Hoshino Resorts Iriomote Hotel

The good news is it’s quiet and secluded. The bad news is you are sequestered to what’s around you. With the benefit of the doubt and off season (late November) there wasn’t much going on around the local village. This meant every meal was at the hotel. While good, it got tiresome after 4 days. Our room was on the third floor with a view of the pool. The trees block the ocean view unless you are on the 4th floor. The daybed and outdoor patio are nice for hanging out. The clothes rack can be put outside to dry things. We came during the rainy season so no one used the pool. The beach was quiet with a daily happy hour of sparkling wine and a local cocktail. Staff were friendly and helpful especially when we used Google translator. We rented the ebkies for 4 hours and ran out of battery before our time was up. They were gracious in letting us exchange them and bring them back a bit later. We rode all around the island. A great way to spend a few hours. Unfortunately the weather wasn’t conducive to snorkeling. However We did do a the boat ride up the Urauchi River and hiked to the Mariudu and Kanbire waterfalls. We also kayaked and hiked to Pinaisara waterfalls. This is a place for relaxing and walking on a secluded beach. There are a few nice outdoor nature activities if the weather is good.

Stayed for 3 nights. Very professional operation, from meeting at the ferry port to leaving. Large hotel, but not that full in April. Introduction on arrival in kind-of-English, which complimented our kind-of-Japanese. Excellent huge room with beach view ( top floor superior twin) with a balcony and a day bed. But WATCH OUT FOR THE CROWS - don't leave any windows open, and don't leave any food anywhere - they unwrapped our sweets inside the room! Very short walk to lovely, virtually private beach, which was mostly occupied by very few people, and often just us. Good swimming despte the OTT jellyfish warnings, and superb stars. Excellent buffet dinner and breakfast, lots of variety, 2 different specials each evening, and some superb Iriomote and Ishigaki sake to taste. Chilled jasmine tea stood out, matcha mochi, we could go on.... Good walking in the vicinity, and we also hired e-bikes, which despite the reservations of this 'proper' cyclist, were great fun, ( but not that comfortable if you're over 6 foot) and got us a long way up the coast to some more lovely beaches, mangroves, jungle. We joined a firefly tour one evening, which is highly recommended. Great location on a wonderfuly tropical island

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