The best luxury hotels in Seville
Step inside the coolest hideaways in Spain’s hottest city
If you need some serious sun, the Spanish city of Seville is the place to be. The hottest metropolis in the country, if not Europe, it has earned the nickname the ‘Iberian oven’ due to its inland position away from the cooling coast (from which Barcelona seriously benefits). Despite piping-hot temperatures that regularly hit 40°C during the summer months, Seville has become one of the most Googled destinations in the world over the past few years – so clearly it hasn’t put too many people off.
A haven of 13th-century Islamic castles, 14th-century palaces and 15th-century squares, Seville is filled with history. Spend your days marvelling at the Moorish-Gothic palace of Real Alcázar and the huge Seville Cathedral, before taking a stroll around the beautifully-tiled Plaza de España and the Metropol Parasol, which offers brilliant city views. But where to rest your head? Here are the best hotels in Seville to book now.
Corral Del Rey, Barrio Alfalfa
Tucked away in one of the labyrinthine streets of Seville’s historic quarter, this whitewashed Mr and Mrs Smith boutique hotel is a stunning reinvention of a 17th-century casa palacio. It beautifully preserves Roman marble pillars alongside intricately carved medieval Mudéjar wooden doorways but also combines modern amenities, such as a rooftop mirador by the pool where you can enjoy sweeping panoramic views of the entire city.
When Luxury London visited, we found it to be a breath of fresh air. Home to 17 rooms split across three white-washed buildings – all boasting a natural palette with stone, wood and marble textures – Corral Del Rey’s unique furnishings have been sourced from across the globe (think rugs from Morocco, antiques from Asia, restored fabrics from France). The downstairs dining room is serviced by a concise but quintessentially Spanish menu, featuring tapas favourites such as anchovies from the Cantábrico region, homemade croquettes and padron peppers.
From £155 per night.
Ocean Drive Sevilla, Encarnación
Following the success of its Spanish sister hotels in Ibiza, Barcelona and Madrid, Ocean Drive Sevilla opened last year in the historic Encarnación neighbourhood next to Las Setas – a wooden structure designed by the Berlin architect Jürgen Mayer, which houses a rooftop terrace, a traditional market, restaurants, a performance square, and an archaeological museum – making this hotel perfect for culture vultures. All 49 rooms come with either a balcony or terrace, while interiors nod to traditional Sevillian architecture with their Mudejar style, combined with Mediterranean elements.
There is also an all-day restaurant serving local cuisine with a coastal feel. Dine on Spanish potato omelette, eggs benedict and Iberian mechá toast in the morning to fuel for a day exploring the city’s other attractions, including the cathedral, the Royal Alcázar, and the shops of Tetuán street. Return in the evening to wind down and relax over plates of smoked sardine toast, pepper jam and wasabi tobiko and baby crayfish and prawn risotto.
From £150 per night.
Gravina 51, El Arenal
Gravina 51, a converted palacio in Seville’s old quarter, boasts a heady mix of modern comforts and Andalusian heritage. Offering 37 rooms and one apartment – all of which are pet friendly – the interiors here are regal in nature, with the palatial hotel paying homage to Spanish Navy Admiral Federico Gravina (the naval portraits in the dining room are a big clue).
Beyond your room, enjoy espressos at the bar, relax in the leafy courtyard, or toast sunset apéritifs on the rooftop terrace. There’s no restaurant, but the casual, laidback Bar 51 claims to serve the best sangria in Seville alongside light bites – perfect for a pick-me-up before venturing out to see the city’s top sights such as Plaza de Armas and the Maestranza Bullring.
From £133 per night.
Hotel Alfonso XIII, Santa Cruz
Commissioned in 1929 by the then King of Spain, Alfonso XIII, to play host to international heads of state, nearly a century on this five-star hotel remains one of the city’s cultural landmarks. Offering a luxurious haven from which to explore the rich heritage of Andalusia, and with an enviable location in the central historic quarter, the hotel is just a stone’s throw from sights including Reales Alcázares and the Seville Cathedral.
Home to 126 guestrooms and 22 stately suites, if you’re planning a regal stay in Seville we recommend booking the glamorous Real Alcázares Suite, inspired by the 14th-century romance of King Pedro I and Maria de Padilla. Throughout the hotel, you’ll be able to spot Andalusian and Moorish design, from stunning mosaic-covered arches to a serene courtyard complete with a fountain and fragrant orange blossom trees – the perfect spot to relax over cocktails. Talking of, don’t miss Restaurante San Fernando for Spanish fare and flair, and the gorgeous Ena Sevilla to dine on tapas and signature cocktails.
From £440 per night.
Cavalta Boutique Hotel, Barrio de Triana
Barrio de Triana is one of Seville’s livelier districts, yet Cavalta Boutique Hotel offers an oasis of calm and cool among the hustle and bustle. Part of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World portfolio, the property’s 12 rooms feature king-sized beds, balconies overlooking the busy Calle San Jacinto and striking wall murals celebrating the city’s Moorish heritage. Tiles play a huge role in the hotel’s interiors, paying homage to Triana’s role in the ceramics industry – and you can just step outside to see Seville come alive with colour, classical architecture and local pottery workshops.
Linger a little longer at Alzali Garden Club’s rooftop to cool off in the pool, warm up on a sunbed or enjoy sundowners with city views. A casual snack menu can be found at the ground-floor Garden Club featuring fresh seafood from a nearby fish market. Shellfish and ice-cold beer, anyone?
From £150 per night.
Read more: The Luxury London guide to summer holiday etiquette
