ANA InterContinental Ishigaki Resort By IHG Japan

Escape to Paradise: ANA InterContinental Ishigaki's Unforgettable Luxury

Escape to Paradise: ANA InterContinental Ishigaki - Is It Really Paradise? (My Honest Take)

Okay, let's talk Ishigaki. Specifically, let's talk about the ANA InterContinental. I’ve been staring at photos of turquoise water for way too long, and I’m finally back from what they call "Paradise." And, look, I brought baggage. Not just the luggage kind. I’m talking about the kind that comes with expectations, hopes, and, let's be honest, a healthy dose of skepticism. Was it truly unforgettable luxury? Let's dive in, shall we? (Spoiler alert: it involves a LOT of opinions.)

First Impressions: Smooth Sailing… Mostly.

Right off the bat, the accessibility is good. The elevators are easy to find, ramps are well-placed, and I spotted facilities for disabled guests thoughtfully integrated. The whole vibe suggests they actually thought about making it welcoming for everyone. (Unlike some "luxury" resorts that seemingly consider anyone with a mobility issue an unwelcome annoyance.) Getting around the property was a breeze, honestly. The lobby? Stunning. Big, airy, and that first view? Hello, Ocean! Quick note: the check-in/out was smooth, especially with the contactless options. Speedy, private, and efficient - exactly what you need after a long flight. A quick airport transfer was available, so I don't blame the hotel.

The Room: My Personal Sanctuary (with a Few Hiccups)

Ah, the room. This is where things really get interesting. I booked a non-smoking room (thank goodness!), and while the decor was classic InterContinental – think understated elegance, not over-the-top glitz – the comfort factor was high. Big, comfy bed? Check. Blackout curtains that actually work? Double check! Free Wi-Fi blazing like a demon? Oh yes! Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!! Internet [LAN] access too, but honestly, who uses LAN anymore? The internet access was pretty good throughout the resort, particularly in the rooms.

The bathroom? Spacious, with a separate shower and bathtub (hello, weary traveler!). There was an additional toilet. Complimentary toiletries? Absolutely. I even had a view to die for! (And a small fridge to keep my water bottles frosty. Dehydration is not an option in this humidity.) I loved the little touches: fresh bottled water upon arrival, a coffee/tea maker, and, of course, the fluffy bathrobes. Ah, the bathrobes! Instant relaxation, even when you're still unpacking.

Okay, confession time: the first room I was assigned had a wonky air conditioner. It sounded like a jet engine taking off. BUT… and this is important… the staff were super responsive. They switched me to a new room without a fuss. See? Even paradise has a few bumps. The important thing is, they fixed it, and that’s what counts. Also, I loved my high floor room, but that might be a subjective experience. High floor for the win!

Food, Glorious Food (and a Few Misses)

Here's the honest truth: the food was a mixed bag. The breakfast buffet (Asian cuisine in restaurant, Western breakfast, Asian breakfast) was a triumph! Seriously, I could have spent hours just wandering around, sampling everything. There were options for everyone - vegetarians, meat-eaters, anyone really. The fresh fruit was divine, the pastries were dangerously tempting, and the coffee was excellent. Don't even get me started on the made-to-order omelets… drool.

Dinner, however, was a bit hit-or-miss. There were several restaurants (Western cuisine in restaurant, international cuisine in restaurant), all offering a la carte menus. The poolside bar was a delight for a quick snack and drink. The food choices were pretty good, and the poolside bar was good for a quick drink. One restaurant was a bit overpriced for what you got (the quality was good, but the value wasn't there). Another one offered a fantastic meal, and the service was impeccable. My advice? Explore the restaurant options, read reviews, and don't be afraid to try something new. There was a Vegetarian Restaurant too. Breakfast takeaway service was a nice touch.

Things to Do: Paradise on a Budget (or Not)

Okay, so you're in Ishigaki. You're surrounded by stunning beaches and shimmering water. What now? Well, the ANA InterContinental has options aplenty.

Relax and Rejuvenate: The spa (Spa/sauna) is worth a visit – if you're prepared to drop some serious cash. Seriously, the spa experience was heavenly. The sauna, steam room, and the pool with a view were all top-notch. A massage is practically mandatory (Body scrub, Body wrap, Massage), and I could easily spend a whole day there. There's a foot bath!
Get Active: There's a fitness center (Gym/fitness) if you feel the need to burn off all those delicious meals. The swimming pool [outdoor] is gorgeous (swimming pool), and so is the beach.
Explore: They have a gift/souvenir shop and a convenience store.
Special Events: There were meeting/banquet facilities and indoor & outdoor venues, and they had audio-visual equipment!

