Located in Seville’s trendy Alameda district, close to the city centre and high-street shops, this 18th-century former convent built on the site of a Roman temple has been meticulously transformed into a chic hotel, spread over 3 levels. Frescoed ceilings, Roman statues, oak beams, vaulted abóbada cloisters and the beautiful galleried central courtyard (complete with a trickling fountain) stand testament to its auspicious history. Fresh and elegant, the 25 pale green bedrooms have pleasing details such as wooden shutters and painted or carved headboards.
The hotel overlooks La Alameda de Hercules plaza, which is awash with cafes, restaurants and nightclubs popular with the bohemian set. It's a great area to go out in and a perfect place to people watch; expect to see throngs of beautiful young Sevillanos, especially at weekends. By opting for this neighbourhood, you'll get an instant taste of how the locals wind down and enjoy themselves; follow their lead and fall in love with this beautiful city.
Highs
- Cosy atmosphere and beautifully furnished rooms
- Simple, no-fuss service - genuinely helpful staff will give as much attention as required, without being overly fussy
- A low-key sanctuary - despite the high-octane location, this 'monastic' hotel is not a place for riotous behaviour
- Well priced, especially in low season
- Eco measures include a selective waste separation system, double-glazing (which also enhances the tranquil nature of the property), and solar panels which generate 25% of the energy thus the hotel now has an A-rated energy certificate
Lows
- Expect plenty of street life and live music (especially on weekends) - we had to reach for the earplugs at 4am when locals starting singing below our window
- Breakfasts are a little disappointing - make use of the many eateries on your doorstep instead
- Interior Standard Room windows open onto the interior corridor - it's quieter but there's little natural light
- No pool or garden; not ideal for Seville's sweltering summer temperatures
Best time to go
The ideal time to visit would be during the spring, early summer and autumn; July and August are extremely hot. Seville hosts 2 of the largest festivals in Spain, Semana Santa (Holy Week), and the Feria de Abril, both in April. The highlight of Semana Santa is the arrival at Seville's cathedral of the platform or paso bearing La Macarena, the patroness of bullfighters. The temporary Feria de Abril fair is covered in hundreds of "casetas" where the flamenco singing and dancing takes place. Book the hotel well in advance for either.
Our top tips
This a buzzing area perfect for those wanting to immerse themselves in the tapas bar scene - just remember to bring ear-plugs for when you've had your fill!
- Boutique Hotel
- 25 rooms
- Breakfast only (+ walk to restaurants)
- All ages welcome
- Open all year
- Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car not necessary
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
Rooms
A great amount of work has been put into the building’s detailed restoration resulting in a genuinely warm, cosy atmosphere throughout the romantic bedrooms and central arched inner courtyard.
Each spotlessly clean bedroom is named after a character from the legend of Hercules - Emiranto, Creta, and Palatino - who is reputed to have founded Seville. Décor mixes classic French furnishings with modern Philippe Starck fittings. Super-comfy beds are decked out with good-quality bed linen, and have gorgeous hand-painted headboards.
The light-filled first-floor Standard Rooms have French windows overlooking the lively Alameda plaza. The views are great, but noise from the restaurants and bar scene can be disruptive. Higher floor are usually quieter though often at the sacrifice of city views. Light sleepers should probably request an Interior Standard Room, they have less natural light as their windows face Sacristia’s interior gallery, but you'd be guaranteed a good night's sleep. Superior Rooms are comfortable and spacious.
If you feel like really indulging, the second-floorJunior Suitehas a wonderful 'Mudejar' fresco and a large sitting area.
Well-designed bathrooms are spacious and have big drenching showers (some also have tubs), good quality toiletries and copious towels.
Features include:
- Minibar
- Safe box
- WiFi
Eating
A continental buffet breakfast is served daily (excluding July). It features a selection of pastries, yoghurts, cereals, eggs, meats and cheeses.
