For a luxurious warm-weather getaway, skip the overcrowded tropical locales and head to Okinawa, Japan’s best-kept secret and a designated Blue Zone full of lush greenery, scenic beaches and rich history. Nestled in the island’s village of Onna is the Halekulani Okinawa resort, a Double Five-Star oasis that fully embraces the region’s culture and wisdom of longevity.
Property highlights:
- Exclusive Cultural Programming for Guests
- Discover the Island’s Glow offers an exclusive nighttime firefly experience through the UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site of Yambaru National Park. Visitors drift on kayaks through mangroves while basking in the starlight and taking in the dazzling fireflies (half of Japan’s 50 species of firefly are found in Okinawa).
- Discover the Island’s Umui (Spirit) takes guests on a spiritual guided tour through the historic Nanjo region of the island, where participants cultivate a mindful connection with the island through the three stages of life: past, present and future.
- Discover the Island’s Mabui (Soul) honors Okinawa’s origins as the birthplace of karate with a course that teaches pattern-based movements and specialized breathing techniques of the sacred art.
- Private Villas with Jaw-Dropping Views: Halekulani Okinawa offers five villas, each designed as a sanctuary to provide guests with the ultimate relaxation and privacy. Villas feature private heated pools and natural hot spring baths, dotted along the clifftop close to the stunning blue ocean. Here, guests will enjoy the tranquility of their new ‘second home.’ There are two types of villas:
- Cliff Villa (One bedroom): These exquisite villas offer a truly unique experience. Built with traditional Okinawan aka-gawara red tiles, the Cliff Villas feature Japanese design elements with the intention of seamlessly blending into the local landscape. Featuring their own private heated swimming pool and natural hot spring (onsen), these villas create a complete sense of privacy and seclusion and highlight the property’s incredible position amongst the island’s natural beauty.
- Halekulani Cliff Villa (two bedroom): Perched on the hilltop of the property, the Halekulani Cliff Villa offers a lush environment surrounded by the local flora of the island. The sumptuous villa is home to the resort’s most panoramic views of the East China Sea. It is thoughtfully designed with spacious, well-appointed interiors, and expansive outdoor spaces including a private heated swimming pool and bath fed by a natural hot spring. A perfect sanctuary for couples and families looking for a tranquil hideaway.
- Longevity-Boosting Cuisine: For travelers looking to reap the health benefits of the staple foods in the Okinawan diet, Halekulani Okinawa offers a variety of nourishing meals at its restaurants including House Without A Key, AOMI and KINGDOM. Here, guests can taste beni imo, the coveted Okinawan purple sweet potato; goya, a bitter melon superfood; and Okinawan tofu, all incorporated into plant-based dishes consumed regularly by locals.
- Award-Winning Spa: The Five-Star wellness haven SpaHalekulani features treatments inspired by the ancient healing methods of both Hawaiian and Japanese cultures and infused with “Nuchigusui,” traditional Okinawan ingredients considered to be the medicine of life, to promote a deeper state of relaxation. Treatments are tailored to the personal needs of each guest for a bespoke experience that balances and enhances physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. The spa also features an onsen available to guests both before and after treatments.
