Escape to Paradise: Okinawa's Kariyushi Resort Exes Onna Bliss
Escape to Paradise? More Like Okinawa's Kariyushi Resort Exes Onna: A Blissful, Bumpy Ride! (My Hot Takes)
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because I'm about to spill the tea (and maybe a little sake) on the Kariyushi Resort Exes Onna in Okinawa. This place…it’s a rollercoaster. One minute you’re floating on a cloud of blissful relaxation, the next you're wrestling with a wonky elevator. But hey, that's life, right? And honestly, even with its quirks, this resort is worth the trip.
Accessibility: Smooth Sailing (Mostly!)
First off, let's talk about getting there. Airport transfers? Easy peasy. The hotel offers them, and the ride's gorgeous, soaking in the Okinawan scenery. Blessedly, the resort is generally wheelchair accessible. Elevators are a godsend (though, as mentioned, one or two of them seemed to have a mind of their own on occasion – a minor inconvenience, but hey, character!). The entire property is designed to make life easy for everyone.
Once inside, navigating the different areas wasn't a problem, which in my book is a big win for accessibility.
My Paradise Found Moment (And Why It Matters): The Pool with a View
Okay, so let me get real for a second: My biggest takeaway from this place? The pool with a view. Seriously, guys, if you’re stressed, if you’re tired, if you just need to feel like you're alive, this is where you need to be. Imagine this: I'd spent the morning getting a killer neck and shoulder massage (more on that later), and I waltzed over to the infinity pool. The turquoise water merging seamlessly with the endless ocean, the sun warming my skin, a cocktail in hand…It was pure, unadulterated bliss. I could have stayed there forever. That's the kind of emotional reaction this place can stir up. The kind you chase in life. You need this!
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: A Culinary Adventure with a Few Hiccups
Now, let's talk about food. There's a lot of it! A la carte, buffets, restaurants galore. The Asian cuisine was mind-blowing. Like, I'm talking melt-in-your-mouth sushi, flavorful ramen – the works. There was a vegetarian restaurant that even this meat-lover appreciated. The breakfast buffet was an absolute feast. I’m talking everything. Asian breakfast, Western breakfast, waffles, pancakes, fruit… I might have indulged a little too much. But who's counting calories in paradise, right?
A little random experience here : I tried to order room service, a late-night craving for a club sandwich took hold, but let's just say room service and I didn't get along. There was a mix up somewhere, I got a different sandwich that was NOT what I was looking for and I ended up settling for some stale biscuits that were left in the room. I mean, it happens, right? The hotel staff made up for it later (more on that later), which led me to believe the mix up was a one-off.
The poolside bar was a lifesaver. Happy hour was a must. And the coffee shop provided my caffeine fix. Bottle of water was generously offered, which helps a lot.
Spa and Relaxation: OMG!
The spa experience was amazing. The massages, the sauna, the steamroom…I was a puddle of relaxed goo. I spent a solid hour in the foot bath, and I'm pretty sure I could have floated away. Really, it was that good. The Body scrub and Body wrap also are a must to try. It wasn't just the treatments; it was the atmosphere. Tranquil, calming… a true escape.
Cleanliness and Safety: Keeping Calm and Carrying On
Alright, let's talk about the elephant in the room: COVID. I was impressed and also slightly paranoid. But I'm glad they're taking it seriously. Staff trained in safety protocol, hand sanitizer everywhere, individually-wrapped food options, and a lot of daily disinfection in common areas. They also had anti-viral cleaning products going on in the room. They had a doctor/nurse on call and a first aid kit which gives peace of mind. And the best part is the option to opt out of room sanitization.
Rooms and Amenities: Comfortable, with a Touch of Quirks
The rooms are spacious and well-appointed. The air conditioning was a lifesaver. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms (Hallelujah!). I may or may not have spent an entire morning binge-watching a show on my laptop workspace which was great! It had a desk, good lighting. The bathrobes were plush, and the slippers were comfy.
But…and there's always a "but," right? The soundproofing wasn't perfect. I could sometimes hear my neighbor's TV. The blackout curtains were good, but the mornings were still bright and cheery. I would have loved to had a better mirror in my room.
Also, I was in the mood for some romance and the proposal spot was a great addition to the place.
Services and Conveniences: Mostly Smooth Sailing
The staff were generally excellent. The concierge was incredibly helpful with recommendations. The daily housekeeping service was great - the room was always spotless. The luggage storage was useful.
A minor inconvenience was the elevator, which got quite busy at peak times.
