Hotel Alfonso XIII, Seville

Pros

• The King of Spain commissioned the hotel's luxurious building in 1928, striving to open the best hotel in Europe, and we can't say he wasn't successful!
• It's hard to wrap your head around all the amenities here, but you'll find a gym, an outdoor swimming pool with a sun deck, four eateries (including the incredible Restaurante San Fernando), and plenty of places to relax, such as inner courtyards, gardens with orange trees, outdoor terraces, and cozy lounges.
• Even the standard rooms are elegant and stately, but upgraded units feature private terraces or balconies.
• If you want to splurge and sleep like royalty, you can stay in the Alfonso XIII Suite, designed specifically for King Alfonso XIII himself.
• Listen to live music almost nightly, from jazz and swing in Bar Americano to flamenco at the outdoor Ena Sevilla terrace restaurant.
• The location is ideal and in the heart of the historic area while still feeling private and exclusive.
• You can easily walk to all the city sites, many within 10 minutes, including the Royal Alcázar, the Plaza de España, and the Seville Cathedral.

Cons

• The pool area might feel a little cramped during peak times due to the number of guests, but it still offers a refreshing escape in a beautiful garden setting.
• Some rooms on the lower floor or facing the street can be noisy with passing trams and ambient street traffic. 

Authenticity

Renovated and reopened by Marriott Bonvoy in 2012, the five-story, 148-room Hotel Alfonso XIII was built in 1928 for the Ibero-American Expo and named for Spain's then-king to host his guests. This grand, landmark hotel embodies Andalusian Regionalist architecture and design with a Baroque spin (making you think the property is centuries older than it is) with its mosaic marble floors, walls, and colonnaded courtyards, intricately carved mahogany furniture and ceilings, azulejos (painted ceramic tiles), and arched entryways. The renovation project included adding contemporary furniture and bathrooms to rooms and refreshing historic architectural details, such as its wooden and mirror elevators and crystal chandeliers.

Location

Hotel Alfonso XIII is the perfect location for those who want to enjoy the city's buzz while in a slightly quieter area. You'll be in the Santa Cruz neighborhood surrounded by the Royal Alcázar, Híspalis Fountain, Cristina Gardens, San Telmo Palace, and Seville University, all within a 5-minute walk. You can reach nearly all the significant sites in less than 10 minutes on foot, including Plaza de España and Seville Cathedral. The hotel is conveniently positioned near shopping, dining, and entertainment options, with a tram stop right outside and a metro station within a five-minute walk. 

Rooms & Bathrooms

Rooms are elegantly plush, perfectly fitting the hotel's regal vibe, juxtaposing contemporary elements like graphic patterned rugs with more traditional pieces like stately mahogany furniture. You'll find velvet and leather chairs, shaped leather or carved wood headboards, coffered ceilings, crystal chandeliers, and Moorish stylings like arched feature walls. Bathrooms are equally impressive. They're bright, combining white marble with intricately patterned tiles, double sinks, and rainfall showers. With room categories ranging from Deluxe Double Rooms to the opulent Alfonso XIII Suite or the Reales Alcazares presidential suite, you can choose units with courtyard or city views, private terraces, and spacious living areas.

Amenities

The highlight of Alfonso XIII is the building's visual history, which you can enjoy from any corner of the grounds. There's an outdoor (unheated) saltwater pool surrounded by gardens and next to a sun deck. There's a gym, an inner courtyard, beautiful lounges, outdoor terraces, and high-end boutique shopping to enjoy. Dine on updated Andalusian classics in Restaurante San Fernando, share tapas at Ena Sevilla, sip a cocktail in Art Deco-themed Bar Americano, and snack on light fare at the poolside restaurant. There are elevators to the upper floors and wheelchair-accessible rooms. 

Family-Friendliness

Children of all ages are welcome, and children under two stay for free. Large suites are ideal as they have separate living spaces for adding a cot or crib, and some configurations have interconnecting rooms. Kids' menus are available at all three in-house restaurants, as is a babysitting service for parents wanting some alone time. With elevators on all floors, the hotel is stroller-friendly, and kids can enjoy the outdoor pool.