Hotel Palacio de Villapanes – Discovering Whisky Ultra Luxury With Royal Salute

TLE was recently on a recent trip to Seville to enjoy the launch of ultra-luxury whisky brand Royal Salute’s latest limited edition expression, the 29 Year Old Pedro Ximénez Sherry Cask Finish Expression. Our home during the stay in Seville was at the palatial Hotel Palacio de Villapanés, part of the CoolRooms collection of properties. This former 18th-century palace in the heart of the city oozes style and sophistication and is part of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World portfolio. Read on to discover more about this 5-star luxury boutique hotel in the Andalusian capital.

Background and Concept

Hotel Palacio de Villapanés is a converted 18th-century palace that blends traditional elegance with modern twists. Think baroque architecture throughout the property, marble columns and traditional Spanish tiling, parquet flooring and wooden shuttering, mixed with contemporary furnishings and fabrics by Patricia Urquiola, bathrooms you won’t want to leave and suites fit for Royalty.

Up on the roof be rewarded with breathtaking views across Seville, relax on sun-loungers or have a dip in the plunge pool, in the basement the wellness centre offers a whole new level of relaxation and luxury, with its steam bath, massage room, and warm and hot-water contrast shower

And for dining options, the hotel’s restaurant Los Rincones Del Marques is defined by its Andalusian menu and character and offers dining both inside and outside in the courtyard.

Location

Tucked along a quiet backstreet you are a short 15-minute walk to the cathedral and Royal Alcazar and the main shopping district and incredible Metropol Parasol are a ten-minute walk from the hotel.

Rooms and Suites

The hotel includes 50 rooms and suites which range from deluxe, grand deluxe, palace rooms, junior suites and suites. Rooms and all unique and unbelievably beautiful, all offering that wow factor when you walk into them. The rooms all flow around the two patios with the suites in the building looking out to the orange tree-shaded outdoor patio. Period features of the building are showcased in every room, and all rooms have a Loewe and a free mini bar of drinks and snacks which is topped up daily. The sign of a good hotel are their bathrooms in my option and the bathrooms in the hotel are made for relaxing in, they all feature oversized bathtubs, Molton Brown amenities and hydromassage showers and water jets.

The hotel’s five suites are as grand as they come with soaring windows and 18th-century architecture and each one is completely different, two come with a balcony, one with a terrace and one has a separate sitting room. All Suites feature an Apple iMac computer on desk, King bed, Loewe TV and complimentary WiFi, minibar and Nespresso machine.

Food and Drink

Set in the hotel’s old winery, the Restaurant Palacio de Villapanés takes traditional Andalusian flavours and adds a dash of contemporary creativity. Expect flavours to surprise and delight the palate. There are two different spaces for dining, the lobby room with six six-metre high wood ceiling and the white arched wine cellar. The proposals of the hotel’s Chef Jorge Cortes embody market cuisine and the origin of healthful Mediterranean cuisine reflecting the Andalusian essence. Enjoy exquisite culinary gems that will be accompanied by a seductive selection of wines.

Breakfast, like the hotel, is fit for royalty and there is a range of cold buffet treats and a comprehensive range of hot dishes which are cooked to order. During my stay I ate in the downstairs white-washed basement restaurant, but they also serve breakfast in the upper restaurant area too.

The Spa

Immerse yourself in the luxury of the Mudejar times in the hotel’s luxurious spa which uses water, light and massage techniques to relax and rejuvenate the senses. The spa includes a comprehensive range of spa treatments, including massages, facials, and pampering beauty treatments.

The rooftop plunge pool is open from April 1st to November 14th and offers the perfect spot to relax after a day exploring the city.

Patio De Las Conchas

The Patio De Las Conchas offers an intimate space for a drink in the evening where you can relax to the sound of the courtyard fountain. In the summer months you can also eat breakfast there too.

Final Thoughts

Seville is a city that lights a fire in my heart, I love it, and the Hotel Palacio de Villapanes is really quite something extra special. The building’s conservation is breathtaking and its boutique size means you don’t get lost in a sea of guests. The staff and the service on offer are flawless, this really is a special hotel and it is no surprise it is included in the SLH portfolio, I would highly recommend this property to anyone visiting Seville.

We have included this hotel in our guide to the best luxury hotels in Seville.