Ikyu — Hotel in Ise

We visited in December 2014 as a family of four. We stayed in the Wa-Yo- Suite (mix of Japanese and Western room with tatami flooring but beds instead of futon). Being a new hotel, it is very clean and when you arrive you leave your shoes at the front entrance (they store your shoes away in a locker) and you will walk everywhere in the hotel in your socks. The ladies have the special perk of choosing a pretty yukata to wear during their stay. ||||We tried out both the individual baths you can reserve (no problem with getting a bath if you aim to go around 6pm when the first dinner sitting is served) and we tried the big baths. Both are good and the added snacks (ice cream or chocolate milk) served right outside the baths was a nice touch. ||||We chose this hotel because of its proximity to Ise shrine. It is walking distance to the Inner Shrine and there is a little back road to take you the main road (with shops and restaurants) which leads to the shrine. The hotel anticipates the early risers who make the first visit just in time for sun rise and they prepare bread and coffee for the early "pilgrims". When we were on our way out, the hotel staff came out to give us hot (kairo) packets that warm up and it was helpful when we were walking through the December morning cold to the shrine. The shrine was nearly empty and the early morning light was beautiful and just peaceful. I don't think I could have made it to the shrine at that early magical hour if I had not stayed in this hotel.||||The only disappointment was the dinner service (there are three services which you choose when you check in). You go down to the restaurant where there are semi-private individual seats for your party. The food must all come out of the kitchen at the same time and is not paced according to personal eating speeds so it felt a little bit like eating in a factory line. For breakfast, order the Japanese breakfast, it is delicious and much heartier than the...

Travelling by JR in our trip to Ise last December, this hotel is conveniently locate near Isuzugawa Station, midway between Ise-Jingu Shrine and Toba. Hotel offers free pick-up service. ||||This hotel features 4 floors, with fully furnished tatami corridors. It has a modern Japanese interior, luxurious and warm ambience. Staff at the reception were very helpful and can speak English fluently.||||The room we stayed in faced the back of the mountain slope featuring landscape terrace with bamboo plantations. It has a spacious interior and blinds that separate the living room area from the sleeping futons. A significant highlight of the room is an outdoor furo bath and a hand held coffee grinder which guests can make their own coffee at their leisure. ||||The onsen like traditional onsen resorts, are seperated into Male and Female areas. There are 4 themed private onsen bath available in a sunken courtyard. ||||The Onsen Dinner and Breakfast at this hotel is also worth mentioning.||With a selection of Japanese and Western dishes, the portion were generous and filling. The taste of the morning breakfast was very good and staff were prompt in serving the meals. Followed by a long soak in the onsen and finishing the night with a hearty bowl of ramen.||||All in all, it was a wonderful experience! I will be travelling with my husband to this hotel again this April. Looking forward to staying...

It is interesting that some people complain about this hotel. I really don't understand why. This ryokan had amazing food and service and the the whole place is an amazing experience in Japanese culture and hospitality. From our arrival, the staff assisted in collecting bags, and then after check in, we had a moment to decompress and then off to our dinner in the hotel. The kaiseki style dinner was outstanding and each dish was a work of art. Our room had an outside onsen tub made of Japanese cypress and also access to the public baths. The room was spotless and beautifully designed with modern touches but using beautiful Japanese craftsmen. The breakfast was also outstanding and the food delicious. The service at check out was another experience of Japanese efficiency and good manners. We could have walked to Ise Jingu from the ryokan but chose not to. This is not a budget choice but for those who want to experience true Japanese service and food, it is a place I would not hesitate in recommending. Ise and the surrounding area have many western style hotels and many cheaper ryokans. This ryokan is for those who want luxury, Japanese hospitality and fine dining. I was travelling with Japanese, so I didn't have any communication issues, and the waiter at our dinner tried to explain everything in Japanese and English. This was greatly...