ANA InterContinental Ishigaki Resort — the island's flagship resort that makes you want to stay longer

ANA InterContinental Ishigaki Resort sits at Maezato, about 25 minutes from ISG Airport, which means arriving here genuinely feels like stepping off the map — in the best possible way. The resort doesn't simply sit near the sea; it has its own private Maezato Beach stretching 750 metres, reserved entirely for guests. White sand, clear shallow water, and an atmosphere that guests consistently describe as more beautiful in person than in any photo. There are no crowds to navigate, no queue for sunbeds — just the beach, and the ocean beyond it.

What genuinely separates this resort from others on the island — and the main reason most guests choose it — is the PADI dive shop located right inside the property. No hunting around for an external dive operator, no extra transfers: walk downstairs, sign in, and you're on the boat. Between June and September, the shop runs manta ray trips to Kabira Bay at around ¥18,000 for two dives — a highlight that divers from around the world travel specifically to Ishigaki for, and which you can book before breakfast without leaving the resort.

For families travelling with children, the Kid Splash Park — 1,500 square metres of water slides, shallow splash pools and water-play areas — is often the deciding factor when choosing this resort over alternatives. Children can spend an entire day here without running out of things to do, which means parents actually get time to themselves by the beach or at the pool. Add the 18-hole golf course on the doorstep at around ¥7,500 per round, and the resort starts to look like the kind of place where different members of the same family can each do something they love without ever having to compromise.

Rooms start with the Coral Wing Garden at 35 sq m, from ¥28,000 per night — which is the lowest entry price among 5-star properties on Ishigaki. Step up to Sunset Wing Premier at ¥52,000 for west-facing rooms with views of the sun dropping into the East China Sea each evening, or Club tier at ¥72,000 for access to a private lounge and the quietest atmosphere in the building. The main structure dates from 1979 but was renovated in 2020 — Club tier rooms feel noticeably fresher than the Standard wing. Both IHG One Rewards points accumulation and Ambassador complimentary upgrades are available.

Worth knowing before you book — the resort is 25 minutes by car from ISG Airport and 20 minutes from Ishigaki Port (the ferry terminal for Taketomi and Iriomote islands). If you plan to do a day trip to one of the outer islands every day, you will need a car or a prearranged transfer each time. Club tier members receive complimentary airport transfers; Standard rooms do not. Several guests who wanted a quieter, more secluded stay note that Club tier is worth the premium specifically because the private lounge keeps you separate from the family-heavy pool areas.

To be straightforward: ANA InterContinental Ishigaki Resort is the most complete resort on Ishigaki Island for guests who want everything in one place — private beach, diving, kids' facilities, golf, and a location that works as a base for exploring the Yaeyama archipelago. Starting from ¥28,000 per night for a 5-star property, it represents strong value for what you actually receive.

If you are planning a full 5-7 night stay on Ishigaki, this is the clearest answer on the island. More than 8,400 reviews on Booking say broadly the same thing: the private beach and the dive shop are the two things that made the trip — and those are precisely the two things that cannot be replicated at home or found at another resort on this island at this level.