Okuma Private Beach & Resort

With expansive grounds dotted with colorful flower beds, palm trees, and manicured lawns, this upscale resort feels like a well-kept, uniform village. Archways are adorned with creeping greenery, while hammocks add to the relaxed vibe. The chic lobby has high vaulted concrete ceilings and striking checkered tile flooring, though some of the wood paneling on the walls feels a bit dated. An attractive bricked terrace surrounds two large and well-maintained outdoor pools, and the impressive on-site chapel -- a popular spot for weddings -- has a pointed glass roof and is surrounded by lush palm trees and water features. The resort’s stunning stretch of white-sand beach is wide and clean; there’s a beautiful white wooden jetty and attractive terrace seating directly overlooking the water. Guests are mostly Japanese, so there’s not much English-language information, and some of the staff have limited English.

The JAL Private Resort Okuma can be difficult to reach without your own transportation as it's in a secluded location at the far end of Okinawa Island and about a 90-minute drive to Naha Airport. It’s possible to hire a taxi from the airport or take two buses (the ride takes around three-and-a-half hours), but without a hire car it can also be difficult to get to other attractions around the resort. The expansive, lush grounds are separated from Okuma Beach by a quiet road. The Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium is around an hour’s drive from the resort, while Hedo Cape is around a half-hour drive away. Other nearby attractions include the Hiji Waterfall, which is a 13-minute drive from the resort, and the Yambaru Wildlife Center, which can be reached in seven minutes.

The resort's guest rooms come in a variety of styles -- upper-category rooms sleep up to four people and have free lounge access. Decor is tastefully done in soft neutrals with hardwood floors, bright white walls, and dark wooden furniture. Thoughtful details like built-in reading lights or free pajama tops and slippers add to the rooms' elegance. 

Grand Cottage Rooms have large king-size and single mattresses on an elevated wooden platform. Bathrooms are modern, with dark-wood vanity units featuring double sinks, wet rooms with separate built-in bathtubs, and open power showers. Bathrooms also have high-tech Japanese toilets with electronic controls. Attractive furnished balconies give a peaceful perch, and those in upstairs rooms have pleasant views of the grounds, with the sea in the distance. Garden Villa Rooms include an additional living spaces furnished with sofas and armchairs as well as coffee tables, plus there are work desks and plenty of closet space. Attractive bathrooms pair gray marble walls and vanities with hardwood flooring, plus small shower/tub combos with power showerheads. Secluded terraces are furnished with tables, wicker chairs, and a wooden picnic bench -- there's plenty of room to relax, but no real views. 

All rooms offer large flat-screen TVs, phones, air-conditioning, safes, and coffee- and tea-making facilities. The resort advertises free Wi-Fi throughout, but guests complain of a lack of both Wi-Fi and cellular signal in some rooms. There are empty mini-fridges and free drinking water, but no minibar snacks. Basic toiletries are in large pump bottles, and there’s also an extensive range of basic vanity items, while pricier rooms have branded Akabana soap and body wash toiletries. Some balconies also come with outdoor grills and have plenty of storage space for beach accessories. Guests report lower-category rooms are a bit worn down, while pricier villas are newer. Those close to the parking lot and road can be noisy. Some rooms are also as much as a 12-minute walk from the hotel's main features. 

The resort features extensive facilities to be expected of a beachfront upscale property, including two outdoor swimming pools (though no sunbeds), a spa and nail salon, and a free sauna. Activities include snorkeling, diving, tennis, golf, volleyball, and bicycle rental -- though many of these attract additional charges. There’s a colorful and well-maintained indoor children’s play room, plus goat feeding at the resort’s farm, and a dog run. (Dog-friendly rooms are available for an additional fee.) 

The resort’s six elegant a la carte and buffet restaurants serve Asian and Western fare, including grilled teppanyaki and local Okinawan cuisine. Some offer all-day dining, but be aware they can get crowded. Room service is also available, and guests in Grand Cottages and suites have access to the Club Shiokaze lounge. The included breakfast buffet features an impressive spread of Japanese and Western dishes. There’s free Wi-Fi access throughout the resort, though some guests report connection difficulties in both rooms and public areas; a somewhat dated business center also has PCs and a coin-operated payphone. On-site shops sell a range of local souvenirs and beach accessories, and there are inexpensive self-service laundry facilities and free electric-car charging stations. Note that guests report some staff speak little or no English.