ANA InterContinental Ishigaki Resort by IHG

The ANA InterContinental Ishigaki Resort by IHG is a large beachfront resort for divers who want the useful comforts of a substantial hotel between outings: air conditioning, several places to eat, pools, a spa, and enough room to spread out without turning the bedroom into a kit cupboard. Rooms open towards the ocean or gardens, so the setting is present even when you are indoors.

The scale suits couples who want to stay on site in the evening, as well as families looking for space and a water slide rather than a quiet little guesthouse. The hotel’s website is available in English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Dutch, Russian, Chinese and Japanese; English is clearly catered for online, although the supplied information does not establish which languages the hotel team speaks.

The resort sits at 354-1 Maesato on Ishigaki Island, Japan, directly beside the beach. Maezato Beach is about 0.25 miles away, while Tadahama Beach is about 0.2 miles away. Painuhama Artificial Beach is roughly 2.6 miles from the resort, and Shiraho Beach about 4.7 miles away.

New Ishigaki Airport is around 5 miles away, with the journey taking about 20 minutes by car. Ishigaki Port is about a 10-minute drive, putting the town’s harbour within easy reach when you want to leave the resort for a change of scene. Banna Park is around 3 miles away, while the Yaeyama Museum and Nantominzoku Museum are each roughly 2 miles from the hotel.

The nearest listed restaurants are about 0.8 to 1.3 miles away, and Shiraho Ie Cafe is around 3.6 miles away. In practical terms, you have a beachfront base with resort dining on site, while Ishigaki’s town and local restaurants call for a short drive rather than an evening stroll in flip-flops.

The room choice is mainly about how much space you want and whether the view matters more than keeping things simple. Twin rooms with ocean views suit a couple who would rather wake up facing the water, while the Classic Room gives you more floor space without requiring a view-led choice. Large windows and wooden floors keep the rooms feeling connected to the island rather than sealed off from it.

For a family or a small group, the Coral Wing rooms with bunk beds are the practical option. They are designed for up to five guests, which is a different proposition from squeezing a third adult into a standard twin. The larger suites go further: the One-Bedroom Horizon Suite gives a couple or small group separate living space, while the two-bedroom suite is the obvious choice when privacy matters more than keeping everyone in one room.

The useful post-dive details are all here: air conditioning for cooling down, a minibar for cold drinks, a desk, sofa, wardrobe and free WiFi throughout the hotel. Rooms also have cable television and a DVD player, alongside a bath or shower, slippers and toiletries. Room service gives you another way to eat when the day has taken more out of you than expected.

You can eat without leaving the resort, with nine dining options described across the property. Fish and Meat Bistro SALTIDA works with fresh local ingredients, which gives the evening meal a more Ishigaki-specific direction than a purely international menu. Yaeyama Japanese Restaurant covers Japanese dishes when you want something rooted in the region rather than another generic plate of holiday food.

Breakfast is continental. That is the sort of start that can work well before a morning departure: something straightforward, without pretending that every diver needs a grand ceremony before getting on a boat. Breakfast in the room is also available, and room service remains useful when you would rather keep the post-dive evening horizontal.

For drinks, Tropics Lounge and Bar serves local beers and tropical cocktails. There is also a coffee house on site, plus wine and champagne. The dining facilities list six restaurants, while the wider resort description refers to nine dining options, so the property clearly gives you several on-site choices rather than relying on the nearest town for dinner.

There are both indoor and outdoor swimming pools, including a water slide for families who have not yet developed the diver’s appreciation of sitting still. A whirlpool and spa provide the slower option, with massages available when your shoulders have had enough of carrying bags, cameras and the rest of the travelling circus.

The fitness centre is there for anyone who regards a day without exercise as a personal failure. Tennis courts and tennis equipment are available on site, while a golf course lies within roughly 2 miles. Canoeing is also available on site, giving you something active to do without turning the afternoon into another organised excursion.

For a quieter day, the beachfront setting and the pools do the job without demanding much planning. The tour desk can arrange activities including kayaking and marine outings, while the concierge, luggage storage and room service make it easy to keep the rest of the day pleasantly uncomplicated.

Check-in runs from 15:00 to midnight, and check-out from 06:00 to 11:00. The minimum check-in age is 18. Children of any age are welcome; children aged six and over are charged as adults, cots are available for children aged up to three on request, and extra beds are not available. Pets are not allowed.

New Ishigaki Airport is about 5 miles away, with a drive of around 20 minutes. Free private parking is available on site without reservation, and WiFi is free throughout the hotel. A 24-hour front desk, concierge service, luggage storage, currency exchange and an on-site cash machine cover the practical jobs that tend to appear between arrival, dinner and the next departure.

Daily housekeeping is included, while laundry is available as a chargeable service. The property also has a tour desk, room service, a business centre and a recreation and sports court. A scheduled power outage is listed for 18 December 2026 from 00:30 to 05:00, worth bearing in mind if your trip falls on that date.