Last updated on July 23, 2026 by Krysti
ANA InterContinental Ishigaki Resort is one of the island’s most popular luxury stays – but is it the right fit for your trip?
We spent the majority of our time in Ishigaki exploring the island – beach hopping, sightseeing, snorkeling, you name it.
But for our final night, my husband and I wanted something a little different: a chance to slow down and enjoy a more relaxing, luxurious experience.
That’s what led us to the ANA InterContinental Ishigaki Resort.
Known for its beachfront access, gorgeous pools, and upscale atmosphere, it’s one of the island’s most famous luxury resorts.
But, like anyone else planning to splurge on a resort stay, I couldn’t help but wonder – is it actually worth the premium price tag?
The short answer? Yes – but it’s not the right choice for everyone.
After our one-night stay at the ANA InterContinental Ishigaki Resort, I’m breaking down what I loved, what I didn’t, and who I think this resort is best suited for.
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At a Glance: ANA InterContinental Ishigaki Resort By IHG
Before we dive into the full review, here’s a quick overview of the ANA InterContinental Resort in Ishigaki.
- 📍 Location: In front of Maesato Beach on Ishigaki Island in Okinawa, Japan
- 🏨 Property Type: Luxury beachfront resort
- 💰 Price Range: $$$$ (Rates vary by season)
- ⭐ Best For: Couples, families, special occasions, & travelers looking for an upscale, relaxing resort experience
- 🌊 Highlights: On-site beach access, 4 pools, 6 restaurants, a spa, & a golf course
- 🚗 Getting Around: A rental car is highly recommended for exploring Ishigaki
➡️ Check rates & availability for ANA InterContinental Ishigaki Resort
Location & Access: ANA InterContinental Ishigaki Resort
Nestled along Ishigaki’s southern coast, the ANA InterContinental Resort sits roughly halfway between the island’s airport and its main downtown hub.
Generally speaking, it takes about 15-20 minutes to get to the airport and 10-15 minutes to reach the city center and ferry terminal.
This central position makes it a convenient base for exploring Ishigaki – and nearby islands like Taketomi.
That said, I do recommend renting a car if you plan to venture beyond the downtown area.
While public buses serve the resort, the island is surprisingly large, and attractions are widely spread out.
Having your own vehicle makes it much easier to get around and explore the island.
As a nice add-on, the resort does offer complimentary on-site parking!
🌟 Planning to explore beyond the resort? Check out my Ishigaki itinerary for the best beaches, viewpoints, snorkeling spots, and things to do around the island.
Guest Rooms at the Ishigaki ANA InterContinental Resort
At Ishigaki’s ANA Resort, you’ll find four distinct wings to choose from: Coral Wing, Ocean Wing, Bay Wing, and Club InterContinental.
While all wings grant access to the resort’s main facilities, the overall experience can vary greatly depending on which one you choose.
We, personally, booked a stay in one of the resort’s newer wings, the Bay Wing.
For our room, we chose a Twin Room with Ocean Views, which was incredibly spacious – especially by Japanese standards.
The room featured an open bathroom, separate seating area, and a large private balcony overlooking the pool.
It felt modern, bright, and well-maintained, with thoughtful luxury touches throughout.
I especially loved the little tea station they had set up in the room – it had a cute traditional teapot with a variety of tea bags to choose from!
The only slight disappointment for us was the view.
Although our room was technically an Ocean View, we truthfully couldn’t see much of the horizon because we were on a lower floor.
That said, we did have great views overlooking the pool, so it didn’t bother me too much.
Beyond the room itself, I was equally impressed by the Bay Wing.
The beautiful lobby, modern design, and quieter atmosphere gave it a more upscale feel.
Choosing the Right Wing
Although I only stayed in the Bay Wing, I did quite a bit of research beforehand to figure out which wing would be the best fit for our stay.
With that in mind, I’ve compiled below a quick comparison of the different wings and what you can expect from each.
