Palacio Pinello occupies one of the oldest buildings you can sleep in at the heart of Seville. It is a restored fifteenth-century palace at Calle Segovia 1, and its position is hard to beat: the Cathedral is a two-minute walk away and the Real Alcázar a three-minute one, so you can be in the queue at the Puerta del León before most visitors have left their hotels. The restoration has kept the features that give the building its character. There are original columns and coffered ceilings, archaeological remnants displayed in the public areas, and a courtyard with a glass roof and a historic well at its centre, which is the heart of the hotel and the place where most guests will sit with a drink. The rooms come in about ten types, set over three floors in a single building, and are classed as four-star on the booking page. The hotel has a rooftop terrace for views over the old town, an on-site grill serving Sevillian and Mediterranean dishes, and a bar and lounge. Rooms have air conditioning and free wifi, and a buffet breakfast is available for a fee each morning. This is a boutique hotel rather than a resort: there is no pool, there is no lift, and the staircase is part of the heritage, which is worth knowing if you have heavy luggage or reduced mobility. Children are welcome, but pets and smoking are not allowed.
Who it suits
Couples, history lovers and anyone who wants to wake up inside the story of the old town. It is a good base for a first visit because everything in the centre is within a few minutes on foot, and it suits travellers who value atmosphere and location over a pool or a gym. It is less suited to people who need a lift, who are travelling with several large suitcases or who want a big resort-style property.
Living in it
Ask for a room on a quieter side if you are a light sleeper, as the streets around Santa Cruz and the Cathedral can be lively in the evening. Have a drink in the courtyard when the sightseeing crowds thin out, take breakfast if you like a slow start, and use the rooftop in the early evening.
The Alcázar and the Cathedral are the obvious first stops in the morning, and the lanes of Santa Cruz begin a few steps away. Check-in starts at three in the afternoon, so leave your bags at the desk if you arrive early.
Value
Palaces of this age and location tend to be pricier than chain hotels a few streets farther out, and rates rise in Holy Week, the April Fair and the spring and autumn peaks. The value is the building and the position, which would be hard to match elsewhere at the same price. Free cancellation is offered on some rates, so look for them if your plans may change.
Why stay here
- ✓Restored 15th-century palace
- ✓Glass-roofed courtyard with historic well
- ✓Rooftop terrace
- ✓On-site grill restaurant
- ✓Bar and lounge
- ✓Air conditioning and free wifi
- ✓Buffet breakfast available
- ✓Cathedral two minutes on foot
Good questions
How close is Palacio Pinello to the Cathedral and the Alcázar?+
The Cathedral is about a two-minute walk away and the Real Alcázar about three, so both are practically on the doorstep.
Does the hotel have a lift or a pool?+
No. It is a heritage building with no lift and no pool, so it suits guests who are comfortable with stairs and want atmosphere and location.
Is breakfast included?+
A buffet breakfast is available for a fee each morning. Check what your rate includes when you book.
