[Hotel Report] Is ANA InterContinental Ishigaki Resort Good for Families? Honest Review & Tips from a Local Resident with 2 Toddlers
"Is ANA InterContinental Ishigaki Resort too luxurious and maybe annoying for others if I bring kids?"
"I don't want to pay a lot of money only to end up tired because my kids are cranky."
As parents, we all have these anxieties. It's a trip to Ishigaki Island, Okinawa, Japan, so we want to indulge a little, but can we enjoy it while prioritizing the kids?
To conclude, "ANA becomes the ultimate family shelter if you know the tricks."
I (a resident of Ishigaki Island with 2 toddlers) actually stayed there with my family of 4, and I will share all the "real strategies not found on the official website".
1. Conclusion: If in Doubt, "Book It". But "1 Night" is a Waste
The value of ANA InterContinental Ishigaki Resort for families lies in "Rooms, services for children, pools and high-quality facilities," and "Overwhelming quality of staff."
Honestly, if you look at the room, pool, service, or sea individually, other hotels can substitute them. However, the fact that all of them are available at a high standard, and the staff's response at the breakfast venue (SALTIDA) was moving.
They spoke to us while we were struggling with two toddlers, secured a seat where the stroller wouldn't bother others and was comfortable for us, quickly set up high chairs, and smiled at the children.
This "sense of security" of being released from the stress of bowing and apologizing to people around you is the greatest value.
I have stayed at various resort hotels on the island, but this was the first time I was cared for so politely.
However, I do not recommend staying for just one night.
Check-in and check-out procedures took about 20-30 minutes. It was a bit painful for families with children. To enjoy the pool and sea, and fully utilize the hotel facilities, securing at least 2 nights is a wise choice to "enjoy the hotel stay".
Also worth reading: Which is the right answer, ANA or Fusaka?
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2. Real Local Insights and "Traps to Avoid"
If you only believe the beautiful photos in guidebooks and Instagram, there are some points where you might go "Huh?" locally. I will tell you the troubles I actually experienced.
1. Beware of the "Parking Trap"
This might kill first-timers. Maybe it was in some guidance, but this hotel has "Main Building (Ocean Wing, etc.)" and "New Building (Bay Wing, etc.)", and the entrances and parking lots are completely separate.
I didn't know and parked in the wrong one, moved by cart, and later my father had to move the car alone, wasting time.
- If going by rental car: Be sure to check in advance which wing your reserved room is in.
2. Rooms are Not Strictly "Shoes Off"
The "space to take off shoes" and "carpet" are separated, but the boundary is ambiguous, and it is not a complete Japanese-style entrance (with a step).
It is a structure where some people might enter with shoes on because it is barrier-free. I had a little resistance hygienically to "letting the baby crawl on the floor".
- Countermeasure: It is best to decide that "the play area is limited to the bed". If you ask in advance, they will perfectly handle lending bed guards and baby beds, moving beds to the wall, or connecting two beds, so fall prevention measures are perfect.
3. The Reality of the "Rough Pool Floor" and "Rest Area"
There are two pools, old and new. The pool on the new building side has a slope and is for toddlers, but the floor is quite rough due to anti-slip. My older child jumped, knelt, and scraped his knee.
Also, the rest space with a tent (gazebo) by the pool is honestly not "shiny clean". My wife hesitated to lie down directly.
- Countermeasure: The free rental towels are large, so the correct answer is to lay them down like a sheet.
In the case of a studio-type room, it is difficult to adjust the lighting when "parents drink alone" after the children are asleep. You can't just "brighten by the window", and the whole room becomes dark. Ingenuity such as using a smartphone light as indirect lighting is necessary.
3. Specific Steps and Gear for a Comfortable Trip
Here are specific steps to enjoy "ANA InterConti" 120% with children.
[STEP 1] Treat Maesato Beach as "Sea Play Debut" Only
"Maesato Beach" in front of the hotel is safe with nets and lifeguards, but has the following characteristics:
- Pros: Safe. The flow of taking a shower and moving immediately to the pool is god-tier.
- Cons: Almost no fish. The gravel (coral pieces) at the water's edge is large and painful with bare feet.
Do not expect serious snorkeling. It is a place to enjoy "safe swimming" and "water athletics (for elementary school students)".
[STEP 2] Things to Add to Your Packing List
- Marine Shoes: Countermeasure for beach gravel.
- Rash Guard (Long sleeves/pants): Sunburn protection.
- Drinks & Snacks: For evening drinks after children sleep (You can go to the shop, but it becomes troublesome to leave the room).
[STEP 3] Dinner Reservation
Breakfast at "SALTIDA" is excellent, but there are crowded times. Check the congestion situation at check-in and act with time to spare.
When I entered, I got in smoothly (around 7 AM), but by the time I finished (around 8 AM), there were more than 5-6 groups waiting at the entrance.
4. "One Rank Up Enjoyment" Knowing This Information
What exhausts you most in family travel is "movement" and "worrying about others".
If you choose ANA InterContinental Ishigaki Resort, deciding on "Luxury of not leaving the hotel" will result in the highest cost performance.
Play in the sea, wash off the sand, and jump straight into the pool. When tired, go back to the room, take a shower, and roll around. Eat at a restaurant with high-quality staff.
This comfort of "zero movement" cannot be tasted at other hotels or guesthouses.
If you are going to stay, it is really a waste to check out hurriedly after one night.
Stay for 2 nights or more, and taste the "luxury of doing nothing (enjoying the hotel)" with your children on the middle day. Parents smiling is the best memory for children.
Read More on Hotel Selection
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5. Summary: Quick Checklist
- Parking Check: Is your reserved room "Ocean (Main Building)" or "Bay (New Building)"? Ocean is the left parking lot upon entering, Bay is the right.
- Pool Measures: Lay a large towel in the gazebo. Children should wear rash guards to prevent sunburn and scratches.
- Mindset: "Packing sightseeing into 1 night" is NG. "Staying in the hotel for 2 nights or more" is the winning route. It's an expensive hotel. If you just want to sleep, a cheap hotel is fine.
May your trip to Ishigaki Island be filled with smiles for the whole family.
