I recommend Hotel Alfonso XIII, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Seville, Spain for tourists visiting historical landmarks, experiencing culture as well as local food. Also popular with locals for festivals and holidays getaways. Hotel Alfonso XIII is more than just a hotel, it is a destination in itself.

Pros: Amazing architecture, atmosphere and history (building itself is on tour itineraries), professional and friendly staff, great recognition of the Loyalty Rewards Program status, easy access to historical landmarks, public transportation and shopping, great dining and bar experience (includes cooking classes). Cons: No spa on premises (concierge can easily remedy this problem) and relatively small fitness room for a size of the hotel (most people walk in Seville, so again, not a major negative factor). I recommend Hotel Alfonso XIII, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Seville, Spain with 4.9/5 rating.

 

Location

At the southeast corner of Puerta de Jerez is Seville’s best-known luxury hotel, named after King Alfonso XIII who reigned 1902–31, when Spain became a republic. It was built between 1916–28 for visitors to the 1929 Ibero American Exposition. The building is in Regionalista style, decorated with azulejos (ceramic tiles), wrought iron and ornate brickwork. Its centerpiece is a grand colonnaded patio with a fountain and orange trees.

University of Seville is located 200 yards away, Seville Cathedral about 400 yards and nearest Metro about 150 yards. Seville’s gardens are about 0.5 mile away. Unless you are going somewhere across the river (we went to Real de la Feria, where Spring Fair takes place), you will never need to take a taxi.

 

 

Reservations

I used​ ​SPG.com​ website and booked ​Hotel Alfonso XIII, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Seville​ using Starwood rewards points at ​25000 SPG points per night​. Average rate for this time of the year ( April 2018 when Feria is taking place in Seville) was 750​ euros​ or $900 per night.

 

That’s $1800 savings by using 50000 SPG points for 2 nights stay, at 3.6 cents a point!!!!!

Booking process is always a breeze no matter if you are using a SPG or Marriott.com site in the future. ( After August 1st 2018, you can only book via Marriott.com) Immediate email confirmation of points deduction and reservation arrived in my mailbox, and I was set.

Arrival

We arrived by car from Cordoba around 11:30 am. Our visit coincided with La Feria de Sevilla, a biggest festival in Andalusia, celebrating Flamenco, horses and local culture. Traffic was a nightmare as many streets were closed to private cars, overtaken by horse carriages and Hotel Alfonso XIII is located in the very center of the city. We found underground parking right next to the hotel and decided to walk from there.

Travel tip: if you are a quest of the hotel, street closure do not apply to you, and you can pull right in front. There is a separate parking for the hotel quests.

Hotel lobby was jammed with locals and tourists arriving specifically for the Feria, yet, to our delight, we were immediately accommodated by a front desk associate and taken to our upgraded room. Yes, hotel was fully sold out, yet there was an upgrade awaiting us. Great recognition of the Platinum status by this hotel!! There was even champagne in the room waiting for us!

Concierge services

Awesome job, can’t say enough good things about staff at this hotel. I needed last minute sold out access to our next stop: Alhambra. In 30 minutes we had a tour booked, awaiting us at our next hotel in Grenada upon arrival. That is a 5 star service!!!

Room

After taking elevator to the second floor, we entered our upgraded King Grand Deluxe room trough long hallway. First on the left was a spacious, luxurious bathroom decorated with Spanish-Moorish tile. The room was good size, 484 sq. ft. or 45 m2. Had plenty of space for luggage, nice work desk, plenty of outlets. Nespresso Coffee Maker and fully stocked mini bar as well. Large window opened up to a beautiful view of Seville. I was happy and more importantly, so was my wife.

Hotel Alfonso XIII, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Seville during La Feria de Sevilla

 

2 weeks after Easter Seville is celebrating Spring Fair,( >to read more CLICK HERE!), and so is Hotel Alfonso XIII. Its courtyard (patio), which normally serves as a casual place to meet and have a drink, transforms into celebration of Flamenco and local culture, with Seville’s high society crowding tables and dance floor. It is an amazing sight and a wonderful experience. Most importantly, everybody is very friendly and wants you to join in. Please dress up, as all the locals do for this occasion, and you will be invited to join in no time!!

Flamenco music and dancing is performed by pros and locals alike, young and old. Hotel is decorated with fresh flowers and oranges and staff is dressed in traditional outfits. Decorated carriages replace limousines in front of the hotel. It is THE time to visit Seville and Hotel Alfonso XIII.

Travel tip: hotel always sells out during Feria, so book well in advance. We booked 10 months ahead.

 

Dining and Bars

This is another area where Hotel Alfonso XIII, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Seville, shines like no other in Andalusia, and even whole Spain.

Breakfast

There is no club lounge at Luxury Hotels brands, however, full breakfast is included with your Platinum status.

My wife likes to sleep in, but for the purposes of this article, I had to eat another delicious meal in Spain. Needles to say, I’m an early riser, so at 7am, I was the only person in the restaurant. Services and food were unbelievable. It was so nice to enjoy morning paper with coffee and breakfast in this beautiful surrounding.

