I HIGHLY recommend staying at Maria's home! My trip was a home run from the second I made the reservation. Even though I was booking last minute, she instantly wrote and answered my questions about how to get to beautiful Seville! It was a quick taxi ride from the bus station, and she personally greeted me when I arrived. Maria is lovely, warm and is a natural conversationalist—she immediately made me feel at ease in her beautiful home.
Most importantly, Maria's house is drop-dead gorgeous. It is a classic old mansion, in a calm and perfectly located neighborhood. It has an upstairs patio which is great for having a drink, and has another private garden right downstairs. I felt like I was transported out of the city in the midst of ivy, flowers and calmness of the garden—perfect for relaxing after a long day walking the hot streets of Seville. The kitchen is fully stocked (!!) and I had a great time chatting with another family that was staying there too. The room itself is private, has air conditioning (a huge plus for Southern Spain) and the beds are quite comfortable. The house had everything a traveler needs, and much more.
As for the neighborhood, Maria's house is an easy 2-3 minutes walk from Maria Luisa park, home to the breathtaking Plaza España, Museos and more. I'm also a runner, so it was a perfect spot to go for a late night jog. There were fabulous tapas restaurants just around the block and it was an easy walk to the Cathedral, Center, etc. I couldn't have asked for a better location.
All in all, Maria's warm hospitality, the beauty of the house and the sunny magic of Seville made this trip a 10. HIGHLY recommend staying here!