Luxe Tech Villa Ashitoku

The place may suit people who are comfortable with little contact with others, but anyone looking for the warmth and atmosphere associated with Amami should think carefully about it. Check-in was fully automated, which felt high-tech but also rather unwelcoming. I'd have liked at least one staff member around to answer questions. The rooms and facilities were new and very clean, and having the ocean right in front made for a comfortable stay. The vending machines were a hassle, though: you had to download a special app. Benisango Soda showed a price difference of 100 yen between the machine and the app, and I was charged the higher price. At 490 yen, I wouldn't have bought it.

The view from the room was lovely, with nature, birds, and the calming sound of grass rustling. The building was new and clean, and the ocean was close by. The room had disposable slippers and a projector aimed at a white wall instead of a TV, which I liked. There was drip coffee, I think, but no tea or black tea. No ice maker either, though there was a freezer. I stayed in Building C, where reception is. There were quite a few steps, so it wasn't accessible without barriers. The rooftop had chairs and was nice for having a beer, but the walls were high and the lights bright, so it may not be good for stargazing. The bus stop is nearby, with buses about every 30 minutes; it takes around 20 minutes to get to the airport. There's a post office and a small shop right across from the stop. A microwave, disposable chopsticks, and other items were by the vending machines. The soft drink machine took cash, while the alcohol machine required an app. There was no Febreze or similar product, so bring your own if you need it. The room smelled a little moldy, though that's to be expected in a tropical climate. My main annoyance was the bedding: the duvet cover was cotton, but the pillow and mattress sheets were synthetic. I guess they're easier to change that way, but the fabric irritated my sensitive skin.

The beach was the highlight for me, just a 30-second walk away. It's quiet, with smooth white sand, and having coffee on the balcony in the morning was lovely. The villa-style hotel is newly built and stylish, and the room was clean and well put together. I watched Netflix on the projector and slept well in the fluffy bed. I was working remotely, so I picked a room with a desk and a chair with a backrest. The Wi-Fi stayed strong and stable, with no problems. Check-in used facial recognition and took under a minute, then getting to the room was very easy. Toothbrushes, razors, lotion, and coffee were provided. The nearest bus stop is Akaogi Post Office, about a five-minute walk away. It takes around 20 minutes by bus from the stop outside the airport, and buses come roughly every half hour. There aren't many shops nearby, though there are some restaurants and izakayas. Big II is a convenient option for groceries, a short bus ride away. A good place for a quiet break, a workcation, or time in Amami's nature.

It was quiet, away from the city center and close to the airport. The building was new and the room was clean, but the thin walls meant I could hear everything next door, which took away from the luxurious feel. Better soundproofing would help. I had no contact with hotel staff from check-in through checkout: both were handled remotely, entirely by tablet. I guess whether that's a problem depends on personal preference.