Travel
Seville is one of those cities where you must get lost on purpose in order to fully embrace it's charms. And it is on the winding, cobbled streets of its historical center where you will find so many hidden gems, including the amazing luxury boutique Hotel Corral del Rey, located only a few minutes walk from the much celebrated Seville Cathedral, the largest in the world and the burial place of Christopher Columbus.
At Hotel Corral del Rey we were welcomed by the friendliest of staff, and the personal treatment continued during our whole stay. From showing us to the room which was in the building just across the street, to recommending us places to visit and joking about the terribly hot weather outside, my husband and I felt like meeting old friends.
In the morning we were served freshly squeezed orange juice and the best orange marmalade I've ever tasted. The breakfast room was small but intimate, with soft music playing in the background.
We were also shown the penthouse suite, beautifully decorated with objects from the old and modern world, following the same creative design we could see all over Hotel Corral del Rey.
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Travel
Hotel Corral del Rey, Seville. A Warm Welcome in A 17th Century Palace
Seville is one of those cities where you must get lost on purpose in order to fully embrace it's charms. And it is on the winding, cobbled streets of its historical center where you will find so many hidden gems, including the amazing luxury boutique Hotel Corral del Rey, located only a few minutes walk from the much celebrated Seville Cathedral, the largest in the world and the burial place of Christopher Columbus.
The Room & The Service
At Hotel Corral del Rey we were welcomed by the friendliest of staff, and the personal treatment continued during our whole stay. From showing us to the room which was in the building just across the street, to recommending us places to visit and joking about the terribly hot weather outside, my husband and I felt like meeting old friends.
The hotel is situated in a 17th century house palace, which for us meant a lot, as this was the first time we slept in a palace-hotel. We stayed in the Junior Suite which was amazingly decorated, stylish and spacious, with plenty of wooden decors and soft colors. A perfect combination of old and new, with beautiful objects brought all the way from India, but not only.
Freshly cut flowers decorated both the room and the bathroom and I must admit that this trick goes a really long way with me every time. And so did the chocolates and the strawberries we found every evening on the nightstand. It is always the little details that make me realize how much a hotel really cares about their guests and I can tell from the bottom of my heart that the people working at Corral del Rey are truly committed and do all humanly possible to make their guests feel welcomed and happy.
However, we were truly sold the moment we came back from the Flamenco Dance Museum and we realized somebody came in our absence and had prepared the bed for the night. It was the first and only time we saw this much dedication and meticulosity at a hotel. Again, the 'feel at home' idiom was underrated, and we felt like royalty.
One more thing that impressed us was the little present awaiting for us in the room - a can of olive oil produced at their sister hotel, Hacienda de San Rafael, an old olive estate between Seville and Jerez de la Frontera. It was the same brand that we were served at breakfast next mornings and given our healthy love for olive oil, we were pleasantly impressed. However, all in all we just stuffed the can in our hand luggage, without thinking much about the airport restrictions and days later at the airport, we faded when the security guy pulled us aside. But, when he saw we were carrying olive oil, we are not sure if it was typical Andalusian politeness or regional pride, but he graciously let us board the plane, olive oil included.
The room might have looked very neat at first glance, but behind what seemed to be simple closet doors, there was a myriad of technology. Apart from the big TV, DVD player and iPhone docking, there was a small kitchen, with microwave and coffee maker, a bottle of wine, tea bags, and every afternoon a full bucket of ice was left by the staff for us to cool down after the hot May walks through the city.
The Bathroom
The bathroom was one of the most spacious we've ever seen, with rain shower, plenty of natural light and lots of mirrors. I simply loved the wooden doors that separated the room from the bathroom, so in tone with the rest of the decor and all the customized towels and bathrobes with the symbol of Corral del Rey.
The Lobby
The reception is small but pleasant to the eye, decorated in the same style as the rooms, with soft colors, freshly cut flowers and wooden beams.
The Breakfast
The Penthouse Suite
We were also shown the penthouse suite, beautifully decorated with objects from the old and modern world, following the same creative design we could see all over Hotel Corral del Rey.
From the huge bathroom of the penthouse, the Giralda Tower could be spotted. Now, imagine taking a bath with views at one of the most famous towers out there!
We highly recommend Hotel Corral del Rey. From its excellent location, to the friendly and helpful staff and the impeccable decors, we are thrilled to have spend the night in a former Andalusian palace.
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