Safety, Cleanliness, and Peace of Mind

This is important, and I'm happy to report the ANA InterContinental takes it seriously. They've thought of everything. They used anti-viral cleaning products, they had safe dining setups, and rooms were sanitized between stays. They even had professional-grade sanitizing services! Staff trained in safety protocol was a welcome sight.

The "Unforgettable" Angle: Did it Deliver?

So, was it truly "unforgettable luxury"? Yes, in many ways. The stunning location, the attentive service, and the comfortable rooms certainly made it a memorable experience. The spa experience was truly heavenly.

Now, the Big Question: Worth the Price Tag?

Look, let's be real. This isn't a budget-friendly trip. The ANA InterContinental Ishigaki is a luxury resort, and the prices reflect that. But if you're looking for a special occasion, a romantic getaway, or simply a chance to escape and indulge, then yes, it's worth it. Just be prepared to loosen the purse strings a bit.

My Recommendation: Book It (But Here's My Secret Tip)

Would I go back? Absolutely! But here's my secret tip: go during the shoulder season (spring or fall) to potentially snag a better deal, and don't be afraid to explore the other restaurant options. The staff were super helpful, and if you need something.

Here's the bottom line: The ANA InterContinental Ishigaki is a beautiful resort in a breathtaking location. It's not perfect. (What is, really?) But it comes pretty damn close. Prepare to be pampered, to indulge, and to leave feeling refreshed and, yes, maybe just a little bit sad to go.

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Ready to Escape to Paradise? Exclusive Offer!

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Priority access to spa appointments.
A special welcome gift (a luxurious Ishigaki-local souvenir!).

Don't wait! This offer is only valid for bookings made [date range]. Click here to book your unforgettable escape and experience the ultimate luxury! [Link to Booking Page]

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Okay, buckle up buttercups, because my Ishigaki adventure is about to unfold. This isn't your perfectly curated Instagram grid, folks. This is the raw, unfiltered version, complete with questionable decisions, dramatic sighs, and the relentless pursuit of the perfect mango.

Travel Itinerary: Ishigaki Island, Japan - ANA InterContinental Ishigaki Resort (Oh, The Irony!)

Day 1: Arrival & Immediate Panic

1:00 PM - Arrival at New Ishigaki Airport (ISG). Oh. My. God. The humidity. It hits you like a warm, smothering hug. That "refreshing island breeze" everyone talks about? Lies. All lies. I feel like I've walked into a giant, humid terrarium. Lugging my suitcase feels like I'm carrying a small, angry rhino.
1:30 PM - Taxi to ANA InterContinental Ishigaki Resort. The resort. Sigh. It’s beautiful, I’ll give it that. But is it me? Probably not. I'm more of a "dodgy hostel with questionable plumbing" kind of traveler. This place screams "refined elegance." I worry I'll break something. Immediately.
2:00 PM - Check-in. Stumbling through the Lobby. The lobby is vast and shiny. So many smiling faces. I swear one of them is judging my travel T-shirt (it has a sloth on it, okay?). The whole thing screams money, which is a problem because I definitely don't have any.
3:00 PM - Room Reconnaissance & Existential Crisis. My ocean view room. It IS breathtaking. The balcony! The bathtub! I'm overwhelmed. Am I… worthy? I spend an hour doing absolutely nothing on the balcony except maybe crying. Because I am an adult, and I’m allowed to do that.
4:00 PM - Poolside Exploration (and Near-Disaster). I change into my "trying to be sophisticated" swimsuit. I strut over to the pool, and promptly almost slip on a rogue, wet towel and faceplant into the perfectly chilled, turquoise water. Luckily, I saved myself, but my dignity? Gone. Into the ocean.
5:00 PM - Pre-Dinner Panic & Mango Obsession. I need to get my bearings before going to dinner. I'm also in active search of the fabled Ishigaki mango. It’s a cultural experience as crucial as it is delicious. I've heard tales, legends. I spend the next hour harassing the concierge about where to find the best mango. They look at me oddly. I don’t care. Mango or bust.
7:00 PM - Dinner at [Resort Restaurant Name] & First Impressions. The food is AMAZING, and pricey. I’m trying to be good and order the local fish, but I've got to admit, I might also have stolen an extra dessert.

