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Jerez | Hotel Asta Regia
The Asta Regia (named for the nearby Roman town) is a relatively new hotel just off the Plaza Arenal, the main square in the centre of the old city. It’s also near the Alcázar Palace and just a five-minute walk to the central Market, with plenty of good bars and restaurants nearby. The building was…
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Carmona | Parador Hotel
I’ve been to this Parador several times over the years – for events, or just for a drink at the bar when visiting Carmona – so when I had the opportunity to stay overnight recently I naturally jumped at the chance. The Carmona Parador is the one that serves Seville, and is about a…
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Granada | Hotel Casa 1800
A few years ago I watched the Hotel Casa 1800 in Sevilla transform the large family home next to my barrio Santa Cruz apartment into a lovely boutique hotel and, when asked for a tour upon completion, could not believe what they’d done to the place. Every room was unique and sumptuously decorated. So when…
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Granada| RoomMate Hotel Leo
Behind a discrete door in a quiet pedestrian street in the centre of Granada is one of the best of the city’s boutique hotels. The building is traditional, but has been completely refurbished to the highest modern hotel standards, though access to the main lift is down a twisty ramp that seems left over from…
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Córdoba | Hotel Balcón de Córdoba
Although “just” a 4-star hotel, Balcón de Córdoba is one of the growing number of luxury boutique hotels that has the look and feel of a 5-star and offers exquisite attention to detail. Just a couple of minutes from the Mezquita, and with a discreet back entrance into the small square at the top of…
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Córdoba | Palacio Viana Revisited
Much ado is (justifiably) made about Córdoba’s annual Patio Festival with its colourful flower-festooned patios, posadas and alleyways in full bloom, though I personally prefer to go a week or so after the festival to avoid the crowds. And one of my favourite places in Córdoba to visit any time of year is the Palacio…
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Cádiz | Parador Hotel Atlántico
Well, I’d certainly come back here again! This is the second time I’ve stayed at a Parador (first was in Antequera), and both times the experience has been exceptional. It’s true that the exterior of the recently renovated Cádiz hotel is, to my mind, a not-very-attractive modern style (okay, I’ll just say it – UGLY)…
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Cádiz | Hotel La Cátedral
The Hotel la Catedral is a relatively new boutique hotel (just 14 rooms) in a great location just inside the old city and directly in front of the Cathedral. Pretty much everything you want to see and do in Cádiz is just a few minutes walk away. Despite a few specific problems I found it…
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Copa Jerez 2015 National Finals
Last week I was invited to attend the Spanish finals for the 6th Copa Jerez international food and sherry pairing competition, which will be held in April 2015. I had been at Copa Jerez 2013 and so I was very excited about seeing the finalists in action, preparing and presenting their three-course meals matched with…
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Jaén | Hotel Xauen
At the end of my Jaén Getaway I met up with my friend and fellow trip planner Rachel Webb, who lives just outside Jaén city. I’d just got in from Úbeda so she picked me up at the bus station and brought me to the hotel, which was easy enough to access, with a…