Six centuries ago, Seville was one of Europe’s richest and most important cities. A gateway to, and main trading port with, the “New World”. Much of the wealth that flowed in over the centuries was invested in opulent mansions, and these are now enchanting, upscale hotels, reflecting the city’s rich artistic and architectural legacy – original stone floors, pretty patios, hand-painted tiles. At the other end of the timescale is the lipstick-shaped skyscraper, which allows you to see over the entire cityscape. These four and five-star hotels are a mix of individually owned, small groups and international chains, but each one is outstanding for its style, comfort, and location, plus those extras that we’re always delighted by in a high-end establishment.

Best luxury hotels in Seville 2025

At a glance

1. Hotel Alfonso XIII

Easily the most magnificent hotel in Seville, this landmark property was designed to accommodate the eponymous king, his family and important guests at the 1929 Ibero-American Expo. The majestic Regionalist building shows off Seville crafts – signature pale pink bricks and colourful Triana tiles – while 151 luxurious rooms feature geometric marble flooring, plush upholstered wardrobes, and exquisite Moroccan stucco arches; the suites are suitably regal. At Ena terrace restaurant (named after Alfonso’s English queen), tuck into excellent salads (broccoli, courgette, and quinoa), accompanied by night-time flamenco, while you can sip your Alfonso Spritz (elderflower spirit, white wine, and grapefruit soda) in the glamorous American Bar to live jazz. The palm-shaded garden’s swimming pool is a delight, and, highly unusual for Seville, the hotel even has its own onsite car park.

Address: C. San Fernando, 2, Casco Antiguo, 41004 Sevilla, Spain

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Supremely elegant – it is a former Marquess’ palace, after all – this establishment in Alfalfa barrio brings Mid-century style and wood parquet floors to a grand 18th-century Andalucian house with pretty arcaded patio, stunning marble floors and lofty ceilings. Contemporary furniture and artworks in the 50 pared-down rooms, some with wood panelling, create a chic feel. From the rooftop terrace, with its daybeds and plunge pool, you can see the Cathedral and Salvador church, while the basement spa offers relaxation and pampering. Eat in the spacious terrace, rather than the dark dining room – decent but pricey Mediterranean cuisine with a modern touch (almadraba tuna tataki with wheat, pumpkin and wakame); we especially love the Moroccan-vibe cubby-hole in the bar.

Address: C. Santiago, 31, Casco Antiguo, 41003 Sevilla, Spain

Read more: The enchanting Spanish town that got tourism right

3. Eurostars Torre Sevilla hotel

At this tower hotel, in the top 19 floors of Andalucia’s eponymous tallest building which opened in 2018, the views are clearly the main attraction. As it’s elliptically-shaped, every room has a prime bird’s eye vista of the city laid out below, from the Cartuja Monastery to the north, via 180-degree views of the river, to Triana neighbourhood. The 244 rooms are comfortable if corporate, with huge picture windows, which are also present in the restaurant, spa – being pummelled in a pool at 170-odd metres is an elevating experience – and the stunning top-floor panoramic bar, refreshingly breezy even on hot nights thanks to a partially opening roof. Look out for pointers on the floor indicating the locations of the main city monuments.

Address: Sevilla Tower, Pl. Alcalde Sánchez Monteseirín, 2 edificio, 41092 Sevilla, Spain

Read more: The Mediterranean escape with something for all the family

4. Hotel Mercer Sevilla

Low-key luxe personified, this Arenal district hotel is all about impeccable service and unflashy hedonism. The 19th-century mansion was masterfully converted by the same Seville architects who renovated the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, Cruz y Ortiz. The proportions – tall, light-filled patio with 15-metre vertical garden stretching up the roof terrace (closed to the general public, unusually); supremely elegant, curved marble staircase – give a feeling of space; plus, there are only 11 rooms in the sizeable building. Fabulously comfortable Poltrona Frau beds as well as Japanese toilets and unfussy décor – large monochrome artworks, gunmetal grey rugs – add to the urban luxury feel. The restaurant is a secret winner – try the bao buns with presa ibérica (pork shoulder).

Address: C. de Castelar, 26, Casco Antiguo, 41001 Sevilla, Spain

Read more: Best luxury hotels in Tenerife for sophisticated retreats and adults-only spa escapes

5. Hotel Casa Palacio Don Ramón

Awarded Best New Boutique Hotel in the World Travel Awards 2024, this privately-owned establishment delights from drinks to décor. El Limón restaurant is one of the city’s most enchanting spaces, with smart, white-jacketed waiters, lemon trees, zingy orange and green geometric tiles and Seville’s La Cartuja tableware. The entire hotel creates an enveloping, magical atmosphere: an exquisite mural of lemon trees and birds in the bar, a trompe l’oeil of the Alcazar gardens in the lobby, Turkish Topkapi Palace-inspired wallpaper in the halls. Back on home ground, try superb wines from nearby (ask for zancúo grape), while furniture is handmade by a local artisan. On a practical level, traffic sounds from the busy street – you’re steps away from the main shopping district – are thankfully muted by thick glass in the 26 rooms.

