Review: IHG Diamond & InterContinental Ambassador Upgrade and Benefits at InterContinental ANA Ishigaki Resort in Japan

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I used one IHG Anniversary Free Night certificate with a 1,000 points top-up to redeem a one-night getaway stay at the InterContinental ANA Ishigaki Resort

My trip to Japan was busy, so resting and relaxing one day at the InterContinental ANA Ishigaki Resort was nice. The elite recognition at this resort is good because they play by the book. In other words, whatever is stated in the benefit terms for IHG Diamond Elite and InterContinental Ambassador members, you get all that, including the one-category room upgrade benefit. 
Review: IHG Diamond Upgrade and Benefits at InterContinental ANA Ishigaki Resort in Japan
InterContinental ANA Ishigaki Resort
Table of Contents  [show/hide]

    Location

    Review: IHG Diamond Upgrade and Benefits at InterContinental ANA Ishigaki Resort in Japan
    InterContinental ANA Ishigaki Resort
    The InterContinental ANA Ishigaki Resort is a beachfront resort on an exclusive bay of Ishigaki Island, Japan. However, it’s a bit away from the tourist area by the port of Ishigaki. So if you plan on island hopping from Ishigaki, the resort may not be appropriate, but you can take a taxi or a public bus to/from the port. So one night at the resort to recharge was perfect after my 3 nights stay by the port of Ishigaki.
    The location of the InterContinental ANA Ishigaki Resort is also ideal if you enjoy beach walking. I really enjoyed the evening walk to see the sunset.
    Review: IHG Diamond Upgrade and Benefits at InterContinental ANA Ishigaki Resort in Japan
    Sunset at InterContinental ANA Ishigaki Resort

    Ocean Wing Vs. Bay Wing

    Currently, there are two wings at the InterContinental ANA Ishigaki Resort: the Ocean Wing and the Bay Wing. They were building another wing called the Coral Wing
    Review: IHG Diamond Upgrade and Benefits at InterContinental ANA Ishigaki Resort in Japan
    Bay Wing

    Review: IHG Diamond Upgrade and Benefits at InterContinental ANA Ishigaki Resort in Japan
    Ocean Wing
    Each wing has its reception desk, so if you stay at the Ocean Wing, you cannot check in at the Bay Wing and vice versa. You must go to the right wing for check-in, as shown in your reservation. 
    You can access the amenities at each wing without any problems. For example, if you stay at the Ocean Wing, you can go swimming at the pool at the Bay Wing, which can be less crowded than the pool at the Ocean Wing as it’s more of a family pool because the waterslide and a children’s pool are there. 
    You can walk between the wings in 5 minutes. You can also request a resort cart to take you if you’d like. The beach is right in the middle of both wings. 
    Review: IHG Diamond Upgrade and Benefits at InterContinental ANA Ishigaki Resort in Japan
    Path to the Beach Between the Ocean & Bay Wings

    Room Upgrades

    As an InterContinental Ambassador member, I got an upgrade to one category above the standard room that I booked using the IHG Anniversary Free Night certificate. It was a nice upgrade because it offers a sea view. I attempted to contact the property to inquire about the possibility of seafront upgrades but was told only the sea view room was the complimentary upgrade for InterContinental Ambassador members. Any other higher room upgrades will have to pay. 

    Sea View Room Review

    The room is located on the 8th floor on the Ocean Wing side. While it’s categorized as a sea view room vs. a seafront room, the view is still incredible. There are 12 floors total on the Ocean Wing
    The room at InterContinental ANA Ishigaki Resort is a good size for a Japanese hotel. What I find odd about the resort is the bed types. Most of the rooms have 2 single beds; likely, family travel is frequent here more than couples or solo travelers. There is another rollaway bed inside the closet too. 
    The room also has a sitting area, a desk, a table, and a wall-mounted TV. 
    Review: IHG Diamond Upgrade and Benefits at InterContinental ANA Ishigaki Resort in Japan
    2 Single Beds

    Review: IHG Diamond Upgrade and Benefits at InterContinental ANA Ishigaki Resort in Japan
    Sea View Room

