Hotel Monte Carmelo

The hotel's housing, in a rather unassuming building in a quiet area of Seville, belies the vibrant common areas first seen in the lobby. Renovated in 2015 with bold black-and-white checkered floors and conceptual seating in oranges and light blues, the hotel is less about intimate quarters and more about energetic vibes. Unfortunately, rooms are a mixed bag, with many not having undergone renovations as of January 2018. Families, groups, and couples wanting an affordable spot away from the tourist-heavy center come here, as does the occasional business traveler. 

The hotel’s location on the west bank of the Guadalquivir might not seem the most convenient, as it is not in the historic center of Seville. However, this quiet area full of restaurants and bars is just across the short San Telmo and Los Remedios bridges from many of the city’s top sights, including historic Torre del Oro, Plaza de España, and the University of Seville. Other major attractions such as the Cathedral of Seville and the Archivos de Indias are less than a 15-minute walk away. Calle Betis, with its lively bars and restaurants, is a few blocks from the hotel. There are local businesses and few crowds, which makes for a more relaxed Seville experience.Seville has a wonderful historic and cultural heritage, and the best way to explore it is on foot. However, its narrow, winding streets can be difficult to navigate without a map, so make sure to get a map at the front desk. There are beautiful churches, historic buildings, and charming nooks everywhere; even the simplest door may lead to a beautiful traditional patio with whitewashed walls and flower pots bursting with flowers.- 32-minute drive to Seville Airport

• 10-minute walk to historic Torre del Oro and the Guadalquivir River banks
• 10-minute walk to Maria Luisa Park and Plaza de España historic square
• 13-minute walk to La Maestranza bullring
• 15-minute walk to the Cathedral and its famous Giralda tower, built in the 14th-century and still in use
• 15-minute walk to Archivo de Indias, containing millions of antique documents, including letters from Columbus (special permission needed)
• 22-minute walk to the Museum of Flamenco
• 27-minute walk or 8-minute drive to Casa de Pilatos, a stunning 16th-century palace
• 28-minute walk or 10-minute drive to Metropol Parasol, a wonderful marketplace with a great lookout point and Roman ruins
• Nine-minute drive to Santa Justa train station, where high-speed trains stop
• 10-minute drive to Basilica de la Macarena, one of Seville’s most famous churches

Rooms that underwent renovations in 2017 are sleek and modern, with wood floors and stylish wood paneling set against gray and white walls and clean-lined furniture. Those units featuring windows tucked into eaves are especially cozy, however, they lost some of the local feel during the refurbishment and wall art is limited to several circular mirrors. For those rooms not renovated as of January 2018, they retain the old color scheme of pale yellow walls, burgundy box curtains, and Spanish touches like turquoise headboards. Pillow menus, featuring latex, goose down, and memory foam options, is excellent, and guests might very well need it, given that some walls are quite thin between rooms.  Standard amenities consist of minibars, desks, kettles alongside tea and coffee, safes, air-conditioning, wall-mounted flat-screen TVs, and free Wi-Fi. One Junior Suite has a living area and unfurnished balcony. Bathrooms are on the small side, outfitted with either shower/tub combos or glassed-in showers, plus bidets, basic toiletries, and hairdryers. 

Overall, the hotel is pretty low on features -- you won't find a gym or meeting rooms here -- but there's much to be said for what it does offer. The downstairs restaurant and bar area is bright and cheerful, with an energetic color scheme centered around white, charcoal, and orange. Although the breakfast spread is varied and high-quality, it's pricey compared to what can be purchased in the surrounding neighborhood. The bar might not be the most intimate or romantic, but there's plenty of seating for a cocktail. The hotel offers its own parking, though there's a daily fee for it. There's also plenty of metered parking in the area surrounding the hotel. Wi-Fi is free and available throughout the hotel, though only up to 200 MB and it can be unreliable. A business center with a printer and computer can be used for free.