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6. Hotel Colón Gran Meliá

We love this hotel for its corner rooftop pool-with-views, gorgeous Art Deco stained glass dome, weekend live music and flamenco shows, but mainly for its mini-museum on the ground floor. Fans, flamenco dresses and guitars greet guests as they check in, plunging you straight into Sevillano culture. In another salon, displays of photos, programmes and invitations relate the history of the hotel, and the city’s Expo in 1929 for which it was built; you can also check out ceramic tiles, prehistoric jewellery replicas, and book and mementoes from Semana Santa (Holy Week). There’s a cool co-working room which doubles as a library of Spanish writers – they hold a monthly book club here. For pampering, the Clarins Spa is next to the rooftop pool. Another touch we like is the electric Audi Q e-tron car that guests can borrow – though we’d suggest driving out of the city, to avoid the labyrinthine centre.

Read more: Best cities to visit in Spain – where to stay and what to do in each one

7. Vincci Selección Unuk hotel

Holding a prime spot in Alfalfa, between Plaza Cristo de Burgos and the bar-filled barrio back streets, this hotel is one of only three in Seville with a Michelin key, the new hotel award (the others are Palacio Villapanes and the Mercer Sevilla). The urban chic property nails the period/contemporary fusion in an uber-cool mix of marble columns, velvet sofas and geometric patterned floors, plus fabulous metal chain pendant lights. Black glass panels and globe lights lend the rooms a futuristic feel. Be sure to visit the glass cube rooftop restaurant, with outdoor terrace (and a small pool), at least once – prepped for all weather eventualities, with openable 360-degree windows and air-con; you’re surrounded by a veritable sea of tiled church domes. Recommended refreshment: fino spritz (sherry with lemon, mint, and bergamot).

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8. EME Catedral Mercer hotel

You can’t get closer to the world’s largest Gothic cathedral than this: from the roof terrace bar, check out the orange tree-filled Patio de Naranjas, formerly the entrance to the 12th-century Great Mosque. This Islamic heritage is celebrated in the patio’s celosia (lattice screen) which you can admire while dining at Al Lado Italian restaurant; for Spanish rice dishes, Mi Arma’s pavement terrace looks onto the Giralda (minaret of the mosque), and Maestro is an abaceria, where you sit at the wooden bar and taste wine (order El Sueño del Niño) with tapas of cold meats and cheese. All 60 minimalist rooms reflect the celosia motif as headboards; cathedral-facing ones are noisier at night, but any room with this view during the Holy Week processions is highly prized.

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9. Barceló Sevilla Renacimiento hotel

If you’re going to an event at the Olympic Stadium – a football match, since both Seville football clubs are relocating there while their stadia are renovated, or a concert – or you’re visiting nearby Isla Magica theme park (water park, tethered hot air balloon, what’s not to like?) – this is a great place to stay. You’re outside the centre, on Isla Cartuja where the Expo 92 was held, so there’s plenty of outdoor space. A modern building with lofty glass atria, pools and palm trees, and 295 contemporary-styled rooms, as well as pleasant Arrozante rice restaurant, and Santa Maria gastrobar, this property also has a beautiful garden with a sizeable indoor-outdoor swimming pool (indoor heated in winter), plus kids’ pool, perfect for a lazy (or energetic, depending on your aquatic sporting prowess) post-sightseeing afternoon.

Read more: The best boutique hotels in Ibiza for chic suites and Instagram-worthy pools

10. Only You Hotel Sevilla

The building’s aesthetics, views and location (handy for trains, admittedly, being opposite the station) aren’t the best, but we love everything else about this place: the retro-chic interiors, smiling staff, pretty pool surrounded by macrame parasols and cute wooden beach bar. The 221 rooms have soothing lighting and Smart TVs which list the English-language channels on one screen – a small but gratifying detail. At breakfast, their own barista creates brews: coffee-lovers will appreciate Rocio’s dab hand with a Japanese syphon and V60 to start their day. Be aware that after you’ve filled up on the excellent breakfast, delicious pastries by local baker Manu Jara are on sale in the lobby – can you resist his apricot and pistachio tart (we can’t)?

