Hospes Las Casas del Rey de Baeza

Hospes Las Casas del Rey de Baeza, a Michelin Key Selected property in Seville, Spain, consistently receives high praise for its enchanting ambiance, prime location, and exceptional service. Housed in an 18th-century building, it beautifully blends traditional Andalusian architecture with sophisticated modern design elements.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The general consensus for Hospes Las Casas del Rey de Baeza is overwhelmingly positive. It boasts a "Fabulous" rating of 8.9 on Booking.com based on 749 reviews, and an "Excellent" 4.5 on TripAdvisor from 1393 reviews. Guests frequently highlight the hotel's charm, the helpfulness of its staff, and its central location.

2. Key Highlights

Guests are particularly fond of several aspects that define their stay:

• Service & Staff: The staff consistently receives accolades for being "incredibly helpful," "friendly," "professional," and "very accommodating". They are often noted for going above and beyond, such as assisting a guest in retrieving a lost phone from Granada.
• Location: Situated in the historic center, often described as being in or at the edge of the old Jewish quarter, the hotel offers excellent accessibility to Seville's main attractions. It's a short walk to the Pilate's House (2 min), Metropol Parasol (6 min), Seville Cathedral (10 min), and Alcázar Palace (12 min). Despite its central position, it's considered secluded and peaceful.
• Design & Ambiance: The hotel is praised for its "beautiful blend of old and new," featuring traditional Andalusian elements like whitewashed walls, terracotta floors, and charming interior courtyards, combined with modern, colonial-style furnishings. The rooftop pool area is also a favored feature.
• Amenities: A standout amenity is the rooftop swimming pool with loungers and bar service, providing a refreshing respite. The hotel also offers a full-service spa, a traditional tapas restaurant, a cozy library, and private parking.

3. Room Quality

Room quality varies within the hotel. Junior Suites and Deluxe Rooms are typically spacious and well-appointed with "colonial-style furnishings with a modern twist," "beautiful decor," and "clean, modern bathrooms". All rooms are equipped with quality beds and Egyptian cotton linens, ensuring comfort.

However, some "lower-level rooms can feel a little barebones," featuring "sparse wall decorations, simple wrought-iron headboards, and small flat-screen TVs". Some guests have found certain rooms to be "too small" or lacking character. Due to the traditional Andalusian structure, rooms often have small windows, which can make them feel dark. Showers in some rooms are not fully enclosed, potentially leading to water on the bathroom floor. Rooms facing the interior courtyards are generally noted as more peaceful.

4. Dining Experience

The hotel's Restaurant Azahar serves a selection of Andalusian and international fusion dishes, with tapas also available in the charming courtyard. Breakfast is frequently highlighted as "delicious and filling," "wonderful," with "lots of choice and really good coffee". Some guests even remark that it's so substantial, lunch isn't needed. However, a few guests have noted that the breakfast selection, while good, doesn't change much day-to-day. There was an isolated report of inconsistent breakfast quality, including undercooked eggs and mold on sliced bread. Room service food has been described as reasonable.

5. Service & Staff

The service at Hospes Las Casas del Rey de Baeza is a recurring highlight. Guests consistently praise the staff for their "incredibly helpful," "friendly," and "professional" demeanor. They are commended for being very accommodating, even arranging special room service on holidays. Specific staff members like Marta, Miguel, and Juan have been individually recognized for their exceptional assistance. An infrequent point of criticism was one staff member suggesting guests book services online themselves. It's also worth noting that the hotel, despite being a Marriott Design Hotel partner, reportedly does not recognize Marriott Bonvoy status for benefits like free breakfast or room upgrades.

6. Location & Accessibility

The hotel's location is widely considered excellent. It is situated in the historic center of Seville, "right in (or at the edge of) the old Jewish quarter". This allows easy walking access to major sights such as the Seville Cathedral (10 minutes), Alcázar Palace (12 minutes), and the Metropol Parasol (6 minutes). The surrounding streets are described as a "maze of tiny roads, with lots of interesting things all around to look at". The Santa Justa train station is a short taxi or Uber ride away. On-site private parking is available, but guests with larger vehicles should be aware that the turning circle to enter and leave can be challenging.

7. Value & Pricing

As a Michelin Key Selected luxury boutique hotel, Hospes Las Casas del Rey de Baeza is generally in a higher price bracket. While many guests feel the experience justifies the cost, especially when upgraded, one guest found a Junior Suite at €430 per night with breakfast to be overpriced, particularly when compared to other Seville hotels. Breakfast, if not included in the rate, is typically priced around €25. Prices are subject to change based on dates and room types.

8. Common Complaints

While overall sentiment is positive, a few recurring issues and criticisms have been noted:

• Inconsistent Room Quality: Some guests found lower-level rooms to be "barebones" or "too small," lacking the character of higher-category rooms.
• Bathroom Design Flaws: Showers in some rooms are not fully enclosed, leading to water on the bathroom floor. There was also a report of a clogged bathtub requiring a follow-up call for cleaning.
• Room Darkness: Small windows, typical of the traditional architecture, can make some rooms feel dark.
• Inconsistent Wi-Fi: Poor Wi-Fi quality and buffering TV were reported by some guests.
• Breakfast Inconsistency: Although generally praised, one isolated experience mentioned undercooked eggs and mold on bread during breakfast.
• Noise: Rooms facing the first-floor courtyard/patio can experience late-night noise.
• Marriott Bonvoy Status: The hotel does not recognize Marriott Bonvoy status for benefits like upgrades or complimentary breakfast.

Sources

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