Hotel Corral del Rey
Seville
The same family that owns the Hacienda de San Rafael (see elsewhere on this website) opened a new hotel in the heart of Seville.
And the connection between the two hotels is apparent, this building was renovated with the same level of care and attention. This is a 17th century casa antigua in the centre of Seville, in the old Barrio Alfalfa area to be exact, which is a great location from which to visit the city's sights.
The hotel is not overly spacious, it has 6 lovely rooms, of different sizes, which all open out onto the fine balustrades.
The interior decorator has done a great job decorating these rooms, they are stylish and airy. Large beds, light colours and with all mod cons. Every room has a plasma satellite TV with DVD player (hotel has a DVD library), a modern sound system with iPod docking station, Wi-Fi internet connection and air conditioning.
All rooms have an en-suite bathroom with marble and slate design. Every bathroom has a large rainshower, among other things.
The hotel has its own high-quality restaurant, which has some delightful culinary surprises up its sleeve every day. You can also dine outdoors on the roof terrace, which offers a view of the cathedral, or dine down in the basement that was discovered during the renovation. The roof terrace also doubles as a chill-out area, and you can take a refreshing dip in the plunge pool there.
Cons:
• In the city centre, so no parking in front of the hotel, but there is a car park at walking distance
Pros:
• New hotel, classic with modern comforts
• Beautifully renovated building
• Good restaurant
• Very central location in the city
Hotel Corral del Rey
facilities
Hotel
- There is a restaurant where you can have both lunch and dinner. Price for lunch approx. € 20 pp. Dinner will set you back around €45.
- Bar.
- Plunge pool (small swimming pool) on the roof.
- Roof terrace.
- Internet connection in every room.
- One room with wheelchair access.
- Lift.
- Pets are not welcome.
- DVD library.
- Laundry service.
- Yoga, massage facilities.
- You can book a range of different excursions at the hotel, including a private guide.
- Hotel does not have its own parking facilities. Parking in a public car park.
- Hotel is situated in the centre of Seville, in the Barrio Alfalfa quarter.
Rooms
Spacious rooms. Every room has air conditioning, heating, internet connection (Wi-Fi), mini-bar, safe and modern gadgets, such as a plasma satellite TV with DVD player and a modern sound system with iPod docking station.
The roomy bathrooms are all en suite, with marble and slate design, equipped with a separate shower (no bathtub) with a large rainshower.
Hotel has 6 rooms including Superior double rooms, Deluxe double rooms and a Junior Suite.
Hotel Corral del Rey
surrounding area
Seville
The capital of Andalucía is a compact city with a rich past. Most of its major sights are in or near the city centre on the Guadalquivir river’s left bank. And they also know how to party and have a good time in this city of flamenco and tapas.
As you wander through the old Jewish quarter, the Barrio Santa Cruz, through a maze of white streets and patios, you should not forget to take in the imposing cathedral, the Moorish bell tower, La Giralda, and the Real Alcázar royal palace.
Great places to unwind are the various parks, palace gardens and the boulevard on the river bank, where you can stretch your legs under orange trees.
Charming and beautiful squares include the Plaza de Doña Elvira, Plaza de España, Plaza Virgen de los Reyes (from which you can go on a city tour in a horse-drawn carriage), Plaza Santa Cruz and the Plaza del Alfalfa.
The museum Museo de Bellas Artes, one of Spain’s best museums of art, is a real must. And then there are its magnificent palaces and other sights, such as the Plaza de Toros de la Maestranza (bull ring); Casa de Pilatos and the Torre del Oro.
Culinary
Enjoying a few tasty tapas on one of Seville's lovely squares is another essential part of a visit to Seville.
Family
You can see the best of Seville from the top of an open-top double-decker bus. And you can even go on a river cruise on the Guadalquivir.
In the centre of Seville, the Parque María Luisa makes for a fun place to feed pigeons, rent a bike or go for a ride in a horse-drawn carriage.
Where museums are concerned, the coach museum is a particularly fun place to visit with the kids.
There are also a few amusement parks in the area, including Andalucía’s largest and most popular park, Isla Mágica, on the EXPO site in Seville. Roller coasters, rapids, and many more attractions.