Accessibility Breakdown:
- Elevators: Yes, but sometimes sluggish in response.
- Ramps: Present throughout the property, making movement easier.
- Accessible Rooms: Available. (Recommend requesting one in advance to ensure availability).
- Restaurants: Most, if not all, can accommodate wheelchairs.
- Pool Access: Limited (check details), but worth it for the view!
For the Kids (and the Young at Heart):
While I didn't need it, they had kids facilities. They have a babysitting service if you need it, and the whole place has a family/child friendly vibe.
Overall:
Look, the Kariyushi Resort Exes Onna isn't perfect. But its flaws are minor compared to its strengths. It’s a place where you can truly unwind, recharge, and create some amazing memories. I'm already planning my return!
Final Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars (Subtracting half a star for the elevator drama and that rogue sandwich, but mainly a solid score!)
Kaohsiung's Hidden Gem: Kung Shang Design Hotel - You HAVE to See This!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into the glorious, messy, and probably slightly sunburnt reality of a trip to the OKINAWA KARIYUSHI RESORT EXES ONNA. I'm calling this Operation: "Get Me Away From My Life (And All The Laundry)" because, honestly, that’s exactly what I need. Here goes…
The Unofficial, Utterly Unreliable, and Deeply Personal Okinawa Itinerary (Plus ALL the Feelings):
Day 1: Arrival – The Great Escape (and a Mild Panic Attack)
- 6:00 AM: Alarm SCREAMS. I smack it. (Good start). Realize my suitcase is only mostly packed. Curse myself for leaving it to the last minute. Pack in a flurry of panic, mostly consisting of swimsuits and a weird fear of not having enough socks (which, statistically, I never wear).
- 7:30 AM: Taxi to the airport. Traffic is, of course, a nightmare. Start questioning my life choices (mostly the ones involving procrastination).
- 9:00 AM: Airport chaos. Security line is a beast. Manage to navigate it without spilling my (very necessary) pre-flight coffee. Feel like a seasoned traveler… until I almost leave my passport at the Duty-Free. (Face palm).
- 12:00 PM: Touchdown in Naha! The air itself feels different. Humid. Promising. My internal monologue immediately shifts to: "OMG, sun! OMG, blue water! OMG, food!" (Priorities).
- 1:00 PM: Rental car shenanigans. (Why do they always make you sign approximately 200 tiny documents in Japanese? And do I really need the extra insurance? Sigh.) Finally, get the keys. The car is tiny. I feel enormous climbing in. Instantly forget how to drive on the "wrong" side of the road. This could be interesting. Or terrifying. Or both.
- 2:30 PM: Drive to the resort. The scenery is breathtaking. Palm trees swaying. Turquoise water peeking through. Suddenly, the rental car and the insurance seem worth it. Start feeling the tension melt away. Almost.
- 3:30 PM: Check-in. The lobby is gorgeous. Like, magazine gorgeous. Start to feel like royalty. Get my room key. Immediately get lost trying to find my room. (This is going to be a recurring theme). The room is AMAZING. Balcony with an ocean view. I could cry. I might.
- 4:30 PM: UNPACK. Or at least, attempt to unpack. Get distracted by the view. Take approximately 50 pictures of the ocean. (Don't judge me!)
- 6:00 PM: Dinner at one of the resort restaurants. Sushi. Fresh, melt-in-your-mouth sushi. A celebratory glass of chilled sake. Life is good. Real good. (Though I did manage to spill some sake on my new, ridiculously expensive linen shirt. Minor setback, but still…)
- 8:00 PM: Wander along the beach. The moon is HUGE. The waves are gentle. Feeling ridiculously content. Almost. Still worrying about that rental car and the "wrong" side of the road thing…
Day 2: Culture Shock (And a Near-Death Experience with a Sea Urchin)
- 7:00 AM: Wake up to sunshine and that incredible view. Breakfast on the balcony. Coffee. Repeat.
- 8:00 AM: Decide to be brave. Attempt to drive to some local sights (still on the “wrong” side, but I’m getting better, maybe?). First stop: the Ryukyu Mura village.
- 9:00 AM: Ryukyu Mura. A reconstructed Ryukyu village. Gorgeous and historically insightful, and my initial reaction was: "Wow! These houses are beautiful and I want to live here, let me just pop over and…". Then I noticed that my phone was missing. Cue mild panic, and a mad scramble back to the car.
- 10:00 AM: Back in the car, search. The car is a mess - I had to grab a map, the rental agreement, the parking ticket, a bottle of water, and a half-eaten chocolate bar. Where did it go?
