Sevilla is a town easily covered on foot and you are best off booking a hotel which is close to the Giralda and yet in a quiet neighbourhood (considering Sevilla has a booming nightlife scene). I was torn initially between booking this hotel and Corral Del Rey both of which are located in the quieter Jewish quarter of Seville. After much debate, I went with Palacio de Villapanes (we subsequently crossed Corral Del Rey while walking and the location of Palacio is far better). The hotel is a real treat for the senses. It is an old palace converted into a hotel by the Alma group, one of Spain's leading hotel chains.
The hotel consists of the original palace structure and a new building constructed around the courtyard. The new structure has also been designed in the old palacio style and the rooms are large, airy and private. Our room was in the new building and we did not complain. Since the reception, concierge services etc are located in the original building, those rooms are noisier I believe. The hotel offers complimentary minibar services (icluding alcoholic beverages) which is a nice touch. Wish more hotels did that!
The dressing area is separated from the room by a curtain and divided into the toilet, shower cubicle and dressing area. Bvlgari products in the bathroom was another nice touch. Towels are amongst the fluffiest I've used and the showering options were overwhelming (over 4 types of showers).
The hotel has only one restaurant for formal dining located in the original building. It is a small area and the menu is limited considering the restaurant offers fine Andalusian dining using only the freshest seasonal produce. We had one meal there and were not disappointed with the food. The limited but good selection of Rioja wines was another feature.
Breakfast is the best part of Palacio de Villapanes. It is served in their basement restaurant (no windows but it doesn't feel stuffy) and is included in your room rate. The buffet spread is fantastic and all kinds of juices / beverages are available including Cava (if you can handle it in the morning). The restaurant also has a la carte menu from which you can order breakfast items. These are also included in your room rate and the only reason they are in a menu is because they require additional cooking time. It is the first time I have seen menu items being included in a buffet breakfast price and can only marvel at how seriously the management takes care of the comfort of guests before everything else. The staff is very helpful and encourage you to order items from the menu since the portions are small.
We extensively used the concierge services at the hotel to book a car, take sightseeing information, book cruise tickets, book Flamenco show tickets etc. Nothing was too much trouble for them and the staff was fantastic. Ever smiling and ever ready to help.
Overall, Palacio de Villapanes is all that a 5 star deluxe hotel should be and more. They raise the bar significantly for deluxe hotels in Europe where service and hotel standards are usually poor. Palacio de Villapanes offers all that the discerning traveller wants. Don't even consider booking another hotel in Sevilla.
The hotel consists of the original palace structure and a new building constructed around the courtyard. The new structure has also been designed in the old palacio style and the rooms are large, airy and private. Our room was in the new building and we did not complain. Since the reception, concierge services etc are located in the original building, those rooms are noisier I believe. The hotel offers complimentary minibar services (icluding alcoholic beverages) which is a nice touch. Wish more hotels did that!
The dressing area is separated from the room by a curtain and divided into the toilet, shower cubicle and dressing area. Bvlgari products in the bathroom was another nice touch. Towels are amongst the fluffiest I've used and the showering options were overwhelming (over 4 types of showers).
The hotel has only one restaurant for formal dining located in the original building. It is a small area and the menu is limited considering the restaurant offers fine Andalusian dining using only the freshest seasonal produce. We had one meal there and were not disappointed with the food. The limited but good selection of Rioja wines was another feature.
Breakfast is the best part of Palacio de Villapanes. It is served in their basement restaurant (no windows but it doesn't feel stuffy) and is included in your room rate. The buffet spread is fantastic and all kinds of juices / beverages are available including Cava (if you can handle it in the morning). The restaurant also has a la carte menu from which you can order breakfast items. These are also included in your room rate and the only reason they are in a menu is because they require additional cooking time. It is the first time I have seen menu items being included in a buffet breakfast price and can only marvel at how seriously the management takes care of the comfort of guests before everything else. The staff is very helpful and encourage you to order items from the menu since the portions are small.
We extensively used the concierge services at the hotel to book a car, take sightseeing information, book cruise tickets, book Flamenco show tickets etc. Nothing was too much trouble for them and the staff was fantastic. Ever smiling and ever ready to help.
Overall, Palacio de Villapanes is all that a 5 star deluxe hotel should be and more. They raise the bar significantly for deluxe hotels in Europe where service and hotel standards are usually poor. Palacio de Villapanes offers all that the discerning traveller wants. Don't even consider booking another hotel in Sevilla.
No comments:
Post a Comment