Casa 1800, Seville, Spain

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Tucked away from the winding cobblestone streets and alleys of Seville in the old Jewish quarter of Santa Cruz, a grand ancient mansion harbors a special secret. On what at first glance looks like it might be a winding cul de sac, with a boisterous tapas bar on the corner, Casa 1800’s imposing façade invites lucky guests to experience an unmatched level of luxury and refinement.

At reception you’re whisked a few steps away into an adjacent private world, a cozy lounge beneath a soaring atrium with high-backed chairs that doubles as a breakfast room and afternoon tea salon.  Flooded with morning light under a massive Murano glass chandelier, Italian stuccoed walls, richly carved studded wooden doors and antiquated iron balustrades from the 1800s create an atmosphere of old-world elegance.  Later you’ll find that this is indeed the nature of much of Seville and the hotel personifies it. But more to the point, the sitting area you’re enjoying is almost a carbon copy of one just on the opposite side of it.

Tradition with a Twist

You see the three-story house built in 1864 cleverly combines twin properties, not one, which means in a way that it could have two personalities and duplicate personas. Is that any wonder in Spain, the land of Flamenco, Lorca, Almodóvar, and Picasso?  Although it follows a traditional layout with rooms accessed from a central courtyard, it is anything but traditional. After two years of meticulous restoration that enhanced most of the original architectural elements and respected the spirit of the Golden Age’s sumptuous décor, it has been transformed into a charming boutique hotel with just 33 rooms. But thankfully the décor pushes the envelope, this being Europe after all!

Offbeat Elegance

Take the accommodations where an offbeat elegance presides. Splurge a little for the Junior Suite where gilt-edged mirrors, parquet floors, antique furnishings and an alfresco Jacuzzi tub and shower on the terrace all combine to pique your adventurous side. And let’s not forget the gradient heated marble floor in the ensuite bath.  Should a cold spell hit (not likely outside of January and February) you’ll be happy to jump out of your hot shower unless, of course, you prefer to just be at one with nature and shower outside. The weather in Seville is optimal, it won’t be hard to sway your decision.

A Leisurely Breakfast, Afternoon and Sunset

Breakfast is a leisurely affair under one of the two atriums. Should you be hungover from a late night at one of the myriad tapas bars just go with the darker side adjacent to reception. There you can relax with a strong café puro while you anticipate another adventurous day in the capital of Andalusia.  Which of the 3 UNESCO World Heritage Sites will you visit?  Will it be the Alcazar palace complex, the Cathedral or … well, on second thought if it’s a blazing hot day as it was when I visited, how about the rooftop of the Casa 1800, where to your surprise you’ll find a very big secret – a giant icy cold plunge pool to cool you down. Grab a chaise longue in the shadow of the Cathedral and chill out from your serene rooftop perch. Enjoy the panoramic views and listen to the soothing chimes of The Giralda Bell Tower which has been nagging at you since you arrived. Order an herbal tea from the daily afternoon tea service and cherish a Zen moment while the sun sets.  Yes, you’ll be back!

*Situated smack in the middle of the city center, Casa 1800 offers free Wi-Fi and complimentary bottled water, too.