Review: Stepping back in time at Hotel Alfonso XIII Seville, Spain

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Introduction and Booking

The vibrant and sun-kissed city of Seville, the capital of the Andalusian region, stands out as my favourite among all the European cities I’ve visited to date. On my first trip to Spain before my points and miles days, I took an Andalusian tour. It included a glimpse of the majestic Hotel Alfonso XIII, a Luxury Collection Hotel. I was captivated by its grandeur and determined to stay there one day.

Fast forward to my third visit to Seville, and I finally had the opportunity to book a stay at this historic gem. However, the cash rates for my travel dates were quite high. They were going for 800 € or more per night.

To make this stay a reality, I redeemed 351,000 Marriott Bonvoy points for a three-night stay. I took advantage of a previous 30% transfer bonus from American Express to transfer my Membership Rewards to my Marriott Bonvoy account. With such a steep redemption price, I was eager to discover if the experience would live up to my expectations.

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Hotel Alfonso XIII – Arrival and Check-in

Our cab made its way through Seville’s charming old town, arriving at the historic quarter of Santa Cruz, home to Hotel Alfonso XIII. The hotel’s exterior had a distinctive design of azulejo ceramic tiles, elegant wrought iron for the balconies and decorative Moorish-inspired arches. Adding to its allure, this iconic landmark is nestled amidst lush gardens and tranquil courtyards.

As our cab pulled up to the hotel’s grand entrance, we were greeted by the charming sight of a horse-drawn carriage ready to transport hotel guests interested in a tour. Upon our arrival, attentive porters whisked away our luggage. We made our way up the staircase to the opulent lobby.

The striking architecture of the exterior extends to the hotel’s interior. Hotel Alfonso’s lobby is an inviting and elegant space that featured high ceilings with intricate moldings and distinctive coffered hanging lamps. Past the reception desk were three rows of Moorish-styled arches adorned with geometric patterns and carvings, adding to the hotel’s historic ambiance.

The front desk associate welcomed us and immediately recognized my Titanium status. She offered us the choice between the breakfast benefit and points and inquired about whether we needed a late check-out. She notified us that we had been proactively upgraded to a room on their top floor with a terrace. This hotel has three floors comprised of 126 guestrooms and 22 suites.

After completing our check-in, she guided us to the grand wooden elevator. The interior consisted of richly polished wooden panels with mirrors and the Hotel Alfonso XIII logo set into the floor. There was an iron gate which closes after we shut the wooden door, adding to its vintage charm. Stepping inside the elevator felt like going back in time!

Hotel Alfonso XIII – Grand Deluxe with Terrace

As we arrived on the third floor, we were greeted by a stunning seating area directly facing the elevator. It featured marble flooring and a traditional dining table that took centre stage, surrounded by plush leather armchairs for additional seating. Beyond this inviting space, we were escorted down a hallway leading to our assigned room, 342.

Entering our room, it had a long hallway, with the bathroom to the left, separated by a door from the bedroom. The bathroom had an interesting colour scheme with glossy bronze and white stripes. Bathroom amenities included dental kits, shower cap, sewing kit, vanity kit and an emery board. Luxurious bath products were provided in big bottles from le Chemin By Byredo brand.

Stepping into the bedroom, it exuded an atmosphere of refined elegance. A grand crystal chandelier illuminated the space. It was beautifully complemented by a coffered ceiling adorned with rich crown molding. I loved the high ceiling because it made the room feel very spacious.

Two large built-in closets offered ample storage, complete with a neat chest of drawers. If that wasn’t enough, a dresser facing the bed offered more storage. On the dresser was a Nespresso machine, a few glass bottles of water and a selection of basic tea bags. A welcome amenity awaited us: a bottle of sparkling wine, a bowl of sugary treats and a note thanking me for my loyalty to Marriott Bonvoy.

At the centre of the room was the bed,  comfortable, though the bed linens were very ordinary and not quite as luxurious as expected. To the left, a decent-sized balcony opened up to a street-view.

The room also featured shutters controlled by switches instead of the typical blackout curtains. While not overly high-tech, it did include a couple of USB outlets and electrical ports. The hotel provided turndown service, but unlike most, it occurred later in the evening.  During our stay, they would show up past 10:30 p.m., which I guess is considered early by Seville standards.

Housekeeping service was efficientt, keeping our room spotless throughout our stay. The only negative is I had to call to request bottles of water, since they didn’t always replenish them. I also tried their room service once and found it was prompt, although I only ordered a salad.

