Is This Okinawa’s Most Classic Resort? | ANA InterContinental Manza Review

If you're coming to Okinawa and want to pick just one classic resort,the ANA InterContinental Manza Beach Resort will almost certainly be on your list. Looking out from the plane, this is the kind of view where you instantly know—this is Okinawa. That unmistakable shade of blue. Even the airport here feels different. It doesn’t quite feel like a typical airport in Japan. After landing, we headed straight to pick up our rental car.This time, we went with a very small local company. To be honest, when we arrived, it did feel a little… questionable. For a moment, I even wondered if we had been scammed. Communication was a bit challenging as well since their English wasn’t very strong. Thankfully, everything worked out fine in the end and we got the car smoothly.But I would still recommend going with a larger rental company if you can. Also, if you’re not driving, getting around in Okinawa can be a bit inconvenient. Once we had the car, we drove straight to the hotel.It’s actually quite far from the airport—over an hour even on the highway. But since it was our first time in Okinawa, the journey didn’t feel tiring at all. The scenery along the way completely made up for it. The ANA InterContinental Manza Beach Resort is located in Onna Village, right in the central part of Okinawa’s main island.With around 400 rooms, it’s considered one of the most classic beachfront resorts in Okinawa. By the time we arrived, it was already getting dark.From a distance, the hotel looks almost like a massive cruise ship.And once you step inside, that impression only becomes stronger—it really does feel like it was designed to resemble one. Okinawa is a very mature travel destination, and the hospitality industry here is equally well-developed.Check-in was smooth and efficient. Now, let’s take a look at the room. It’s not hard to tell—the room does feel a bit dated.And during peak season, the hotel can get quite busy. For dinner, we went to the Club Lounge.Honestly, unlimited champagne and service that runs until 8pm—it’s quite generous. The lounge itself is a bit tucked away, which gives it a more private feel.Although during peak travel periods, it can get a little noisy. Good morning. This is the view from our balcony.Even on a cloudy day, it still looks absolutely stunning. And this is really the core value of this hotel: the view. The ocean here is that signature Okinawa blue.Not just one single shade, but a gradient—from light turquoise to deep blue.Under sunlight, it almost feels unreal in its clarity. But what makes this hotel truly interesting isn’t the room. It’s what you can do here. There’s a full range of marine activities—from snorkeling and parasailing, to jet skiing, and even a large inflatable ocean park.You can even take a small submarine-like ride to see the coral reef beneath the surface. Unfortunately, I didn’t get the chance to try these activities this time,but hopefully you will when you visit. Next, we headed to the lounge for breakfast. From the large floor-to-ceiling windows, you can actually see Manzamo right in front of you. The breakfast was excellent—both buffet and à la carte options are available. So, if you ask me whether this hotel is suitable for a first-time trip to Okinawa— The answer is: absolutely. Because it presents the idea of an “Okinawa-style vacation” in a very direct and effortless way. You don’t need to plan too much.You don’t need a complicated itinerary. Just stay here, look at the ocean, enjoy the sun,and let time pass slowly. That’s it for this video.I’ll see you in the next one.