- 10:30 AM: Find phone, in the glove compartment. (Face palm, again). Back to Ryukyu Mura. See traditional Okinawan houses, watch a demonstration of sanshin (like a banjo!), and try some local sweets (delicious, but a bit too much sugar for this early in the day). Learn about the history of the Ryukyu Kingdom. Feel slightly humbled by my ignorance. It was actually a really lovely experience.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch at a small local restaurant. Order something, and after a language mishap, end up with a massive plate of sizzling Okinawa soba. Amazing.
- 1:00 PM: Snorkeling! (This is where things get real). Head to a beach nearby EXES ONNA, put on the gear, and try to be graceful. (Fail). The water is ridiculously clear. Fish of every color imaginable. Coral reefs. It's a freaking underwater paradise! …until…
- 1:30 PM: The NEAR-DEATH EXPERIENCE WITH THE SEA URCHIN. I was so busy ogling the fish that I didn't see it. A spiky, menacing sea urchin lurking on the ocean floor. Came a hair's breadth from stepping on it. Screamed. Probably looked like a total goon. Managed to back away slowly, avoiding impalement. Heart rate returns to normal(ish). Vow to pay more attention to the sea floor. (And to wear my reef shoes tomorrow).
- 3:00 PM: Back at the resort. Collapse on a sun lounger. Order a cocktail (definitely earned it). Watch the sunset. Consider becoming a professional beach bum.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner at the resort's teppanyaki restaurant. Watch the chef flip food around with lightning speed. Eat mountains of delicious food. Get slightly tipsy. Laugh a lot.
Day 3: The Search for the Perfect Beach (And Finding It, Finally!)
- 8:00 AM: Wake up feeling strangely…calm. Maybe it’s the ocean air. Maybe it's the lack of laundry. Or maybe it’s just the sheer joy of NOT having to go to work. (Glorious!). Start the day with a leisurely breakfast and the ocean.
- 9:00 AM: Dedicate the day to finding the "perfect" beach. Armed with my beach bag, a map, and an unreasonable amount of sunscreen, I set off. Beach hopping is a thing, right?
- 9:30 AM: Visit Kariyushi Beach, the one just right in front of our hotel. It's beautiful, but too close. Feeling the need for exploration.
- 10:00 AM: Drive to Manza Beach. It's definitely pretty, but a bit… crowded. Also, the music’s blaring. Not my vibe. Plus, I am starting to get hangry and impatient.
- 11:00 AM: Drive to Cape Manzamo. It's a bit touristy and it's a little windy. Still, I have to admit it's a beautiful view.
- 12:00 PM: Almost give up. Consider throwing in the towel and returning to the resort pool. But NO! I’m on a quest! (And I need that perfect Instagram photo). Order lunch at a small restaurant near the resort, get to know the owner.
- 1:00 PM: The Discovery! Drive a bit further north. Find a small, hidden beach. White sand. Turquoise water. Practically deserted. (Heaven!). Stay there for hours. Swim. Sunbathe. Read a book (finally). Feel the stress completely melt away. This is the life. This is what I needed.
- 6:00 PM: Back at the resort. Shower. Get dressed up (well, slightly less beachy dressed). Head to the bar for cocktails. Watch the sunset. Order another round of drinks. Chat with some other travelers. Feel a sense of camaraderie. Feel happy.
- 8:00 PM: Dinner at a restaurant near the resort. Delicious seafood. Great
Escape to Paradise: Okinawa's Kariyushi Resort Exes Onna Bliss - FAQ, Because Let's Be Real
Okay, so...Kariyushi Resort Exes Onna Bliss. Is it *actually* bliss? Because the internet lies.
Bliss? Well, let’s just say my stay was more like… a rollercoaster with a stunning view. Look, the location *is* ridiculously gorgeous. Think turquoise water, sand that feels like powdered sugar… it's hard to be unhappy staring at that. But "bliss"? That’s a tough sell. Maybe if your biggest worry is running out of sunscreen. I mean, the hotel's promising, but "bliss" is a big word. I arrived expecting pure zen, and what I got was… a slightly off-kilter, but ultimately pretty darn good vacation. And sometimes that’s enough, right?
The rooms… were they actually *worth* the price? (Let’s be brutally honest).
