Completely central and in the midst of the milling and coming-and-going of the
lovely old town that has been the scene of pilgrims and merchants, traders and tourists
and street life for centuries, here we have a fine example of a "hotel with charm".
"Casa de los Azulejos" is a converted patrician's house owned and
managed by a young team who give a friendly and helpful service to guests (something which
many hotels in the main tourist area fall short of delivering). The "House of
the Tiles" is tastefully decorated, modernist touches complementing traditional
Sevillan tilework. The most interesting sights in the city are a short stroll
away.
One enters from the street to a delightful
plant-filled patio. An architectural original, although the well-travelled guest
may recognize this leafy, laidback style of courtyard from exported variations
much in evidence in the former Spanish colonies of central America.
Here is a
profusion of greenery, balustrades and arches, hammocks, marble flooring and slender
columns supporting an open gallery. In fact, the hotel is characterised by a fusion
of Spanish and Latin American culture: pictures on the walls and jewellery on
sale have been brought back from distant travels by the staff, and the restaurant
stylishly combines culinary elements from the old and the new worlds.
As you walk up the staircase to the
upper gallery, a colourful ceiling fresco executed by Nicaraguan artists catches
the eye. The light-filled gallery, often used for art exhibitions itself, has
balconies over the patio and provides access to the bedrooms.
There are
just eight rooms, all attractive, comfortable and spacious, with furnishings
of wood, forged ironwork and natural fabrics, each room different in warm decorative
colours. One bedroom has its door onto the patio downstairs and is wheelchair
user-friendly. Bath and shower rooms are generously sized. There's also a small
library where guests may read and consult books.
The main restaurant, on the other side
of the patio, overlooking a rear garden is a very pleasant space; it has atmosphere
to go with the fine food. Downstairs is a real surprise: a cheerful Mexican-style cantina created in the cellar where you can order drinks and tasty snacks. It
leads out to the rear garden patio and from there into a sidestreet by the Plaza
de la Corredera. Breakfasts are served buffet-style.
Parking is always a conundrum in central
Córdoba. "Casa de los Azulejos" has got round the problem by an agreement
with "Hotel Macía Alfaros" which allows their guests to use the secure
undergound carpark there. It's nearby, but guests who want to unload luggage at
"Casa de los Azulejos" first and find themselves lost have only to phone
and the staff will try to guide you - or even come to rescue you. You don't get
that kind of service everywhere.
