Staying in Sevilla with a car
 

I will be traveling to Sevilla via train and will be picking up a rental car at the station. I'm traveling with two others. I was looking for a recommendation on a place to stay relatively nearby that is easy on the wallet and near to a parking lot. Does anyone have any suggestions?

I also will have a car in Sevilla this July, Steve, and am considering staying at the Hotel La Rabida, Hostal Santa Catalina or Hostal Sierpes, which I understand should have garages ... Have not decided which one to book, yet. <BR>Paulo <BR> <BR>

Hi, Steve, <BR>We've stayed at the Patio de la Cartuja which has a garage. The hotel's a comfortable, attractive place, walkable to the center. (Get your car and park it in Sevilla. Traffic and navigation are wretched.) You can find the hotel at http://www.estanciases.es/

Steve, <BR>I would suggest La Rabida, which is one of the better budget choices in Sevilla. If you do a text search you'll find it's been recommended by several discriminating Fodor folks (one who stayed there recently), and there is a garage adjacent. Very easy on the wallet-an excellent value in the heart of the city, near the Cathedral with major sights, restaurants, tapas bars within an easy walk (but it is a good long walk from the Santa Justa train station-where you don't want your lodging to be, by the way). <BR>Can you pick up your car at the station as you leave Seville rather than have it with you during your stay? I think you'll want to stash the car in a garage while touring the city. We find having a car in Seville to be something of an albatross. Just a thought... <BR>

Maribel-thanks for your response. I will be picking up the rental car at the station in the evening of the day I arrive as I'm planning a day trip the following morning. Thus, I am just looking for a place with a garage nearby to harbor the vehicle. Are you familiar with Patio de la Cartuja or Patio de la Alameda? I looked them up today and both apparently offer parking (possibly free). Are these places too far away from the major sites to merit staying there? Also, thanks to Paulo and John for your replies. <BR>

Taberna del Alabardero, which is just lovely, offers parking at a fee. They take your car and park it and then get it back for you.

Hi Steve, <BR>Yes, I'm familiar with the Patio de la Cartuja, and I believe its sister property, Patio de la Alameda, an adjacent 19th c converted "palace" is new. Both have been recommended in the travel section of the Madrid daily "El Pais" (www1.elpais.es/andalucia/uk/hoteles/) and are 3star all suites (apartment-like) hotels in the Macarena district which is a bit removed, a further walk from the major sites but still very doable if you enjoy walking. They are members of the "Estancias de Espana" group (the "poor man's Paradors") as is the really lovely 4 star Taberna del Alabardero (whose restaurant boasts one Michelin star). From their web site www.estanciases.es, it appears that there is an extra charge for parking. The Taberna, more central (a short walk from the Cathedral) is also more expensive than the "Patios" in high season ($200+ double). In Seville's rather narrow "low" season a double there goes for a bargain $116, while at La Rabida you'll be paying around $60. You'll need to decide which better fits your budget. <BR>Hope this is helpful.

Just a note on the Patios: we've stayed at both. They're located across a small square from each other. The Cartuja has both the garage and the cafe (a pretty good buffet breakfast is included). The charge for the garage was quite reasonable if memory serves. The Macarena district is a very lively mostly residential area, with some good bars and cafes and a fun warren of street market lanes nearby. The hotels are about a 20 minute walk to the central plaza, another 10 or so to the cathedral precincts. The river's just a couple of blocks away.