The majestic and historical city of Seville is the capital of Andalusia. It’s the fourth largest city in Spain and is home to the world’s largest Gothic cathedral – which is where explorer Christopher Columbus is buried. It’s packed with magnificent monuments, leafy parks with towering trees and streets lined with orange trees, tempting bars and restaurants.
Our base for our long-anticipated city break is Ocean Drive Seville, which opened this July. The 49-bedroom hotel is in the historic centre of Seville in the Encarnacion neighbourhood. And there’s something very special about its location, as we discover as we get closer.
In 2004 an international competition was launched for ideas to redevelop Encarnacion Square and the winner was the Metropol Parasol project designed by German architect Jurgen Mayer. Also known as La Setas (the mushrooms), the construction was completed in 2011 and is now known as the world’s largest wooden structure (and Seville’s third-most visited attraction).
It’s a dramatic sight consisting of six parasols which resemble large mushrooms. And Ocean Drive Seville looks directly on to them. It’s hard to get lost when all you have to do is look up to find La Setas, and you’re home!
We arrive feeling somewhat hot and bothered, having had a longer than anticipated walk. The Vuelta, one of the world’s largest cycling races is on and the day we arrive it’s in Seville so a lot of roads are closed. Why they decide to cycle through Spain in the sweltering heat of August is a mystery. Even pulling our lightweight suitcases through the city streets seems an effort.
But there’s a reward at the end. From the minute we step into Ocean Drive Seville (and its air conditioning) we relax. We could not have been made more welcome and were immediately offered a glass of Orange wine, a traditional local beverage. Deliciously refreshing.
The hotel is light-filled and fresh with stylish contemporary decor – and an Art Deco feel, including the exterior. We’re soon heading up to our suite on the hotel’s top floor. And what a delightful space it is. There’s a seating area, large bedroom, a modern bathroom and floor-to-ceiling windows leading out to the terrace.
The huge terrace runs along the entire length and is complete with sun loungers, a table and chairs, and
even an outdoor shower. And we’re so close to La Setas we can almost touch them. It’s breathtaking.
Ocean Drive Seville is well located for the city’s other main attractions. It’s an easy walk to the cathedral and its beautiful tower, La Giralda, and the Royal Alcazar. The river and Plaza de Espana is just a bit further, but it’s an enjoyable walk with plenty of photo opps and infinite tapas bars to stop off at along the way for rejuvenation.
Seville is a great city to meander through. We also explored the narrow alleys of the Old Town, getting (slightly) lost along the way before ending up in a local bar.
Sevillanos are friendly and helpful and have that innate Spanish pride in their city. And so they should, this is one extraordinary city. After a long day of exploration we are delighted to return to our home-from-home.
We complete the day by sipping a glass of Rioja on our terrace overlooking the gigantically spectacular mushrooms. After dark they’re lit up in all the colours of the rainbow. We sleep soundly in the huge, bed with its luxury linens, it’s our own private paradise.
When morning comes, the hotel serves a great buffet breakfast including freshly squeezed orange juice and lovely coffee. There’s also an a la carte selection and I can’t help ordering the pan con tomate with jamon. Lightly toasted fresh bread coated with fresh grated tomatoes and topped with that magical Spanish ham. Just what we need to prepare us for another day of Seville exploration.
Ocean Drive Hotels owns six hotels in Spain. Three in Ibiza and one each in Madrid, Barcelona and Seville. Find out more at https://www.od-hotels.com/hotel-ocean-drive-sevilla/