Fans far and wide of Halekulani Hotel in Waikiki, Hawaii should be thrilled to hear the brand will be opening its second property in Okinawa, Japan. We’re told by Halekulani Corporation COO Peter Shaindlin that, much like its predecessor, Halekulani Okinawa will offer activities and amenities based on the microculture specific to the Pacific island.
The resort, which will be a member of The Leading Hotels of the World, opens July 26 and is set on the island’s west coast (about an hour from the airport). It will have a clean, contemporary design with a focus on wellness and cuisine. Fun Fact: Okinawa is renowned for its healthy natives, with 97 percent living free of any disabilities, according to the Okinawa Centenarian Study. What does this mean? It’s just about the ultimate wellness destination. A standout feature at the spa will be a bath fed by a natural hot spring. Bonus: Each of the five villas (of 360 guestrooms, inclusive of 47 suites) will have its own natural hot spring, in addition to a pool.
There will be several F&B outlets, including Innovative, a French restaurant under the guidance of two-Michelin-starred chef Hiroyasu Kawate. Other venues include a wine and steak concept, a Japanese restaurant and an all-day eatery, in addition to a poolside bar and barbecue deck.
Okinawa can be accessed from several major cities, including Tokyo, Seoul, Taipei and Shanghai. It also offers a plethora of active excursions from marine options such as snorkeling or diving offshore and kayaking in the rivers, to hiking and ATVing inland. For travelers who have been to Tokyo, Kyoto and the like, and are looking for the next destination in Japan, we’re confident they will find that in Okinawa.
Leading the hotel will be general manager Jun Yoshie. Advisors may reach out to Akihiro Ichikawa (a-ichikawa@pt.mitsuifudosan.co.jp), director of sales and marketing.
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