Please help with hotel choice during Semana Santa in Seville
 

DH, DD, and I will be in Andalusia for first time next month. Still need to book April 1 - 5, Sunday to Thursday, holy week, in Seville.

Wasn't planning on Semanta Santa, but assume, despite high prices at hotels, we are in for a treat.

1. Choosing between 2 hotels that have triple rooms.
Hotel Adriano, in the historic center
Monte Triana Hotel, which is 20 minutes walk to the city center.
Better to be away from center of city during crowded time? We need to get to airport on Thursday, April 4.

2. Should we consider relocating to Cordoba for last 2 nights? We are planning a day trip there.

3. Can someone recommend a web site in English with info on procession schedule during this time.

Thank you for any advice. I need to book soon.

The closer in you can get, the better!

You might want to check Explore Seville (exploreseville.com/). They should have all of the updated information.

thanks for posting. Explore Seville has info on Semanta Santa in 2011!

A really tough choice, I think.

Hotel Adriana is in the great and local atmosphere Arenal area, fabulous tapas bars on your doorstep. And only 5 minutes walk to the Cathedral and the more touristy but beautiful Santa Cruz district.

Monte Triana would be in the even more local atmosphere Triana district across the river Guadalquivir. Some of the most serious processions leaves and ends in this part of town. A cradle of flamenco culture, and some of the best flamenco bars in Sevilla are close by. Can be something completely special during Semana Santa with the combination of devotion and flamenco. El Mantoncillo in Calle Alfarería, 104, is within 100 meters of the hotel. It's the real deal and goes on long into the small hours. Extremely popular Casa Anselma is also close by. Both could be an experience: http://travel.nytimes.com/travel/gui...fe-detail.html

The Triana hotel is also close to the wonderful riverside Betis street, and then you are only a few minutes walk to the cathedral etc.: http://www.sevilla5.com/activities/goingout/betis.html

Monte Triana gets excellent reviews: http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/mont...evilla.en.html

Personally I'd choose the Hotel Adriano. The Arenal quarter is my favorite, full of local tapas bars and there will be many processions in this area. You're in the center but should be able to escape the crowds - unlike staying in hotels next to the Cathedral.

I'd visit Cordoba as a daytrip if it meant splittiing your time 2 days Sevilla and 2 for Cordoba. However I'd definately visit as a daytrip.

Make sure you have your train reservations booked in advance during this time.

Did you try looking also at apartments? There may not be much cost difference and you'd have more room as triples rooms in hotels can often be very small.

I think you're in for a treat visiting during Semana Santa!

We stayed at the Monte Triana a few years back, and really enjoyed the hotel (loved arriving, turning on the telly, and seeing ongoing live coverage of the processions!). The walks into town are pleasant, and you can follow processions from there, and also explore churches and processional floats sitting dormant. Restaurants were not crowded.

The center by the cathedral can be SO utterly packed that you can barely move - - though I imagine staying closer in would be great too.

I've stayed the last several years at the Hotel Alminar just by the Catedral and the area around it is very packed.

The Hotel Adriano won't experience this type of crowds and definately not the Monte Triana.

Thank you for all your help. I decided on the Hotel Adriano. Both hotels have good reviews but I went for the added convenience of location.
Although prices are higher, we are really looking forward to Semanta Santa. Local atmosphere is always the best part of travel. Staying in Grenada 2 days before. I imagine Palm Sunday will be really special as well.

I can highly recommend these tapas bars/restaurants close to Hotel Adriano: Enrique Becerra and Bodega Antonio Romero, and one of my absolute favourites in Sevilla, Bodegas Diaz Salazar in C/García de Vinuesa, 20. A branch of the very popular Mesón Serranito is also just down the street in C/ Antonia Diaz, 11. The solomillo al roquefort tapas is to die for!

Enrique Becerra: http://azahar-sevilla.com/sevilletap...rique-becerra/
Antonio Romero: http://www.bodeguitaantonioromero.com/
Bodegas Diaz Salazar: http://www.minube.com/fotos/rincon/1...slideshow-mode

You are also close to Mesón Cinco Jotas in Calle Castelar 1, serving the absolutely best jamón ibérico (cured ham) in the world. This exclusive chain - based in Jabugo, the jamón capital in Spain (together with Guijuelo), not far from Sevilla - has got two branches in Sevilla. Cinco Jotas means Five J's, alluding to the J in Jabugo where 5J is highest quality. A plate of Jamón 5J is expensive and worth every cent. http://www.mesoncincojotas.com/

I will also suggest you go and see the "Hospital de la Caridad". Also close to the Hotel Adriano. As "Sevilla" as it gets. The 17th century main sponsor of this hospital for the old and sick, the repenting Miguel Mañara, was - according to himself - "the most evil man that ever lived". All the paintings he commisioned from some of the most famous golden-age arists for the hospital and its adjoining church dealt with the theme of death and redemption. The hospital, the church, the paintings and Mañara's grave are all in Calle Temprado, 3.
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/spain/seville/sights/411842