Vincci La Rabida Hotel

Vincci La Rábida is part of Vincci Hotels, a chain with 34 properties across Spain, Portugal, and Tunisia. This boutique is housed in a gorgeous 18th-century palace with beautiful common areas and a central location in the historic neighborhood of Seville. While extensive renovations in the mid-2000s brought a fresh look to the property, some of the original architectural details remain. Among them, the central courtyard -- which now houses the lobby -- is probably the highlight. This grand space wows at first sight with an arched gallery featuring wooden ceilings and marble columns; classic decor in a range of earth tones; and a traditional stone fountain. Exterior arched hallways on all floors overlook the courtyard, and a skylight located five stories up lets in tons of light. The traditional yet upscale decor extends to the rest of the common spaces, including the restaurant and the library. These spaces feature original Sevillian wall tiles, fountains, chandeliers, and wooden doors with stained glass windowpanes. Standard Rooms, however, are less luxurious, with simple wooden furniture, and some tired bathrooms.

The hotel is on a quiet cobblestone street located between Maestranza bullring and the Seville Cathedral, right in the heart of the historic neighborhood. Major attractions such as Casa de Pilatos, Torre del Oro, Museum of Flamenco, and Metropol Parasol can all be found within a 15-minute walk of the hotel. Calle Sierpes, the city’s main shopping area, is just a five-minute walk away. Plaza de España -- where “Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones” was filmed -- is a little further afield, but still within walking distance. Santa Justa train station, where high-speed trains stop, is a quick cab ride away.

The hotel offers several room types, including Standard Rooms, Junior Suites, and Suites. All feature flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, stocked minibars, and pillow menus. Standard Rooms have simple traditional Andalusian decor, with wrought-iron headboards, terra-cotta tile floors, and dark wooden furniture. Bathrooms in these rooms have either a shower or a shower/tub combo, hotel-brand toiletries, and brown and white tiling. Some bathrooms, however, are in need of an update. A few of these rooms have furnished balconies overlooking the patio, but others have views of a wall. Higher-tier room types have similar decor but with some more upscale touches -- including wood latticework and renovated bathrooms. Most Junior Suites have living areas with sofa beds, separate showers and soaking tubs, and lofted bedrooms with a four-poster king beds. Suites feature large furnished terraces (most with city and cathedral views), living areas, jetted tubs, and Loewe toiletries.

The hotel has two restaurants: El Mirador (which means "the lookout") offers striking city and cathedral views, and is open seasonally. Los Patios is open year-round, and serves regional cuisine and tapas in a lovely dining room with wooden ceilings, chandeliers, and traditional Sevilian wall tiling. The snack bar opens onto a charming patio with several tables, a fountain, and plants. A breakfast buffet with gluten-free items is served every morning either in the dining room or on the patio. The hotel also features two fully equipped meeting rooms offering catering services, and a cozy library room -- but there is no fitness center or pool. Valet parking and free Wi-Fi are both available.