Phoenix Hotel

I was assigned this place for a business trip. It’s close to what seems to be the nightlife area, which is handy if you want to go drinking. But there wasn’t even hand soap by the sink, so washing up was awkward. The staff also came across as unhelpful and not very good at communicating, which left me with a poor impression.

For me, the location was really convenient. There are plenty of restaurants within walking distance, including Hama Sushi and Nakau, which stay open late. Being near the nightlife area could be a plus or a minus, depending on what you want. I’ve also used the free rental bikes to shop at MaxValu by the ocean and MEGA Donki north of Tsu Station. The late night washing and drying service is handy for longer stays. There are little racks in the bathroom, so you can wash underwear by hand and hang it indoors, which means packing fewer clothes. The building dates from the early Heisei period and looks a little old, but the interior is in good shape. It’s a business hotel in the Daimon area of downtown Tsu.

The rooms are pretty small, and the bathroom especially is so tight that a shower is about all you can manage. Still, the breakfast deal is good, the curry in the morning is delicious, and parking doesn’t cost anything.

The home-style curry at breakfast is a nice touch. The laundry service is free, though anyone with sensitive skin may want to skip it.