Gran Meliá Colón, Seville

Location

Found in Seville’s historic centre, the Gran Meliá Colon is perhaps the city’s best-located hotel. The likes of Guadalquivir’s riverside charm, the 13th-century Torre del Oro watchtower and the famous Real Maestranza Bull Ring are just a few minutes’ walk away. There are also the bars and restaurants of Betis Street and the traditional houses of Triana nearby, while – if you cast your net to a ten minutes’ walk – you’ll find Seville’s iconic cathedral, historic Jewish quarter and UNESCO-listed royal palace.

Accommodation

Built in 1929 for the city’s Universal Exposition, the likes of the hotel’s original neoclassical façade and modernist dome have won it listed monument status. Throughout, you’ll find nods to the city’s rich past, with reproductions of paintings by the Spanish masters of the country’s Golden Age. However, having undergone extensive remodelling, the hotel’s rooms are realised in a flawlessly contemporary fashion, with chic, hardwood furniture, marble bathrooms and colour schemes by a famous Spanish interior designer. Upgrades mix in views of the Seville Cathedral and the Reales Alcázares royal palace along with such designer delights as glass bathtubs, white leather chaise longues and truly opulent, Belle Époque-influenced styling. The private Jacuzzis and wooden terraces of the suites are particularly impressive.

Dining

At the Gran Meliá Colón you’ll have the choice of two dining options. Just off the lobby you’ll find Majestic, an elegant restaurant populated by gold, pearls and crystal chandeliers where international breakfast buffets are served up each morning. The fresh fruits and juices are especially good. There’s also El Tenido, where snacks, pastas and desserts by famed pastry chef Francisco Torreblanca are presented alongside an excellent drinks menu. For larger meals, you’ll have all of Seville’s gastronomic delights on your doorstep.

Facilities

Throughout your stay you’ll enjoy complimentary access to the hotel’s wellness centre. Here you’ll find saunas, Turkish baths and massage showers. But it’s the solarium deck that impresses most; equipped with Balinese beds, hammocks and a hydro-massage pool, it offers giant views over the city. You’ll also have use of a fitness centre, while a range of beauty and massage treatments are available on request. For further relaxation, perhaps head back to El Tenido where you’ll be able to enjoy craft cocktails, fine champagne and a superb selection of gin and tonics.