Read more: Best cheap hotels in Ibiza if you’re on a budget

Why trust us

The hotels featured in this list have been carefully selected by The Independent’s expert travel writer, Fiona Flores Watson, a freelance writer and editor who has lived in Seville, Spain, for 20 years and has a deep knowledge of the destination, ensuring a personal and informed perspective. When picking which hotels to include, they consider their own experience staying in the hotels and evaluate location, facilities, service and all the other details that make for an exceptional stay for all types of traveller.

FAQs

When is the best time of year to travel to Seville?

To visit the city when the temperatures are not too hot, visit Seville in spring or autumn. Temperatures in these months range from 15-25C on average.

Where are the nicest areas to stay in Seville?

Barrio Santa Cruz is the city’s most famous neighbourhood, known for its historical architecture and tapas bars tucked away on small, colourful streets. Meanwhile, Triana is one of Seville’s most traditional areas where many locals live, Barrio Alfalfa has beautiful plazas and independent shops to explore, while La Alameda de Hércules is a trendy area with vibrant nightlife.

Where do celebrities stay?

The luxury Hotel Alfonso XIII is one of the most well-known hotels in the city, and has likely attracted celebrities since opening in 1928.

What currency do I need?

Seville uses the euro (€).

Over 10,000 hotels in Europe have joined a class action lawsuit against Booking.com. They demand compensation for alleged damages caused by the well-known hotel booking site’s previous clauses preventing them from offering lower prices elsewhere. These clauses allegedly violate European regulations.

The lawsuit is being filed by the European hospitality industry association Hotrec. “European hoteliers have long suffered from unfair terms and conditions and excessive costs. Now is the time to stand together and demand redress,” said chairman Alexandros Vassilikos.

In the Netherlands, the Consumentenbond is also preparing a mass claim on behalf of consumers. Approximately 180,000 people registered in the first week after the consumers’ association’s announcement.

Booking.com previously disputed the claims. A spokesperson said in early July that they were based on an incorrect interpretation of previous rulings. “It is absolutely nonsense to claim that Booking.com has artificially inflated prices.”

Last year, the European Court of Justice ruled that the restrictions imposed by Booking.com on hotels offering lower rates on their own websites or other platforms were unnecessary and could reduce competition. However, Booking.com argued that such clauses were not inherently anticompetitive under EU law.

If the class actions go to court, Booking.com intends to oppose them. The platform, founded in the Netherlands in the 1990s, has abandoned the offending policy in Europe.

Parity clauses are no longer permitted under the European Digital Markets Act, which came into effect last year. This law is intended to curb the power of digital platforms, which consumers and businesses can hardly ignore.

Torrential rains couldn’t dampen the spirits of Sydney hoteliers this weekend, with rugby fans packing out hotels for the final test of The British and Irish Lions Tour.

A crowd of 80,312 attended Saturday night’s Wallabies v Lions match at Accor Stadium, with Accor hotels also having cause for celebration, reportinga combined occupancy of 97% for Sydney Centre and 95% for Sydney West.

Sydney is the last city to experience the Lions effect, which Accor has declared “a nationwide tourism triumph”, with tens of thousands of travelling fans driving record hotel occupancies and major economic benefits across the country.

“From Perth to Sydney, the influx of international and domestic visitors is driving exceptional results for our hotels and the broader visitor economy,” said Accor Pacific Chief Operating Officer, Adrian Williams.

“This tour is a powerful reminder of the impact major sporting events have in energising cities, filling hotels, and supporting restaurants, bars, and attractions nationwide.”

For the majority of games, Accor hotels in hosting cities achieved occupancy rates above 90%.

In Adelaide, Accor hotels hit 100% occupancy on July 12 for the Invitational AU and NZ vs The Lions game, while the Western Force vs Lions clash in Perth saw the largest year-on-year growth with a +21% increase, reaching 92% occupancy for Accor hotels on June 28.

The Lions effect even eclipsed the star power of Taylor Swift for Accor hotels across Melbourne, which recorded 99% occupancy for the Wallabies vs Lions match – Accor’s highest ever occupancy result for Melbourne Centre, surpassing the Taylor Swift effect, which peaked at 96%.

Accor’s booking platform, ALL.com, has also experienced a surge in bookings from the UK and Ireland in the past four weeks compared to 2024, with international stays up 92.9%.

“This isn’t just a win for rugby – it’s a win for tourism, hospitality and every community lucky enough to host a game,” added Williams.

Many Accor hotels across the country leaned into the buzz of the major sporting event by creating guest-focused experiences, from themed food and beverage promotions to playful lobby activations.