Parador de Carmona

The staff made us feel very welcome and were lovely about accommodating us. We also enjoyed the beautiful hotel spaces and the food, which was excellent and reasonably priced, especially for kids. The menu didn't change while we were there, though. The hotel sits on a hillside with sweeping plains to look out over. When we arrived, police had blocked the main road up, so they sent us along a back route. A few of those narrow streets felt a bit cagey, but we got there fine. I'm not sure if that road closure was a one-off, so be prepared for it. There are lots of parking spaces about 100 metres to the left, past the entrance. The pool closes in mid-October, so swimming wasn't an option.

The views over the Andalucía fields were lovely, and the historic setting made for a romantic, cozy family stay. It's a short drive from Sevilla, and between the terrace views and local restaurants, a night here felt worth the money. We did feel a little neglected at times. The hotel didn't tell us there was construction on site, and we couldn't even get into the grounds to unload our luggage, though staff had their own cars and bikes parked right by the entrance. At the restaurant, waits for meals during the day and at breakfast were hard to understand. Someone's bread got stuck in the toaster and smoked up the whole room, but none of the several waitresses reacted. We also had to point out that dried fruit and flower decorations on the tables were moldy and needed replacing. It was my wife's birthday that day, and we were surprised that not even the receptionist mentioned it. A kind word would've meant a lot.

We enjoyed our stay so much that we wished we'd booked more nights. Everyone was friendly and welcoming, from reception and the bar chap to the restaurant and housekeeping staff. That's not always been our experience at the Paradores we've visited, so this one really stood out. Thank you.

Carmona is a beautiful village, with excellent restaurants and interesting churches, convents, and more. This is a calm, peaceful place with stunning views and lovely, helpful staff. It worked well as a base for avoiding Seville's hustle and bustle while staying close to the city and convenient for the airport. Getting to the pool involves walking or climbing stairs, so it's not ideal if that's difficult for you.