Even in sea-surrounded Okinawa, ocean-view hotels are relatively uncommon in central Naha. The design-focused HOTEL ANTEROOM NAHA opened near Tomarin port.
It opened during the pandemic, when the source says overseas tourists had not yet stayed there. Travelers familiar with its sister hotel in Kyoto may recognize the atmosphere; the statement describes that restricted-travel period, not today.
‘Anteroom’ means a waiting room: a place where hotel guests can prepare for their next destination and put themselves at ease.
The concept extends beyond interaction among guests. Within the hotel’s particular time and space, it also aims to bring travelers together with art and culture.
The entrance leads into a passage with an unusual atmosphere.
It reminds me of the container where Lee Byung-hun’s character was confined in the Korean film Inside Men.
That unexpected association feels oddly familiar.
The reception lobby has pure-white tables and walls covered with red dots.
They look a little like smoke, or perhaps red coral. Either way, distinctive.
After check-in, we go upstairs to an open passage where enormous diagonal columns become part of the design.
As an aside, I heard that these large columns were made in China and shipping delays during the pandemic postponed the opening by several months. This is a story related during the visit, not independently verified construction history.
Seen in person, the columns are surprisingly tall and substantial.
Below the room number is a space for a magnetic housekeeping sign, moved from the door to indicate your preference.
Sandals make it easy to step outside near the sea.
Having both indoor slippers and outdoor sandals is convenient.
The room uses plenty of indirect lighting. It feels bright without being glaring.
Our assigned room is elongated and quite spacious.
The roomwear has a cute design and is intended for use inside the room.
Suited to Okinawa’s heat, the fabric is breathable and does not cling.
At the bedside are indirect lighting, a USB charging port and a power socket, called ‘110 volt’ in the original. Check actual Japanese electrical specifications and your device requirements rather than relying on that source label.
A multipurpose charging socket would have been a welcome addition.
The toilet and bathroom are separate. A full-glass bathroom door makes the bath area visible from outside.
Sitting in the toilet area, I can see straight into the bathroom. An unusual feeling.
The cleanser is MALIN+GOETZ, a New York urban lifestyle brand.
I know it as a fairly expensive import in Korea, so it is a pleasant surprise to find it here.
The room has a capsule coffee machine with two café-latte capsules and two espresso capsules.
The hotel-branded ceramic cups look elegant, too.
There is a basic-size refrigerator, amenities, two bottles of water and a Bluetooth speaker.
From the lobby, beautiful Tomari port and Tomari Bridge come into view.
Other room categories are individually designed by artists or designers, according to the account. I would like to try one next time.
The bar lounge gathers craft gins from around the world, with original drinks particular to the hotel and light meals.
A welcome drink is included at check-in, redeemable during the lounge’s opening hours under the stay’s conditions.
Choices included beer, whisky and orange juice.
Gallery 5.9, at the center of the hotel, is conceived as a place for emerging artists and creators to share work and connect.
It gives visitors space to encounter varied works and young artists’ ideas firsthand.
ANTEROOM MEALS, the Italian restaurant on the second floor, faces the sea through full-height windows and served breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Breakfast offered a choice of Japanese or Western style.
At the island counter beside the visible kitchen, guests could choose juice, tea and coffee.
Whisky stood beside the juices, too, but I never asked whether it was available to drink.
The Western breakfast begins with a fresh salad topped with cured ham, cream soup and banana mousse.
Then come a crisp croissant, omelet, sausage and corn soup.
The Japanese breakfast is even more elaborate.
Alongside the same banana mousse are salad, rolled omelet, stir-fried bitter melon, grilled fish, assorted seasoned vegetables, miso soup, bitter-melon tempura, natto, bonito sashimi and seasoned burdock.
The Japanese choice certainly appears more generous.
After this substantial meal, a handmade pudding topped with a red petal provides the finish.
An ocean-view hotel is an unusual find in central Naha. With works by designers and artists and a good breakfast as well, this is somewhere I would like to stay again.
HOTEL ANTEROOM NAHA
Address: 3-27-11 Maejima, Naha, Okinawa
Phone: 098-860-5151