limited, but plenty of well-known restaurants are within a 15-minute drive. The Sheraton is right in the heart of Onna and may be one of the best Sheraton properties.

There are lots of enjoyable activities for families and kids, and the staff are so kind and provide excellent service. Our room was very clean too. We'd visit again.