Hanamuro inn Akajima

I was initially thinking I'd choose my own meals, but with so few restaurants and irregular closing days, having meals taken care of meant I could relax without worrying about where to eat. The food came as boxed meals, which were perfect to take to the bridge and enjoy while watching the sunset. The staff's homemade cooking was delicious, especially the panini, which I'd like to add to my own home menu. This was the right choice for us. It's clean and comfortable, with nature all around and wild deer as a normal sight. We wanted that more than a luxury hotel. Thank you very much.

The food was good, and the staff were super friendly. Our room was comfortable and had a top-tier air conditioner, which we really needed in the extreme humidity outside. But the shared toilets and showers were in a common area right beside the dining patio, which I found uncomfortable. There was also a strong smell of kerosene or something similar whenever we left our room. I assume it came from the heating motor or the kitchen. After a few days, it became unbearable.

I had booked this hotel as part of an international trip from Sydney to Okinawa. On July 24, a typhoon canceled my connecting flight from Shanghai to Okinawa, and there were no alternative flights the next day. I also tested positive for COVID-19 and was too unwell to travel. I notified the hotel right away and sent documentation of both the flight cancellation and my positive test. I still got no proper response. They ignored several emails and wouldn't have a meaningful conversation or offer a solution, even though check-in on July 29 was still days away and they had time to resell the room. They hung up when I called, too. I found them unresponsive and inflexible, with no basic hospitality. A documented medical emergency and natural disaster should be met with some empathy. Instead, I felt they hid behind rigid policies and treated a seriously ill guest like a nuisance. To me, this was a failure of integrity, compassion, and basic professionalism. If something goes wrong with your trip, I don't think you'll get support, a response, or understanding. Think twice before booking.

The staff made vegan meals for me, and they were simply delicious. My room was small, but clean, with the best bed and air conditioner I had on my three-week trip through Japan. I swam with turtles every day and spent the evenings with locals at the village's only bar. This was my last stop and the best one. It was a perfect stay on a perfect island, and I'll never forget Aka jima.