Corral del Rey

Riad-style intimacy in central Seville: a 13-room hotel with a sleek interior and a plunge pool on the roof

It’s easy to walk past the Corral del Rey, which sits discreetly on a cobbled street of the same name, minutes from the bustle and beauty of the Cathedral district. Set behind heavy studded Moorish doors, it maintains a smart coolness, with the private, intimate air of the best Moroccan riads.

From the small but sleek reception area, you look up a central airwell to 3 arched galleries, off which are 6 of the rooms. A stone staircase leads up past them to a roof terrace, ideal for breakfast or cocktails; a tiny plunge pool offers respite from the city heat. The rest of the rooms sit in an annex across the street. Sleekly bohemian, all of the bedrooms drip with high-end comforts, including a plasma TV with surround-sound in the bathroom, a walk-in rain shower and iPods with first-class playlists. In fact, you could easily spend the day inside and forget about seeing Seville. But try not to. The jaw-droppingly lovely Giralda, Alcazar and Gardens are just around the corner; explore further and you'll find some of the greatest tapas bars on earth. A great little hotel - more of an upmarket B&B really - which is worth a bit of a splurge.

Highs

• Restored 17th-century palacio with an atrium patio, original Roman columns and vaulted cellars
• Fabulous art displayed around the hotel, most of which is for sale
• A lovely roof terrace with sunloungers, a plunge pool and views of the cathedral
• Beautifully designed rooms. For the ultimate in luxury, book the Penthouse Suite with its private terrace and plunge pool
• Proximity to the tourist spots of Seville and there are world-class restaurants are within walking distance

Lows

• Due to the riad-style design, some bedrooms are quite narrow
• The music in the common areas might not be to everyone’s taste
• This is a small operation - reception is not always staffed, and the restaurant currently only offers breakfast
• You can hear street noise in some rooms
• It's not cheap, but smart hotels in the heart of Seville never are