    Review: IHG Diamond Upgrade and Benefits at InterContinental ANA Ishigaki Resort in Japan
    Sea View Room
    The bathroom is also nice and spacious, and it comes with a stand-up shower and a bathtub. Between the two, there is also a sink. Outside the bedroom, there’s another sink with amenities and a separate room with a bidet installed. 
    Review: IHG Diamond Upgrade and Benefits at InterContinental ANA Ishigaki Resort in Japan
    Bathroom
    Review: IHG Diamond Upgrade and Benefits at InterContinental ANA Ishigaki Resort in Japan
    Bathroom Amenities Kit
    Outside the bathroom is the mini-bar stocked with drinks, but they are not complimentary. The price is reasonable, though. 
    Review: IHG Diamond Upgrade and Benefits at InterContinental ANA Ishigaki Resort in Japan
    Mini-bar
    My favorite part of the InterContinental ANA Ishigaki Resort room is the large glass sliding door with a huge long balcony. 
    The balcony has a comfortable padded lounge chair and a small table overlooking the beautiful ocean and the resort’s pool and grounds at Ocean Wing’s side. The downside, perhaps, is that the balcony only has one lounge chair, which is perfect for solo travelers but not ideal for couples.  
    Review: IHG Diamond Upgrade and Benefits at InterContinental ANA Ishigaki Resort in Japan
    Balcony’s Lounge Chair

    Review: IHG Diamond Upgrade and Benefits at InterContinental ANA Ishigaki Resort in Japan
    Ocean View

    Review: IHG Diamond Upgrade and Benefits at InterContinental ANA Ishigaki Resort in Japan
    Ocean & Pools Views

    Review: IHG Diamond Upgrade and Benefits at InterContinental ANA Ishigaki Resort in Japan
    Hotel’s Grounds View
    Review: IHG Diamond Upgrade and Benefits at InterContinental ANA Ishigaki Resort in Japan
    Pool & Water Features at Night

    InterContinental Executive Club Lounge

    While the InterContinental ANA Ishigaki Resort has an executive club lounge, neither IHG Diamond Elite nor InterContinental Ambassador members can access the lounge. 
    The lounge is on the Bay Wing side and offers private check-in, breakfast, refreshments, afternoon tea, and cocktails. The Club Lounge is open to guests whose room reservations have Club Lounge Access.

    Welcome Amenity

    InterContinental ANA Ishigaki Resort plays the benefit rules by the book, which is nice because you can expect all the elite benefits they provide. 
    For the welcome amenity, I was offered 600 IHG points or a drink or a free breakfast for two as an IHG Diamond Elite member, and I chose the latter because the breakfast value is much more than those 600 IHG points. 
    Moreover, as an InterContinental Ambassador, I received up to 2,000 Japanese Yen food and beverage credits  (around $20 USD). 
    So having two elite statuses with IHG and InterContinental does get you more perks while staying at InterContinental ANA Ishigaki Resort.
    Review: IHG Diamond Upgrade and Benefits at InterContinental ANA Ishigaki Resort in Japan
    InterContinental Ambassador & IHG Diamond Elite Benefits

    Food & Beverage Credits

    $20 or 2,000 Japanese Yen for being an InterContinental Ambassador member. 

    Breakfast

    Complimentary breakfast is one welcome amenity choice when you arrive to check in. It’s either 600 points or free breakfast at the restaurant on-site as an IHG Diamond Elite member. 
    I was told three breakfast places I could use at the InterContinental ANA Ishigaki Resort:
    I chose Yaeyma for the Japanese Okinawa-style breakfast set. The breakfast set normally costs 3,800 yen (~$30) and comes with several small dishes. You can choose between rice or porridge and can get one more rice dish or miso soup one more time. The breakfast also includes tea and coffee. You do not have to pay or sign any bills; just let the front staff know your room number on their list. 
    Here’s the breakfast set menu offered when I was there:
    Review: IHG Diamond Upgrade and Benefits at InterContinental ANA Ishigaki Resort in Japan
    Japanese Okinawa-Style Breakfast Set

    Review: IHG Diamond Upgrade and Benefits at InterContinental ANA Ishigaki Resort in Japan
    My Free Okinawa-Style Breakfast Set

    Dining & Restaurants

    There are a few onsite restaurants at InterContinental ANA Ishigaki Resort, from Japanese and Chinese to International/Western cuisines. The food at the resort is expensive compared to offsite restaurants, and I ate at the Fireside Terrace one night to use my F&B credit for being an InterContinental Ambassador
    Review: IHG Diamond Upgrade and Benefits at InterContinental ANA Ishigaki Resort in Japan
    Seafood Spaghetti at Fireside Terrace
    The resort restaurants are:

    Resort Fee

    InterContinental ANA Ishigaki Resort does not have resort fees.

    Parking

    Parking is free for hotel guests. 

    Pet Policy

    Service animals only.

    Internet/Wi-Fi

    Free Internet Wi-Fi for guests with room number or access code. 

    Bottled Water

    Yes, complimentary two bottles of water in the room. 
    Review: IHG Diamond Upgrade and Benefits at InterContinental ANA Ishigaki Resort in Japan
    Complimentary Bottled Water

    Early Check-in

    I arrived a couple hours earlier than the regular check-in time, 3PM. The room was not ready, but they expedited my housekeeping service for being an InterContinental Ambassador member. 

