The smell of orange blossom, the soft percussion of flamenco hand claps, the taste of dry cherry and jamón ibérico: the capital of Andalusia, most “Spanish” of all Spain’s regions, stimulates the senses like few other cities. Boasting an average of almost 3,000 hours of sunshine a year, it also heats up well before most places in Europe, making it an ideal getaway outside of high season – in the middle of summer be prepared for some serious heat, though; the mercury regularly rises past 40 degrees.
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.
From €55/ night
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.
From €56/ night
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!
From €56/ night
Set around a cool interior courtyard, characterised by a calming blue and white colour scheme, this hotel’s public areas are pure traditional Seville! Its rooms, however, which come in multiple configurations, from singles to family-size, boast a modern, cosmopolitan vibe. Air conditioning, en suites, and wifi are all standard. Also, the Plaza de la Alfalfa is right on its doorstep, a tapas lover’s dream that bustles morning to night.
From €80/ night
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.
From €34/ night
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.
