Malaga is a major city and holiday resort, which is the capital of the Province of Malaga in Andalucia in southern Spain. It lies on the Mediterranean Costa del Sol ("Sunshine Coast") and is the southernmost of the large cities in Europe.
As well as a wonderful weather and great array of attractionds and activities, Malaga offers a large number of good hotels. Five-star hotels are few and far between, but there are many three and four-star hotels, which offer good accommodation at reasonable prices, and there are many luxurious resorts, and numerous family-friendly resorts, too. There are a handful of reliable hotels that have spa facilities.
Those on a tight budget are well-covered, as there are numerous reasonable hotels offering 1, 2 and 3-star accommodation, which offers good access to the main attractions in central Malaga, and there are some reasonable bed and breakfast options as well. All-inclusive and half-board options are relatively limited but there are a few reliable hotels in Malaga that offer these.
There are many self-catering options in and around Malaga, and there are also some campsites nearby, for those who would prefer to embrace the great outdoors and get back to nature.
Budget
Hotel Zenit Malaga
Malaga has a fair number of reasonable budget options. The 3-star Hotel Zenit Malaga at Cuba 1-3, 29013 is in a quiet location, about 15 minutes' walk from Malaga centre, and offers fairly cheap and reasonable accommodation, with a breakfast provided at extra cost.
Hotel Malaga Nostrum
Hotel Malaga Nostrum in Herman Hesse offers 3-star accommodation and is well-placed for Malaga Airport, though not the main attractions near Malaga city centre, so it's more suitable if you have your own transport.
Hotel Goartin
For those on a significantly tight budget, Hotel Goartin in Gerona is a small compact hotel with reasonable cheap accommodation.
Ibis Budget Malago Centro
The Ibis Budget Malaga Centro at Calvo is well positioned close to the city centre and is quite cheap and clean.
Hotel Domus
A reasonable quality and inexpensive 1-star option is the Hotel Domus at Juan Valera, which serves a continental breakfast and has a terrace and bar.
Hotel Solymar Malaga
The Hotel Solymar Malaga at Calle Ferraz is a small hotel close to the beach and within walking distance of the city centre.
Casa Babylon Backpackers' Hostel
The Casa Babylon Backpackers' Hostel at C/Pedro de Quejana is a decent and cheap hostel, which is noted for having a friendly reception.
La Francesca Suites Hotel Boutique
A good budget B&B option is La Francesca Suites Hotel Boutique at Pintor Grarite, which has just 1-star accommodation but is still decent and is surrounded by attractive gardens.
Self-catering
Villa Galvia
Villa Galvia, La Cala Golf Resort is a very luxurious and rather expensive rental located at La Cala Golf Course but boasts a very extensive range of amenities and is ideal if you're after somewhere a bit swish.
Lagar Martinez- Casa Establo
Lagar Martinez- Casa Establo is a luxurious rental house located at the Lagar Martinez estate, approximately 25 kilometres from the centre of Malaga.
Bougainvillea
Bougainvillea is located on the side of olive tree hills and has various on-site amenities including sporting facilities, and is particularly suitable for families with children.
The Secluded Cortijo with Private Pool
The Secluded Cortijo with Private Pool is situated in a peaceful and rural location overlooking mountains and has games and sporting facilities and, as you'd expect given the name, a private swimming pool.
New Villa Fantastic Views
New Villa Fantastic Views, 2+1bed Private Pool is located on the edge of the town of Coin, about 25 minutes from Malaga Airport, and also has its own private swimming pool.
Comfortable y Moderno Apartmento en Malaga Centro
Comfortable y Moderno Apartmento en Malaga Centro is a moderately cheap and reasonable rental spot in the Central District of Malaga, close to the sanctuary of La Victoria, and offers good access to the main attractions in the centre of Malaga.
Glamping Spain
Glamping Spain, Yurt & Chalet is a mid-priced holiday house located adjacent to the beach in Glamping, and is about 30 minutes' drive from the centre of Malaga. It is geared especially towards large groups and stag/hen parties.