Alright, let's talk money. The price tag? Ouch. My wallet whimpered a little. And honestly? The room itself was nice. Clean, spacious, the balcony was HUGE (perfect for my daily coffee-and-panic-about-life routine). But… was it *magically* worth it? Maybe not. I’d say it was a solid, slightly overpriced, but still comfortable experience. The view from the balcony partly made up for the hit my bank account took. And the little touches like the plush robes (which I basically lived in) did help. But if you're on a shoestring budget, you might be better off exploring some of the smaller, more budget-friendly hotels. Just don't expect the same stunning view, or the delicious, all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet. Oh, that buffet… more on that later.
Speaking of food… tell me *everything* about the food scene. Did my taste buds actually *escape* to paradise?
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this is where things get interesting. The food… *ahhhhh, the food!* Okay, so, remember that breakfast buffet I mentioned? Yeah, it’s a masterpiece. Seriously. Fresh fruit, pastries that practically melt in your mouth, a made-to-order omelet station that was consistently slammed (pro-tip: go early). I may or may not have eaten my weight in bacon every single day. No regrets. The other restaurants at the resort were good too. The tempura place was *amazing*. The sushi was fresh. I even tried some Okinawan specialties – the Goya Champuru (bitter melon stir-fry) was… an experience. Let's just say I'm still deciding if I liked it. But hey, when in Rome… or, you know, Okinawa. The only downside? Be prepared to loosen your belt a notch or two. Or three. Or just embrace the food coma and nap on the beach. I chose the latter.
The pools and beach… Instagram-worthy or Instagram-disappointing? Dish the dirt!
Oh, the pools and beach. Prepare your filters, people! They're definitely Instagram-worthy. The pools are pristine, with a swim-up bar that's a definite highlight (hello, fruity cocktails!). Plenty of sun loungers, although they do get snagged early by the sun-worshippers (I am NOT one of them). I preferred the beach though – the sand is impossibly soft, the water is crystal clear. I spent hours just wandering along the shoreline, feeling the waves tickle my toes. It was perfect. And the sunsets? Unbelievable. Seriously, I think I teared up a little during one of them. Okay, maybe I teared up a lot. Don't judge me! The only downside? Sometimes it got a little crowded during peak times, but honestly, it’s a small price to pay for that level of beauty. Seriously, the pictures don’t even do it justice. You just have to go and see it for yourself. (Bring sunscreen. Seriously.)
Let's dive into activities. What's fun, what's a waste of time? Spill the tea.
Alright, activities! Okay, The resort offers a ton: snorkeling, diving, water sports… the whole shebang. I went snorkeling. The water was clear but the reef itself was a bit of a disappointment and a little hard to see. I tried the glass-bottom boat tour a bit later and the experience was much more enjoyable. The staff were super helpful and the views of the marine life were fantastic. Also try the yoga and meditation sessions. I can't say that I felt any major zen afterwards but it was enough to make me be a happy camper. But honestly, the *best* activities were the ones I stumbled upon. Like, one day I just rented a bike and cycled around the coast. So many hidden beaches and tiny, local restaurants. The absolute highlight was a sunset view where I met a local who let me in on the secret of the best yakisoba in the area. That was the real joy. Forget the pre-planned "fun" – get lost, explore, and let the magic happen organically.
Service and Staff… were they attentive or just plain… absent?
Okay, service. This is where things get a little… patchy. The staff were mostly lovely, really. Always smiling, always polite, trying their best. There were some amazing individuals who went above and beyond. The concierge who helped me track down a specific brand of green tea that I was obsessed with was nothing short of a hero. And the waitresses in the breakfast buffet? Angels. That said, there were a few moments where I felt the service was a bit slow, or communication a little tricky (English isn’t everyone’s first language, obviously). Nothing disastrous, just a few minor hiccups. Overall though, the staff were generally helpful and friendly, and always seemed to be trying to please. Maybe a little more training wouldn't hurt, but honestly, it’s a minor issue. I’m more of a DIY traveler anyway. I'd happily find the things I needed myself, but the staff were always around and ready to jump in if I needed assistance, like the concierge.
Okay, let's talk about the little things. The quirks, the annoyances… hit me with it!
Alright, the quirks. Oh, there are definitely quirks. The elevators. Took forever, especially during peak hours. Prepare to add some extra waiting time in the mornings. The music in the lobby? A bit repetitive, bordering on elevator-music-esque. The Wi-Fi… sometimes worked, sometimes didn’t. (This is a major issue for a Digital Nomad like me, so I just ended up using my mobile hotspot). And the occasional crying baby (because, let's face it, this is a family-friendly resort). But here’s the thing… these aren’t dealbreakers. They're just… imperfections. And honestly, they're part of the charm, right?Find Your Perfect Stay
