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Best for: Reef lovers

Located in Onna village on the cape of Okinawa, ANA InterContinental Manza Beach Resort is an exclusive destination surrounded by a coral reef. With private access to one of the island’s most picturesque sandy beaches, the premier resort offers a wide range of water activities from snorkeling to diving to the resort’s very own Manza Ocean Park.

Every guest room boasts unrivalled ocean views and is designed to match the island’s natural surroundings thanks to a light and refreshing colour scheme. Book a Club InterContinental room or suite to enjoy some of Okinawa's best beach sunset views from the Club InterContinental Lounge, where exclusive facilities, complimentary breakfast, afternoon tea and evening cocktails are available. 

Best for: Travellers partial to a minimal aesthetic

Nestled among tropical greenery and the white sands of Cape Busena in Nago, The Busena Terrace is just 90 minutes from Naha airport in northern Okinawa. With a private beach that stretches 760 metres, the beach resort ensures comfort for guests with spacious rooms, around-the-clock butler service, diverse cuisine offerings and luxurious spa treatments.  

Special features in all of its accommodations include open plan and minimalist interiors in tones of beige and white, which harmonises with the island environment and complements views of the lush gardens and the sparkling East China Sea. 

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Best for: A secluded hideaway 

Set on a cliff top in Nanjo city, Haykuna Garan is a luxury Japanese-style resort that promises absolute privacy. Among the 17 guest rooms, which include two Western suites and a traditional Japanese suite, the 7,104sqft Garan Annex is the most exclusive of them all. 

With features like a private entrance for seamless check-in, a spacious balcony boasting stunning sunset views, a private open-air rooftop bath and direct beach access, the standalone space is suitable for those seeking a peaceful escape.

Don't forget to check out the resort's rooftop, which features six hermitages with a terrace facing the sea and open-air baths, complimentary for hotel guests.

Best for: Going off the grid in style

Situated on Kohama island, which lies between Ishigaki and Iriomote islands, Hotel Allamanda Kohama is a blissful beach getaway just 26 kilometres from New Ishigaki Airport. 

Surrounded by some of Okinawa’s best diving and snorkelling spots, the resort offers all-suite accommodation by the lagoon and five-star facilities, including three outdoor ocean-view swimming pools, a private white sand beach and a golf course.

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Best for: A tasteful stay for design lovers

Located on the cliff of the northern part of Ishigaki Island and overlooking the ocean, Jusandi—which means “sunset” in the local Okinawan dialect—is a serene retreat with an all-day dining venue and five villas. 

Each of the villas comes with a private pool and garden, and is luxuriously decorated with wooden furniture and Ryukyu limestone walls inspired by the subtropical forest of Yaeyama. 

The resort is also home to Blue Cave, a sacred spot only 15 minutes away from the restaurant by walking through the dazzling green jungle and private beach.

Best for: Young couples or groups of friends

Situated on the East China Sea 30 kilometers north of Naha, the village of Yomitan is where traditional culture has been shaped by the seafaring trade of the former Ryukyu Kingdom. Here, The Uza Terrace Beach Club Villa houses 48 spacious villas, all with private pools in one, two or four-bedroom options to host a range of holiday needs; from romantic getaways to a relaxing vacation with family or friends.

The resort’s world-class facilities include a fine dining restaurant, an outdoor pool, a local farm and spa, as well as special tours to explore the Okinawa’s history and nature, including visits to the Zakimi Castle Ruins, Toya Fishing Port and reef lagoons along the Uza shoreline.

This article first appeared on hk.asiatatler.com.