I stay in this resort for a week in September 2011 for business.

Location & Transport

This hotel is close to Nara Airport - which takes about 30 minutes for a taxi or 60 minutes for an airport shuttle. Kindly note that, however, the frequency of the airport shuttle is very bad - which has about 3 round trips per day!

This hotel is very close to the Okinawa Convention Center - which takes you about 10 minutes walk. It is also close to a beach and a place where you can have an excellent view on the Japanese Ocean.

Service

The service provided in this hotel is good, e.g., nice swimming pool & traditional public bath. However, the gym (fitness center) is too small - there is only one running machine and a limited number of fitness equipments.

The variety of the food provided is good as well, though it's a bit expensive. There are a number of restaurants nearby but there is only one that can accept credit cards!

The only complaint that I have is the hotel strictly follows a 11am-check-out policy.

Just returned from a 4 day stay at the Laguna Garden with my wife and 20 month old toddler.
As expected of an ANA hotel the public areas of the hotel are clean and spacious - with glass lifts, and a central Atrium looking out onto the gardens and pool area. Waterfalls and pools also add to the ambiance of the inside of the hotel.
Breakfast and lunch are buffet style and served in the main restaurant - the quality of the food is extremely good and staff are freindly and helpful. 3 other restaurants are available - Japanese, Chinese and a Korean Barbecue all of which are top quality and despite being quite smart - have no problem with holidaying parents in shorts and sandals and boisterous kids. there is also a cocktail bar situated on the top floor.

The indoor pool is a real benefit if trying to keep out of the hot sun ( or torrential rain) and is open well into the evening, a warm jacuzzi is also located next to the pool. The spa area consists of a japanese Onsen style bath - although the water is not volcanic and a very hot and spacious Sauna.

The hotel is situated a short distance from the sea front so our room had a good view of the sea - there is a beach area with nice facilities a short walk away. The hotel stand next to a Baseball ground and a sports centre aswell.

The hotel is in the process of refurbishing rooms - we started in one of the new rooms which are very well appointed - flat screen TV, wet room, balcony etc. Unfortunately we had to ask to be moved as the noise from the refurb of rooms above us made napping in the afternoon difficult. (I undertand that the building work is only carried out between 11 & 3) We were relocated into a different area of the hotel - into one of the older rooms which, although obviously a little more dated, was perfectly acceptable.

There is a small parade of clothes and gift shops in the hotel, and snack foods and drinks can also be bought here.

In summary this is a lovely resort hotel - with pretty much everything you need to hand. which makes it ideal for a relaxing break. The nearby beach is about the only walkable local attraction - for anything more you will need a taxi or hire car.

I spent 6 nights here on business. I travel 100+ nights a year. Having staff that are willing and try to help is of high importance, regardless of the language/location.

Knowing basic Japanese words (thank you, please, yes, no) go a LONG way . Staff are very friendly.

Pro:
Staff works very hard to help and seem to be ever present. Even at 1:30am when I checked in, someone was able to help me (basic English).
I was recognized as an Intercontinental (Holiday Inn) Platinum member. The hotel provided complimentary breakfast, room upgrade and numerous coupons.
Rooms are well maintained
Temperature/AC works well.
There is a central control between the beds which controls the AC, lights and alarm.
Toilet's wer nice...just wait and see.
Large tub and shower next to tub. Area is glassed in. Nice soap, bath softeners, hair brush, tooth brush, razors and even a scruncy for hair.
Choice of 5 restaurants
Far enough away from military bases not to be bothered by jets.
Nice balcony, simple chairs and there is a plastic chain with clothing clips to hang wet cloths.
Good location and access to walking and running paths or trails.
Fitness center is well maintained with locker rooms having swim suit dryer (helpful so you don’t have wear wet suit to room and then have it hanging around.
Outside pool may or may not be heated; it warms up with the day. Pool is basically 3’ deep with one end being about 4’ deep. Great lap swimming pool due to it’s length.
Inside pool is heated, great for laps. The whirlpool is a bit shallow but was good and warm and worked.
Inside pool slide. There is a medium size slide, children may enjoy.

Food: Recommend dinner at the Chinese restraint. Restaurant has good menu, food was very good both times I ate there. Price is a bit high but the view from the 13th floor is wonderful and sunset is particularly nice. Paseo Garden (“Garden”) restaurant is very good for meal prices. This is where the continental breakfast is located. There is traditional western (scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon, waffles, cereal .. etc.) as well as fresh fruit, omelet chef (only cheese in omelet) but other toppings. There is a full selection of Japanese items, Danish and breads. Coffee/cappuccino machine, juice, good selection of teas is also available. Particularly liked the “child themed” plates and saw numerous children’s eyes light up when they saw them. Grill Restaurant is a bit pricy again but the food is very good. I did not go to the an-non, don’t care for pure Japanese food but know others who said it is very good. Paddle lounge is basic food and drinks, is located on the 13th floor. The Atrium Lounge has a basic menu and deserts/coffee/cappuccino. Desserts are “factory made” and were not terribly good. This made running frustrating to burn off the calories. Japanese chocolate may be a bit dry if you are used to European or American milk chocolate.
There are five “gift/clothing” stores and a flower shop in the hotel. There is other shopping within walking distance. No diet soda in the building.

Con:
Beach is about a 10 minute walk and is a public beach. The hotel is not on the beach!
Room smelled a bit musty (it’s the AC system) and souther pacific/tropical issue. This said, I have fairly bad allergies and it was easily tolerable. Best way to deal with it was to open the sliding door on the balcony.
Beds are "hard" by western standards. (Use extra duve for cussion).

Noteworthy:
To/From the Airport: Taxi from the airport will be about $40-$60, depends upon the time of day, night (10pm-5am) adds about 20%.
The hotel is between “down town” and the “beach areas”. Easy access to military bases.
I saw less than 20 American/non asians. Mostly military family/members.
Hotel has east wing and west wing. Recommend the east wing.
All rooms have view of the ocean.
Only English television is US Armed Forces Television
Internet is complementary but is cable, not wireless.
A rental car company is located in the lobby (9:00am-4:00pm). YOU MUST HAVE JAPANESE OR INTERNATIONAL DRIVERS LISCENCE TO RENT.
Bicycle rental is available ($15/day, $5/hour)
The Japanese, with exquisite ability, take every opportunity to sell things. You will have numerous coupons, free offers and stands in the main atrium. It is not pushy, I am very sensitive to this, but be aware this is their culture.
If your bags are lost or not on your flight, JAL uses a delivery company and they are slow. If asked, tell the airline you need your bags ASAP, otherwise it will be 2-3 days.
Tipping is not customary. Food bills have 10% tip added.

The Laguna hotel is geared almost entirely for Japanese guests although check in staff did speak English.
The hotel itself does look slightly dated we were offered an upgrade for 10000yen but refused
In room TV is old. No English channels but room spacious overall the hotel is clean
Beneath the hotel is a spa where you can have an Onsen type experience. There is a poor gym and a sauna 88deg c phew!!!!! With a plunge bath and Jacuzzi
An inside and outside pool completes the leisure facilities
When you check in your given a book full of coupons for everything it really is confusing what to use and when, they really should streamline this process
Around the hotel is nothing . You defiantly need a car! Driving is safe and slow on the island.
Hardly noticed any military personnel from the bases
English doesn’t seem o be widely spoken despite the American forces presence