"This small southern Okinawan island, part of the Ryukyu archipelago, is a tropical escape that’s home to Hoshinoya Taketomi. The resort’s 48 spacious villas feature red roofs carved with Shisa lion figurines, and they cluster around a breezy dune made of coral sand. Accommodations feature large soaking tubs, day beds that let in refreshing breezes, and stone walls that offer extra privacy. Kick back with a fresh shikuwasa juice, made from a native citrus, and enjoy plucky Okinawan music sessions and walks along the white-sand Kaji Beach, known for its star shaped grains of sand. Cool down in the hot afternoon by doing laps in the long sunken oval pool, also alluring at night when the Iriomote Dark Sky Reserve glitters overhead." - Keith Flanagan, Sanjay Surana, Jennifer Flowers, Adam H. Graham
