accommodation
corral del rey
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 stairwell to three arched galleries, off which are just 6 rooms. There are 2 Junior Suites, 2 Deluxe Doubles and 2 Superior Doubles, all of which can be converted into twin beds. Size is what distinguishes the 3 grades; some of the cheaper rooms are quite narrow, as so often with riad-style buildings. The Junior Suites get bathtubs and kingsize beds, but the rain showers (all ensuite) in the other rooms are great, and the queensized beds perfectly comfy.
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. Sleekly Bohemian bedrooms drip with high-end comforts, including a plasma TV with surround sound in the bathroom, a walk-in rain shower and iPods with a first-class playlist. 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 restored 17th-century palacio with an atrium patio, original roman columns and vaulted cellars which house the restaurant. fabulous art displayed around the hotel, most of which is for sale. a lovely roof terrace with sun loungers, a plunge pool and views of the cathedral. proximity to the tourist spots of seville and world-class restaurants within walking distance.
hacienda de san rafael
Beguiling San Rafael stands in glorious isolation half-way between the historic cities of Seville and Jerez, amidst rolling fields of wheat, sunflower and cotton. The Reed family have owned this former olive farm for nearly a century and a half; the latest generation, Anthony and Patrick, have pulled it right to the top of the ‘hip hideaway’ rankings with a recent makeover. The feel-good factor cuts in from the moment you are greeted, at a bougainvillea-clad entrance portal, by one of the staff with a glass of chilled fino or, in the warmer months, with a fresh lime juice or iced lemongrass tea.
The 14 guest rooms and casitas are huge filled with gorgeous antiques, modern art and base elements of the original cortijo: terracotta tile, wafer bricking, massively thick walls, shuttered windows. They have private terraces, rich fabrics and rugs, freshly cut flowers and sparkling, open plan bathrooms. You are pampered at every turn - fabulous gardens, superb food and a choice of three pools secreted away amongst groves of lemon, pomegranate, olive, and carob.
Here guests come first and staff work around what you want; everybody gets VIP treatment at San Rafael. Bedrooms, drawing rooms, and dining room are high on style and comfort - it's both luxurious and informal. Choose between any number of different corners to chill: the Sunset or Lunar bar, your private terrace, a lounger in the shade of an olive tree.
The food and wine are excellent; chef Danny picked up a trick or two during his time with Gordon Ramsay and added a huge dash of southern zing.
The Reed family have been fine-tuning their hotel for years; professionalism is manifest in every corner of the cortijo - they are constantly on the case.