Day 2: Exploration & Deep-Sea Mayhem

8:00 AM - Breakfast Buffet & Regret. The buffet. Oh, the buffet. I attack it with the fervor of a famished Viking. I eat all the things. And then I feel the shame creep in. I think I might have eaten an entire pineapple.
9:00 AM - Beach Time & Marine Woes. I head to the beach. The sand is white, the water is clear…I’m happy. I apply more sunscreen and spend the next hour paddling. Then, the inevitable. A rogue wave nearly capsizes my sun lounger. I shout. I flail. I'm pretty sure a little boy laughs at me.
10:00 AM - Snorkeling Tour (and Near Drowning?). I booked a snorkeling tour. It seemed like a good idea at the time. I'm told I'm an excellent swimmer. I love the ocean! Until I'm in the ocean, choking down saltwater, and panicking because I can't, for the life of me, make my snorkel work. I might have briefly considered the possibility being embraced by an octopus might not be so bad.
12:00 PM - Lunch (and Emotional Recovery). Back on land, I treat myself to a massive plate of what I suspect is the most expensive fried rice I've ever eaten. It tastes like victory.
1:00 PM - Mango Quest (Part II). That mango. Still searching. I'm starting to suspect it's a myth. A delicious, sun-ripened myth. I interrogate a local vendor. They point me in the direction of a tiny, unmarked stall. Hope is renewed!
3:00 PM - Exploring the Local Market (and Sensory Overload). The local market is a riot of color, smells, and questionable textures. I buy something that looks like sea grapes (they explode in your mouth!) and a tiny ceramic cat.
6:00 PM - Dinner & Sunset Viewing. I try a local restaurant on the recommendation of the locals. I'm so glad I did! Fresh seafood, and some amazing Japanese beer. The sun sets over the ocean and it's… actually breathtaking. I almost tear up. It's so simple, so perfect. I realize I can do this. I can be a "fancy resort" person AND enjoy myself.
7:30 PM - Drink. Laugh. Maybe cry?

Day 3: Island Hopping and Inner Peace (Maybe)

9:00 AM - Ferry to Taketomi Island. The ferry! It’s an adventure in itself. I’m slightly seasick. The island is cute. I arrive.
10:00 AM - Taketomi Exploration, with a Tiny Horse. Charming villages. The traditional houses. They feel like they’re made of something from a storybook. I take a ride in a water buffalo cart, and it’s the most ridiculously happy thing I've done in months.
12:00 PM - Mango Quest (FINALLY! A Breakthrough!). Triumph! I find the mango. The perfect mango. It's even better than I dreamed. Sweet, juicy, and ridiculously expensive. I eat it on the beach. It is pure, unadulterated bliss.
1:00 PM - Beach Time & Contemplation. I found a small, secluded beach. I sit on the sand, eat my mango, and actually find myself thinking. I reflect. What am I even doing? Is this the right direction for my life? Is it better to be a sad, beautiful person with one expensive mango in their life, or a happy, starving person without? These are the questions.
3:00 PM - Return to Ishigaki & Resort Relaxation. The ferry ride back is smoother this time, and I'm exhausted but content. I treat myself to a massage. Worth it.
7:00 PM - Dinner & Farewell Drinks. I have a final fancy meal and toast the island. I’m not sure I’ll ever be a fully-fledged "resort person," but Ishigaki? Ishigaki stole a piece of my heart.

Day 4: Departure & The Great Mango Withdrawal

9:00 AM - Last-Minute Breakfast & Packing (Panic). I eat another ridiculous breakfast. I throw my clothes into my suitcase. I realize I have no clean clothes.
10:00 AM - Final Mango Obsession. One last mango. Just one. Gotta soak it in.
11:00 AM - Check-Out & Existential Dread (Again). Leaving. I don't want to go. I may spontaneously burst into tears.
12:00 PM - Depart from ISG (and the inevitable wave of post-vacation blues).
1:00 PM - Start the journey home

Postscript:

Ishigaki Island: 1, My Sanity: Maybe a 0. But hey, I survived! I ate a mango. I may or may not have almost drowned. And I learned that sometimes, the best adventures are the ones you don’t expect. Now, where’s the nearest mango smoothie…?

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Okay, Spill It: Is ANA InterContinental Ishigaki REALLY Paradise? Don't Give Me the Brochure Version.

Alright, alright, settle down. Paradise? Ishigaki? The ANA InterContinental? Okay, here's the REAL deal. First off, the *location*… stunning. Like, jaw-on-the-floor stunning. You think you understand turquoise water until you SEE it. But… and this is a HUGE BUT… it's also a *long* trip. That flight feels like you're escaping to the moon. I'm talking multiple connections, potential delays… You arrive exhausted, smelling faintly of airplane peanuts. But, you step out of the taxi, and BAM. The air hits you. Warm, humid, smelling faintly of… well, I don’t know WHAT, but something amazing. Suddenly, you're not so grumpy about the flight. So, yeah. Paradise-ish… but with a serious travel commitment. And honestly? Worth it.

