Hotel Palacio de Villapanés, Spain

Nestled in the heart of this flamboyant historic city, Hotel Palacio de Villapanés offers guests a verdant oasis of tranquility

By National Geographic Traveller The Collection
Published 9 Nov 2016, 11:29 GMT

Seville is famed for its mighty Moorish Alcázar, Gothic cathedral, tapas and flamenco. Nestled in the heart of this flamboyant historic city, Hotel Palacio de Villapanés offers guests a verdant oasis of tranquility, where they can sample the finest Mediterranean cuisine and unwind on a rooftop terrace, soaking up inspirational city vistas.

Destination
Sculpted by a past of Moorish splendour, Seville continues to bask in its fascinating history. A stroll around its sprawling, ancient heart unveils countless nooks etched with traces of the past.

And then there are the more obvious symbols of history: its lush and lavish Alcázar and looming cathedral, embodying a culture that underpins this part of Spain — characterised by loud conversation over tapas, deafening stomps of flamenco and burning Andalucian summers.

It’s an intoxicating mix that sets the scene for one of Spain’s most exclusive stays, the Hotel Palacio de Villapanés, an oasis of tranquility amid the city.

The hotel
Just 15 minutes from the cathedral and the Giralda tower, the Palacio is testament to Seville’s long history, standing proudly as a landmark itself. Dating back to the 18th century, the hotel lies tucked away in the historic Calle Santiago, and has benefited from a stylish renovation and extension, now offering spacious and contemporary luxury surroundings, blended seamlessly with the unique history of the area.

Stepping from the quiet side street into the grand reception, guests will appreciate at once the palatial air of the hotel — the magnificent columns and trickling fountain evoking the Palacio’s glory days as the home of the Marquess of Torre Blanca de Aljarafe. With each corner designed to capture this historic grandeur, the entire hotel tempts guests to relax and unwind.

Rooms & suites
Combining the best of past and present Sevillian living, the rooms and suites are fresh, bright and supremely comfortable.
The Villapanés Suite is an exclusive avant-garde hideaway blending the best of modern comforts with traditional opulence of the Palacio’s past. The Marqués Suite, on the other hand, reimagines the notions of comfort and exclusivity, complete with Loewe televisions, iMacs for guests to use and a complementary drink on arrival.

Food & drink
Located in the cosy cellar, the Hotel Palacio de Villapanés’ restaurant — Los Rincones de Marqués — offers cuisine inspired by Seville and the bounty of the Mediterranean. Here, Andalucian delicacies and drinks are served in a variety of settings, from an outdoor terrace to the elegant dining room — Los Rincones de Marqués means ‘the Marquis’ corners’. Beautifully presented, the dishes capture the essence of the region. In addition, health-conscious travellers can tuck into a selection of tasty meals made from raw, fresh ingredients.

The view
Hotel Palacio de Villapanés’ exclusive rooftop terrace is definitely not to be missed, offering panoramic views over Seville. Be it a romantic sundowner, relaxed pre-dinner aperitif or leisurely nightcap, the large verandah
provides the perfect setting for a moment among the tiles, chimneys and spires of the picturesque city, drink in hand.

Local area
Hotel Palacio de Villapanés’ location in the historic heart of Spain’s fourth-largest city is one of its best assets. The old town cradles hundreds of years of history and charm in its streets, with the cathedral and Giralda tower dominating the area. The beautiful city is worth getting lost in, its intricate labyrinth of narrow streets and passageways leading to hidden churches, quiet squares and geranium-clad houses where women say ‘hola’ as they sweep their doorsteps. Yet that’s exactly how Seville’s addictive charm and beauty can be discovered — it’s a city of spirit, something that can only be discovered wandering through its beautiful streets.

See & do
World-class attractions, including the world’s largest Gothic cathedral and the grand General Archive of the Indies, are just waiting to be explored, along with the dazzling mosaics and gardens of the Moorish Alcázar, which still serves as Seville’s royal residence. The resplendent Plaza de España is another highlight, its meticulously ornate design incorporating many of the city’s elaborate architectural styles.

But it’s at nightfall when the city comes alive, its bars thronging with locals and travellers alike, picking at tapas, with a refreshing local beer in the other hand — perhaps watching a display of flamenco — before moving onto the next watering hole. This bar-hopping for tapas and drinks, which embodies the nightlife experience in Seville, has a name: ir de tapas.

Beyond, the fabled landscape of Andalucia sprawls across southern Iberia, its rolling golden hills giving way to the cobalt-blue sea. For a change of scenery, the cultural hotspots of Córdoba, Granada and Cádiz are within easy reach from the hotel, with the vast sandy beaches of the Costa de la Luz and charming white villages near the Costa del Sol also waiting to be stumbled upon.

Don’t miss

Ir de tapas — the bar-hopping, tapas-gobbling culture that embodies the spirit of Seville’s nightlife

Need to know

Key Facilities

• 50 rooms and suites
• Restaurant
• Bar
• Spa with sauna and Turkish bath
• Fitness room
• Coldwater pool on terrace

Contact Information

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