Pilar and Rafa's place is a fantastic find! The location cannot be beat -- it's right on the Alameda de Hercules, which is full of amazing restaurants and nightlife. The Alameda is a stop on a lot of tourist routes (ex. you can catch all the various tour buses from here) and just a short walk (15-25 mins) from the big Seville attractions like the Alcazar and the Mushrooms. The apartment has a nice layout, and it was very nice to have a full kitchen. We were a part of three adults and were very happy in this clean, comfortable space.
Great things about this place:
- LOCATION
- the bedrooms all have external metal blinds that can be lowered, which blocks out light and quite a bit of noise -- you are never at the mercy of the morning sun and can get a good night's sleep
- easy access to basics: pharmacy right downstairs, grocery less than a block away, ATM nearby, recycling stations right outside
- accessibility: the building has an elevator! This was a huge bonus for my mom, who visited and has some mobility issues
- laundry: there is a washer in the kitchen and a drying rack (and a laundromat just a block or two down the Calle Jesus de Gran Poder if you really need a dryer)
- Pilar and Rafa
Things that might not be so great for some people:
- the Alameda is very lively and so noise might be an issue. Children play during the day, people are at cafes just below, there is a steady stream of traffic, street musicians perform periodically, and at night the nightlife can get boisterous. This was not a problem for me -- I have a white noise app and it drowned everything out when I needed to sleep. But if you're looking for silence, you shouldn't be staying right on the Alameda.
Allergy stuff:
My mom visited while I was staying here. She has celiac disease and needs to eat gluten free. There is an incredible Italian restaurant right on the Alameda called Al Solito Posto that maintains an expansive gluten free menu, a dedicated SEPARATE kitchen to prevent contamination, and staff that know their stuff! I've never had such delicious gluten free food -- everything was excellent, including the gf pizza and pasta! They even do gluten free breakfast -- you can experience a gf version of the Spanish toasts on bread that doesn't taste like cardboard. There is also a Mexican restaurant and mezcaleria on the Alameda that is 100% gluten free, and the nearby grocery store has lots of gf products. My point: if you have celiac or gluten issues, this neighborhood is a good place to be!
I spent two weeks working remotely in this apartment, and was happy as a clam. There was a small balcony, the wifi was strong, and good food and cafes were right outside when I needed a break. I slept in both bedrooms and the beds were comfy. Pilar and Rafa were awesome hosts -- they arranged cars to the airport and flamenco tickets, and were always super quick to respond and help. Overall, this was one of the better Airbnbs I've stayed in, and I'd recommend it to anyone looking for a good spot in Seville! Thanks Pilar and Rafa!