Petit Palace Marques Santa Ana

Tucked among the cobblestone streets of Seville's Old Town, the Petit Palace Marques Santa Ana blends modern and historic touches. The glass-topped central atrium has polished white marble floors inlaid with two slender rectangles of black tile that connect the large open space. To one side, a reception area features  bare-bulb lamps and drop globe lighting. Inside the courtyard, walls are surrounded by Roman arches. Box-drum lampshades, deep-set plush chairs and sofas, and dark, bent-metal tables almost complete this tableau. But there's an information kiosk in the corner that makes the space look a little like a shopping mall. For all the feeling of space created in the multi-storied courtyard, the separate dining area is cramped, as is the conference room. Outside another courtyard offers more seating, with white minimalist tables and chairs, but it's also narrow. The sunny rooftop deck has more seating and umbrellas, and offers gorgeous skyline views including the Seville Cathedral. In general, the property has a lot of room for potential, but doesn't look as nice as it could. Guests are a mix of families and couples on vacation in Seville. 

The only challenge with this location -- and it's common with old European cities -- is finding it. One strategy for an easy arrival is to ask the hotel to book the airport transport, the ride should only take about 22 minutes, and some guests have reported getting lower fares this way. The Seville Cathedral -- visible from the rooftop deck -- is just a four-minute walk away from the hotel. Heading in the same direction, La Giralda is also about four minutes away on foot, and just two minutes beyond that is the Alcázar Palace. Heading in the opposite direction, the Golden Tower is a seven-minute walk. The Metropol Parasol, said to be the largest wooden structure in the world, is just 12 minutes away on foot. Guests who want to see the water can head to the Seville Harbor, just 16 minutes away by car, or check out the Sanlúcar de Barrameda Beach, about an hour and 15 minutes away by car. There are enough nearby cafes and shops to make getting lost in the winding streets a pleasure. 

The rooms here are mostly stylish and minimalist. Hardwood floors complement the wood furnishings, but there's little in the way of decor. For instance, a room for two people has a queen-size platform bed, a small flat-screen TV, a plain wooden desk that's flush with the wall, and a lucite and chrome chair. The headboard has cutouts on either side of the bed that create end tables, with power and LED wall lights mounted right onto it. The small closet has shelves and fits the minibar and safe behind a sliding mirrored panel door. The decor is completed with luggage racks and brown upholstered chairs with a wooden slat over one arm, making a second desk area. Despite some interesting prints on the wall featuring architectural details or notable Spaniards, the fuchsia ceiling is the only bright touch in the room. The walls are scuffed, and much of the furniture is nicked and worn. 

The bathroom is behind a glass door. It either features shower/tub combos or shower stalls with horizontal and vertical jets. Hairdryers and toiletries are provided. Upgrades can bring additional square footage, small balconies, bunk beds attached to the wall, and oddly -- a stationary bicycle in the bathroom

The Petit Palace Marques Santa Ana offers features that are almost, but not quite, convenient. Purchased breakfast is the only available meal, and guests report that the dining room is cramped. The rooftop deck is an ideal spot to view the city's architecture while getting a feel for the surrounding streets, but there's no pool or bar. Thanks to zoning regulations that limit building heights in Old Town, the central atrium floods the space with natural light. And though the hotel caters primarily to families and couples, the event room has screens, projectors, and a sound system. The underground parking is high tech, with a private elevator that descends into the garage below. The reception desk stores bags and offers 24-hour reception services, dry cleaning, and laundry. In addition to fax and photocopying services, the hotel offers free Wi-Fi connectivity service on up to eight devices that can be used off premises for a small fee. Pets are welcome here, free of additional charges.