Olé! And welcome to the heart of Spanish culture. Whether its the hot rhythms of flamenco, the cool refreshment of dry sherry, or the pulse fluttering drama of the corrida, Seville can feel like a postcard come to life. With an average of almost 3000 hours of sunshine a year, it’s almost guaranteed to get you in the holiday spirit and is an excellent spring destination, when it feels like the summer has come early, and as though things couldn’t get even more perfect, the streets are perfumed by orange blossom from the city’s many trees.
(Photo: Hostal Sierpes Courtesy Booking.com)
A decent-sized city, Seville has no shortage of hotels, either, many of which trade off Andalusia’s Moorish past in their layout and design. Intricately patterned tiles, babbling water fountains, and cool internal courtyards lend an air of luxury to even some of the more budget options in the city. Keep aware, too, that the centre is very walkable, and beautiful throughout, so there’s no real need to splash out for digs right next to its tourist heart.
Hostal Sierpes
Renovated from a palace of the 17th century, the Hostal Sierpes thrusts you deep into Seville’s history, with the beautiful tiled walls of its communal areas, and Moorish hints of its architecture, you’ll have absolutely no doubt which city you’re staying in. It’s centrally located, air conditioned, and serves a terrific line in local tapas. Olé, indeed.
Hotel Boutique Doña Lola
(Photo: Hotel Boutique Doña Lola courtesy Booking.com)
The rooms in this 19th century building are bright, colourful, clean, and modern. Just about everywhere you might want to see in the city is within easy striking distance from the front door, and its particularly close to the town’s vibrant party district, the Alameda de Hércules (though don’t worry about being kept up, it’s on a comparatively quiet road). Possessed of all the expected modern conveniences – wifi, air con, TVs etc. – the cherry on top is its roof terrace, ideal for having a sherry on top of in the rays of the setting sun!
Exe Sevilla Macarena
Just to the north of the old town, this enormous hotel offers a very different speed of accommodation to many other places in Seville. Its large rooms are comfortable in a way more usually associated with northern climes, characterised by wood-fittings and double-glazed windows, and plenty of light. True, it might feel a bit corporate for some, but it really is excellent value, boasting four star conveniences for less than many of its two star competitors. The piece de résistance meanwhile, is its large rooftop pool, with great views out across the city and to the surrounding hills beyond.
Black Swan Hostel
A new breed of hotel, not just aspiring to being trendy and modern, but actually succeeding. Bare wood, exposed brickwork, and iron predominate in its interiors, which are otherwise minimalist and spacious. As the name suggests, it’s primarily a hostel, with a cool youthful vibe to its public areas, but there are also private rooms available, including family-sized suites, complete with four single beds and cooking equipment. Air conditioning pumps throughout, meaning there’s no sweating in the summer months, and the WiFi is fast and reliable. The old town, meanwhile, is just outside the door, and reception is happy to hook you up with tour companies, flamenco shows, and cooking classes.
Hotel Europa
(Photo: Hotel Europa courtesy Booking.com )
Offering remarkable class for a low price, the Hotel Europa sits unassuming in a typical old fashioned building on the back streets of Seville’s historic heart. Its rooms boast opulently patterned wall paper, sophisticated mahogany bed frames, and cool marble floors. There’s also a classy public lounge, patterned by traditional tiles. Air conditioning, TVs, and wifi are standard in all rooms, as are mini-fridges, if you want to keep your locally bought sherry cool.