Description: The Tryp Macarena hotel advertises that it is located right alongside the Guadalquivir River. It is not. It seems that you cannot rely on any advertising material these days. While it is adjacent to the old city wall it is quite a hike from the main places of interest in town. We walked back from the cathedral one day and while this is a delightful walk through the old town, it is a long way and you are likely to get lost. Fortunately the hotel is on the C4 bus route which loops around the city and it only costs 1.10 Euro to get to the centre where you can walk to all the sights. A taxi is about 5 Euros.
We found check-in quite easy and we were given a nice room overlooking the old city walls. There was a little balcony and a huge bathroom with marble floor and walls. There was satellite TV, wireless internet access and all the usual facilities except an iron and tea/coffee making. The latter, of course is rare in Europe. Everything appeared to be quite clean. The hotel is situated on a busy corner so there is quite a bit of traffic noise but the windows are solid and thick and noise was not a problem. When we opened the windows, because we don’t like air-conditioning when it is not needed, noise was significant early in the evening but was OK during the night.
We ate at the hotel on the first night because we were tired and found the food and service quite good. Don’t expect anything too exotic but what we had was very satisfying and there is a good menu and wine list. The restaurant opens from 1pm to 3.30pm and then from 8pm to midnight. The Spanish sure do eat late! The restaurant was an elegant place with abundant old-world charm and typical Andalusian style. We enjoyed it.
The breakfast buffet operates from 7am till 10.30am. The breakfast was first rate with plenty of choice, but the head waiter was rather abrupt and had an argument with one of the other guests. I’m not sure who goes for this but the breakfast buffet offered sparking, white and red wine. The yogurt, fruit and toast were my style but there was also a good choice of hot dishes.
There is a swimming pool but it was not open when we were there, a business centre with reasonable facilities and a small lobby bar. The Reception area has a nice covered patio area with pretty mosaics, a fountain and a little boutique. There are comfortable seats here if you manage to get one before the tour groups arrive. Reception will organize sightseeing tours, golf, flamenco evenings and river trips.
Although it is quite a way from the city centre there is a nice park across the road, the city wall is interesting and the nearby El Palacio Andaluz flamenco show is worth seeing.
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