[Hotel Review] Was Halekulani Okinawa truly a paradise worthy of the name "Heavenly Isle"?
Halekulani Okinawa is a popular luxury resort that exquisitely combines the hospitality of a prestigious Hawaiian hotel with the breathtaking scenery of Okinawa.
It is highly praised for its picturesque spaces, meticulous hospitality, and superb location, with many guests commenting on the wonderful smiles and thoughtful care of the staff from check-in to departure.
Hoping to experience the same感動 (kando - deep emotional satisfaction) as Halekulani Hawaii, but closer to home in Okinawa, I joined the Leaders Club for the free breakfast benefit. I stayed for 2 nights for 136,620 yen.
1. Access from the Airport
- Airport Limousine Bus 2,100 yen for adults, approximately 90-120 minutes (stops at Beachfront Wing entrance)
- Approximately 75 minutes from Naha Airport via Okinawa Expressway
- Approximately 90 minutes via National Route 58 on general roads
2. Halekulani Okinawa
Hotel entrance. When arriving by car, state your reservation name at the hotel gate, and you will be asked which wing you are staying in (Beachfront Wing or Sunset Wing) and directed to the entrance of your accommodation wing.
Upon arriving at the accommodation wing entrance, staff will unload your luggage and park your car (valet parking) in the parking lot. 😊
The front desk was empty, but we were escorted to a lobby table and offered a welcome drink (jasmine tea), and told that someone would call us when check-in preparations were complete.
After a while of drinking, it took quite some time.
Finally, we were called to the front desk. However, there were still about two hours until check-in, and the room wasn't ready yet. We spent the time walking around the hotel.
Beach access road
Only a few groups were on the beach; it was still uncrowded in mid-April.
Beach chairs were also empty.
Beachfront Wing building
Gym
It might get busy on rainy days.
After walking around the Sunset Wing building, I still had time until check-in. I thought, "Maybe I can check in a little early, or since I brought my swimsuit, I could wait by the pool."
While pondering this in the lobby, about 30 minutes later, I was informed that the room was ready.
Room 0621 on the 6th floor. Through this corridor,
And further down the corridor to the end
We arrived! The room seemed more spacious and comfortable than in Hawaii.
Halekulani Okinawa offers ocean views from all rooms.
Let's step out onto the terrace.
To the right, I could also see Halekulani's private beach.
Entire room
Checked the outlets by the bedside.
The table was spacious and seemed easy to use.
There was also a welcome gift on the table!
Near the room entrance, to the left was the toilet and walk-in closet. To the right were the washbasin and bathroom.
The air conditioning was set to 1.0 degrees. Unfortunately, fine-tuning in 0.5-degree increments was not possible.
Mineral water and coffee machine. If desired, a microwave can be installed here.
Refrigerator below
Items inside the refrigerator are chargeable (Beer 1,000 yen, Coca-Cola 650 yen! 😱)
Cups
Glasses
Kettle, etc.
Walk-in space
In addition to fluffy slippers, there were also beach sandals. 😊
Hanger space. (The far end was too deep to use easily.)
Swimsuit cover-ups. At first, I was careful not to get them wet, but they can be exchanged as many times as needed at the pool (I wish I had been told at check-in or the towel bar).
Room wear in the bottom drawer.
A comfortable toilet space with a faucet and towels.
Washbasin area, with convenient double sinks 😊
Of course, the towels were also fluffy. 😊
Hair dryer
Amenities in the drawer
Also in the middle drawer
Also in the right drawer
Bathtub on the right
Bathrobes too (In Halekulani Hawaii, they were gone on the second night, and I had to call)
The left side of the vanity is the shower booth.
Handheld shower
Shampoo etc.
Beach gown
Separate type room wear 😊
First, to the indoor pool.
Hot spring, not a jacuzzi
Irabu Onsen is a weakly alkaline simple hot spring with a pH of 8.1 and a source temperature of 35.8 degrees Celsius.
In addition to the Orchid Pool, there are the Quiet Pool, Ocean Terrace Pool, and Kids Pool.
Free sunscreen available at the beach
3. Breakfast
- House Without A Key Beachfront Wing 2F 6:30 - 11:30 (Last entry 11:00)
- SHIROUX Sunset Wing 5F Western Breakfast Set Menu 7:00 - 11:00 (Last order 11:00)
- AOMI Sunset Wing 5F Japanese Breakfast Set Menu 7:00 - 11:00 (Last order 11:00)
House Without A Key (groups with small children were led to tables further inside, apart from the ones in front).
3. Basic Information and Reviews
| Access | Approximately 120 minutes by limousine bus from Naha Airport Parking: 3,000 yen/night (free for Premier Club Oceanfront, Suite, and Villa stays) |
| Room Types | Deluxe Partial Ocean View 50㎡ Deluxe Partial Ocean View Beachfront Wing 50㎡ Deluxe Ocean View 50㎡ Deluxe Ocean View Sunset Wing 50㎡ Premier Ocean View 50㎡ Premier Oceanfront 50㎡ Premier Club Oceanfront 50㎡ Executive Ocean Suite 76㎡ Executive Oceanfront Suite 76㎡ Coral Suite 102㎡ Ocean Terrace Suite 153㎡ Halekulani Suite 244㎡ Orchid Suite 294㎡ Cliff Villa 83㎡ Halekulani Cliff Villa 165㎡ |
| Standard Check-in/out |
From 15:00, until 11:00 |
| Amenities |
Toothbrush set, mouthwash, razor, hairbrush, cotton swabs, cotton, body towel, bath salts, mineral water |
| Newspaper | - |
| WIFI: 2 actual measurements |
8.9, 18.5 Mbps (down), 48.6, 41.4 Mbps (up) |
|
Review Rating / Reservations |
Official Website Jalan  5.0, Ikyu  4.72, Rakuten Travel 4.72 |
Overall ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
It was a commemorative stay, but perhaps my expectations were too high after comparing it to Halekulani in Hawaii, as I wasn't very satisfied with the stay.
I joined the Leaders Club for the first time and booked, hoping to save up points for a free stay, but I only accumulated 680 points for two nights, less than I expected from my research.
Breakfast was delicious, and the pool was relatively empty and enjoyable (though the beach's clarity was a bit lacking). I'll revisit with less inflated expectations, focusing on earning points, to reassess.
😄 For breakfast, groups with small children were directed to a separate room.
😄 Pool gowns, sandals, and sunscreen (beachside) were convenient.
😩 I had to wait quite a while during check-in, and explanations/guidance were minimal.
😩 No information about lockers available before check-in.
😩 No information about in-hotel activities (I found out from the TV, which I rarely watch).
😩 No queue sheets distributed for breakfast.
😩 When I asked how to use the toaster (oven?) at breakfast, I was told it couldn't warm bread.
😩 The noise from National Route 58 was noticeable at night.
Okinawa Accommodation Reviews
- You can enjoy the pool at Hilton Okinawa Chatan Resort even in winter.
- Hilton Okinawa Sesoko, where you can enjoy one of the most transparent beaches in the prefecture.
- Hilton Okinawa Miyakojima Resort, popular for its pools that families and adults can enjoy.
- JAL City Naha, in a prime location almost in the center of Kokusai Street.