Overall, I found our room was almost the perfect blend of classic sophistication and modern comfort. However, it was missing one thing.  It only had one armchair. I would’ve appreciated having two armchairs for added comfort, but maybe I’m being too nitpicky! 🙂

Hotel Alfonso XIII – Breakfast

The hotel’s flagship restaurant, Restaurante San Fernando, serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. The restaurant’s design mirrors the rest of the building, further showcasing the elegance of this property. What really stood out was the inner courtyard at the heart of the restaurant. This tranquil oasis boasts an Andalusian-style water fountain, surrounded by dining tables nestled among plants and flowers.

For breakfast, the restaurant offers an expansive buffet that includes a variety of hot and cold dishes. This included a large spread of salamis, cheese, pickles, fruits, jams, yogurts, and an enticing dessert table. Hot items featured roasted veggies, sausages, bacon, rice, potatoes, beans in tomato sauce and a Spanish tortilla. Disappointingly, there were no à la carte options, but they did offer an egg station, allowing guests to order eggs cooked to their liking. The best part is the fresh orange juice!

Unfortunately, our experience was marred by the lack of service. On our first morning, we found no hostess to greet us, leaving us standing for what felt like an eternity.  Frustrated, another guest opted to seat herself, and we followed suit.

It was only when we sat down, that a restaurant staff member took notice and rushed to our table to note our room number.  Getting coffee or tea often proved to be a challenge. We often faced long waits for our beverages, and getting a refill was sometimes a struggle.

In the following mornings, it was the same story, with no hostess in sight. I found that client service was practically non-existent at this restaurant. It was surprising and disappointing for a five-star hotel. This experience put us off from trying dinner at this restaurant.

Hotel Alfonso XIII – Facilities

Hotel Alfonso XIII has an outdoor pool on the ground floor, which is quite a popular retreat for guests seeking relief from Seville’s summer heat. Open daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., and the pool area includes cozy seating where you can indulge in light bites and refreshing drinks from the poolside restaurant, available only to hotel guests.

Nearby is a small fitness centre equipped with cardio machines and weights. There’s additional cardio equipment right outside the fitness centre for those who prefer exercising outdoors. While this hotel does not offer a spa, a sauna room is available for relaxation.

When it comes to dining, the hotel offers a casual restaurant, Ena Sevilla, where you can savour tapas and drinks on its relaxed outdoor terrace. It opens at noon until 1 a.m. Alternatively, for guests seeking a more formal dining option, there is Restaurante San Fernando.

Hotel Alfonso XIII – History

Built between 1916 and 1928, Hotel Alfonso XIII opened its doors in 1929 to host international dignitaries and guests attending the Ibero-American Exposition. Designed by architect José Espiau y Muñoz, he worked with other architects that contributed to its distinct design.

If you’ve visited Seville, you may have noticed the striking similarities between the architectural elements of Plaza de España and Hotel Alfonso XIII. This isn’t a coincidence. Prominent Spanish architect Aníbal González, contributed to the design of both of these iconic landmarks.

Did you know that completing a renovation at this property is a massive challenge? Hotel Alfonso XIII is classified as a protected site and is owned by the city of Seville. It is managed by Marriott International under its Luxury Collection division. This means that anytime Marriott wants to do a renovation, they have to seek permission from the city. Apparently, Marriott had put in a request to do a reno since last year, and they are still awaiting approval from the city.

Similar to The Willard InterContinental in Washington, D.C., Hotel Alfonso XIII features a museum section near the lobby that showcases its rich history. You will also find Alfonso XIII’s throne, the Spanish king, after whom the hotel is named.

The hotel offers a daily tour at 5 p.m. where you can learn about its history and architecture. You will learn interesting tidbits such as how royalty preferred to stay on the first floor for convenience, the wealthy occupied the second floor and servants stayed on the third floor, which ironically had the best views! The tour includes exclusive access to the roof terrace, various ballrooms and concludes with complimentary drinks. I highly recommend it!

Takeaway

Hotel Alfonso XIII is undeniably a visual masterpiece. It is an iconic landmark in the Andalusian capital. Its stunning architecture seamlessly combines Moorish detailing with traditional Andalusian elements, beautifully reflecting the region’s rich cultural heritage. In addition to its historic charm, I found the hotel had all the essential elements to make our stay comfortable. Elite status recognition was also solid.

Where the hotel fell short was in its breakfast service. It was also missing the personalized touch I expected. For instance, the hotel didn’t inquire if we had any dietary restrictions or preferences prior to our arrival or during check-in. If they did, they would know not to leave a bottle of wine in our room. The staff also didn’t go the extra mile to make our stay feel special or memorable.

Despite these shortcomings in client service, I will consider a return visit if I find a reasonable rate, especially after they complete the reno. Even if you don’t choose to stay at Hotel Alfonso XIII, it’s worth a visit while exploring the enchanting city of Sevilla.