Hotel Hacienda de San Rafael
Las Cabezas de San Juan
On the plains that are so typical of the area around Seville, you will find an oasis in the form of this hacienda, which is owned by an Anglo-Hispanic family.
This original hacienda was transformed into a hotel in 1992, and it is apparent that this was a painstaking renovation that managed to preserve all historic features and rich tradition, they have turned the place into something special.
As you pull up the long drive, with flowering oleanders on either side, you will see the hacienda in the distance and start looking forward to staying there.
Once you have reached the building you will notice the striking patio, which is covered in bougainvillea, around which all 11 luxurious rooms are laid out. A lot of care has gone into the decoration of the rooms, where the interior decorator has managed to marry historic features with a modern style in a very sophisticated manner.
In the evening the patio becomes a restaurant full of atmosphere, where you can enjoy great cuisine (and some romance).
All rooms have their own veranda, where breakfast is served.
And don’t forget about the gardens around the building, they are marvellous. These gardens abound in paths and secluded nooks where you can find some privacy and enjoy some peace and quiet. You can take your pick from as many as 3 swimming pools with adjacent seating and sunbathing areas on luscious grass. And right in the middle of these gardens there are also 3 casitas, tucked away between seas of flowers, which can be rented when you want to stay with a larger party.
It is all about being pampered at this hacienda.
But it should be noted that the hotel has a no-child policy to make sure that guests have a truly relaxing time.
This hotel is a real must for people who are looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, and it is also an excellent place to kick back after visiting a busy city, such as Seville.
Cons:
• We have not found any
Pros:
• Peace & quiet and space guaranteed
• Beautifully renovated building with marvellously laid-out gardens
• Good restaurant
• Located halfway between Jerez de la Frontera and Seville
Hotel Hacienda de San Rafael
facilities
Hotel
- There is a restaurant where you can have lunch and dinner. Lunch will set you back about € 25 pp, and dinner about € 55 pp.
- Bar.
- Several swimming pools.
- Beautifully laid-out gardens with various seating areas.
- Internet connection (Wi-Fi) in every room.
- Tennis court.
- Shop.
- Library.
- Laundry.
- Chauffeur service.
- The hotel has a no-child policy.
- One room with wheelchair access.
- No lift.
- Pets are not welcome.
- Hotel has its own parking facilities (free of charge).
- Hotel is out of town.
Rooms
Every room has air conditioning, a fan, heating, internet connection and a private terrace. No-TV policy!
Fully-equipped bathrooms with bath, toilet, washbasin and hairdryer.
The hotel has 14 rooms, of which 11 are Deluxe double rooms and 3 Casita double rooms.
Hotel Hacienda de San Rafael
surrounding area
Las Cabezas de San Juan
The 18th-century hacienda is situated in an olive grove near the village of Cabezas de San Juan, between the cities of Seville and Jerez de la Frontera. This is a great place to relax.
When you want some action, you can embark on visits to some of the nearby cities, the beach or head into the natural surroundings.
You can book a range of activities and excursions at the hotel, including a massage, a yoga session, a visit to a bull-breeding ranch, a visit to a sherry bodega or the famous Spanish horse riding school in Jerez de la Frontera, as well as horse riding, golf, ballooning, etc.
Active
There are plenty of options in the area if you want to be more active, such as playing a round of golf, horse riding, walking and cycling.
Nature
The Parque Nacional de Coto Doñana on the other side of the water can be reached by boat from Sanlúcar de Barrameda.
This park is one of Europe’s largest swamp lands. This area is especially important for birds. Over 250 bird species have been spotted here, half of which come here to over-winter, such as the spoonbill, stork and the particular favourite of most visitors, the flamingo.
The best time of year to visit this park is winter or spring. In the summer and autumn the swamps are dry, although that is when visitors get excited about spotting deer, boar, buffalos and otters. With a good guide and some luck, you might even spot a lynx.
The following villages/towns in the area are definitely worth a visit:
Arcos de la Frontera (33km; 45min):
Arcos is one of Andalucía’s finest little towns; it often serves as a base from which to explore the pueblos blancos (white villages); its entire medieval centre has been declared a Historic Monument. In Arcos you should just stroll around its cobblestone streets, past small whitewashed houses, its many squares and its patios. Arcos’ oldest building is the Castillo, a dilapidated castle that is strategically situated on top of the hill. From the town walls you have a great view of the Guadalete valley. Other sights include the churches Iglesia de Santa María de la Asunción, Iglesia de los Jesuitas and the Iglesia de San Pedro.
The town hall, the ayuntamiento on the Plaza de Cabildo, is also worth a visit because of its fine mudejar-style ceilings.
Jerez de la Frontera (43km; 35min):
Jerez is the sherry capital of the world. A tour of one of its bodegas (Sandeman, Pedro Domecq, Gonzalez Byass) is not only good fun, but you will also learn something. How to distinguish fino from amontillado or oloroso sherry, for example.
Jerez is also famous for its horse riding school, the Real Escuela Andaluza del Arte Escuestre. Apart from visiting a show here, visitors can also attend lessons and tour the stables.
Other sights include the inviting cafes on the Plaza Asunción and the old town hall from 1575, Casa de Cabildo Viejo. The San Mateo quarter is famous for its flamenco bars, and is also where you will find the official flamenco centre: Centro Andaluz de Flamenco.
Seville (54km; 40min):
The capital of Andalucía is a compact city with a rich past. Most of its major sights are in or near the city centre on the Guadalquivir river’s left bank. And they also know how to party and have a good time in this city of flamenco and tapas.
As you wander through the old Jewish quarter, the Barrio Santa Cruz, through a maze of white streets and patios, you should not forget to take in the imposing cathedral, the Moorish bell tower, La Giralda, and the royal palace Real Alcázar.
You can unwind in the María Luisa park, where you can spend the hottest part of the day under orange trees and palm trees.
The museum Museo de Bellas Artes, one of Spain’s best museums of art, is a real must. And then there are its magnificent palaces and other sights, such as the Plaza de Toros de la Maestranza (bull ring); Casa de Pilatos and the Torre del Oro.
Sanlúcar de Barrameda (53km; 55min):
Its location on the Guadalquivir estuary made Sanlúcar de Barrameda an important port. This is where Columbus and Magellan embarked on a number of their expeditions.
The Spanish know Sanlúcar as the home of manzanilla, a distinct type of sherry. The old town on the hill (barrio alto) is more interesting and has far more charm than the modern district down on the coast. This is also where you will find the Bodegas Barbadillo.
The heart of the barrio alto is the pleasant Plaza del Cabildo square, which is lined with palm trees, cafes, restaurants, outdoor bars en the 18th-century town hall. Sanlúcar also has a few fine palaces and churches, such as the mudejar-style Palacio de los Duques de Medina Sidonia and the Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la O, which dates back to 1360.
The Parque Nacional de Coto Doñana on the other side of the water can be reached by boat from Sanlúcar.
And you can, of course, head for one of the other world famous cities for a day trip:
Córdoba (195km; 2h15min):
Visit the Mezquita, Córdoba's huge mosque, which has seen various different developments throughout the years to become a fascinating blend of styles and religions. And you can also go for a stroll through the districts of San Lorenzo, Judería and San Basilio, where you will encounter the most beautiful Moorish patios. Other sights include the palace/fortress Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos with magnificent gardens and fountains; various museums, such as the Museo Arqueológico, Museo Taurino, Museo de Bellas Artes; a string of great squares, such as the Plaza de la Corredera, Plaza del Potro.