El Río

Basic place, clean and efficient, with an okay breakfast and a competitive price. There's 24-hour reception, and the tourist centre, including the Alcázar and cathedral, is about a 15-minute walk away.

I stayed with my sisters and we had a pleasant visit. The staff were kind and helpful, and our room was kept in good shape and cleaned regularly. The air conditioning worked really well, which was a lifesaver in Seville's summer heat. The location is pretty good, fairly close to the city centre and the Guadalquivir River, where we could take a nice walk after a long, scorching day.

The location was very good, the facilities average, and our room was cleaned each day. If the first-day incident hadn't happened, we'd have left with positive feelings. There was a misunderstanding about the receptionist's instructions. We thought he said he wouldn't be at the desk after 8 PM and that we should let ourselves in and take the key. When we came back and found reception empty, we tried to get the key as we understood we'd been told to do. A different receptionist on the night shift saw us, rushed over aggressively, raised his voice, threw the pen in his hand and shouted in Spanish, using rude slang that referred to Turkey and Turkish people. He acted in a threatening way, almost as if he might physically attack us. We were shocked and deeply disappointed, and plan to report the incident to the relevant authorities.

The location is excellent, with the main attractions within walking distance, and the area felt safe. The reception staff were friendly and helpful, and we had no problems during the stay. Parking nearby is very difficult. I drove around the surrounding streets at midday on a weekday and couldn't find a space. You can stop in the designated area in front of the hostel while checking in, then ask reception about the private indoor car park directly across from the hotel building. It's 15 euros a day. They give you a parking ticket to put in the glove compartment, and you park in the assigned space. The room was clean and reasonably comfortable. The furnishings and decor aren't new, but they're adequate, and the bed was large and very comfortable. The pillows, though, were a complete disaster. They really need to be replaced with thicker, more comfortable ones. You have to leave your key at reception whenever you go out; it seemed inconvenient at first, but I got used to it and it turned out to be easier. The bathroom was clean, the towels fresh, and there were no bad smells from the toilet or drains or any sign of mold. The toilet seat looked old, though, and didn't seem hygienic. Replacing the seats would improve the guest experience.