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.
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
Our guests' ratings...
Based on 1 independent review from i-escape guests
While we encountered no problems at Hotel Amadeus, I can’t say we loved our stay. We found the musical theme somewhat contrived. A big Rick Steves tour group was there - which I appreciate is coincidental, but not what I expected of an i-escape hotel.
Feedback is only from guests who have booked and stayed through i-escape