Hotel Zaida

The Hotel Zaida has an attractive facade, painted in pale pink and yellow, plus a traditional look that's perfectly suited for Seville's old town. Inside, the Moorish heritage is indisputable, with beautiful stone arches, and walls covered in colorful tiles. This includes an airy two-story lobby with an elegant chandelier and antique seating. Elevators and stairs lead to the upper floors, and the first floor overlooks the lobby through more detailed arches with climbing plants. There's a small lounge off the lobby which is mostly used for its internet access, and the roof terrace is a pleasant place to kick back -- with artificial grass, sun loungers, and wicker chairs creating a fresh feel. The surrounding buildings block any views, but do make it a nice, private spot, especially for guests taking advantage of the hot tub. The hotel appeals to young couples and friend groups looking for a good no-frills option right in the city. 

Hotel Zaida sits on quiet Calle San Roque in the center of Seville's old town. There's a bar and restaurant opposite and it's a few minutes on foot to pretty Plaza del Museo, home of the Museum of Fine Art, plus shops/restaurants. The main shopping district on Calle Sierpes and Calle Tetuan is less than a 10-minute walk away, and the huge cathedral is a 15-minute walk from the hotel. Expect a 15-minute walk to the nightlife near the Alameda. It's a longer 25-minute walk to the Alcazar palaces -- or you can hop on the tram from Plaza Nueva with a 10-minute walk either side. The old town can be tricky to negotiate by car, and there's no parking, but Plaza de Armas bus station is a five-minute walk from the hotel and buses leave here for the airport, with a transit time of around an hour. A taxi to the airport will take 20 minutes, and it's about 25 minutes to the train station, depending on traffic. 

Rooms at the Hotel Zaida are fairly basic and a bit dated. Furniture is done in simple oak finishes, with white or terra-cotta walls and a touch of color in the gold-patterned curtains and bed runners. Furniture is often just bedside tables and small desks, plus built-in wardrobes, so they're fairly spacious for rooms in the budget category. All include flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, free Wi-Fi, and safes. Single and Triple Rooms are available as well as the standard Double Rooms, and some of the street-side rooms have small balconies. While each room has an en-suite bathroom, they are compact and look a bit dated. Most have shower/tub combos, though some have just shower cubicles -- it's worth noting that tubs are pretty small. Hairdryers and toiletries come standard. Keep in mind that some rooms don't have functional windows, meaning they won't get much natural light or fresh air. Noise from the street may be an issue in other rooms. 

The Hotel Zaida is a budget hotel, but it does add a few nice extras for its guests. There's a pretty rooftop garden with shaded seating and a hot tub that makes a nice place to unwind. The hotel also has a small fitness room with a few cardio and weight machines. Downstairs in the lobby there's a vending machine and hot drink machine, plus a microwave. A small lounge has free internet access and a printer. Wi-Fi is free and the hotel will hold luggage for guests for no charge.