Located in the heart of Seville’s ancient Barrio Santa Cruz and a stone’s throw from the Moorish Jardines de Murillo, Hotel Amadeus is a hidden gem. It has become a meeting point for local and international musicians who use its soundproofed music rooms and hold regular concerts in its magnificent 19th-century balconied inner atrium.
Named after different composers, the 42 high-ceilinged rooms and suites are furnished in dark mahogany with crisp white bedlinens. Guests are made to feel welcome and relaxed in the communal spaces, adorned with polished pianos, numerous stringed instruments, saxophones and harps. There's even a piano in one of the bedrooms (don't worry, it's soundproofed too). Breakfast is served on 2 large roof terraces, where you'll also find a sunken hot tub and refreshing plunge pool, with enviable views of La Giralda, the surrounding rooftops and the parks of Jardines de Murillo and the Reales Alcázar. Classical music in the background instils an atmosphere of calm, but no hint of austerity, mainly due to the presence of the exceptionally friendly family that runs the hotel.
Highs
- The Guerrero family: Maria Luisa's 5 children all studied at the Seville Conservatory. Her son Carlos was the architect behind the clever restoration project, which created phenomenal acoustics for the communal concerts and practice rooms
- Two lifts whisk you up to a roof terrace with a Jacuzzi, saltwater plunge pool, and superb views over Santa Cruz and the Jardines de Murillo
- The smiling staff will regale you with anecdotes and tips on where to visit, eat, drink and have fun
- One of the cleanest hotels I've visited (Maria Luisa has her own launderette nearby)
- Excellent value for money considering the central location
Lows
- Some rooms are directly above street level, so noise may permeate into the room; but all have been soundproofed since our visit
- A couple of rooms in the annex are very small
- Breakfast is an unembellished continental spread
- Not for boisterous party people or large groups
Best time to go
Seville is warm all year round and has more hours of sunshine than any other major European city. July and August can get impossibly hot.
Our top tips
Coincide your visit with one of the city's impressive festivals. The week-long Semana Santa (Easter Holy Week) is involves the procession of 50 or so brotherhoods of the church, followed by elaborate floats adorned with 17th-century images of the Virgin or Christ. Just as spectacular is the Feria de Abril (in April), which encompasses flamenco, singing and dancing, as well as horse shows. Many of the men and nearly all the women wear traditional costume. Book well ahead if you want to be here during either.
- Boutique Hotel
- 42 rooms
- Breakfast + bar; restaurants nearby
- All ages welcome
- Open all year
- Plunge Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car not necessary
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
Rooms
Named after famous composers, the 42 rooms are thematically styled and vary in size, but all have an abundance of natural light. They’re spread across 4 historic buildings, overlooking the quiet Calle Farnesio and Calle San José.
In Superior Room Verdi you can play a beautiful black upright piano - though you probably shouldn't, for the neighbours' sake. Standard Room Brahms has large windows overlooking the interior courtyard, making it one of the quietest rooms. For street views and a little outside space, it’s worth plumping for one of the Terrace Rooms, in the La Música de Sevilla building.
Junior Suites are pure gems with a large double bed and a sitting area, some with bathtubs; they're very spacious, with shuttered windows overlooking the street or an internal courtyard. Similar but even larger in size, with a separate living room and a Jacuzzi tub, is the hotel’s only Suite, Rossini.
Features include:
- Bathrobes
- Hairdryer
- Minibar
- Safe box
- WiFi
Eating
The best thing about breakfast is that it's taken on the charming roof terraces. Lined with potted plants, they provide a wonderful bird's eye sanctuary, with wrought-iron tables and superb views. In winter, you can have breakfast in your room or in any of the common sitting rooms.
Don’t expect a full cooked breakfast, though. The standard continental applies: fruit, bread, jams, honey, cheese, Seville marmalade and coffee or tea.
The hotel has a small terrace bar serving drinks all day, but for meals you'll need to head out. Luckily, the area is teeming with restaurants and tapas bars, as well as some excellent breakfast cafés.
For tapas, we recommend the attractively chaotic Las Columnas; fast-paced and the ensaladilla (potato salad with tuna, crab, peas and carrots) is not to be missed. Or, if you’re after something more leisurely, Restaurante Modesto has plenty of outdoor seating and great seafood - try the coquinas (baby clams) or gambas al ajillo (shrimps cooked with olive oil, garlic and hot peppers).
Features include:
- Breakfast
- Café
- Restaurants nearby
Activities
- Regular music recitals are held within the hotel, usually a couple a month; you can also arrange to have music tuition on request
- La Carboneria, Seville’s most famous flamenco house, is just across the road and well worth a visit
- Also nearby is Aire de Sevilla, a very popular Hammam spa open until the early hours
- Climb the tower of La Giralda, one of the world's largest cathedrals and only a 10-minute walk from the hotel
- The Torre de Oro and the Guadequivir river are well worth a look and are only a short walk - or better still a cycle ride - from the hotel
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Cycling
- Historical sites
- Museums / galleries
- Nightlife
- Shopping / markets
- Traditional cultures
Kids
Children of all ages are welcome, although the overall atmosphere isn't for kids. There are no garden/play areas and very young children wouldn't be particularly welcome at the classical music concerts.
Best for:
Teens (over 12)
Family friendly accommodation:
Most rooms have a single sofabed, and cots are provided for free; the Suite can also accommodate an additional rollaway bed.
Cots Available, Extra Beds Available
Babysitting:
Babysitting is available by arrangement.
Baby equipment:
Baby cots are available on request.
Remember baby and child equipment may be limited or need pre-booking
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
Hotel Amadeus Sevilla is in the heart of Seville's Santa Cruz quarter, close to the cathedral and the Jardines de Murillo.
By Air
Seville San Pablo (10km) is the closest airport. There's a direct half-hourly bus service from the main terminal, which stops in front of the hotel Alfonso XIII. Alternatively, you can take a taxi.
By Train:
The high-speed train service (AVE) runs from the space-age Santa Justa train station, linking Seville and Madrid in just 2.5 hours. There are also services to Malaga, Granada, Córdoba, Alicante and elsewhere in Spain.
By Car
If you want to hire a car to explore the wider area (we wouldn't advise driving within Seville), there's a public car park 100m from the hotel (not reservable), and a few private spaces (reservable) - daily charge.
Detailed directions will be provided when you book through i-escape.com.
More on getting to Andalucia and getting around
Airports:
- Seville San Pablo 10.0 km SVQ
Other:
- Beach 100.0 km
- Shops 0.1 km
- Restaurant 0.1 km