progol

We will be spending 4 nights in Seville in early May 2015, and I'm looking at the accommodation options. I'm trying to keep the cost to around $150/night. I realize that the "nicer" hotels in Seville are often more than that or are somewhat lacking in either space, charm or amenities. I've narrowed my hotel choices, so far, to the standard rooms in either the Alminar hotel or the Amadeus hotel.

But I do like space and the option to have a terrace. I also would like to stay in the Santa Cruz area. I started looking at the Veo apartment rentals and found several reasonable-looking apts for costs well within my budget. They're mostly Ikea-modern, but generally spacious, and the ones I like have terraces-- one even has a private dipping pool!

I'm curious what others think about apts vs hotel stays. On one hand, a hotel has staff who are there 24/7 to help and provide suggestions and recommendations, but rooms are often small and I've read many complaints about thin walls & sound .

Apts are generally more spacious, and while there may be minimal staff around, there's generally limited service. I don't need to have much in apartment way of service, but I know it can be nice to have someone there who is available when there are questions.

Right now, I lean toward an apartment. It seems like it would be great for 4-night stay, but it could go either way at this point.

What are your thoughts?

suze

I don't think hotel vs. apartment decision relates to a specific place or time (Seville in May). I think you've beautifully outlined the pros and cons for each option.

progol

You're right, of course, suze. I mention Seville as that would be the most likely place that we'd stay in an apartment as this will be a 4-night stay, and the longest period of time in one location. So if there is specific knowledge of Seville, especially info about apt rentals, that would be extremely helpful.

Paule

Robert2533

"On one hand, a hotel has staff who are there 24/7 to help and provide suggestions and recommendations, but rooms are often small and I've read many complaints about thin walls & sound". True, if you stay if any of the inexpensive dives some people seem to prefer over quality hotels. Your problem will be finding a quality hotel in Sevilla for $150 USD/night (€110 EUR) in May.

Personally, I would not opt for an apartment over a hotel room if I was staying less than a week, but four nights is doable, depending on the apartment. But overall, there are too many inconveniences associated with short term apartment rentals including check in and check out times and deposits.

progol

You raise good points, Robert-- there is definitely the nonrefundable deposit to consider, and not an insignificant amount. And the checkin times are definitely later in the day, so that is also something to consider.

It's clear that if I want to stay in almost any of the Santa Cruz hotels that are even moderately boutique, I have to pay a bit more than $150/night. I have been looking into the hostals that get better reviews, and I just am not ready to stay in one of them, either. It's my beer budget/champagne taste, I'm afraid. The best I've seen, so far, is the standard room in the Alminar hotel which I think is @ £115. Of course, i may yet expand the budget, but am trying to keep it within a certain range.

Thanks for your feedback-- it helps a lot!

Robert2533

Check the Fontecruz. For a few Euros more, it may fit your budget. We stayed there in March and the room was large enough and comfortable.

progol

Thanks, Robert,
I'll check it out.
Paule

Momddtravel2

We used Spain Select in Madrid and Seville. How big of an apartment are you interested in? I did not see mention of the size of your group.

We loved being in apartments in Spain - we did both apartments and hotels and liked being able to spread out, have snacks in the fridge and the terrace we had in Seville was remarkable.

https://sevilla.spain-select.com/en_...uerta-de-jerez

It is more than 150.00 USD - but it is a 2 bedroom.

We were exceptionally happy with Spain Select and their service.

Momddtravel2

adding we were there in May of this year... it is a spectacular time of year.

nytraveler

In May in Seville I would only rent an apt with a guarantee that it has excellent AC that you can control and a pool - since you will need both in the uber hot afternoons there.

Christina

guess what, you can have thin walls and sounds in many apartments, also. I've rented vacation apts that were much noisier than hotels (eg, one in Paris was in front of a cafe which played very loud Arabic music from a boombox all day and night, another was two feet from a neighbor's window who was extremely noisy, etc.). The last one I rented in Barcelona had neighbors who were about 3-4 young German men who were extremely loud and drank a lot (which made them loud, and they played loud music). So an apt is no guarantee of quiet, if that's your reasoning. A terrace would be nice, if it's a good view.

I don't want to go to the bother for only a few days in any city, it's not worth the hassle with the arrangements, timing, deposits, etc. But some apts are less trouble than others (ones with private owners can be more hassle than one with an agency renting several in one building, for example).

I stayed in the Hotel Amadeus and it was nice enough, but the room I got also had some noise issues, their doors are thin. The room was nice though and quite large, although I booked a superior double. I would not book a std double in any hotel if I had a choice and there was more than one person to stay in it (at least not in Europe where rooms are smaller). You can't get a room there in May for US$150 at the current exchange rate, though. The superior doubles are around 130 euro in May, the std only 115 euro, though, so that's not too far off. I'd pay the extra 15 euro for a superior definitely.

progol

Thanks, Christina, Momddtravel2 & nytraveler. Very helpful feedback!

There will be just the 2 of us -- my husband and me.

nytraveler-- good point about the pool.

I'm really looking at the range of apartments that are available; I'm even looking at some apartments that are listed on Airbnb that were recommended by one of the posters on TA. Some of the apartments look very nice and no more or less noisy than any of the hotels in the Santa Cruz area. Those with excellent reviews, good location, a/c & wifi are the only ones I'm considering.