The area around Hotel Sacristia de Santa Ana is teeming with great restaurants and tapas bars, as well as excellent breakfast cafes. Bohemian-chic Contenedor is among the best in town and highly original in the farmhouse sense. Beef solomillo is enhanced with peach and roasted pepper; the meatballs come with fried shitake and a spicy Caribbean sofrito using carrot pil pil and orange slices.
Family run Eslava is the busiest and probably best tapas bar in Seville. There are only 7 tables so book in advance. The French delicatessen Patito has become a popular hangout for Seville’s wine community. Stand-up tables made from upturned oil drums and subtly lit bare red-brick walls provide the perfect setting for an evening of cheeses and wine.
For great-value fine dining, stylish El Gallinero de Sandra is excellent. We enjoyed a starter of anchovies on toast - just heavenly, with good quality bread and olive oil. This was followed by the best salmorejo (soup) we have ever eaten. For mains we shared an octopus chop suey and herb-crusted lamb with sautéed potatoes, both delicious. To finish off we had a wonderfully creamy pistachio and strawberry parfait with strawberry sorbet.
Features include:
- Breakfast
- Restaurants nearby
Activities
- Explore the 16th-century Plaza de La Alameda de Hercules, Seville’s largest avenue, built as an ornamental garden with 3 fountains in the midst of the Guadalquivir river and the famous Macarena neighbourhood
- After the Reconquest, the Spanish began to eliminate all traces of Moorish architecture. Thankfully some survived, including the stunning 14th-century Alcazar royal palace surrounded by luxuriant Babylonic gardens of towering hedges, mazes and fountains
- La Carboneria, Seville’s most famous flamenco house is just across the road and well worth a visit
- Try the bathing experience at the popular Aire de Sevilla hammam spa (open until late) ; bring your own bathers and expect mixed groups. They also serve over 50 varieties of quality loose leaf teas accompanied by delicate Turkish sweets and pastries
- La Giralda, one of the world's largest cathedrals, is a 20-minute walk from the hotel, as is Torre de Oro, the golden tower
- The fabulous artefacts removed from the hotel during the restoration are now housed in various archaeological museums; reception can help you seek them out
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Historical sites
- Museums / galleries
- Nightlife
- Shopping / markets
- Traditional cultures
Kids
Children are welcome but there are no garden/play areas for them. Cots can be arranged; extra beds are available in low season only.
Family friendly accommodation:
Cots Available, Extra Beds Available
Baby equipment:
Baby cots 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 Sacristia de Santa Ana sits in the bustling Plaza de La Alameda (Seville's main avenue since the 10th century), in the bohemian Alameda district of Seville. It's close to the historic centre and a 20-minute walk from the cathedral.
By Air
Seville San Pablo (11km) is the closest airport. Or you could fly into Gibraltar (200km) or Malaga (216km). A direct bus service runs from Seville airport’s main terminal to the hotel Alfonso XIII, from here you should take a taxi.
By Train
The high-speed train (AVE) links Madrid and Seville in 2.5 hours. There are daily trains and some stop in Cordoba and Ciudad Real. You can also travel from Barcelona, Valencia, Alicante and Caceres.
By Bus
Several bus services link the city to main towns in the Province and the rest of Spain and European capitals. These buses arrive at the Plaza de Armas and the Prado Bus Station.
By Car
You probably won't want to drive if you're staying put in Seville, but if you're planning on exploring the region, it'd be worth hiring a car. San Pablo Airport is well connected to the city centre by the N-IV road towards Madrid. Hotel Sacristía de Santa Ana does not have a car park, but here is public parking 100m from the hotel (daily charge).
By Bicycle
Within the city limits the best way to travel is by bike, the City Council provides dozens of bike stations and hundreds of miles of bike lanes.
Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.com.
More on getting to Andalucia and getting around.
Airports:
- Seville San Pablo Airport 11.0 km SVQ
Other:
- Beach 90.0 km
- Shops 0.1 km
- Restaurant 0.1 km
Our guests' ratings...
Based on 2 independent reviews from i-escape guests
Feedback is only from guests who have booked and stayed through i-escape