Tucked inside a beautifully restored 19th-century mansion, Casa Palacio Don Ramón is a boutique stay steeped in Andalusian design. Katie Monk visits this award-winning hotel in the heart of Seville…
Seville is famous for its ornate décor and centuries-old tradition of pottery and ceramics. Beautiful tiles brighten up courtyards and parks, painted plates adorn walls, and decorated walkways and handrails can be found in public spaces such as Plaza de España. No visit to the city would be complete without immersing yourself fully in its unique style and staying in a hotel that embraces it.
Enter Casa Palacio Don Ramón.
Opened in 2023 as part of the Kaizen Hoteles group, this 25-room boutique hotel is in a converted 19th-century mansion on Calle Trajano. Part of the Authentic Heritage Collection, Spain’s hallmark of independent luxury, it’s already made waves, winning Best Boutique Hotel in the World at the World Travel Awards. Having spent the previous two days at the group’s Hotel Palacio María Luisa in Jerez (birthplace of sherry), I was already familiar with their concept of meticulously restoring historic family houses. Their hotel in Seville, however, really leans into the region’s decorative style.
Architect Pedro Rodríguez de Pineda and interior designer Alejandra Pombo have created something that feels very Sevillano. Colourful hand-painted wallpaper, furniture upholstered by local artisans, ceramics on the walls. Even the plates and dishes at breakfast are traditional, connecting you to centuries of craftsmanship.
The hotel is built around two inner courtyards, true to traditional Andalusian mansion design. One serves as a peaceful spot to read or enjoy a drink. The other houses El Limón Restaurant. There’s also a rooftop terrace – essential for those scorchio afternoons when you need nothing more than shade, a cold drink, and a plunge pool. But for me, the city is better in winter anyway, so you should avoid this scenario if you can.
The accommodation has three themes – Arab, Mozarabic or New World – reflecting the various cultures that have helped shape the city. The Don Ramón Suite is named after the property’s namesake – a dapper fellow who enjoyed the finer things in life; the Seville Suite celebrates the city’s famous tiles and the colour blue. Then there are the two Junior Suites – Al-Andalus, which evokes the majesty of “Isbiliya” (the city’s medieval Arabic name), and the Seville Junior Suite, also decked out in those distinctive blues.
My room featured intricate wall carvings inspired by Moorish design, reminiscent of the Alhambra’s delicate plasterwork (if you’ve not yet been, consider adding that to your itinerary). Velvet furnishings add warmth and texture, while the bathroom had a huge marble bath that would make Elgin blush, plus a separate shower and twin sinks. All very indulgent.
Breakfast is a tapas affair served at your table in the elegant covered courtyard next to the fountain. Pineapple jam, omelette, Manchego, café con leche. You know the drill. The Spanish take their time over breakfast, as do I.
I make no bones about stating that Seville is one of my favourite places. I wax lyrical about it all the time. But it’s become hugely popular with overseas visitors since the end of the pandemic, like many spots, which means you have to pick the right moment to visit these days, to get the true experience. Time it wrong, and you could hit crowds and queues and
miss the magic entirely, because the city is far more than the sum of its parts. It’s a place to linger, to sit by the river, enjoy some unhurried tapas and a cold caña on an orange-tree-shaded square, to catch some street flamenco and generally enjoy life. So go in winter, I say. Avoid the crowds. Wrap up warm. Soak up the sunshine and the history. And just take it slow.
Rooms at Casa Palacio Don Ramón start from €370 per night based on two sharing, with breakfast. For more information, and for bookings, please visit www.hoteldonramon.com.
