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Modern Escape Meets History At The Ritz-Carlton Okinawa

Go To The Hotel's Web Site Where: 1343-1 Kise, Nago, Okinawa, Japan, 905-0026
October 17, 2012 at 11:26 AM | by | Comments (0)

It’s a year of anniversaries for The Ritz-Carlton in Japan: the group’s first hotel opened 15 years ago in Osaka, and five years ago Tokyo was added to the list. Just as celebrations are happening to mark both occasions, the urbanites that love these two city hotels have an alternative when looking for a weekend escape,The Ritz-Carlton, Okinawa, which opened this past Spring.

Okinawa prefecture consists of hundreds of the Ryuku islands, which stretch over an area of 620 miles south of Japan’s main islands all the way to Taiwan. Part of the Kise country club, The Ritz-Carlton raises the bar for luxury on Okinawa Island, adding a chance to play golf and hit up the spa to the area’s beaches and diving options.

At the same time, this is a place with significant history. For 82 days during World War II, the Battle of Okinawa was fought here, which is remembered in two important war museums on the island. Interestingly, Okinawa was under US administration for 27 years after the end of WWII, with a major army base still present today.

We’ve only been to Japan once, but are big fans of the restrained Japanese aesthetic, and it looks like there will be plenty to make us happy at this small (97-room) resort. How can you not love those lanterns lighting the path as it zigzags through the water feature in the courtyard? Does anybody long for busy floral carpeting and heavy sofas when you see the beautiful hardwood floors and uncluttered furniture in the airy lounge? We’d gladly curl up here with a book following an afternoon at the Ritz-Carlton Spa by ESPA, before heading to Teppanyaki restaurant Kise for a bite to eat.

Not satisfied with just one resort, The Ritz-Carlton has one in the works in Kyoto, the former imperial capital of Japan and home to some of the country’s most famous historical sights. Due to open in 2014 on the banks of the Kamogawa River, this urban resort will also offer luxury on a small scale at just 136 rooms.

Since that’s still a while away, you’ll have to journey to Okinawa for some R-C resort action in Japan. A King room with ocean view goes for a hefty ¥41,000 ($520) on a Saturday in early November.

We’re afraid we’ll have to settle for some sushi that weekend instead.

[Photos: Ritz-Carlton Hotels & Resorts]

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