Bay Wing
- One of the resort’s newer wings with a modern, contemporary design
- Spacious rooms with upscale finishes and a more refined atmosphere
- Quieter environment compared to the family-focused wings
⭐ Best For: Couples and adult travelers looking for a relaxing, upscale stay
Coral Wing
- Recently renovated accommodations with family-friendly layouts
- Select rooms feature bunk beds and/or tatami mat areas
- Many room configurations can accommodate up to five guests
⭐ Best For: Families and larger groups traveling together
Ocean Wing
- The property’s original wing with a more classic resort design
- Conveniently located near many of the resort’s main facilities, including several restaurants, as well as the spa, gym, and indoor pool
- Offers easy access to the Sunrise Pool with its waterslide and designated children’s pool
⭐ Best For: Families and travelers who prioritize convenience and easy access to amenities
Club InterContinental
- The resort’s most exclusive accommodation option with premium rooms and suites
- Includes access to the Club InterContinental Lounge and a members-only infinity pool
- Guests receive additional perks, including breakfast, afternoon tea, and evening cocktails
⭐ Best For: Travelers seeking an elevated experience with exclusive perks
➡️ Found the wing that’s right for you? Check current rates and available rooms at ANA InterContinental Ishigaki Resort.
Amenities at ANA InterContinental Ishigaki
As far as amenities go, ANA InterContinental Ishigaki offers an extensive range of on-site facilities and activities.
From multiple pools and beach access to water sports, golf, and spa treatments, there are plenty of ways to keep yourself entertained without even leaving the property.
Pools
The resort features a total of four swimming pools: the Sunrise Pool, the Sunset Pool, the Indoor Pool & Jacuzzi, and the InterContinental Infinity Pool.
That said, access to each of these pools varies depending on your accommodations.
To help manage guest capacity, certain pools are reserved for guests of specific wings, while others are open to everyone.
For example, the Indoor Pool and Jacuzzi are open to all guests, while the InterContinental Infinity Pool is exclusively for Club InterContinental guests.
Then we have the Sunrise and Sunset Pools, which cater to different parts of the property.
The family-friendly Sunrise Pool – complete with a waterslide and children’s area – serves the Coral and Ocean Wings.
Meanwhile, the Sunset Pool is open to guests from the Bay Wing and Club InterContinental.
Since we stayed in the Bay Wing, we spent most of our afternoon relaxing at the Sunset Pool.
We loved the comfortable lounge areas and cabanas – not to mention the poolside happy hour.
It was the perfect place to kick back with a few glasses of wine as the day wound down.
Beach Access
In addition to its swimming pools, ANA Ishigaki offers direct access to Maesato Beach, which is located just a short walk from the property.
While it may not be the most postcard-worthy tropical beach on Ishigaki – there are certainly prettier spots elsewhere – its sheer convenience is hard to beat.
Being able to walk from your room right onto the sand in just a few minutes is a major plus.
There also happens to be a floating obstacle course set up on the water, which is a huge hit with kids and families.
Other Activities & Facilities
For those guests looking to do more than just lounge by the water, the resort offers a number of other experiences.
Some of the most notable activities include:
- 🤿 Marine Activities: Snorkeling, kayaking, SUP, and scuba diving
- 🛶 Cultural Experiences: Traditional Sabani boat tours
- ✨ Stargazing: Nighttime stargazing excursions
- 🧘 Wellness: Yoga classes and a full-service spa offering massages, facials, and other body treatments
- 🎾 Sports Facilities: Tennis courts, fitness center, and gym
- ⛳ Golf: A 9-hole golf course with lessons available
Since we only stayed for one night, we didn’t have enough time to fully take advantage of everything the resort has to offer.
In hindsight, this is one of the reasons I’d consider staying longer on a future visit.
Dining Experiences at the InterContinental Ishigaki Resort
At Ishigaki’s InterContinental Resort, you’ll find a variety of dining options, ranging from casual cafes to upscale restaurants.
Below is a quick overview of the property’s dining venues:
- Saltida: An international buffet-focused restaurant featuring local Ishigaki ingredients
- Yaeyama: A traditional kaiseki restaurant serving multi-course Japanese dishes
- Omoto: A teppanyaki restaurant featuring an interactive dining experience
- China Shadow: A Chinese restaurant specializing in hot pot cuisine
- Palette Terrace Lounge: A cafe and deli serving light meals and drinks
- Suncoast Cafe: A buffet breakfast cafe for guests staying in the Ocean & Coral Wings
- In Room Dining: On-demand dining, available 24/7, features a seasonal rotating menu
During our stay, we ate breakfast and dinner at Saltida, which is located in the Bay Wing.
