You guys were so helpful when it came to Camp Zama, I'm hitting you up again. Where would be a good place to stay when working at Torii Station for 2 weeks? Will have rental car, but probalby don't want to drive more then 20-30 minutes or so in the morning.

I have no personal experience of this place (or Okinawa for that matter) but a Google search has found this.

http://www.royalmhr.jp/english/

Most hotels in the area appear to be resort hotels such as these:

http://www.alivila.co.jp/en/
http://www.daiwaresort.co.jp/english/28_okina.html

You could try the Grand Mer hotel...They have a nice breakfast spread (both Western and Japanese fare), pool, & spa services if you'd like. The only downsides are that there's not much to do nearby and it's in the "love motel" district.

http://daiichihotel-okinawa.com/english.html

You could also try the ANA Manza Beach hotel. It's on the spendier side, but has a solid reputation.

http://www.asiarooms.com/japan/okinawa/manza_beach.html
http://www.anamanza.co.jp/

If you'd like for me to dig a bit more, send a PM!

I spent a night at the Alivila hotel a couple of years ago. I expect that the other resort hotels in the area are very similar:

You definitely need a car if you stay here. It's a resort hotel far away from any town. The hotel itself is heavily geared towards tour groups, but that's probably not a problem...

There are a few restaurants on site. The food is... good enough. The restaurants and bars in the hotel complex had a distinct "Disney-fake" ambience. But I actually ended up having a ball despite my cynicism at the Okinawan bar in the evening. The grotto setting might have been "Disney-fake" but the entertainment they provided actually turned out to be world class. (a couple of local shamisen players who sang some okinawan pop songs and folk songs - extremely well).

Breakfast is buffet style - an anthropologist would have a field day watching how Japanese groups interact. The spread is OK. Too much stuff from tin cans ... but what the heck.

Rooms were much more spacious than a typical Japanese city hotel. They seem to be aimed at families - so you can probably fit three beds in the rooms. Tiled floor. TV, fridge, arm chairs. Large balcony with a couple of loungers. The furnishings are pretty basic, but what do you need, really? In a warm climate, I actually enjoy the feel of a tiled room without much furniture. And I guess it's probably very easy to clean - just point a fire hose at the floor and blast away.

The Alvila looks excellent, it is a tiny bit over per diem (289 for summer season in Okinawa) with a rack rate of 365. Going to call in a bit and see if they offer any kind of government or military discount. Love that we can get AA miles.

Web site looks a little nicer than I remember it. (And I see that the rooms have carpets... I could've sworn there were just tiles and light rugs before)

You could also consider the Renaissance Hotel. Rates might work for your per diem.

http://www.marriott.com/hotels/hotel...kinawa-resort/

Do you know how far/long the drive is from the Ren. to Torii station? I'm having a heck of a time finding good (English) maps with distances.

Never mind, just spoke to the front desk and they quoted a 15 minute drive to Torri station.

There is one main highway on that side so you can't really get too lost! I would also look into the hotels at Chattan area or a little further north at Moon Beach.

Looks to be 6 miles down Hwy58 from this hotel to Kadena Circle. Here is a map to use until you can get a better map.

Yamada to Yomitan

Note that Renaissance flag I placed on the map is just location of Yamada. Hotel could be on the beach.

I asked some of my colleagues and they recommended the Alvila as well...have you called and asked about their rates?