Nights In The Past: Historic Hotels in Spain

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Hotel Palacio Eugenia de Montijo
Plaza Juego de Pelota, 7, Toledo

Variously described as a �boutique�, �deluxe� and �luxury� hotel, the Palacio Eugenia de Montijo is almost always rated highly by those who stay there. A former renaissance palace, guest are able to view Arab walls dating from the 14th Century, a Roman sewer system and coffered ceilings from the 14th and 16th Centuries

It�s main historic cliam-to-fame, though, is that it was once the home of Empress Eugenia de Montijo, the wife of Napoleon III.

Alfonso XIII
Calle San Fernando 2, Seville

It was designed to rival any other hotel in Europe for luxury. Today, Hotel Alfonso XIII remains a prestigious place to stay - unsurprising given that it was created specifically to house Heads of State attending the 1929 Great Ibero-American Exhibition - the hotel was commissioned by King Alfonso XIII and remains perenially popular with international celebrities.

Inglaterra
Plaza Nueva 7, Seville 41001

Benefiting from its position at the heart of the historic city in Plaza Nueva, the hotel was inaugurated in 1857 - when it was known as the �Fonda Inglaterra� - and used by various European nobles when visiting Seville.

Composer Giuseppe Verdi was once an esteemed guest, as were King Alfonso XIII in 1915, and Queen Elizabeth of Belgium in 1921. Author Hans Christian Andersen wrote during his stay in November 1862:

My balcony faced the Plaza Nueva, which is mostly covered by rows of fruit � laden orange trees and plenty of marble benches for the public to sit upon. The transparent sky was full of stars, I stepped out onto the balcony and sat down, lit a cigar��

Hotel Palace Barcelona
Gran Via de Les Cortes Catalanes 668, Barcelona

Completely restored in 2001 without losing any of its early 1900�s style, The Palace Hotel is an impressive Barcelona landmark formerly known as The Ritz.

Of course, most five-star hotels whose construction pre-dates World War II are likely to have welcomed internationally recognised figures, and this is no exception: Salvador Dali, Ava Gardner, and Orson Welles are among the former glitterati.

However, the hotel�s most notorious historic occupant � and one of whom which little mention is ever made - is arguably Heinrich Himmler. Staying here in 1940, it has even been suggested that his visit to the city concerned his attempt to locate the Holy Grail which was thought to be kept at nearby Montserrat Abbey. Strange, but possibly true.

Hotel de Londres y Ingleterra
Zubieta 2, San Sebastian - Donostia

Dating from 1865, prior to becoming a hotel the building was lived in by Queen Isabella II who left here for exile following the revolution of 1868. It subsequently was transformed into accommodation with one of its earliest guests being King Amadeus I of Savoy in 1872.

After having been used also as the Casino Kursaal and temporarily as a hospital, for a short while it was known as the Hotel Ingles, then Hotel London in 1902.

Many a famous name has sought rest and relaxation in San Sebastien, Henri Marie Tolouse-Lautrec, David Strauss and Archduchess Elizabeth of Austria among them. The hotel�s most famous � or infamous � resident, however, was Mata Hari - a lavish suite is today named in her honour.