Hotel Alfonso XIII, a Luxury Collection Hotel

The Hotel Alfonso XIII is Seville's most famous hotel and one of the classic grand hotels of Spain. It was built between 1916 and 1928 to accommodate the dignitaries attending the 1929 Ibero-American Exposition, designed by the architect José Espiau y Muñoz and inaugurated by King Alfonso XIII himself, who is said to have had the central courtyard redesigned because he disliked the original plan. The building is owned by the City of Seville and run as part of Marriott's Luxury Collection.

The architecture is Neo-Mudéjar, with Andalusian regionalist touches: brick façades, horseshoe arches, carved wooden ceilings, a great courtyard with a fountain and walls lined with tiles. Inside, the public rooms include a Royal Hall with bronze and crystal chandeliers, and carpets from the Royal Tapestry Factory. Over nearly a century the hotel has received royalty, politicians and film stars, and during the Second Republic it briefly carried a different name after the king went into exile.

Rooms and suites are decorated in Andalusian, Moorish or Castilian styles, and the higher categories are generous in size. Facilities include an outdoor pool in the gardens, which is a real asset in a Seville summer, and several places to eat and drink: Restaurante San Fernando in the inner courtyard, serving Spanish classics with a modern twist and a Sunday brunch, the outdoor terrace Ena Sevilla for tapas and cocktails, and Bar Americano, an Art Deco wine and cocktail bar that is worth a visit even if you are not staying. The concierge team are members of Les Clefs d'Or.

The hotel suits couples, honeymooners and anyone who wants to experience a slice of old-world luxury. Prices are at the top of the Seville market and rise sharply during Holy Week and the April Fair, when the city fills up, so book early for those dates. Parking and valet are available for a fee, check-in is from 15:00 and check-out at noon, and pets are not allowed.

The location is excellent. The hotel stands on Calle San Fernando, next to the University of Seville in the former Royal Tobacco Factory, a few minutes' walk from the Alcázar, the Cathedral and the Santa Cruz quarter. The Parque de María Luisa and the Plaza de España are about ten minutes away on foot, and the Puerta de Jerez tram stop is just outside.