I can back up
zondaracer's support for the high speed train service in Spain if you fly into an airport with the connection to it. I'd book the
Alvia rather than the
AVE. The
Alvia is just as quick, much newer and typically costs only 25% of the same journey on the
AVE. I've just changed the name of the newer and cheaper train to
Alvia because I'm pretty sure it was called the
Avant when I last used it from Sevilla to Córdoba and I see that the price differential has come down quite a bit too - ah well.......
Sevilla is a wonderful city - though perhaps too hot in summer - and I absolutely always stay in the Hotel Macarena which is on the edge of the old town but very convenient for everything, including the station and getting in and out of Sevilla. The ham and embutidos, the cheeses and the vino de Jerez are there to be enjoyed!.
Seville Travel Guide - Seville City Guide
Renfe in English, I hope!
How to travel by train from London to Spain
Madrid, Barcelona, Seville...