Alcoba del Rey de Sevilla

Reviewed by Michael Soffe



VERY MOORISH ..............


Something different and very Moorish (in both senses of the word) is the Alcoba de Rey de Sevilla. Situated in Calle Bequer, some twenty minutes walk to the historic sites and the Jewish quarter, and just a hundred metres to the church of La Macarena, the Virgin of Sevilla and the most revered in the spectacular Semana Santa Easter processions. The hotel evokes the epoch of Al-Andaluz, the 12th century period in which the Moors were at their zenith in Spain. Rafael, the Director, is passionate about the history of this converted bijou palace. According to legend, this is where the Poet King of Sevilla kept his mistress, Rumaykiyya, a lowly laundress, hidden from his father. The rooms are all named after characters from the period and Rafael will delight in telling you all about them if you give him half a chance. He is presently looking for a publisher for his book on this topic.

Rafael is equally passionate about his Hotel. There is a stunning patio courtyard which serves as a salon just through the reception. Moorish arches abound and there are even marble copies of details from the Alhambra Palace in Granada. The Hotel is furnished almost entirely with articles from Morocco and the use of cobalt blues, ochres and terracottas give the Hotel a very warm feeling.

Walk onto the roof terrace bar and you could easily be forgiven if you think you are in Marrakesh!!! An Arab tent provides shade. There are sun loungers, and at night, chill-out music, candles and torches – the Hotel occasionally provides a belly-dancer if enough people are willing to pay her fee!

There is a massage/treatment room where relaxing massages and beauty treatments are available on request.

Off the main patio courtyard is a bar and cafeteria which is open to the public and serves excellent Andaluz and Arab tapas. They also sell local products – do try Rafael’s olive oil!

Narrow, spiraling staircases (there is a lift!) take you to the bedrooms on the second and third floors arranged around the patio courtyard. There is some street noise and, when booking, I would recommend rooms that do not overlook Calle Bequer, unless you are used to traffic noise. There are also some rooms on the ground floor, two with small private terraces where the amiable staff will happily serve you a private breakfast. They are simply furnished, again in the Moorish style. All are different, some with brightly painted Mudejar ceilings and wonderful old hand-painted tiles. The real eye-catcher is the bathrooms with their showers and key hole doors, stucco walls and pewter sinks. There are hi-tech flat screen TVs (Rafael hates them as they are not in keeping with the rooms, but he says they are sadly a necessity for a modern day Hotel), heating, air-con; the suite has a Jacuzzi, and all have bathrobes. Five of the rooms have four-poster beds. Any object you fancy from your room is available for sale (the Moroccan mirrors and lampshades are the most sought after!!!). Toiletries are based on orange blossom, the scent of Sevilla, and perfumed candles are everywhere.

Breakfasts are served in an area off the main patio courtyard complete with Arab fountain. Lunches and dinner are available in the cafeteria/bar.

An ideal Hotel for those who want a small, personal Hotel with a difference.