Best hotels in Seville for a memorable city break in Spain

Designed to be the most palatial hotel in Europe in the 1920s and named after a king, Hotel Alfonso XIII is a haven of grandeur. The ideal spot for a romantic trip, this colossal mansion features an elegant courtyard restaurant, where you can dine on modern interpretations of Spanish classics. Catalan and Andalusian tapas, as well as cocktails, are served in the darkly decadent tasting rooms.

The luxury continues in the lavish rooms and suites, decorated with glistening chandeliers, intricately-cut woodwork and antique furniture. Bathrooms are just as majestic, with polished marble floors, typical Sevillian patterned ceramics and walk-in rainfall showers. Feel like royalty as you step onto your terrace to gaze across the stately grounds or cityscape, wrapped in a soft robe and slippers.

While away the hours wandering through the ornately tiled lobbies and courtyards or bask in the sunshine on cushioned lounges around the sunbathing area. To keep cool, lie in the shade of swaying palm trees by the serene waters of the pool. There’s also a fitness centre complete with a sauna.

Head straight to the rooftop of the EME Catedral Hotel for uninterrupted views of the city’s Gothic cathedral. Up here, you can take a dip in the plunge pool while admiring the ancient architecture of La Giralda. To unwind, retreat to the indoor wellness centre and bathe in the milky waters of the heated pool – with waterfall and massaging jets – or rest on cushioned rattan beds in the softly lit relaxation room.

At dinner, you’ll be transported by dishes of Italian flavours combined with Spanish ingredients – such as fresh tortellini with oysters – all presented with artistic flair. In the evenings, find a seat at the rooftop terrace bar to watch the city light up and join locals sipping the bar’s renowned Mojito EME, late into the night.

Decorated in soft taupe tones with decadently dark shades and pops of rich red, the rooms are both understated and dramatic. Stripped back walls and bare wood give the space a grounded feeling, while freestanding tubs add a luxurious element. Look out over the historical quarter that’s right on your doorstep or open up the windows to the tangy citrus scent of orange trees in the hotel’s courtyard.

The classical music-themed Amadeus y La Musica is formed around an 18th-century mansion-style courtyard. It features a collection of quirky rooms and outdoor spaces dotted with antique instruments that you can pick up and play. Musicians can let their creativity loose with the instrument of their choice in the soundproof rehearsal room, or take a seat at the grand piano on the traditional Sevillian patio.

Bedrooms are classically elegant in calming neutral shades, with original ceiling beams and wooden shutters that open out onto Juliet balconies. Small portraits of composers and samples of sheet music nod to the hotel’s eccentric personality and complement the antique furniture. The bathrooms add a contemporary and luxurious note to the interiors, with hydro-massaging tubs and fluffy robes to wrap up in after a long soak.

For a peaceful afternoon, spend time in the library perusing the selection of books, operas and biographies or settle in a deck chair up on the rooftop terrace. Gaze out towards the nearby Cathedral of Seville and La Giralda from cushioned sofas on the wooden deck or the bubbling waters of the outdoor hot tub.

Step back to the days of Seville’s Moorish rulers at the historic Hotel Alcoba del Rey de Sevilla. The hotel pays homage to the poet and King, Al-Mutamid, who lived in the house centuries ago. Room names honour his fellow poets, philosophers, writers and architects.

The décor is a combination of North African influence and Andalusian heritage with painted furniture, ornate tiles and polychrome ceilings filling spaces with colour and kaleidoscopic pattern. For a romantic stay, choose the Abenamar suite where you can relax on the private terrace by your own fountain or unwind in the bubbling Jacuzzi within a small bandstand.

As well as sleeping like a royal, you’ll be treated like one too with a relaxing massage or revitalising beauty treatment out on the rooftop patio. Here, you can lounge on plump daybeds and sip on a cool drink from the terrace bar before unwinding in the soothing waters of the outdoor hot tub. Sample gastronomic delights in the tapas bar where steaming plates of Andalusian and local cuisine, like mojama (salt-cured tuna), are served alongside fresh fish from the nearby port town of Huelva.

Nestled in the winding streets of one of Seville’s oldest neighbourhoods, Barrio de Santa Cruz, is the 400-year-old Boutique Hotel Casa del Poeta. This decadent 17th-century Sevillian mansion has been restored to showcase its former glory with antique details and original architecture – such as the leafy central patio – updated with a touch of 21st-century design.

Rest for a while in the serene courtyard and listen to the trickling waters of the fountain while gazing up at the arches and columns of the different floors. Or, soak in the barrio’s tranquil ambience and panoramic views of the nearby Santa Cruz church, cathedral and Giralda tower from the private rooftop terrace, accompanied by the sounds of live Andalusian guitar music each evening.

Each of the hotel’s rooms is individually designed to be a peaceful retreat, with muted colour palettes to highlight the rich textiles, decorative wall murals and aged mirrors. Wake up wrapped in soft Egyptian cotton sheets and bathe under the tropical rainfall shower in your marble-panelled bathroom – or take in the morning air on your private terrace surrounded by rustling palm trees. For an indulgent stay, arrange with the hotel for a soothing in-room massage or beauty treatment.

Immerse yourself in bygone splendour at the Casa Imperial Hotel. Decorated with local antiquities, spaces here have a traditional feel that’s elevated with sumptuous touches – you’ll sleep on beds with dramatic headboards of intricately-carved wood or studded plush cushion that stretches to the ceiling. Choose a room with a spa bath or a relaxing Jacuzzi, or stretch out on a private terrace for a peaceful nap in the shade.

Set in a centuries-old mansion, the hotel is filled with authentic Sevillian charm. As you arrive, you’ll be met by a colourful façade with an entrance courtyard beyond filled with fragrant fruit trees and a tranquil fountain. Andalusian accents include terracotta and marbled floors, richly coloured walls and wrought-iron lights.

Wander through arched galleries surrounded by columns to the central courtyard, where sun beds sit on patterned stone paving around a small plunge pool with distinctive painted tiles. After a morning of exploring the historic quarter of the city, right on your doorstep, rest for a while in the cool shade of the garden with an iced beer from the hotel’s bar.

The One Shot Palacio Conde de Torrejón 09 has transformed a charismatic Baroque palace into a haven of contemporary design and luxury while still capturing its heritage. Enter through the Andalusian tiled hall to the airy courtyard with grand columns and arches beneath an avant-garde ceiling panel. Lounge on the plump armchairs here or bask in the Seville sunshine after floating peacefully above the city in the chic glass-walled pool on the hotel’s rooftop terrace.

Each of the bedrooms combines original 18th-century features of the building, such as ornate cornicing, wooden flooring and interlaced beams, with elegant furniture and statement lights for a touch of modernity. Sleep in beds with mattresses designed for extra comfort in a four-poster bed and spread out on your own terrace with its effortlessly cool sun chairs. In the marble bathrooms, you’ll find fluffy robes and slippers to use after a sumptuous rainfall shower or a soak in the spacious freestanding tub.

The hotel’s distinctive spirit is complemented by a menu of fresh interpretations of favourite Portuguese dishes, like crispy calamari with a basil-infused mayonnaise or oxtail ravioli with a parmesan mousse. The food here is designed to be visually appealing as well as filling your senses with the smells and tastes of Seville.