Nearing the end of our adventure we were pleased to have the opportunity to visit and stay at the Hotel Monasterio San Miguel. This fine baroque building with all its original features carefully preserved during its transformation from the Monastery San Miguel Arcangel to a hotel, was built in 1727 to house the Clarisas Capuchinas nuns. Today we can still feel an atmosphere of tranquillity throughout its magnificent chambers. Within, one can still visualize the old Church which has so tastefully been converted to an auditorium. Its current restaurant could have been the original dining hall; the game room appears to have been a Chapel. Long wide hallways have furnishings throughout. Places where one can at anytime: stop, sit and reflect. The paintings throughout the building appear to be the original artwork giving inspiration to the nuns and the parishioners of the time. The structure is set surrounding a beautiful garden, complete with tropical plants and (what all hotels of distinction seem to think they need) a swimming pool.
Entering our two-room suite we found it to be equally in keeping with the character of our hotel. Victorian furniture and a writing desk fully supplied with tasteful stationary. The conspicuous television seemed out of place but I assume it is a requirement of any highly regarded hotel.
Dinner that night evening would, of course, have to include Santa Maria's famous ocean prawns. We ate at a wonderful restaurant whose name escapes me but the food was excellent and the wine divine. Although we would have preferred the removal of the prawn's upper body with its eyes peering into ours I realize this presentation of food is in good taste and we undoubtedly lack the proper refinements of the sophisticated patron.
Having entered this restaurant with the sun shining brightly, we were astonished to find awaiting our departure a downpour of mammoth proportions. Although but three blocks from our hotel we called for a cab. The rain took less time to subside than the cab to arrive so we walked back and played cards amongst the finery of the hotels fountain gardens.
Early morning found me climbing upon the rooftops of the monastery taking pictures of the surrounding area. A cubical structure rising above the flat roof with a stairway inviting me to ascend must have been, at one time, a bell tower. It allowed me to get pictures, in all directions of the city and the grounds below.
After a delicious breakfast in keeping with the elegance of the hotel and its hospitality, we were, again, on our way back to Seville in preparation for our next day's departure for home.
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