SET IN…
the heart of the historic center of Seville, lies the Mercer’s second luxury hotel in Spain. The 19th century site, formerly known as Casa Palacio Castelar, once served as palace to a prominent nobleman but today stands as a 5 star destination for visitors in the know.
Boasting a prime location just a stone’s throw from the Torre del Oro, La Giralda and Real Alcazar, the 12 room boutique hotel taps the spirit of the Mercer brand with the help of interior designer Amanda Molina and Cruz y Ortiz Arquitectos. The Proprietor of Mercer Hoteles, Pedro Molina explains, “Our formula is to combine the cultural heritage of our hotels with service that is entirely focused on satisfying the needs of our guests. This creates a distinct personality in the historical buildings and the unique design within them…”
Upon entry, guests are greeted with a glass of cava and delicate mini-cakes. From there the interior unfolds in typical Andalusian style, with a central courtyard/lobby at heart and supporting spaces in the surround. The design team cites the original marble staircase as an anchor of the design while restored plaster work and old world wrought iron gates provide dramatic foil to the new – at times spare – furnishings and finishes.
Just off the lobby a small restaurant with soaring ceilings offers an intimate yet dramatic retreat to Andalusian cuisine with a modern twist. The adjacent cocktail bar carries through the ground level’s rich earth tones while adding drama and sparkle via a ‘vertiginous’ wall of liquors and spirits.
On the upper levels, guest-rooms transition to an ethereal palette of grays and blues, while their adjoining baths are treated to a space-age cladding of pure white resin.
On top of it all lies a new rooftop terrace complete with stainless steel plunge pool, perfectly designed for Seville’s welcoming climate. By day, guests can sunbathe and enjoy fresh cocktails, while come evening they’re treated to unhurried sunsets and starry night skies.
Photography courtesy of Mercer Hotel Sevilla
Architecture by Cruz y Ortiz Arquitectos
Interior design by Amanda Molina