Hotels that expand your travel possibilities
What does traveling mean to us?
Traveling gives us the opportunity to learn more about ourselves.
Such opportunities enrich the soul.
Compassion for oneself overlaps with the hotel's hospitality and connects to the charm of the area.
It's nice to meet you, but it's not nice to meet you.
It feels like it has been here forever.
Southwest Grand Hotel is a hotel and restaurant where you can feel this charm while staying in the city.
Surrender your mind to the next level of relaxation.
Experience something out of the ordinary while blending in with the locals.
A series in which we welcome guests who are good travelers and ask them about their travels.
The third Voice is from the power couple TAMAO and DAVID.
What do you imagine when you hear the word "Okinawa"?
It could be the climate.
The ocean has a dazzling gradient of blue.
The humidity clings to your arms.
A moody wide sky.
The magic hour changes its expression like tie-dye.
Perhaps it is people.
The warmth of humanity.
The pleasant sound of the language (shimakutuba).
The depth of flavor in the Ryukyu and Okinawan cuisine made by that person.
Fragments of Okinawa always remain vividly in my memory.
Located in the middle of Naha, Kokusai Street, also known as the "Miracle Mile," it is not an exaggeration to say that it is one of the most famous tourist spots in Okinawa. Just one block down this busy street stands the Southwest Grand Hotel, a dignified presence that combines the freshness of newness with the nostalgia of an old soul.
Of course, a luxury city hotel that everyone envies is sure to make your trip a high-quality one.
But what is true luxury?
In fact, the highlights of this hotel are found in the spaces between each floor.
The corridors are generously decorated with unpublished works by Osamu Nagahama, a representative Japanese photographer known only to those in the know.
In addition to his work in the advertising and fashion industries, Nagahama is famous for his photographs of the American counterculture of the 1960s and 1970s, but he also documented what Okinawa was like before it was returned to Japan in the 1960s.
This long history has woven Ryukyu from ancient times to the present. The true value of a trip that is not just about the dazzling resorts, but also about the rich history begins here.
In addition to the captivating image of Okinawa at that time, the sunset bar on the 11th floor, "The Sailor's Club," is also adorned with the traces of the blues that Nagahama holds dear.
Yes, Southwest Grand Hotel adorns "authentic" here and there. The interior of the hotel, unified in mid-century style, is also adorned with vintage items and they use them well without being overly cautious.
That's where true luxury lies.
The Sailor's Club on the 11th floor also has a dining area, where the breakfast buffet features local cuisine made with plenty of Okinawan ingredients, seafood bowls made with a generous amount of salmon roe, negitoro, and sea grapes, and popular Western dishes such as bacon, ham, and sausages made with locally sourced pork. Guests can customize their own plate according to their preferences.
The most creative aspect of the room is the ability to enjoy the private indoor pool and outdoor jet bath, located side by side and separated by a single window. It is quite rare in Japan to swim in the pool, put on a robe, and have breakfast in the same state.
On the second floor, there is a private lounge where guests can enjoy themselves to their heart's content, with a coffee machine, soft drinks, and ice cream always available. You can enjoy your time in the lounge, whether you want to take a break or work. It is also attractive that you can enjoy your time here as you wish.
As soon as you enter the lounge, right in front of you is a jukebox.
Although it is no longer in active service, it is admirable that it remains as it was in the past, telling the story of America.
(At that time, the owner's father was one of the first to sell jukeboxes in Japan.)
Also eye-catching is the sky blue and orange art that ties the retro tones together by artist Denpa based in Okinawa.
In addition to the sunset bar "The Sailor's Club," Southwest Grand Hotel, which has such a unique aesthetic sense, also has three restaurants on the first floor: "A LONG VACATION," an all-day dining restaurant serving ingredients from Okinawa, "SHIKAKU," a Japanese izakaya, and "Teppanyaki Matsuo." Whether you're here for a casual getaway or to celebrate a special occasion, both hotel guests and locals are welcome.
A LONG VACATION
A casual all-day dining with an Italian base. There is also a terrace seat, and it is open with a bar counter and an open kitchen. Fluffy cloud-like pancakes are also very popular.
You can enjoy an extraordinary experience as if you were abroad, so it is recommended for locals as well, such as brunch and dinner.
SHIKAKU
The sophisticated U-shaped counter creates a comfortable sense of distance, and there is a garden terrace where you can enjoy a leisurely time while listening to the sound of a small waterfall. The restaurant serves adult Japanese cuisine and offers a wide selection of carefully selected alcoholic beverages to complement the food. It is also appealing that they carefully prepare dishes made with seasonal Okinawan ingredients right in front of you.
TEPPANYAKI MATSUO
The restaurant has an impressive counter seating for just 20 people. They offer a variety of cooking methods such as steaming, straw grilling, and charcoal grilling for high-quality Japanese beef and island vegetables from all over the country, with a focus on Okinawa. The calm atmosphere is perfect for spending quality time.
Traveling shows us our true nature.
It could be yourself or the appearance of the land.
A quality stay will help you realize this.
Staying with the real thing in mind. Such an experience might be good.
A luxurious indulgence, dressed in opulence and splendor.
It's not that easy.
Like those famous words from the reggae god, "Life",
Aren't time, experiences, and other such riches what constitutes "luxury"?
There are things that only those who travel can obtain.
Yes, And so the journey continues.
Photo: Makoto Nakasone
Interviewer/Text: Michiko Nozaki
Producer: Keita Shimabukuro (Blendwell.inc)
Director: Reiko Ushigome (Blendwell.inc)
This article is a collaborative article with Champlu, a media outlet that helps you discover a new side of Okinawa.
https://champlu-media.com/2024/03/4587/