November 28, 2024Written by Emma Dooney
With a population of just 360 people, this property is the only 5-star hotel on the main island of Okinawa, making it the perfect place for a tranquil getaway.
emma dooney
luxury travel reporter
emma dooney
luxury travel reporter
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HOSHINOYA Taketomi Island has few competitors.
The resort is the only five-star hotel on the small island of Okinawa and has been attracting Japan’s travel elite with its local luxury and idyllic atmosphere since opening in 2012.
An authentic experience is established from the moment you arrive. Guests drive up a sandy driveway to the wood-paneled lobby where they are greeted with a bow by a traditionally dressed receptionist. Green tea and towels are provided upon check-in, then you can take off your shoes and relax on the comfortable daybed.
Hoshinoya Taketomi Island has 48 villas, all built on separate grounds. Each pavilion is designed to reflect the island’s Ryukyuan architecture. Think red terracotta roofs, wooden beams, and of course Shisa guardian dogs.
Hoshinoya Taketomi Island villa has a private garden surrounded by coral walls
The traditional style continues indoors, with large futons and queen beds surrounded by soft tatami mats. A freestanding bathtub is the centerpiece of the bathroom, and a drawer is stocked with natural toiletries. The lighting in each room is intentionally soft, allowing you to enjoy the pitch-black starry night sky of Okinawa.
Hoshinoya Taketomi Island, in particular, goes against the “bigger is better” policy adopted by many modern resorts. There are no high-rise apartments, penthouses or towering palm trees here. In fact, there aren’t even any stairs. This is a direct result of the restrictions on building heights on the island. Everything is horizontal and on the ground, except for the “havel”, or tropical butterfly, fluttering on the red brick roof.
The open-plan villas feature traditional Japanese furniture.
Meals are served daily at Hoshinoya Taketomi Island’s only restaurant, Island Terroir. The menu focuses on French-inspired Okinawan cuisine, offering different interpretations of Japanese food such as caridian shrimp and potato burdock. There is also an emphasis on healthy ingredients, with the chef using local ‘nuchigusa’ (herbs) to add vitamins to each dish.
Desserts are equally nutritious, with fruits like mango, kiwi, and pineapple sweetly complementing an already healthy feast. For complimentary snacks, stop by the adjacent Yuntaka Lounge. Here you’ll find comfortable seating, a small library, and even a mincer loom.
HOSHINOYA Taketomi Island has plenty of luxurious facilities, including a 46-meter heated pool at the center of the resort. Open 24 hours a day, this oval-shaped tub is perfect for a relaxing soak or an intense workout, and can be rented out overnight.
The 46 meter long pool is open 24 hours a day.
There are complimentary towels and loungers shaded by tarpaulins and hedges, where you can relax with a glass of awamori.
Morning breathing sessions are held daily at the resort’s Aiyar Beach, just a short walk from the main lodge. Kaiji Beach, known for its star-shaped sand grains, and Kondoi Beach, perfect for swimming, are also nearby. For those interested in water sports and adventure, the resort’s experienced instructors will teach you snorkeling, diving and caving.
The hotel also has a tranquil spa house offering Japanese treatments such as shiatsu and ashiatsu massages. Our trained therapists provide authentic pampering sessions using island ingredients such as seaweed, lavender and mint.
A stay at HOSHINOYA Taketomi Island is more than just a fun vacation. It’s an immersion in a culture that even the most well-traveled Westerner rarely sees. So the next time a client tells you that Japan is over, you’ll know what to do.
Rates start from 112,000 yen per room per night for 2 people.
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