While Catalonian super-chef Ferran Adrià's Alqueria restaurant is reason enough for visiting this beautiful tenth-century hacienda 12 miles from Seville, the 44-room hotel is also a delight. Set in a leafy haven of bougainvillea and jasmine, mixed with orange, lemon, and olive trees, the Benazuza's Arabic origins can be seen in the sunken gardens, shilaba tunics for guests' use, and the poolside haima (an open, curtained tent with daybeds). The rooms and suites are grand but not stuffy, and are tastefully dressed with antique furniture. Some have exquisitely painted domed ceilings, and the best have a garden view or private terrace. The Alqueria restaurant lives up to expectations, with creations such as Parmesan ice cream, or squid in an orange and truffle sauce. If you want to make the most of your stay, try the 24-course blowout tasting menu—and be sure to cancel breakfast.

Seville's newest five-star design palace, EME, opened in March 2008 complete with all the trappings of an avant-garde playground—from an oriental-themed spa and Japanese restaurant to a rooftop pool and juice bar. Converted from 14 houses, this 60-room hotel is within kissing distance of the Giralda and makes the most of it with spacious private terraces (some with hot tubs). Opt for a superior room for cathedral views (the sacrifice is less space), and avoid those overlooking the bar-lined street, which can be noisy at night. The roughly hewn, minimalist decor includes textured walls and simple wooden four-poster beds. Some have the original wooden ceiling beams. The most striking touch is the celosia lattice screen in the central patio, based on Arabic geometric designs and echoed throughout the hotel. If eating Japanese in Seville just doesn't feel right, there's also a Mediterranean restaurant with inventive modern cuisine, and a tapas bar.

Located in the labyrinthine streets behind the cathedral and just across from the Giralda Tower, the Hotel Los Seises occupies a 16th-century archbishop's palace. Excavations have revealed Roman mosaics, Renaissance paneling, and Arabic columns and tiling, most of which is still on display. The property's 42 rooms feature tile floors and Roman arches, as well as amenities like air-conditioning, satellite TV, safes, and minibars. There is a good-sized garden, as well as a rooftop pool and restaurant with impressive views of the Giralda Tower and Seville skyline. The restaurant, La Cocina de los Seises, serves traditional Andalusian food and local wines.

Located on a narrow back street in the Arenal barrio, near the Maestranza bullring and the Guadalquivir River, the Taberna del Alabardero is a romantic, salmon-hued, 19th-century town house (formerly the home of poet Juan Antonio Cavestany). The sunny patio has wicker furniture and a fountain, and the tiled rooftop terrace overlooks the cathedral. Inside, the seven classic Andalusian rooms have parquet floors, stately 19th-century furniture, and fine linens. Each is individually decorated (opt for third-floor rooms, which have whirlpool tubs.) The excellent Taberna Del Alabardero restaurant serves upscale Andalusian food (such as beef with truffles and red wine) and a fine selection of local wines.