Oceana Portvillage Zamami

For two of us, the total was ¥52,000 for three nights, charged per person, and we could pay by card. Some people say that's too much, and for what we got it did feel a bit expensive, though seeing the tortoises and coral reef was free. Cottage 2 is very basic: two comfortable beds, a shower, toilet, microwave, air-con, and a hoover. We didn't try the TV. WiFi was available, but the connection was poor. As others have mentioned, towels and bin bags weren't included, which surprised me at that price and is something I haven't encountered before in Japan. You can rent or buy towels from the owner, and bin bags are sold at the local shop. The owner and his daughter Christine were very kind and helpful when they let us book at the last minute. They even helped arrange the speedboat to and from Zazami. There is now a bell on the front door if you need assistance. They also gave us a map showing the beaches and the times to see turtles. I saw three! We should have told the owner when we planned to leave. We gave him a time at the start, then left earlier and woke him up to return the key. We're very sorry about that.

The room was clean, comfortable, and traditionally Japanese, and the prices were good. The owners were extremely friendly and helped with whatever we needed, especially directions and suggestions for food and activities. Communication was easy even though we only speak English. We'll stay here again!

Zamami and the nearby islands have stunning beaches and lots of marine life, but check the accommodation carefully so you know you're getting your money's worth. I don't mind paying more, but there should be something to match the price. The cottage at “Okinawa Resort” is clean and well located in Zamami, but I found it completely overpriced. The name is misleading: it costs like a resort, while the accommodation is hostel-standard at best. The bathroom and toilet are tiny and combined. Guests have to take out their own rubbish, there is no cleaning during the stay, no towels, and no breakfast or other meals included. There's no cutlery, so you can't prepare your own food. A shared kitchen is available, but it's so small that it only has room for about one family. With around eight units, that's far too little space, especially in peak season. Eating out on Zamami is generally limited and pricey too. There is no credit card payment, and you probably won't get a receipt. The owner seems friendly at first. He picks guests up at the port for a two-minute ride to the house. But during our four-day stay, it seemed to us that he kept support to a minimum.

The owners were lovely and gave us lots of useful local information. It was great that they offered so much gear and transport: snorkeling equipment, diving gear, bike rentals, and more. The beaches were a 10-minute bike ride or a 20-minute walk away, and they could also drive you there and back.