Both Pura and her lovely home were an absolute delight! Sevilla itself is a wonderful city to visit – but Pura made it even better! She sent me directions beforehand – but still specially walked from her home to the tram stop to meet me, gave me an orientation on-the-spot of all the streets radiating off Puerta Jerez (great place for people-watching, street musicians etc!), then took me home.
The apartment really is right next to the Alcazar, in a gracious old building with high ceilings, bright & airy rooms, beautiful old solid-wood traditional doors & brass fittings – but with a lift, new flooring, double-glazed windows, modernised bathroom with high-quality new fittings. Pura lives in the front part and indicated that I could ask for advice – but at the same time gives you complete privacy, with a door in-between. On arrival she gave copious advice on where to go, what to see, provided numerous brochures (and also a handwritten booklet with tips on anything from restaurants to Laundromats) – but then left me alone.
I am very noise-sensitive and rate “sleep quality” as a top priority. Pura’s room scores 5 stars! Firstly her street is a lovely, narrow old cobbled street, not much traffic – and at night most vehicles stop and horses no longer clip-clop past; in addition, the room is at the back of her apartment, facing into a tiny pedestrian alley at the side – plus the double-glazing provides added silence.
Everything is kept spotlessly clean.
There is airconditioning for Summer, a ceiling fan – and the offer of a heater in Winter.
The bathroom warrants special mention: in this historical building, it is ventilated by a pretty art-nouveau stained-glass window facing into a circular airwell in the centre of the building – a feature in itself! On the broad window-sill Pura has provided everything a weary traveller might need (or has forgotten to pack) – and then some!! Floor, basin, toilet etc are all new and high-quality, and the generous shower has a mixer-tap which really works, no nasty surprises!
When Pura realised that my mobility is restricted and I suffer a lot of pain, she went out of her way to think of ways to minimise the amount of walking I need to do, provided information and help in various ways. When I thanked her, saying ‘You really have thought of everything” – she responded, “I just want you to have happy memories of Sevilla!”
Indeed I do!!