Novotel Okinawa Naha (Japan)
I had an excellent stay at Novotel Okinawa Naha back in May. Naha is the main city of Okinawa island, in the south of the island and that’s also where the airport is.

The hotel is in a residential area not too far from Shuri castle. It’s about 15 min walk to the nearest monorail station and the main touristic streets. But a cheap and quick taxi or Uber ride is also a good solution.



The hotel is in a not very nice white building surmounted by something looking like a turning restaurant but it’s not turning and it’s the club lounge for eligible customers.

All staff were very nice and very polite. Of course, we are in Japan ! English skills were very variable across employees, from excellent to poor, but overall no problem to understand each other.

This is the lobby of the hotel.






At check-in, once I was identified as a Diamond member, I was bring to the lounge for check-in. Early check-in was granted without problem (at 12). They called the GM who came at the lounge to welcome me and introduce himself. I had booked Executive room and was upgraded to Deluxe. Occupancy was quite high when I was there. They gave me all explanations, welcome letter and lounge program.





Room was of decent size for Japan, but bathroom was minuscule. Sink was in the room, but there was a retractable wall to isolate it slightly from the room. The toilets were just behind and the bathtub/shower were in a separate very small adjacent room.

There was a small sofa and table. Welcome gift was a kind of local meringue. Water was provided and replenished every day. Room amenities included a local espresso machine and bathrobe/slippers.













View from the room:




Infinity pool

Located on the 3rd floor. Very nice view on town. Few loungers available but it was never too crowded.






Club Lounge

Located on the top of the building, it offers very nice views on the city. Breakfast is not proposed here. It’s open from 10 am to 10 pm with soft drinks and tea/ coffee. Evening cocktail time is from 5 to 8 pm (with 6:30 to 8 being adults only). A very decent buffet with warm and cold food is proposed and regularly replenished. Alcoholic drinks include wine, sparkling wine, whisky and some Sake and other Japanese alcoholic drinks.















Dining

On the ground floor, you have a bar and a restaurant serving comfort food. This is where you can redeem the drink voucher. There sell also very good French patisseries. There is also a more sophisticated restaurant, which does tepaniaki on certain days, but it’s required to book well in advance as it was full all the time.

As Diamond member, you have 10% discount on F&B.






Breakfast restaurant is located on the 2nd floor. Large buffet more adapted to Japanese/Asian tastes, logically as most of the customers were locals. Breakfast was free for Diamond all days, as per program rules in APAC.





I was granted late checkout at 16:00.


Overall a very good stay. This hotel is a good base to explore the beautiful island of Okinawa.