We challenge you to find a better view of Seville's glorious cathedral than the one from EME's rooftop. Occupying prime real estate in the city's buzzing heart, location is everything here. Throw in some five-star luxuries - spoiling rooms, a spa with hammam, a restaurant, a street-level tapas bar, and an achingly hip rooftop bar with an adjoining swimming pool - and you're really onto a winner.
The hotel is spread between 14 traditional Sevillian houses, which sit around a zen-like courtyard with flowing fountains and an enchanting flower stall. This patio is the heart of the building, decorated with a large whitewashed wall latticed with undulating Islamic laceria inscriptions. Step outside and the city's magnificent Alcázar (palace) is on your doorstep, not to mention a plethora of amazing tapas bar and a world-famous flamenco house. If you want traditional Spanish charm, it's not for you, but movers and shakers will love it here. It's the very epitome of city style.
Highs
- One of the most stylish hotels in town, with full marks for location, sheer pampering and class
- It's a stunning blend of traditional Moorish design with avant-garde architecture and lavish interiors
- Its flagship roof terrace is the place to see (and be seen) in town, with great drinks, front-row views of the cathedral, and a smattering of VIP guests
- The rooftop pool is a godsend in Sevillian heat, and the views from it are hard to beat
Lows
- Be prepared for a well-dressed, cliquey vibe (and pricey drinks) on the roof terrace: it's popular with high-class, frio y fino Sevillians
- Seville is a late-night place and noise continues into the small hours; the hotel claims to be soundproofed, but you might want to bring earplugs
- Corridors and some rooms are quite dark, but it keeps them nice and cool
- The rooftop pool is more suited to a quick dip than swimming
Best time to go
The overall temperature for Seville is high all year round, and it has more hours of sunshine than any other major European city. Spring and autumn are the most popular times to visit; winter is often pleasantly warm - you might even be able to lunch outside in a t-shirt; summer is blisteringly hot and probably best avoided.
Seville has two of the largest festivals in Spain, Semana Santa (Holy Week), and the Feria de Abril in April. Book well ahead if you want to be here during either.
Seville has two of the largest festivals in Spain, Semana Santa (Holy Week), and the Feria de Abril in April. Book well ahead if you want to be here during either.
Our top tips
- Request a room overlooking the Giralda - the view is worth the extra Euros. Avoid the cheapest rooms, some of which have only internal windows.
- Use of the spa and thermal circuit requires a bit of persistence - and advance booking
- Boutique Hotel
- 57 rooms
- Restaurants and bars
- 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
The smallest rooms are the Superiors, which err on the side of functional rather than indulgent. Some of them only have internal windows. We'd definitely recommend upgrading to a much-bigger Deluxe or a Grand Deluxe View, which overlooks the Giralda.
But the jewel in EME's crown has to be its exclusive Junior Suites; duplexes at the very top of the hotel. Their beds have a direct line of vision to the Giralda, and their terraces have fabulous views over Seville.
Bathrooms throughout are a delight, with carved stone sinks, Molton Brown toiletries, walk-in rainforest showers and/or in-room tubs.
Features include:
- Safe box
- WiFi
Eating
Days at EME begin with a generous breakfast buffet of Continental favourites - breads, cakes, yoghurt, fruit, ham and cheese. A number of cooked options are also on offer.
For other meals, you have three options: Milagritos Restaurant, a street-level tapas bar with excellent cured ham, or Al Lado, which offers a mixed menu of rice dishes, bugers, pizzas and pastas. The Corner Lobby-Bar overlooks the orange tree-studded courtyard - ideal for taking a break or having a read over a glass of wine, cocktail or a coffee.
But what you really come to EME for is its spectacular rooftop bar - La Terraza del EME. The decor is bright, white and contemporary. Pull up a stool, choose your cocktail, and soak up the panoramic views of the Giralda, the cathedral and the city beyond.
If you do decide to venture out, there are some great eateries in the vicinity, especially if you enjoy tapas. Delicious jamon iberico hangs in most places, or, if you fancy a change from traditional Spanish cooking, Ovejas Negras, just around the corner, serves tasty tapas with a contemporary twist - our chicken gyozas were heavenly.
Features include:
- Bar
- Restaurant
- Restaurants nearby
- Room service
Activities
- La Giralda is one of the world's largest cathedrals and is set right in front of the hotel.
- See the best example of the Moors' lasting impact on Spanish architecture, Seville’s Alcázar. A row of royal palaces built by the Catholic kings Alfonso X and Pedro I in the 14th century make up the infrastructure, along with luxuriant Babylonia gardens containing towering topiary hedges, mazes and fountains.
- Seville’s most famous flamenco house, La Carbonería, is nearby and is well worth a visit.
- Visit Aire de Sevilla, a very popular hammam spa open late-night daily. The 90-minute bathing experience is mixed, often in groups, and you can bring your own bathers. Stick around afterwards for refreshments; there are over 50 varieties of loose leaf teas, accompanied by delicate Turkish sweets and pastries - the cold mint tea is particularly refreshing.
- Santa Cruz is the medieval district behind the Alcázar and La Giralda, bordering Menéndez Pelayo and the Moorish Jardines de Murillo. Formerly Seville’s main Jewish quarter, this is where the wealthy elite still reside. Don’t miss the Flamenco Museum or the horse-drawn taxis.
- The hotel spa provides the perfect excuse to pamper the body and relax the mind.
- Relax by the rooftop swimming pool and admire the Seville skyline.
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Historical sites
- Museums / galleries
- Shopping / markets
- Well being
Kids
Children of all ages are welcome, though there are no particular facilities for families.
Best for:
Babies (0-1 years)
Family friendly accommodation:
The Suite with Views comprises two rooms interconnected by a private corridor, ideal for families with older children (one queensize and one twin room) plus room for an extra bed. Junior Suites can hold an extra bed or baby cot. A cot can also be added to Deluxe Views.
Cots Available, Extra Beds Available
Babysitting:
Babysitting can be arranged.
Baby equipment:
Baby cots can be provided on request.
Remember baby and child equipment may be limited or need pre-booking
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
EME catedral hotel is situated in the very centre of Seville, looking out to the Giralda.
By Air
Seville San Pablo Airport (15km) has links from other cities within Spain and Europe.
From the Airport:
The hotel offers an airport transfer service. Airport buses run every 30 minutes to central Seville; the journey time is about 30 minutes. Taxis wait outside the terminal building, and prices are higher on weekends, public holidays, and late night.
By Train
The high-speed train service (AVE) links Seville with Madrid in just 2.5 hours. There are 15 trains daily and some stop in Córdoba and Ciudad Real. There are also frequent links to Barcelona, Valencia, Alicante and Cáceres.
By Car
If you don't plan to go further afield than the city, we don't recommend hiring a car as local transport is very good, and it's easy to get around by bike/on foot. If you do want to hire a car though, it's a 20-minute drive from the airport to the hotel. There's public valet parking 100m from the hotel for a daily charge.
Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.
Airports:
- Seville San Pablo 15.0 km SVQ
Other:
- Beach 100.0 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