Hotel Dona Maria

Housed in a 14th-century palace off a cobblestone side street in the historic center, the Hotel Dona Maria reflects its history. The lobby of the embellished limestone building has black-and-white checkerboard tiles, silk-patterned sofas, carved library tables and secretary desks, oil paintings, and a reading room. The reception desk is streamlined and modern, but the lamplit space is otherwise traditional. A hip lounge with canvas sectional sofas in muted gray, purple, and turquoise has French doors that open to terrace seating. The lounge has an illuminated alabaster bar and soft seating, and is a stimulating spot for people-watching. With a frosted-glass skylit ceiling and farmhouse style chairs and fabric-covered tables, the breakfast room has the ambience of a country house. Elaborate, brass-trimmed elevators and marble staircases with fine wrought-iron and wood railings lead to the rooftop bar and lounge, whose stunning city views include the spire of the Seville Cathedral. An outdoor pool, surrounded by artificial turf and marble cafe tables with wicker chairs, is adjacent to a large bar and another terrace with white plastic furniture. The rooftop bar is a natural gathering spot, offering a taste of Seville night life to both locals and guests -- mostly couples and small touring groups -- alike.

Dona Maria is in the historic heart of Seville, just a two-minute walk from the Seville Cathedral. The Moorish palace and the Royal Alcazar of Seville are about a five-minute walk from the hotel. The Porta de Jerez metro is a nine-minute walk, and the Palace of the Countess of Lebrija, with its Moorish mosaics, as well as the Maria Luisa Park, is a 10-minute walk. The Seville Museum of Fine Arts, housed in a 17th-century palace, and the landmark square of Plaza de Espana, with its lovely ceramic tiles, are about a 15-minute walk from the hotel. The Plaza de Toros de la Real Maestranza de Caballeriade is a 15-minute drive, and the Isla Magica theme park is a little farther. Seville Airport is a 23-minute drive away. 

The 64 rooms at the Dona Maria are spacious, with high ceilings -- some have views of the city and its monuments. But decor is worn and dated, some rooms have a musty smell, and there aren't enough electrical outlets. Some outlets don't even work, and guests complain that the air-conditioning can also malfunction. Walls are mostly white, and most floors are wood, with Oriental carpets. Bedspreads have headboards or fabric flowing from a coronet, but bedspreads look worn. Several rooms have a lovely antique chests or mirrors, and oil paintings. All rooms include free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, minibars, and safes. Some Double and Triple Rooms have separate living rooms with sofa beds. Bathrooms, which include bidets, have beige marble floors and walls and counters with single or double white porcelain sinks with traditional fittings. Wall-mounted hairdryers and Aromaterapia toiletries are provided. Some bathrooms have soaking tubs and stall, glass-door showers with rainfall showerheads. Rooms, especially those near the bell tower, can be noisy.  

The rooftop pool, with views of the city, and the adjacent hip lounge bar that serves tapas and an array of cocktails, are the standout features here. There's a lounge off the lobby with indoor and outdoor seating, and a cocktail and tapas menu. Breakfast, for a fee, offers various breads, pastries and cured meats, including regional hams. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property. There's a reading room with newspapers and books to borrow, and a meeting room with some audiovisual equipment. The property offers a computer for guests' use and luggage storage. Laundry service is provided for a fee. Limited parking is available as well, but it's expensive.