The Guadalpark water park is also a great place to find some refreshment during the hot summer months. Spectacular slides, a black hole and different pools make up this park.
And then there is the safari park, Reserva Natural Sevilla, in the village of El Castillo de las Guardas, about 60 km north of the city. You can get close to lions, elephants, giraffes and rhinos in your own car or a train. Part of the park can be explored on foot, such as the kangaroo garden.
To the north of the city, on the N630, you will find the Mundo Park. This park has a zoo, botanical gardens and a fun fair.
Golf
There are some excellent golf courses in the Seville area, with the Real Club de Golf de Sevilla being the one that is closest to the city. A few kilometres west of Seville there is also the Club Zaudin golf course.
The following villages/towns in the area are definitely worth a visit:
Carmona (40km; 35min):
A pleasant provincial town with a rich past that has given it a beautiful townscape and interesting monuments. Carmona is about 30 km to the east of Seville, and sits on top of a hill. The old centre is small, with a few stately townhouses, churches and convents. Try to avoid driving into the centre. You will be much better off parking your car near the Puerta de Sevilla and exploring the town’s winding brick-paved streets and attractive squares on foot. Sights include the town hall (Ayuntamiento), the 15th-century Iglesia de Santa María la Mayor church and the impressive ruins of the Alcazar del Rey Pedro that rise above the town. Just outside Carmona is the Necrópolis Romana, the remnants of a Roman burial site.
Arcos de la Frontera (85km; 1h15min):
Arcos is one of Andalucía’s finest little towns; it often serves as a base from which to explore the pueblos blancos (white villages); its entire medieval centre has been declared a Historic Monument. In Arcos you should just stroll around its cobblestone streets, past small whitewashed houses, its many squares and its patios. Arcos’ oldest building is the Castillo, a dilapidated castle that is strategically situated on top of the hill. From the town walls you have a great view of the Guadalete valley.
Jerez de la Frontera (91km; 1h5min):
Jerez is the sherry capital of the world. A tour of one of its bodegas (Sandeman, Pedro Domecq, Gonzalez Byass) is not only good fun, but you will also learn something. How to distinguish fino from amontillado or oloroso sherry, for example.
Jerez is also famous for its horse riding school, the Real Escuela Andaluza del Arte Escuestre. Apart from visiting a show here, visitors can also attend lessons and tour the stables.
Other sights include the inviting cafes on the Plaza Asunción and the old town hall from 1575, Casa de Cabildo Viejo. The San Mateo quarter is famous for its flamenco bars, and is also where you will find the official flamenco centre: Centro Andaluz de Flamenco.
A 25 km drive takes you from Jerez to Sanlucar de Barrameda to visit the Parque Nacional de Coto Doñana. The Parque Nacional de Coto Doñana on the other side of the water can be reached by boat from Sanlúcar.
This park is one of Europe’s largest swamp lands. The best time of year to visit this park is winter or spring. In the summer and autumn the swamps are dry, although that is when visitors get excited about spotting deer, boar, buffalos and otters. With a good guide and some luck, you might even spot a lynx.
And you can, of course, head for one of the other 2 world famous cities for a day trip:
Córdoba (145km; 1h50min):
Visit the Mezquita, Córdoba's huge mosque, which has seen various different developments throughout the years to become a fascinating blend of styles and religions. And you can also go for a stroll through the districts of San Lorenzo, Judería and San Basilio, where you will encounter the most beautiful Moorish patios. Other sights include the palace/fortress Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos with magnificent gardens and fountains; various museums, such as the Museo Arqueológico, Museo Taurino, Museo de Bellas Artes; a string of great squares, such as the Plaza de la Corredera, Plaza del Potro.
Granada (265km; 3h):
The Alhambra was the part of town where princes, nobility and court staff dwelled, on the hill right in the middle of Granada. The Alhambra is a huge complex, 720m in length and 220m wide. Clever use of space, light, water and decorative features are the Alhambra’s defining features.
On the hill opposite the Alhambra, the Albayzín quarter, is where Granada’s Moorish past is still most tangible. Stroll through its narrow streets, past villas with Moorish decoration and gardens, up to the Mirador de San Nicolás. This is where you will have the best views, of the roofs of Granada, with the Alhambra behind them, which makes for a stunning view, especially at sunset!