Hello Fodorites:

I am staying in Sevilla probably for three nights and I am looking for a Hostal to stay. I do not need anything fancy but a private bathroom would be a must. I was looking at different places online and the Naranjo Hostal attracted me. Can anyone recommend me a good Hostal? I am kind of fearful of staying in Barrio de Santa Cruz. So, I am looking for something maybe in el Arenal. Is this fear irrational? Is El Arenal safe?

Thank you so much!

I stayed in a single room at the Hostal Lis II. It was basic but clean. The bathroom and WC were just outside my door.

Well, things have certainly changed since I went to Sevilla in 1990. At that (pre-Internet) time, the official Spanish Tourist Office's brochure on Sevilla was full of precautions to take and areas to avoid.

I just went to their Web site

www.spain.info

and now they make it sound as if all of Sevilla is one jolly, happy, safe city.

Anyway, if memory serves, the Barrio de Santa Cruz was recommended as safe, and it was the Arenal area that was considered a little iffy back then.

I would suggest, the next time you are in a bookstore, look at a few guidebooks, especially perhaps Lonely Planet and Rough Guide, to see what they say about safety in Sevilla.

When we were in Seville, we stayed in the Barrio Santa Cruz and it was perfectly fine. I had also read in a few guidebooks to watch out for muggings in this area, but quite frankly, I found it very safe and comfortable. Even after dark.

Granted, we stayed in a hotel and not a hostel, so don't know if that made a difference.

We have reservations for Hotel Naranjo but read a posting on another site that reported bedbugs-but I don't know how long ago. Has anyone had recent experience with Hotel Naranjo-ggod or not?

Ceili

Just left Sevilla and felt perfectly safe in the Barrio Santa Cruz. Many tourists and locals in the area. Stay in a great Hotel for about 80 euro with breakfast. I will send the information if you want.

Yes, mikeycora, please post the info!
Ceili