    Late Check-out

    The lady that checked me in had her note about the late check-out benefit up to 4PM. She asked if I needed a late check-out, but I had to say no because the regular 11AM check-out time is good for me as I have a flight to catch in the morning. 

    Spa

    Yes, available at the Ocean Wing Level 1. 

    Gym

    Yes, located on the first floor, on the way to the indoor pool on the Ocean Wing side. The fitness center opens from 12AM to 12PM daily. 

    In-Room Safe

    Yes, inside the closet 

    Robes & Slippers

    Yes, inside the closet. Those robes are thick and comfortable! 

    Swimming Pool

    Review: IHG Diamond Upgrade and Benefits at InterContinental ANA Ishigaki Resort in Japan
    The Pool at InterContinental ANA Ishigaki Resort
    There are two outdoor pools and one indoor pool at InterContinental ANA Ishigaki Resort.
    The two outdoor pools are referred to as Sunrise and Sunset pools. The Sunrise pool is located on the Ocean Wing side and closes much earlier than the Sunset pool on the Bay Wing side. 
    The Sunrise pool has a waterslide and a shallow section for children, so the pool is more family-friendly than the Sunset pool. 
    Review: IHG Diamond Upgrade and Benefits at InterContinental ANA Ishigaki Resort in Japan
    Swimming Pool at InterContinental ANA Ishigaki Resort
    Review: IHG Diamond Upgrade and Benefits at InterContinental ANA Ishigaki Resort in Japan
    Waterslide

    Review: IHG Diamond Upgrade and Benefits at InterContinental ANA Ishigaki Resort in Japan
    Family-friendly Sunrise Pool

    Review: IHG Diamond Upgrade and Benefits at InterContinental ANA Ishigaki Resort in Japan
    Children Pool

    Review: IHG Diamond Upgrade and Benefits at InterContinental ANA Ishigaki Resort in Japan
    Lounge Seats by the Children’s Pool
    The infinity Sunset pool also looks nice, and it’s quieter and has fewer children. The infinity Sunset pool is a long pool where you can lap swim. There are gazeboes around the Sunset pool you can rent, and it costs 12,000 Yen for a full day or 7,000 Yen for half a day. 
    The water is not heated though at each pool. 
    Review: IHG Diamond Upgrade and Benefits at InterContinental ANA Ishigaki Resort in Japan
    Infinity Sunset Pool

    Review: IHG Diamond Upgrade and Benefits at InterContinental ANA Ishigaki Resort in Japan
    Seatings at Sunset Pool
    There’s another indoor heated pool with a whirlpool on the Ocean Wing side too. It’s also a family-friendly pool; I prefer outdoor pools to indoor ones. 
    Review: IHG Diamond Upgrade and Benefits at InterContinental ANA Ishigaki Resort in Japan
    Indoor Heated Pool

    Beach

    The beach at InterContinental ANA Ishigaki Resort is inviting. However, while the beach looks sandy, small shells are mixed with the sand, so it’s not ideal for barefoot walking. Bring a pair of water shoes with you. 
    Review: IHG Diamond Upgrade and Benefits at InterContinental ANA Ishigaki Resort in Japan
    InterContinental ANA Ishigaki Resort Beach
    Despite that, the InterContinental ANA Ishigaki Resort beach is perfect for beach and sun lovers. The beach chair and umbrellas, and towels are complimentary to hotel guests. Once seated in a beach chair, hotel staff may ask for your room number. 
    Review: IHG Diamond Upgrade and Benefits at InterContinental ANA Ishigaki Resort in Japan
    Beach Chairs

    Review: IHG Diamond Upgrade and Benefits at InterContinental ANA Ishigaki Resort in Japan
    Beach Chairs & Umbrella
    Secondly, if you want to snorkel or do any water activities, you can check out the rental hut on the beach for rentals and Ocean Park. 
    Review: IHG Diamond Upgrade and Benefits at InterContinental ANA Ishigaki Resort in Japan
    Ocean Park
    Here’s the list of prices, but remember that the beach chairs, umbrellas, and towels are free for hotel guests. 
    Review: IHG Diamond Upgrade and Benefits at InterContinental ANA Ishigaki Resort in Japan
    Beach Hut For Rentals
    Review: IHG Diamond Upgrade and Benefits at InterContinental ANA Ishigaki Resort in Japan
    Beach Rental

    Contact

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    Review: IHG Diamond Upgrade and Benefits at InterContinental ANA Ishigaki Resort in Japan
    InterContinental ANA Ishigaki Resort
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