[Hyatt Regency Seragaki Island Okinawa]: A Luxury Resort that Will Help You Recharge

After finishing up a big project or getting over some sort of tedious task, do you ever have those moments when you think, “I deserve something nice for all the hard work I’ve done”? You might get yourself that nice piece of jewelry or shoes that you wanted, or go to a fancy restaurant for a gorgeous full-course meal, or you might even plan a trip somewhere. Basking in a little luxury once in a while certainly helps to increase motivation. After accomplishing something, or for anniversaries or other special occasions, why don’t you go ahead and treat yourself to experience something special?


Photo Courtesy of Hyatt Regency Seragaki Island Okinawa



I recently had the opportunity to experience luxury at its finest in Onna Village, a resort area on Okinawa Island, at the Hyatt Regency Seragaki Island Okinawa. The hotel is completely surrounded by the sea and is truly out of the ordinary, a great location to enjoy a relaxing and soothing time.



As soon as I arrived, I headed directly to Spa Hanari, where I had made reservations in advance. Here, you can receive relaxing and wellness treatments that you can only expect from such a wonderful resort hotel.


Photo Courtesy of Hyatt Regency Seragaki Island Okinawa

The private treatment rooms all offer a spectacular ocean view. They have excellent programs that guide you to “the most comfortable state where your mind, body, and emotions are harmoniously balanced”. Its’s great that you can choose different courses according to what you feel like, or how tired you might be that day.



On the day I went, I chose the “Ryukyu Compress Treatment (¥16,000/60min. or ¥20,000/90min.). The treatment is done with an herbal ball that contains Okinawan herbs, like ginger lily, mugwort, spicebush, black beans, orange peel, persimmon leaves, mulberry leaves, and Veitch’s bamboo. The ball is steamed to body temperature and is massaged against the body with massage oil. This treatment helps to improve blood and lymphatic circulation and warms your body from the core. The oil they used was an organic brand from Thailand called Panpuri, and this establishment is the first hotel spa in Japan to introduce this special brand.


Photo Courtesy of Hyatt Regency Seragaki Island Okinawa

Combined with the effects of the aroma in the massage oil, I was so relaxed that slumber was tempting me… They said that some people fall asleep during the treatment. After my session was finished, I was comfortably drowsy, but feeling really good. My fingers and toes tend to get cold often, but I was thoroughly warmed up, the fatigue I felt on my shoulders and back was lifted and gone, and my calves that were a little bloated were feeling lighter. My dehydrated skin after my treatment was completely moisturized, and after only an hour, I felt five years younger.

Photo Courtesy of Hyatt Regency Seragaki Island Okinawa

After treating my mind and body to complete relaxation, I went on to the restaurant, Shirakachi Robata, supervised by Mr. Hiroyuki Kanda of Kanda Japanese Restaurant, an establishment given three stars by Michelin. The restaurant is very open, with large windows all around, and here, you can enjoy creative local cuisine prepared with mainly Okinawan ingredients that are fresh and in season.

Everything on the menu sounded delicious, and so I asked Susumu Miyagi, the sous-chef for recommendations.



The first dish I had was “Carrot and Coriander Shiri Shiri Salad”, a salad with shredded carrots and topped with coriander leaves. Ordinary Ninjin (carrot) Shiri Shiri are prepared with shredded carrots stir-fried with eggs, but at Shirakachi, they use raw, Shima Ninjin carrots. The sweet-tasting dressing is made with well-cooked oranges, and the salad is finished with pine nuts. The salad had a crispy texture, sweet dressing, and exotic aroma of coriander, and all together, it was well-balanced and delightful.



Just by looking, you may not be able to guess what this dish is (above), but it’s called “Fuwa-Toro Goya Champuru”. Underneath the cloud of eggs, beaten with a mixer for 30 minutes, is crispy Goya, Okinawan tofu, bean sprouts, and pork, all deliciously stir-fried together. To enjoy the flavors, scoop up the stir-fry from the bottom and top it with the bubbly eggs. The finely beaten eggs are fluffy and delightful. This is a fresh, new way of enjoying the familiar goya champuru stir-fry dish.



Prepared in front of your eyes upon placing the order is their “Hay-Broiled Fish of the Day”. The dancing flames of the fish being broiled with burning hay is exciting to watch and livens up the whole restaurant.



The fish is broiled swiftly, so the outside is aromatic and the inside is finished rare. The smoky aroma passes through your mouth and nose, and stimulates your appetite.



The last dish I had was their “Agu Pork Rafute in Ryukyuan Stewed Bowl with Winter Melon and Handama”. The Rafute was amazingly tender, as they spend two whole days in its preparation, and you can enjoy the texture of the delicious pork as it melts in your mouth. The soup is a blend of Soba noodle dashi soup and bonito tuna stock. The depth of the Umami flavor and the subtle sweetness was soothing and wonderful.


Photo Courtesy of Hyatt Regency Seragaki Island Okinawa
 

I was revived at Spa Hanari, and fully satisfied at Shirakachi Robata, and left with a feeling of absolute happiness. The fatigue that had been building up for the last few month had completely lifted, and I was left with a positive mindset, thinking, “I’m going to work hard again starting tomorrow!” After spending some time at Hyatt Regency Seragaki Island Okinawa, I thought to myself, “I definitely need to remember to treat myself once in a while.”

What’s your idea of treating yourself? If you’re looking to “treat yourself to luxury” while you’re here in Okinawa, I recommend a visit to the Hyatt Regency Seragaki Island Okinawa.

Hyatt Regency Seragaki Island Okinawa
Address: 1108 Seragaki, Onna Village, Kunigami, Okinawa
Telephone: 098-960-4321 (Inquiries)
Website: www.hyatt.com/ja-JP/hotel/japan/hyatt-regency-seragaki-island-okinawa/okaro  




Okinawa CLIP photo writer, Sachiko Tachi