The Rooms! Are They as Fancy as the Pictures Lead You to Believe? And… Did You Cry at All? (Be Honest)

The rooms. Oh, the ROOMS. The pictures… those glossy magazine shots? Yeah, they’re accurate. *Mostly*. They *look* like they're designed for Instagram influencers or rich people. The views? Killer. I mean, I spent a good hour just staring out the window the first day. I wouldn’t say I sobbed… but I did have a *moment*. A little tear, maybe. Okay, fine, two. The bathtub is massive, and the fancy toiletries? Delightful! I may or may not have taken a few, purely for “research” purposes. But here's a slightly embarrassing confession: I accidentally set off the fire alarm. Twice. Once because I burned toast (don't judge, jet lag is a thing!), and the second time… well, let's just say the room service forgot the smoke detector was INSANELY sensitive. So, yeah. Fancy rooms. And possibly a bit too sensitive to my culinary skills.

Let's Talk Food. Is it Worth the Price Tag? And What Was the BEST Thing You Ate (and DON'T say "everything")?

Food. Okay, buckle up. The price tag? Ouch. It’s a luxury resort, remember? Everything's expensive. But, the food… it’s mostly incredible. I’d recommend budgeting *a lot*. There's a buffet that's got everything from sushi to… I don't know, something that looked suspiciously close to spam (that's just my opinion). But, the REALLY good stuff? You have to seek it out. For the BEST thing I ate… Okay, this is tough. I’ll cut through the BS and say the Ishigakiyaki Japanese beef at the *Sunset Bar & Grill* was absolutely insane. Like, melt-in-your-mouth, cry-when-you-finish-it good. It's pricey, mind you. You pay for the view AND the beef. But… wow. I still dream about it. I swear, I almost licked the plate. (Almost.)

Beaches! Are They Overcrowded? Is There Actually Space to RELAX, or Are You Constantly Elbowing People?

Beaches… This is a variable. Some days are glorious and practically deserted. You feel like you have miles of pristine sand all to yourself. Pure bliss. Other days… well, it's still Ishigaki, so it’s beautiful, but there are more people. The hotel offers a bunch of beach chairs. But if you want a prime spot, wake up early, secure that chair with a towel, and retreat back to your room for another hour of sleep. (Totally kidding… mostly). The beach feels crowded near the bar, and also during peak hours. But, you can usually find a quieter spot with a short stroll down the beach. So, yeah, overall, the beaches are a win. Even with the occasional rogue beach umbrella jockeying for position.

Activities – Beyond Just Lying on a Beach. What Did You DO? Was it Fun, or a Waste of Time?

Okay, activities. I’m a big fan of doing nothing. So, that's my default. But I did drag my butt to a few things. Snorkelling! Amazing! The coral reefs are gorgeous – vibrant colours, all the fishes! Even I, the cynical, easily bored, was impressed. Kayaking? Meh. My partner, not so great at paddling, managed to get us stuck in some seaweed. That was… memorable. Maybe not in a good way. They have a spa too! I got a massage. It was divine. I almost fell asleep. I think I drooled. Look, I'm not ashamed. Just… do the snorkelling. Seriously. And maybe avoid the kayaking if you're more likely to get tangled than transported.

"Sunset Bar & Grill": Is the Sunset ACTUALLY Good, Or Just Hype? And do they have good cocktails?

Sunset Bar & Grill. This place deserves its own section. The sunset? They oversell the hype, but it's *amazing*. Truly. I got lucky. The sky exploded in colours one night - shades of pink, orange, and purple were just wow. I might have taken a thousand pictures, because the sky kept changing. Okay, there were some clouds, so it wasn't PERFECT, but it was pretty freakin' close. Cocktails? YES. Good ones. Strong ones. The Ishigaki Sunset cocktail is a must-try. The servers were also great, the food (even beyond the beef) was delicious. The only downside? It's popular, so reservations are a MUST. So, yeah. Sunset Bar & Grill? Absolutely worth it… *if* you can snag a table.

Service: Any Major Gripes? Did They Actually Cater to Your Every Whim?

Service. Okay, this is where it gets a little… complicated. The staff? Generally lovely. Polite, helpful. Many spoke English well. However, there were moments. Minor things. Like, getting your drink order wrong. Or a slight delay with the room service. Nothing major. The Japanese culture of service is amazing, and the staff really try to cater to your needs, but they're probably stretched thing. They certainly don't cater to your *every whim*, unless your whim is "more delicious beef." (See above). Basically, expect excellent service, but maybe pack your own pack of patience. This is Japan. You’re on island time. Just relax. And maybe bring some snacks for the flight.

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