Hotel Palacio de Arizón ★★★★

Feel transported back in time as you approach the splendid Palacio de Arizón Hotel, a restored palace that was once home to Count Arizón. Beyond the cool, marble lobby and Moorish arches lies a modern restaurant and 49 bright, contemporary bedrooms. Several rooms retain original features, such as high-beamed ceilings.

After unpacking in your spacious room, set out on foot to explore the old town’s narrow streets and historic buildings. Delights that await you include the neo-Mudejar façade and impressive gardens of the Palacio de Orleans y Borbón, as well as magnificent churches, such as the Parroquia de Santo Domingo which boasts an ornate rococo altarpiece. Learn about the city’s intriguing history at the 15th century Santiago Castle and ascend the tower to stand where Queen Isabella first gazed in awe at the glittering sea.

Head for the Plaza de Cabildo with its refreshing fountain and mosaic floor and feast on fresh shrimp with a glass of Manzanilla at one of the many pavement cafés. Alternatively, you may wish to stroll along the Paseo Marítimo, watch the sunset and dine at one of the waterside seafood restaurants.

Back in the hotel, share a nightcap in the enchanting interior patio, with your companions, as you plan your next day’s explorations. The wild expanses of the Coto Doñana, for example, await you across the river estuary. Fuel up on the hotel’s sumptuous buffet breakfast before following in Columbus’s footsteps and setting sail on your own adventure.