We are trying to pick a hotel for 2 nights in Seville during our vacation to Spain in June. WE had planned to stay at the hacienda Benazuza, but the hotel is not available for our nights (June 24, 24 - we even e-mailed the hotel directly). we will probably rent a car, but would also like to see Seville, so somewhere in the city or not too far is ideal. We're looking for spain charm (not a large commercial hotel, hence not the Alfonso XIII or Colon), but also want luxury! Someone out there must have some ideas of a comparable property! Please help me out...

why don't you try a parador? There's one in Seville called Parador de Carmona. http://www.parador.es/english/parado...?selparador=25

I found the following hotel on the Small Luxury Hotels of the World website. I don?t know it, but have always been happy with hotels which are members of this group:


Hotel Cortijo Soto Real
Carretera A 371, Las Cabezas, Villamartín, km. 13
Utrera, Seville 41710
Spain
Tel: +34 955 869 200
Fax: +34 955 869 202
Email: [email protected]
SLH Website: www.slh.com/cortijo/

I also think you should explore the possibility of staying in a parador.

jtanne,
There's a deluxe property in Carmona besides the Parador, the Casa de Carmona, smaller and secluded, more of a country house hotel type of property, beautifully decorated.

Or...
If you want something comparable in style to the Hacienda Benazuza, then I suggest you try the new deluxe, as in 5 star, Cortijo Soto Real that Cicerone mentions. Of all the choices this should be the most comparable in luxury to the Benazuza.
www.cortijosotoreal.com

If it's not available, there are 2 more in Utrera: Cortijo la Indiana or
Hacienda de Oran, both members of Rusticae, but they're 4 star rather than 5 star comfort.
www.la-indiana.com
www.haciendadeoran.com

I would recommend this site:
http://www.charming-spain-hotels.com

I use it to plan my trip to Andalusia.
They offer some charming luxury hotels.

You could also check the Hotel Villa de la Palmera in Seville or the Hacienda la Boticaria in Alcala de Guadaira, about 30 minutes from town.

www.villadelapalmera.com
www.laboticaria-hotel.com

Thanks for all the helpful suggestions! We're now thinking that staying in Seville is a good idea since we will be driving the coast the following week. The Villa de la Palmera looks nice. Anybody have opinions on that hotel vs. The Taberna del Alabardero or the Casas del Rey de Baeza?

We stayed at the Taberna del Alabardero last spring and were very happy with it.
The location is excellent-- within easy walking distance to most of the places you'll want to see. The rooms were charmingly and uniquely decorated-- ours had a nice sittng area with a sofa. The bathrooms were nice, although a little frou-frou, and the breakfasts were very good.
We had dinner there one night, and had an excellent meal, although I'm not sure it was worth it for the price.
The rooms open onto an interior courtyard with a cafe downstairs,which sometimes can be a little bit noisy, but it didn't really bother us.
The staff were extremely friendly and went out of their way to be helpful.

I haven't stayed at either of the other two hotels you mention, but I'd say the location of the Taberna del Alabardero would be much more convenient than that of the Villa de la Palmera.

We stayed at the Taberna del Alabardero in November and loved it. It was elegant and quiet and, as someone else mentioned, the location can't be beat. On a previous trip we stayed at the Casa de Carmona and were somewhat disappointed. Our room was large but the window overlooked an alley and it seemed like motorcycles went by ALL night. Also, although the trip to Seville isn't long, parking the car there presented a problem.

OK< so the Taberna sounds good. Anybody stay at The casas del Rey de Baeza? Any comparison there? Thanks for all the info - it is much appreciated.

I also stayed at the Taberna del Alabardero in June , 2002. I think my room was Malaga( the rooms have names instead of numbers) and we really liked it. We had dinner one evening in the restaurant and it was very good.

If you want to stay in Seville and can afford it than Alfonso x111 is the place.