All inclusive / Half Board
Illunion Hotel
There is a relatively limited selection of all inclusive options in Malaga and the surrounding area. There are all inclusive options at the Illunion Hotel, which also has a spa and massage facilities.
Sol Guadalmar
The 4-star Sol Guadalmar is also worth considering, and has great views over Torremolinos.
Iberostar Malaga Playa
For those who are happy to stay outside of Malaga City, the Iberostar Malaga Playa in Torrox has all-inclusive options in good quality 4-star accommodation.
Parador de Nerja
The 4-star Parador de Nerja in Nerja is another good 4-star option.
Riu Belplaya
The Riu Belplaya at Paseo Marítimo in Torremolinos also has all-inclusive options.
Parador de Malaga Golf
Half-board options are also limited. The Parador de Malaga Golf offers 4-star accommodation and is close to Malaga Airport and offers good golf facilities.
Sol Guadalmar
The 4-star Sol Guadalmar at Moby Dick, 2, Urbanizacion Guadalmar, 29004, also has half-board options.
Top end
Vincci Seleccion Posada del Patio
There are numerous good top-end hotels in Malaga. The Vincci Seleccion Posada del Patio at Pasillo Santa Isabel 7, 29005 offers luxury 5-star accommodation and has many amenities including a bar with occasional live music and a fitness centre.
Hotel Molina Lario
Also recommended is the 4-star Hotel Molina Lario, which offers numerous amenities including a rooftop swimming pool, a business centre, a shuttle bus and wheelchair access.
Vincci Malaga
The Vincci Malaga is set on Malaga's sea front promenade and has a contemporary design and has a large continental breakfast selection, and offers 4-star accommodation.
Hotel MS Maestranza
Hotel MS Maestranza has rooms overlooking the Malaga bullring and is well placed for many of the main Malaga attractions, plus has good spa and Jacuzzi facilities.
Room Mate Larios
Room Mate Larios offers 4-star accommodation and is based in a pedestrian area, which is ideal for access to various attractions, but is difficult to access by car.
Room Mate Lola
Similarly worth considering is Room Mate Lola at Casas de Campos, which is close to the old town and benefits from a central location, offering 4-star accommodation.
Salles Hotel Malaga Centro
Salles Hotel Malaga Centro at Calle Marmoles is another good quality, centrally-located 4-star hotel.
By the beach
Malaga Hotel Picasso
The 3-star Malaga Hotel Picasso is located at Guadalmar beach and is surrounded by a quiet residential area, and is well-placed for visiting the attractions dedicated to Pablo Picasso - such as the wonderful Picasso Museum.
Salles Hotel Malaga Centro
Salles Hotel Malaga Centro offers a rooftop swimming pool with lovely views of Malaga City, a gym, and a poolside bar which opens in the summer season, plus 4-star accommodation.
Hotel La Chancla
Hotel La Chancla at Paseo Maritimo El Pedregal offers easy access to the beach from the sun terrace of La Chancla, and offers decent 3-star accommodation.
Parador de Malaga Golf
Parador de Malaga Golf in Algeciras provides quality 4-star accommodation and is particularly suitable for golf fans. Handily, it's also very close to Malaga Airport.
Sol Guadalmar
The 4-star Sol Guadalmar at Moby Dick has great views over Torremolinos and faces the sea.
With a spa
Monte Malaga Hotel
Spa centred hotels in Malaga are relatively limited. Monte Malaga Hotel at Paseo Maritimo Antonio Machado has a spa and pool area, which includes good massage facilities.
Hotel Silken Puerta Malaga
The Hotel Silken Puerta Malaga at Heroes de Sostoa is close to the train station, although is a fair distance away from many of the main attractions in Malaga.
Hotel MS Maestranza
However, guests can enjoy a spa, sauna and gym. There are also spa and jacuzzi facilities at Hotel MS Maestranza at Avda.
Family friendly
Suite Novotel Malaga Centro
The 3-star Suite Novotel Malaga Centro at Calle San Jacinto offers a bar which serves a good buffet breakfast, fitness centre and free high-speed internet.
