Great city center location less than ten minutes’ walk from the Cathedral
Well-maintained rooms with kettles, mini-fridges, and flat-screen TVs
Some rooms have more modern furnishings and terraces
Sunny rooftop terrace with a small pool and loungers under umbrellas
Rooftop bar with views of Seville’s skyline
Restaurant serving large buffet breakfast and a la carte lunch and dinner
Hotel shares a nearby parking lot with another property
Free Wi-Fi throughout hotel
No gym or wellness facilities
Complaints about sound traveling through thin walls
Decor in some areas is dated
Some rooms have views of brick walls
Pool is seasonal
The three-pearl Hotel Fernando III has an enviable location in the heart of Seville, just seven minutes' walk from the Cathedral and less than 20 from the Plaza de Espana. Although its fantastic setting means that outside space is at a premium, there is a sunny rooftop terrace with a pool and adjacent bar, offering views over the red tile rooftops and church spires of Seville. The 151 rooms are large and typically bright, although some face into an internal courtyard and have views of a brick wall. Amenities include flat-screen TVs, tea- and coffee-making facilities, and free Wi-Fi. A well-reviewed restaurant is on-site, but there are no gym or spa facilities. Guests set on a hotel with wellness offerings may want to check out Las Casas de la Juderia and its charming terraces.
Scene
A traditional city-center hotel with a sleek rooftop terrace offering dramatic views
Hotel Fernando III is a mostly traditionally styled property that largely draws couples and families staying for a brief city break, attracted by its enviable location. The sleek, contemporary white furniture and lush potted greenery on the hotel’s rooftop pool terrace cuts a dramatic contrast with the surrounding roofs’ red-clay tiles and Seville’s Baroque church spires. Inside and downstairs is a more classic affair, however, with heavily veined marble parquet floors polished up to a high sheen and faux-brick finishing on the walls, plus brightly colored, geometric Moorish tiles that are omnipresent in Andalusia, and heavy wooden furniture.
Location
Seven-minute walk to the Cathedral and 18 to the Plaza de Espana
It’s pretty hard to beat the Fernando III’s location for the price. It’s just seven minutes’ walk from the city’s dramatic Baroque cathedral, and attractions such as Casa de Pilatos, Museum of Flamenco, and Metropol Parasol can all be found within a few blocks of the hotel. Calle Sierpes, the city’s main shopping area, is just a 10-minute walk away. The Plaza de Espana -- where films including Lawrence of Arabia and the Star Wars prequels were filmed -- is an 18-minute walk away. Expect a 25-minute drive to Seville Airport, or between 45 minutes and an hour via public transport. Santa Justa train station, where high-speed trains connect Seville with Madrid, Cordoba, and other main cities, is a 13-minute drive away. A nearby parking lot is shared (for a fee) with another hotel.
Rooms
Spacious rooms, some of which have sunny terraces or brick-wall views
The air-conditioned rooms in the Fernando III are a bit of a mixed bag, depending on whether or not they have been renovated, and whether they face out onto the street or a small interior courtyard. Rooms that face the street have pretty terraces with terra-cotta tiles and wrought-iron railings, while those that face inwards have views of a brick wall. Regardless, all rooms are large and decorated in neutral tones, with tile floors, white walls, and beds covered in crisp white linens, and sizable desks. Although renovated rooms have more modern furnishings, the real difference lies in the bathrooms, where serviceable but aging marble tiling is replaced by sleek floor-to-ceiling slate tile. Bathrooms have either shower/tub combos or showers, plus free toiletries, hairdryers, and bidets. Suites have a small lounge with brown-suede armchairs, separated from the bedroom by a sliding panel of frosted glass. Some guests have complained that the rooms have thin walls, and sound travels easily between rooms. All rooms have free Wi-Fi, minibars, safes, tea- and coffee-making facilities, and flat-screen TVs.
Features
A rooftop pool terrace and bar, and all-day restaurant
Because of its enviable city-center location, outdoor space is limited at the Fernando III, but that doesn't stop the hotel from offering facilities under the sun. A sunny rooftop terrace has a small pool and adjacent bar, with plenty of space for loungers and contemporary seating, as well as views over the red-clay roofs and dramatic Baroque spires of the surrounding city. Note that the pool is open seasonally. A varied buffet breakfast is served in the hotel’s restaurant and receives positive reviews, and there are also a la carte lunch and dinner available. A cafe serves drinks, snacks, and light meals. There is free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel, and guests are offered a welcome drink when they arrive. On the downside, there are no fitness or spa facilities.