Bars

-lobby bar

There is no shortage of places to drink in Seville’s best hotel. You’ve got lobby bar, where we enjoyed some Sangria. It is subtle yet luxurious and nicely decorated with flowers and Spanish tiles.

-American Bar 

This is where Seville’s business, politics, and culture converge. Matching the wood-carved ceiling, the long bar counter serves as the room’s gathering point. Meanwhile, table seating provides a venue for more private and intimate conversations.

-Pool Bar

Set in the hotel’s lush gardens surrounding the swimming pool. Nice, casual, relaxing.

Restaurants

Ena By Carles Abellan

Winner of a Michelin star, Carles Abellan flawlessly blends Catalonian and Andalusian gastronomic styles at this exquisite terrace restaurant. Guests are invited to share tapas and small plates, accompanied by aperitifs, cocktails, and wines. Ena’s ingenious, lighthearted menu features some of Abellan’s classics, including Bomb of the Barceloneta and Jobless Wings, as well as innovative new dishes.

Restaurante San Fernando

This is my favorite restaurant at this hotel. Restaurante San Fernando is situated in the hotel’s gallery and central courtyard where it utilizes, to magical effect, the unique luminosity of Seville’s sky.

In summer, the charm of the Mudejar Patios Moorish arches and Arab-style architecture combine with a murmuring ivory fountain to provide a serene, romantic background for a memorable meal.

Low lighting in the courtyard reflects the warm tones of the hotel’s outer walls while ornate wrought-iron chairs lend a distinctive Andalusian touch. As stated in the Michelin Guide, this is indeed an exclusive setting to enjoy haute cuisine.

The restaurant offers authentic regional cuisine alongside international options. Dishes like Andalusian gazpacho and Hake medallion Romana-style are made with fresh, seasonal ingredients. Proximity to both the Atlantic and the Mediterranean ensures a wealth of only the finest seafood. Likewise, Restaurante San Fernando procures lamb from the coastal marshland, ham from Jabugo, rice from El Levante, and poultry, fruits, vegetables, and olive oil from surrounding farms.

 

 

COOKING SCHOOL

This is a super cool service. Located in the hotel´s lush gardens, Mimo Seville’s cooking school offers a truly distinguished culinary experience. Chef Mateus Mendes guests will discover the most exquisite cuisine; from how to prepare authentic Andalusian tapas to sophisticated Michelin-star chef’s creations. The lessons conclude with the tasting of the dishes cooked during the class accompanied by an exquisite selection of Spanish wines.

Swimming Pool

The hotel’s lush gardens open up to reveal luminous cerulean pool. Surrounded by characteristic palm trees and aromatic native flora and fauna, it is a wonderful spot for relaxing after a sightseeing or for simply enjoying an Andalusian sunbath under azure skies.

Fitness Center

42-square-metre state-of-the-art Fitness Center can be accessed 24 hours a day with a guest room key and is free of charge for all guests. Situated in the lush and tranquil back gardens, it is the ideal spot for the mind and body to synchronize.

The center is outfitted with two treadmills, one stair stepper, three stationary bikes, rowing machines, free weights, weight machines, and yoga mats. Each machine has an individual television and sound system accessible with headphones, which can be provided.

HOTEL AMENITIES

Antiguedades Felix

Aside from the usual suspects, when it comes to hotel shopping, Alfonso XIII has an awesome art gallery where one can buy a Picasso, Greek and Roman antiques and Spanish medieval jewelry.

ACCESSIBILITY SERVICES

● Wheelchair Rental

BUSINESS SERVICES

● ​Business Centre

GUEST SERVICES

● Medical Service ● ​Exceptional Deliveries ● Floral Arrangements (upon request) ● ​Luggage Storage ● Safe Deposit Boxes ● Laundry Service ● Currency Exchange Service ● ​Luggage Liaison ● ​The Luxury Collection Concierge ● 100% Non-Smoking Rooms and Facilities ● Guest Service Center ● 24-Hour Front Desk

RECREATION & ENTERTAINMENT

● ​NewspaperDirect ● ​Swimming Pool ● ​Fitness Centre ● ​Sightseeing ● ​Segway Tour Sevilla ● ​Golf Nearby ● ​SEVici Bicycle Rental

SHOPPING

● ​Antiguedades Felix ● ​Mimo Sevilla Shop ● ​Shopping

TRANSPORTATION

● Private Transfers ● Car Rental Service ● ​Valet Parking Facilities​ 20 EUR per day

Check in: ​3:00 PM ​Check out: ​12:00 PM

INTERNET ACCESS

Free internet is available to all SPG Members when booking on Starwood websites, mobile sites, SPG apps or Customer Contact Centers only. Benefits vary by membership level. ​New Marriott rules will apply after 1 August 2018.

We truly did enjoy our stay at Hotel Alfonso XIII, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Seville. If there is any regret, it is that we only stayed for 2 days. I know I will come back again and stay at Alfonso XIII Hotel.

 

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