This was a flawless experience from the first time I contacted Maria until the moment I walked out the door of the apartment for the last time. Maria and Manu are wonderful people, and their little dog, Lola, is darling!
Maria answered any question or request almost immediately. The communication with her was seamless and easy. I felt so welcome upon arrival. Her kind husband even picked me up at the airport (and waited a whole hour - I am so sorry - because the flight arrived late). The night before my departure, Maria even scheduled a taxi to take me to the airport for my flight home.
The apartment is furnished beautifully, and is immaculately clean. Everywhere you look there is some other beautiful piece of decor to capture your attention. The apartment was very well stocked with anything I could possibly need throughout my stay. Maria thoughtfully provided fresh fruit and spring water so that I had something to drink and eat immediately upon arriving after a very long overnight flight and journey to Seville.
The apartment is large and spacious, and the furnishings seem like they were all just meant to be there. I loved the luxury of having a bath tub, never had an issue with hot water (it was always hot and always plentiful). There is a dishwasher and washing machine, for which instructions have been provided by Maria. This was the first rental I stayed at in Seville with a television. I didn't watch it much because Seville is a captivating city and there is just no time to watch TV when you are there, but it was awesome to have it available. I am working hard to learn Spanish, and did turn it on periodically and watch American shows in Spanish, which actually is very helpful when you are trying to learn a language.
One thing I was very appreciative of is that frequently when you rent in Seville, there is no heat. In Maria's apartment, there is an oil filled radiator in the bedroom, and there is also an electric heater in the living room. Electricity is expensive in Spain, but Maria instructed me to use the heaters to make sure I was comfortable. I used the heaters sparingly as needed, and took advantage of the fluffy extra blanket provided in the closet. I was never not perfectly comfortable. It was often warm enough to turn the heater off and open the sliding door to the bedroom terrace. The terrace is in an enclosed area of the building (open to the sky) so there is absolutely NO noise on the terrace or in the bedroom. For that matter, there was very little street noise as the neighborhood is very residential despite proximity to every kind of restaurant, bar, store, museum, garden, and attraction in the city; and even though a family is obviously living upstairs, there is no noise from the apartment above, either.
There is a lovely outdoor sitting area off the bedroom, so you have a private terrace to enjoy anytime you want to get fresh air. It's perfect for eating breakfast or just sitting quietly to read. Maria and her family live just upstairs from the rental apartment and having them their was a reassuring presence, but they were never intrusive. I had plenty of privacy. While the family allows complete privacy, Maria kindly checked in via email to make sure that everything was going well, and to make the offer to arrange a taxi for my departure. Any question I had was immediately answered.
The location is perfect. Five minutes walking in this very walkable city will get you anywhere you want to go. The Cathedral is literally around the corner. There are restaurants within steps, there is a convenience store around the corner as well, and a grocery store not very far away. I had forgotten my toothbrush and it took me about five minutes to walk to the pharmacy to buy a new one.
Maria provided maps and personalized recommendations for places to eat and shop and visit, with notes and clear directions for getting to each establishment. There are also guidebooks to the city in the apartment in both Spanish and English.
The area is very safe. I traveled solo and never felt unsafe, even walking alone in the area at night. It's a friendly neighborhood, where you will often see people walking their dogs or riding their bike. Everyone says hello with a friendly smile and makes you feel welcome. As a solo female traveler, security and safety are very important to me, and I was very reassured by the security of the property. I cannot wait to return to Seville, and there is no doubt that I will rent from Maria and Manu again. I felt like I arrived as a client, but left with a new friend, and I look forward to seeing Maria (and Lola!!!!!!) again very soon.
Thank you, Maria and Manu, for everything. Kiss Lola for me! Have a wonderful holiday and Christmas, as well!