Breakfast was included with our room and ended up being a great experience.
The buffet featured a wide variety of both Japanese and Western dishes, with plenty of options to suit different tastes and dietary preferences.
Dinner, however, unfortunately wasn’t quite as memorable.
We opted for the à la carte menu instead of the buffet – which, in hindsight, I probably wouldn’t do again.
While the food itself was good, the à la carte menu felt surprisingly limited, and the wait time for our meal was much longer than expected.
The buffet, on the other hand, appeared to offer a much larger selection of dishes showcasing local ingredients and regional flavors. It was, of course, also ready on demand.
Looking back, I would definitely recommend the buffet option for dinner, especially if you’re hoping to sample more of Ishigaki’s local flavors.
The Service at ANA InterContinental Ishigaki
One area where ANA InterContinental really stood out for me was the service.
From the moment we arrived, the staff made us feel very welcome and cared for.
They greeted us as soon as we pulled onto the property, assisted with our luggage, and even offered us welcome drinks while we waited to check in.
Overall, they were just incredibly professional, attentive, and very approachable.
As an added bonus, most of the staff spoke English, which made communication and planning much easier.
Even though we only spent one night at the resort, the level of service and hospitality left a lasting impression and played a big role in making our stay feel special.
Is ANA InterContinental Ishigaki Resort Right for You?
While I genuinely enjoyed my stay at ANA InterContinental Ishigaki, I realize that the resort won’t always be the right fit for everyone.
Below, you’ll find my thoughts on who I think the resort is best suited for – and who may want to consider other options.
Ishigaki InterContinental is ideal for you if:
- ✓You’re looking for a relaxing island escape where the resort is part of the experience.
- ✓You’d prefer a full-service stay with on-site pools, restaurants, and convenient beach access.
- ✓You plan to take advantage of the resort’s many facilities and activities.
- ✓You’re traveling for a special occasion and want a memorable island stay.
- ✓Budget isn’t a top concern – you prioritize comfort, tranquility, and a touch of luxury.
Ishigaki InterContinental may not be ideal for you if:
- ✗You’re looking for budget-friendly accommodations in Ishigaki.
- ✗You’d prefer easy access to the downtown area and ferry terminal.
- ✗You won’t have much time in your itinerary to fully enjoy the resort’s amenities.
- ✗You’d like to stay at a resort where the beach is the main attraction.
- ✗You prioritize smaller, local accommodations over large luxury resorts.
➡️ Is ANA InterContinental Ishigaki the right fit for you? Check rates & availability here!
Final Verdict: Is the ANA InterContinental Ishigaki Resort Worth It?
For the right traveler, I do think ANA InterContinental is absolutely worth the splurge!
The spacious accommodations, excellent service, beautiful pool areas, and extensive amenities made it one of the highlights of our trip.
That said, I do think the value largely depends on your itinerary and travel preferences.
If you’re looking for a true resort experience and plan to take full advantage of the property’s facilities, it’s easier to justify the higher price tag.
However, if you plan to spend most of your trip out sightseeing, it may be harder to get full value for your stay.
I’d also recommend carefully considering which wing you book, as access and atmosphere vary greatly across the property.
Matching the right wing to your travel style truly makes all the difference – and for us, the Bay Wing was the perfect fit!
Thinking of booking a stay at the ANA InterContinental Resort in Ishigaki? Drop any questions you have in the comments below!
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KRYSTI ATKINSON
Krysti is a travel writer currently based in Okinawa, Japan. Over the past 3+ years, she has explored Japan extensively while traveling throughout Asia – from iconic cities to quiet, off-the-beaten-path destinations. Through Wanderful Horizons, Krysti shares detailed itineraries, practical travel tips, and firsthand recommendations to help travelers plan unforgettable adventures.
