Fav Hotel Ise in Mie Prefecture’s Ise City is a small contemporary Western-style boutique hotel located within easy walking distance of city’s main JR train station.
Unlike Japan’s bigger metropolises, Ise City in Mie Prefecture does not see many visiting international travellers. But the city does draw plenty of domestic tourism – particularly pilgrims, thanks to its status as home to one of Japan’s holiest Shinto sites, the Ise Grand Shrine – which means the city of some 130,000 people actually has a decent range of accommodation options for its modest size.
Among them is Fav Hotel Ise, located within an easy 10-minute walk from Iseshi Station, Ise City’s main JR train station. Part of the small Japan-only boutique Fav Hotel group, this 36-room property combines the chain’s signature blend of Japanese tradition and chic modern Western-style design for a clean and comfortable night’s stay.
Opened in 2021, Fave Hotel Ise offers five different room types. Most of them designed to fit four people, and perfect for small families or a group of friends. The ‘Executive Bunks’ are best suited for those who prefer a more Western-style configuration, while the ‘Japanese Modern’ allow a more traditional experience with a mix of a regular twin bed and a tatami space for futon beds.
We stayed in the ‘Hollywood Twin’, which is good for a couple (or two close friends). Room amenities are comparable to those of serviced apartments, and come with a kitchenette complete with a stove top, wash sink, a mini refrigerator and even a microwave oven. We like that rooms – as well as lifts and hotel entrances – employ digital locks, so you don’t have to fumble with a physical key or key card.
Facilities, as expected from such a small hotel, is limited. There is a restaurant, but no swimming pool or gym. But Fave Hotel Ise, like many boutique or business-style Japanese hotels, do provide laundry facilities as well as a vending machine for drinks (otherwise a nearby chain combini – convenience store – offers everything else you may need in a pinch). And there is parking too if you drive, but charges do apply.
The biggest downsides at Fav Hotel Ise? Hotel staff are not onsite 24-7 so if you run into issues in the middle of the night don’t expect to get immediate help. Also, the staff speak little or no English which can make communication challenging.
Otherwise, Fav Hotel Ise offers a fabulous stay conveniently located near the heart of Ise City to explore the city from.
[Photos courtesy of Fav Hotels]
Fav Hotel Ise
Address 1 Chome-3-7 Ichinoki, Ise, Mie 516-0071, Japan (Google Maps link)
Check-In/Check-Out Times 3pm (check-in); 10am (check-out)
Tel (81) 596-23-7210
Web fav-hotels.com/hotels/ise/
Facebook FavHotelIse
Instagram @favhotel
Rates book here
