Renaissance Resort Okinawa

Spend a couple of nights at this hotel during Japanese Golden Week. Here are my thoughts on it.

Checkin experience was disappointing. Was offered "standard" room on the 6th floor, even though "high floor" rooms on 8-10F were available. Was told hotel is fully booked, but when I showed the app showing availability, some shuffling around happened, clerk went to front office manager, finally, suddenly, the high floor room became available. I have no idea if this room is any different from the 6th floor room - they could've explained if it wasn't, and I wouldn't have insisted on getting it. Checkout was said to be 11 until I had to remind again that I was Platinum, at which point it went up to 13:00. When I asked what happened to 16:00, I was told it's subject to availability on the day of, and no guarantees are made.

Arrival gift was offered for one person (even though we were two adults and one child). I was somewhat incredulous - I normally expect it for two people, but they were adamant it was only for one per "their instructions". I wasn't going to fight over a beer, so I let it go.

Was told to wait a few minutes, finally checkin agent came and informed me the room was ready and they "found a way" to offer me a welcome gift for "two" people, though they insisted that this would absolutely be the same item. I found it perplexing that they would not even compromise on alcohol, considering my travel companion was obviously pregnant, but again, whatever. I told the agent that this negotiation was completely unnecessary, had they been a little bit more welcoming of Platinum guests; I asked for the FOM to convey this feedback. He was apologetic in a very non-apologetic Japanese way (i.e. "I'm sorry that these are the rules, and if you don't like them, well...."), so I have no idea if my feedback was heard.

Platinum benfits summary: upgrade (maybe), one welcome gift item (one of beer/water/juice + one of mozzarella cheese with tomatoes/cake/nuts), free breakfast in any of three restaurants.

Room was perfectly fine. This hotel seems to be geared for families with kids, so an extra bed is provided for free, and even made up already.

Water was not replenished on day 2, had to call.

Service is a mix of amazing and irritating. The service staff are great. Very typical Japanese service, very quick, efficient, friendly. Asking for a valet car? Minutes.

On the other hand, God forbid you run amok of any of the myriad mind-bending rules. Booking a kids activity at the Concierge desk? Sorry. It's 18:04, and booking closed at 18:00. What's that? Escalate? Nope, sorry. We can check if it's available, but we can't book. What's that? Bring out the manager? (turns to the right. "Can we book it? Yes? Ok fine") Ok, for when would you like it?.

Or at the "beach", which is about 50cm deep in its entirety. You want to use a snorkel set? Absolutely must wear life jacket. Can swim 50m crawl, or have scuba certification? Yeah, we don't care. Put that life jacket on. Unless you keep the mask, but put aside the snorkel pipe. Then you don't need the life jacket.

Breakfast is rather decent. There's a pretty good selection. Important: Platinum status gets you breakfast in three restaurants, though only one is buffet style - the second one quite literally has only burgers, and I haven't had a chance to try the third (Japanese) one.

Room service is quite reasonable, as well: the portions are not particularly small, and the prices aren't particularly insane (it was about 6,700 yen for three main dishes delivered).

Overall, I am disappointed, and am unlikely to ever come back. Don't get me wrong: this place is EXCELLENT for kids. There are a myriad activities, there are live captive animals on display (dolphins, fishes that you can catch and release - many times, some other things that move). There are table tennis courts, two swimming pools (one for vegetating adults, one for hyperactive toddlers up to 100cm or so), a "private beach" of about 50cm in depth and a dozen lifeguards, at least six restaurants, and all sorts of stuff. So if you are here to abandon your own relaxation and literally just give up and live for your kid(s), then this place is perfect.

Had I gone in with few expectations, I would have probably been thrilled. In Japan, elite status is often ignored, or very loosely acknowledged, so had I not, for instance, stayed at the new Laforet Marriott properties where I got used to actual elite treatment, or had I not stayed at the Intercontinental Okinawa on the day prior, where I truly felt appreciated for being a top-status guest (welcome by managers, lots of freebies, general feeling of being taken care of), then I probably would not have been so disappointed.

So, once again, if the purpose is to entertain kids, then this place is right. If you want an "interesting" stay, with good elite benefits and a feeling of recognition of your loyalty - stay absolutely away.

Hotel is located a very long way away from Naha - about an hour's drive. Though there is bus service available, assume you will need a car, as unless you're looking to lock yourself in the resort, you're going to need a reliable means of transportation - and taxis are expensive.

Note that you will require an IDP in Japan. No exceptions (cf. mindbending rules section above).