Barcelo Malaga
The 4-star Barcelo Malaga at Heroe de Sostoa offers many amenities including a fitness room, restaurant and business centre; quirkily, there's also a slide in the reception area.
Monte Malaga Hotel
The Monte Malaga Hotel at Paseo Maritimo Antonio Machado, 10, 29002 has a good pool and spa area and offers 4-star accommodation, although some reviews note that it is not in one of the nicer areas of the Malaga district.
AC Hotel Malaga Palacio by Marriott
The AC Hotel Malaga Palacio by Marriott at Cortina Del Muelle 1, 29015 overlooks the old town and the cathedral, and some of the higher floors have good views over the Port, too. The hotel offers clean and comfy 4-star accommodation.
Ibis Malga Centro Ciudad
Those on a tight budget could consider the 2-star Ibis Malaga Centro Ciudad at Pasillo Guimbarda. It is 15 minutes' walk away from Malaga Centro railway station and offers a bar and undercover parking.
Guest houses
Villa Alicia Guest House
The Villa Alicia Guest House is a 2-star guest house built in the style of the houses that prevailed around the early 1900s, and offers good B&B accommodation.
El Riad Andaluz
El Riad Andaluz at Calle Hinestrosa is a good low-budget option situated close to the city centre in a side-street, although some of the rooms are small.
Caserio Ananda
Caserio Ananda is located at El Colmenar, Cortes de la Frontera, and has 5 bedrooms and doubles up as quite a highly-rated restaurant.
Camping
There are some reasonable campsites around Malaga.
Finca De La Piedra
Finca De La Piedra at Villafranco accommodates caravans and motorhomes, but not tents, and is about 16 miles away from Torremolinos and Benalmadena.
Camping Torremolinos
Next to Torremolinos lies the Camping Torremolinos site, which is also just 7km away from Malaga. The nearest golf facilities and the Plaza Mayor entertainment centre are approximately 300m away.
Cloud House Farm
A relatively secluded option is Cloud House Farm at Finca Casa Nube, Genalguacil.
Campsite la Buganvilla and La Sierrecilla
The Campsite la Buganvilla in Marbella offers good access to many nearby facilities and a range of amenities on-site, while the La Sierrecilla campsite at Av. Blas Infante 29531 - Humilladero is relatively secluded.
Romantic retreats
There are numerous notable romantic retreats available in Malaga.
Hotel Villa Guadalupe
The three-star Hotel Villa Guadalupe provides a restaurant, swimming pool and business centre and also has facilities for celebrations, including parties and weddings.
Malaga Hotel Picasso
The 3-star Malaga Hotel Picasso at C/ Acacias de Guadalmar is also worth considering.
Parador de Malaga Gibralfaro
The Parador de Malaga Gibralfaro at Castillo de Gibralfaro offers 4-star accommodation and good views over the port of Malaga.
Los Jarales Rural Hotel Istan
A good budget option is the 2-star Los Jarales Rural Hotel Istan, which is close to the village of Istan and is peaceful and quiet.
Hotel California
Another good budget option is the Hotel California at Paseo de Sancha, which serves a tasty continental breakfast and provides clean and simple 2.5 star accommodation.
Boutique & B&Bs
There are some good boutique and B&B hotels in Malaga, but also some unreliable ones, so it is important to choose wisely.
Hotel Monte Victoria
Hotel Monte Victoria is generally regarded as one of the best. A family-run B&B with good-quality breakfasts, this cosy option offers eye-catching views towards Malaga Cathedral.
El Riad Andaluz
El Riad Andaluz at Calle Hinestrosa is a low-budget option situated close to the city centre in a side-street, and offers good accommodation although some of the rooms are small.
Casa Pinares
Casa Pinares offers peaceful B&B accommodation in a quiet area; it'll be helpful to have your own form of transport if you opt to stay here.
Casa de las Mercedes
Casa de las Mercedes is a low-budget B&B with a continental breakfast served each morning and basic amenities.
La Francesca Suites Hotel Boutique
Another good budget B&B option is the La Francesca Suites Hotel Boutique at Pintor Grarite, it's basic rather than fancy however, is clean and surrounded by attractive gardens.