Hotel Castle inn Ise

We left satisfied, and the relaxing bath was a nice feature. We arrived quite late, but the concierge was kind. There wasn’t enough parking, so we left the car a little way away, though it was still free. The rooms are small, but they have all the amenities.

The river and rice paddies nearby give the location a bit of charm, and it’s nice to walk or run there after a day of sightseeing. The staff are friendly, the facilities are good, and the rooftop onsen has a great view. For this price, it’s the best you can get.

The hotel has an arrangement with Domino’s Pizza: if you order two extra sides to get Domino’s 50% discount, the discount goes to the hotel when the food is delivered. It seems the hotel would rather you eat at its restaurant. Buyer beware. The place feels like a real clunker. Parking is limited, and many spaces on the first level are coned off. The beverage station was dirty, as were the stained carpets in the elevator lobbies and hallways. The room carpet was dingy and looked like it hadn’t been steam-cleaned in a long time. There were chunks missing from the walls, fungus in the mini fridge, stains on the bed cover from previous guests, and very old furniture.

This is one of countless business hotels in Japan, and it feels like nobody has invested in keeping it decent for far too long. The place is small and ugly, the rooms are a joke, and the bath is cold and drafty. Don’t risk breakfast if you want to make it to evening. The staff seem to be just going through the motions. Best advice is to stay somewhere else.