Hotel Review: Plácido y Grata Seville, Southern Spain

Hotel ReviewEurope

Oct 20

With the weather in London beginning to cool and the days getting significantly shorter we happily greeted the clear skies and 33° temperatures as we stepped out of our taxi and into the cool hotel lobby. Once checked in we sit back in silence on the roof terrace, ice-cold margarita in hand, after a morning of travel and listened to the slow hum of the city beyond. Blessed with sunny days for the majority of the year the boutique hotel Plácido y Grata is nested within the centre of the historic and culturally rich town of Seville, southern Spain.

**Aesthetic + Interiors 4.5/5**

A newly restored three-story townhouse in the heart of Seville which opened in 2021 and was designed by the Barcelona-based studio Your Living Space Atelier. The scheme feels minimal with a strong Scandinavian influence and sprinkled with culturally appropriate Spanish elements. Stepping in off the street you are greeted with an impressive piece of decorative ironmongery which allows you to get a glimpse of the elegant foyer beyond. The entrance leads guests either to the cafe or reception area which then carries you through into the heart of the building.
The ground floor features impressive stone rounded arches and large indoor plants which add colour and softness. Stepping through the Piazza Industrial-style doors at the back of the building you will come across the bar, a series of small lounging rooms and a pretty outdoor patio. The key materials of terracotta tiles, stone, painted plaster and warm oak are well-balanced throughout and natural light effortlessly seeps in.

Low 1950's mid-century modern furniture has been carefully selected for communal areas creating a relaxed homely feel with it's use of timber which is accentuated with wall-mounted low-level lights. There are also 50's Le Corbusier lamps as well as 1960s lighting by Miguel Milá which add an element of zoning and snugness to certain spaces.

There are 15 guest rooms in total which vary in size and follow the scheme of the lower levels. We had booked into the modestly sized standard queen room which looked out onto the residential street below and featured a small en-suite bathroom with robes, a table and chairs and a large double bed. The room was perfect for a weekend break away if you plan to explore the city as well but if you want something more special feeling then the suites with a terrace feature a luxurious outdoor bath and shower.
However, not to worry if your room doesn't include an outdoor area as the property offers a lovely guest-only roof terrace. The vibrant deep orange of the terracotta tiles sat perfectly against the cool-toned outdoor chairs and table from Firm Living. This little haven of relaxation above the city was my favourite area of the hotel and the perfect place to enjoy some pre-dinner cocktails.

**Food + Drink 4/5**

Plácido y Grata offers a choice of dining between it's cafe serving fresh pasties, sandwiches and acai bowls or it's restaurant which is open for lunch and dinner. On arrival, we headed straight across the road to catch the last hours of lunch service at the restaurant which runs 12 pm-4 pm. The interiors carefully match the aesthetic of the hotel with the addition of small posies of fresh flowers on every table. The menu is a Spanish fusion with a locally sourced cheese board or the daily stew on offer to a classic Italian pasta or Asian-inspired Yakitori chicken.
We wanted to start with some local food so ordered the cheese board and asked for the waitress's recommendation for beer and wine which she was happy to suggest. I would note that the menu is meat-heavy with few fish or veggie options available and the portions are modestly sized so it's best to order 3 dishes to share between two people. The cheese board was delicious with a lovely selection of strength and textures. The nachos, spinach cannelloni and prawn salad that followed were also freshly prepared and highly enjoyable.

The bar which is open from 4 pm offers a selection of wines and cocktails. Needless to say during our two-night stay we tried a nice selection of classic and unique cocktail creations such as a rose and watermelon spritz which was ideal after a day exploring the city.
Breakfast is included in the nightly stay and is served in a small and cosy room which opens up onto the courtyard. A well-sized selection of cured meats, cheeses, fruits, pastries and cereals is on offer for guests to help themselves to with coffees and speciality drinks made freshly from the cafe. There is a small open kitchen area which is serviced by staff baking fresh pastries and who will happily take your order for eggs and cook them in front of you.
A predominantly continental and healthy breakfast with cheese, fruit and smoked salmon is my favourite and we both highly enjoyed it while making sure to enjoy our last opportunity of the year to eat alfresco. Some visitors may wish for more hot English or American breakfast options which aren't available but it is always best to eat locally and there is more than enough to choose from.

**Facilities + Small Touches 4/5**

The hotel is full of small touches, from the local area map at reception to the small sweet treats on arrival. The in-room speaker system is contactable via Bluetooth to your device which is fun and something I haven't come across at other hotels before. The hotel and restaurant also offer a concept store for items used on the property such as glassware and mugs to local wines and oils.
Being an inner city hotel space is limited so you won't find a swimming pool, spa or gym however what is unique about Plácido y Grata is the range of seasonal activities and live music events hosted throughout the year such as jazz evenings or cooking classes. If your dates don't align with the events schedule there is also yoga available on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings. Keeping things environmentally responsible the hotel also has faucets with water-saving devices, energy-efficient appliances and access to electric car charging. In addition to this bikes are available for guests to use to explore the city at an additional cost.

Service + Atmosphere 4.5/5

The atmosphere is calm, relaxed and sophisticated with a gentle buzz of activity running through the air. The staff are welcoming, accommodating and willing to give local recommendations for guests and visitors. A small touch to the service is the option to order drinks to the terrace via WhatsApp if you don't fancy heading back downstairs.