I've been looking at Veoapartments - more "Ikea"-style, but spacious; and will look at Spain Select, although I think they are a bit pricier than the others.

For hotels, I'm considering the Amadeus & the Alminar as well as the Fontecruz, which Robert2533 recommended. Actually, if I do expand my budget, the latter looks like a good option because there is a senior discount which keeps the price comparable to a superior room in either the Amadeus or Alminar.

After 2 years of traveling to Asia for our annual vacation, I'm having a hard time readjusting to prime Europe rates!

thevacationqueen

We spent the month of May this year in Spain, and rented apartments in most locations. We had very good luck with all of our choices (except an apartment in Granada that was quite awful!)

Here's a link to the apartment we rented in Seville--we were very happy with everything--from the initial contact to the checkout procedure. It's in a great location, the bed was comfy, the wi-fi was excellent, it was very quiet and spotlessly clean! It was a bargain at about $95 US dollars a night.

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/543350

If you have any questions-feel free to PM me.
Enjoy your time in Spain-it's a lovely country!

MyriamC

I, too, would not rent an apartment for only 4 nights.
We stayed at the Amadeus last year in a superior room. It wasn't very large but we had a king bed and a good sized bathroom, a good working air conditioning and it was very quiet, just as we had requested. I would definitely stay there again. I believe that the rooms in the La Musica building are larger, and some have a balcony.

progol

Thanks queen & MyriamC. I love the fact that there are so many perspectives here!

In my moment-to-moment sway, I'm leaning toward sticking with the tried-and-true hotel stay, and will expand the budget to about €135/night. So far, the hotels in the Santa Cruz area that fit within that budget that get good reviews are the 2 I've mentioned; I also am considering the Fontecruz .

I'm sitting with this decision until I feel more sure, one way or another, but this really is helping me to feel comfortable in considering both apartments as well as hotels.

One other consideration in renting an apartment is the risk factor of not having the same guarantees you'd have with a hotel. Of course, hotels don't have the guarantee, either, but it's not on the same level of risk.

Thanks again-- any more thoughts?

suze

I didn't say so in my first post, but I'm also in the wouldn't rent an apartment unless I was staying at least 7-days camp.

It's a lot more hassle (less straight-forward), often involves extra fees (cleaning, key deposit etc.), need to meet the landlord instead of just walking into a hotel and checking in.

I hadn't even thought of the weather. If it's hot and you have a change for AC and a pool by staying at a hotel... that's where I'd be headed!!

I do (happily) rent apartments when I take a beach vacation for 1-2 weeks like in Mexico or Hawaii. But for me touring around Europe, staying a few days in different cities, I have (so far) stuck with hotels myself.

thevacationqueen

Hello again progo--
In my opinion, the apartment vs hotel decision depends a great deal on your travel experience and comfort level. Some people are much more comfortable having the security of 24 hr "front desk" help if needed. We're two young-at-heart seniors, adventurous and fairly well traveled. We love the feeling of living like a local, and we also value the privacy that we have in an apartment.

The deciding factor for us is usually our length of stay. For us, 3 nights or more & we look for an apartment. We generally travel for about 4-5 weeks at a time--so longer stays are the norm for us.

We have found that most hotel rooms in Europe are quite small, so we appreciate the extra space an apartment gives us. I LOVE having my morning coffee right when I wake up in the morning! (well, actually it's a medical necessity!) We are fairly budget conscious, so having even a small kitchenette to prepare breakfast and the very occasional dinner save us quite a few Euros!

Whatever your decision--I'm sure you'll have a great time in Spain!
TVQ

progol

Wonderful comments and you give me much food for thought.

TVQ, we are young-at-heart seniors/nearly seniors, too, and I'm also budget-conscious, though will splurge when it feels right to do. We don't yet have the leisure time to travel for longer than 3 weeks in an annual vacation, I do want certain comforts in my accommodation. The dilemma about the apartment vs hotel stay is an interesting one-- I like the idea of the spaciousness of an apartment, while the safety of a hotel still beckons...

Suze, thank you, too for your thoughts. You're right-- coordinating with the owner could be a bit of a hassle, although iit seems so many people are renting apartments that owners are increasingly accommodating to renters. We did rent an apt in Paris several years ago, and it was a great experience.

Thanks, once again!

Paule

ekscrunchy

I question your reason to limit yourself to the Santa Cruz barrio. I found that area most crowded with tourists and, although it is atmospheric, it is not much more so than other areas close to the center. It is so easy to walk within the center from area to area that I do not think it wise to limit yourself to Sta Cruz. Most of the better eating places that I found are not within the Santa Cruz area.


http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...and-malaga.cfm

aliced

Please check the Hotel El Rey Moro, right in the midst of Santa Cruz but on a narrow alley less than my arms' width-span so super quiet; every room is different; second floor rooms all along a balcony and overlook lovely central courtyard below. Help was wonderful, easy walk to Alcazar, Cathedral, and to the delicious San Marco and Vineria San Telmo restaurants. We were there due to no vacancy at Amadeus and its sister hotel but so glad we were steered here. Think it's at or close to your intended budget, was favorite of our 3 wk Spain trip.