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 Seville Hotels
Weekending in the capital of Andalucia has recently become all the rage. Seville is a lively city with flamboyant Moorish architecture, charming cobbled streets teaming with colourful life, and rich in history, culture and the staccato drama of flamenco. The best way to get to know the city is to stroll around the different quarters (El Arenal, the old Jewish quarter of Santa Cruz and La Macarena amongst them). Spring is especially popular with visitors who come to see the Semana Santa (Holy Week) processions and experience the week-long party that is the Fera de Abril, when hotels can be booked up months in advance. The most charming are in converted town houses organized around a typical Andalucian courtyard. The hotels are listed by price category, and their order bears no reflection on our preference.
 Reviews by Leonie Glass |
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| Luxury: Beautifully restored 17th-century mansion with attractive bedrooms and a popular restaurant |
| Location: in the old Barrio Alfalfa quarter, a 5-minute walk from the Cathedral |
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| This meticulously converted 17th-century Casa Palacio provides a very welcome new addition to Seville’s hotel scene. Arranged around the courtyard’s galleries, the six gorgeous bedrooms all bear the stamp of owner’s wife Kuky Mora-Figueroa’s artistic panache. At the heart of the hotel is a vibrant bar and restaurant, open all day and evening, and, if you just want to chill out, head for the roof garden and plunge pool. |
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| Mid Price: Gorgeous boutique hotel arranged around stunning Andalusian courtyards |
| Location: just outside the Santa Cruz area, 10 minutes from the Cathedral |
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| Enclosing a series of lovely courtyards, this 18th-century house is part of the upmarket home-grown Hospes group. As well as the latest technology, the elegantly minimal rooms have cool tiled floors and colonial-style furniture. There are plenty of places to sit and relax, including a library (one of several sitting rooms), and a roof terrace with half a dozen popular sun-loungers and plunge pool. A fashionable blend of leather and wood, Senzone Restaurant features local specialities. |
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| Mid Price: Former home of a famous guitarist, now an elegant family-run hotel |
| Location: in the Centro area, near Santa Catalina |
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| The 19th-century home of Spanish guitar maestro Manuel Serrapí (better known as Niño Ricardo) has been converted to a hotel by his family with Andalusian style and charm, and they run it themselves. The 11 bedrooms are tastefully decorated in restful colours, with wrought-iron bedsteads and vibrant wallhangings. You can relax outside on the patio or roof terrace, from where there’s a splendid view of the Giralda. Take one of the two top-floor suites, and you get a terrace and the view all to yourselves. |
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| Mid Price: Handsomely furnished and homely B&B |
| Location: Santa Cruz, in the historic centre |
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| Arranged around a cool courtyard, this B&B is home to kindly aristocrat Don Gonzalo del Rio, and exquisitely furnished with antiques, gilt-framed oil paintings, books and ornaments. Stairs and floors are of white marble and scattered with rugs, and the lift emerges from a charming tromp l’oeil. The house also has a roof terrace, sitting room plus honesty bar, and a gloriously intimate atmosphere. White-gloved butlers serve a regal breakfast. |
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| Mid Price: 16th-century Moorish mansion arranged around several courtyards |
| Location: Santa Cruz, off plaza Pilatos |
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| In amongst Santa Cruz’s winding alleys, this 16th-century mansion is difficult to find, but persevere, it’s definitely worth it. Expect a delightful hotel built around a series of courtyards; the main one, beautiful, cloistered and overlooked by two galleries. Bedrooms are all different, with individual architectural and decorative details, but the style is distinctly Moorish. Some rooms have their own courtyard or terrace; others are duplex. Unfailingly attentive staff. |
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| Mid Price: Traditional, well-located town house with a rooftop pool |
| Location: Santa Cruz, in an alleyway off the square in front of the cathedral |
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| The greatest perk of staying here is swimming in the rooftop pool whilst admiring the magnificent cathedral. The hotel occupies an old town house, traditionally decorated, comfortably furnished and with a terrific location for sight-seeing. In addition to the elegant sitting room, it has two bars – one pool-side, the other downstairs and wood-panelled – and a tiny exotic internal garden. No dining room, but a great buffet in the breakfast room each morning. |
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| Mid Price: A number of connecting grand houses, separated by tranquil courtyards |
| Location: central: in the Santa Cruz district |
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| A series of interconnecting mansions form this lovely hotel, linked by striking mustard-and-green courtyards awash with potted plants, urns and statues. The cool main patio, wicker chairs clustered around a tiled fountain, is a contender for prettiest spot in the city. Bedrooms are tasteful, with wooden beds, prints of old Seville and balconies overlooking the courtyards for first-floor rooms. The next-door building work is currently causing some disruption. |
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| Inexpensive: 18th-century sacristy turned stylish hotel, complete with beams and cloisters |
| Location: in La Plaza de La Alameda in the centre |
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| Meticulous restoration has turned this 18th-century sacristy into an appealing hotel with a fine restaurant and good location surrounded by cafés and tapas bars. Beamed ceilings and a cloistered and galleried courtyard at the heart of the building are testament to its age. Light and elegant, the handsome pale green bedrooms have pleasing details, such as wooden shutters and painted or carved headboards. The restaurant serves traditional Spanish cuisine with an imaginative twist. |
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