Best Historical Hotels in Spain

Mercer Plaza Sevilla is a luxury hotel located in the heart of the Andalusian capital, Plaza de San Francisco. It features 25 stylish guest rooms and suites, a rooftop terrace with a swimming pool and views of the Cathedral and Giralda, a Nobu restaurant, a Nobu Bar, a solarium, a 24-hour gym, and a meeting & events space. The design of the hotel pays homage to Nobu’s Japanese roots and the traditional architecture of the city. The rooms are luxurious and feature materials inspired by the Far East and rain showers, Eight & Bob amenities, and a Smart TV.

A former 16th-century palace, this building has been restored to include Roman mosaics, marble and tiled floors and avant-garde furniture from the Renaissance era. But its rooftop is a most modern affair, with a swimming pool, banana leaf plants, a patio and four-poster daybeds proffering close-up views of the Seville Cathedral. Tuck into tapas at Pura Vida Terraza, take a tipple at the Sherry Bar and watch one of Los Seises’ live flamenco shows. Its room categories are originally named as Azahar, Olive, Sherry, La Cartuja and the Legend Terrace. The hotel is located in the Santa Cruz neighbourhood.

In the city where Roman Emperors Trajan and Hadrian were born, the eighteenth-century Casa Romana has been re-designed as a Roman-style dwelling on harmonious lines. Guests can choose from the extensive cocktail menu while enjoying the panorama from the roof terrace, where there is also a swimming pool. The light and airy soundproofed bedrooms offer every amenity, with de luxe options and suites available, and there is even an on-site DJ. Located in the old town, it takes around fifteen minutes to reach the burial place of Christopher Columbus in the cathedral, while the Museum of Fine Arts is a little nearer.

Set in a nineteenth-century palace in the lively El Arenal district, this twelve-room hotel is four minutes along a narrow cobbled street from the Plaza Nueva metro station, and slightly further to the cathedral. Rooms have all amenities, with some boasting balconies, or terraces complete with orange trees. Other facilities include a rooftop bar next to a plunge pool and an on-site restaurant and cocktail bar. A lounge area is overlooked by a traditional courtyard and fountain, featuring the original marble spiral staircase in one corner.

Said to be the birthplace of the poet Ximinez de Enciso, this boutique hotel in the Barrio de Santa Cruz is a short walk from the Gothic cathedral and the Alcázar palace. The seventeenth-century building has been carefully restored and retains the typical architectural style of a central courtyard with a fountain. Guests can look forward to daily live guitar music and can enjoy an art gallery and a roof terrace with views to the cathedral and its baroque bell tower, the Giralda. Rooms vary in size, with suites and duplexes available, and there is also a luxury apartment.

Alfonso XIII, great-grandfather of the present king, ruled until Spain declared itself a republic in 1931, and commissioned this centrally-situated hotel during 1929’s Expo 29 in Seville. Modernity mixes with Moorish and Spanish tradition in its elegant interior and stunning facade while dining outlets complement the meeting and function rooms. Sample authentic Andalusian cooking in the restaurant, or share tapas favourites in ENA by Carles Abellán. Meanwhile, as you might guess, the Bar Americano shakes (or stirs) a mean cocktail in an Art Deco setting.

This upmarket apartment hotel sits conveniently on a street of bars, restaurants and shops, not far from the Alcázar, and two kilometres from the buzz of the Plaza de España. Each one-bedroom unit here offers two single beds that can be converted to a double, free WiFi, two smart TVs and a kitchenette, with a pull-out sofa bed in the living area. The child and pet-friendly complex is completed by a roof terrace with a pool and loungers. Limited parking and bike hire are available, and there is a laundry service.

Situated within the Santa Cruz historic and artistic district of Seville, amongst Royal Citadels and the world’s oldest bullfighting ring, La Mastranza, is your next luxurious stay – Hotel Colón Gran Meliá. Showcasing a chic and minimalistic design, each of the 156 guestrooms and 28 suites are adorned in red and gold tones with award-winning furnishings that blend the two aesthetics seamlessly into their own. With room options to suit any kind of traveller, you can immerse yourself in each floor of the hotel which is dedicated to a different Spanish artist, such as El Greco.  Its ideal and scenic location isn’t all it has to offer, with top-class dining experiences available at the El Burladero combining traditional Andalusian cooking with a dose of modernity, and Fitness facilities to keep your body and mind in shape During your next stay in Seville, at Hotel Colón Gran Meliá you are the star, with red carpet-worthy hospitality awaiting you.

This is another converted palace with a view of the bell tower, but this one dates from the fifteenth century. Despite the recent renovation, the original features and style have been respected, with rooms grouped around the central indoor courtyard, while another patio has its own well. The attention to detail continues with the care and attention that staff give to their visitors, with even kettles being provided. Terracotta flooring cools the bedrooms, some of which contain carved wooden ceilings; spaces range from standard double to suites, and there is disabled access. A Basque restaurant features a charcoal grill, and in another nod to that region, there’s also a Pintxos Bar.

The Four Seasons Resort Mallorca at Formentor is an exquisite luxury resort nestled on the serene Formentor Peninsula. This historic property has been meticulously restored to blend classic Mediterranean charm with modern comforts. It offers a variety of accommodation options, including rooms and suites with views of lush gardens or the crystal-clear sea, some featuring private plunge pools. Enjoy an array of dining experiences, a full-service spa, outdoor pools, and activities such as hiking, water sports, and boating. The resort’s design emphasises tranquillity and connection with nature, making it an ideal destination for relaxation and rejuvenation. The Formentor Peninsula is known for its breathtaking scenery, and the resort offers direct access to pristine beaches and lush pine forests.

Part of the Barceló Hotel Gorup, the Palacio Gran Via, a Royal Hideaway Hotel is a lavish boutique hotel in the most desirable area in Granada. Housed in the former Rodríguez-Acosta bank headquarters, the is hotel can be found in one of the most striking buildings of La Alhambra. The original style and architecture have been preserved while a breath of new life has been brought in to transform the building and its two gorgeous facades into an inviting and luxurious hotel. There is a lush collection of guest rooms and suites including the top-floor Royal Suite with its own terrace. There is an on-site restaurant serving an array of gourmet Andalusian delicacies as well as Mediterranean and international cuisine. The hotel’s wellness facilities include a tranquil Hammam, indoor swimming pool and a solarium. There is also a fully equipped gym open to guests. The hotel has a spectacular central rooftop patio offering views over the Alhambra and the Cathedral.

While many flock to beachside resorts in Ibiza, the Hotel Mirador de Dalt Vila offers a very different perspective on the island. The 19th-century property is a former Lord’s manor house, tucked into the walled city of Dalt Vila, a Unesco World Heritage site. It was only recently transformed from a residential home into a hotel, with 12 guest rooms located in the main house and in an annex (book the former for original features such as beamed ceilings and wrought iron balconettes). The terrace provides stunning views over the harbour, there’s a fine dining intimate restaurant overlooking the plaza (all meals are served here) and an outdoor plunge pool to cool off in the Balearic heat.