Could there be anything nicer than spring in Seville? The flowers are in bloom, the scent of orange blossom floats on the breeze, the weather is warm but not scorching, and the summer hordes have yet to descend. As long as you avoid Semana Santa (unless you love crowds and incense), spring in Seville is where it’s at.
Naturally, there are myriad hotels to choose from as your base, but I wanted to stay central – and ideally, not on a main road. So, I opted for the Radisson Collection Magdalena Plaza Sevilla, which sits in the heart of the old town, on a fountain-filled plaza close to El Corte Inglés. Because Seville’s historic centre is mostly pedestrianised (thank you, Spanish urban planning), all the main sights were within walking distance – Santa María Magdalena Church, Plaza Nueva’s shopping, the Museum of Fine Arts – even the Giralda was just 15 minutes on foot.
The Radisson Collection is a portfolio of luxury properties around the world that champion art and design, local heritage, and high-end dining. No two are the same, so each offers a distinctive, characterful experience. Magdalena Plaza Sevilla was the first Radisson Collection property to open in Spain, built on the site of the old 19th-century Gran Hotel de Paris, which introduced European luxury standards to the city.
I remember the hotel’s arrival clearly in September 2021, during that strange mid-pandemic era when tourism was in a hectic play-pause-stop-play-pause cycle, and nobody knew which way was up. It turns out this was probably the best time for the property to open because, as with many cities worldwide, the post-pandemic travel boom saw Seville – and many other Spanish destinations – positively explode.
The hotel is divided between two buildings – Magdalena, which houses reception and the restaurant, and Rioja, home to the rooftop Sky Bar (formerly Justa Rufina). The bar is now only open at weekends, but it’s still one of the best spots for an aperitif, especially when accompanied by the sound of the neighbouring church bells. There’s also a small pool and sunbeds up there – ideal for keeping cool on those toasty summer days.
Designed by architects Borgos Pieper, the Magdalena Plaza features contemporary yet stylish interiors – teal blue, bronze, and forest green colour schemes, herringbone wood floors, marble bathrooms, and black-and-white photographs by Spanish artist Antonio Mora. My fourth-floor Collection Superior Room came with a cloud-like bed and a terrace overlooking the plaza – a perfect spot for savouring my morning coffee.
The 89 rooms and suites come equipped with DeLonghi coffee machines, kettles for tea, and well-stocked minibars. Most have both a separate bath and a rain shower. Complimentary drinks and snacks in the reception area is a nice touch. Downstairs, the restaurant’s curvaceous velvet banquettes make for a cosy spot to linger over breakfast, which is a mix of buffet and à la carte options.
I always judge a kitchen by its omelette, and I have to say – this was one of the best I’ve had in Spain (home of the tortilla, no less, so that’s high praise indeed). It was filled with earthy truffles and tangy manchego cheese, served alongside a lovely dollop of wilted spinach. The breakfast staff were also efficient and ebullient, in that wonderfully and uniquely Spanish way.
By lunch and dinner, the restaurant transforms into Eneko Basque Sevilla, helmed by three-time Michelin-starred chef Eneko Atxa, offering an €85 tasting menu. I didn’t try it personally, but I hear it’s an equally memorable experience. There’s also Bar Calíope, where you can sip drinks at a table outside, and soak up the comings and goings of plaza life.
Now that the weather is warming up and flights are becoming more frequent, this really is the perfect time to visit. My top tip: go midweek – weekends in Seville are usually packed to the rafters, and you’ll want to savour this city at a leisurely pace. See you on the rooftop.
Radisson Collection Magdalena Plaza Sevilla, Plaza de la Magdalena 1, Seville, Spain Rooms from €240 per night. For more information, please visit www.radissonhotels.com.
