The Best Hotels in Málaga, Costa del Sol’s Scenic Capital
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From desert to oasis—that’s an accurate summary of the evolution of Málaga’s hotel scene over the last 10 years, and there’s still more to come. For a long time, there was only one five-star hotel in the city (now there are three more), and recently, several four-star hotels have also opened in iconic buildings. As the city continues to grow, we are keeping our eyes on several new openings in the coming months to add to this list as they arise.
Málaga’s hotel boom hasn’t been without controversy in a city where many residents have been priced out of the historic center, and where both property rates and rent continue to soar. At the same time, these hotels have contributed to developing the city’s excellent tourist infrastructure and have helped to cement Málaga’s status as a must-visit destination. If you are headed there, here are our top picks for places to stay in the area, along with some insider tips worth considering. Read on to see 19 of the best hotels in Málaga, Spain.
How we choose the best hotels in Málaga
Every hotel review on this list has been written by a Condé Nast Traveler journalist who knows the destination. When choosing hotels, our editors consider properties across price points that offer an authentic and insider experience of a destination, keeping design, location, service, and sustainability credentials top of mind.
La ZambrahotelLa Zambra Hotel - The Unbound Collection by Hyatt
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Hot List 2023It’s said The Rolling Stones were once smuggled into this hotel in the back of a laundry van. And that famous photo of Princess Diana topless? That was taken here, too. Back then, the hotel was called Byblos, a well-known celebrity hangout tucked away in the Mijas hills. Now, it’s part of the Unbound Collection by Hyatt—a group of hotels with storied pasts.
The iconic building, like many others on the Costa del Sol, had fallen into disrepair, and for years, British entrepreneur Alan Sugar struggled to sell it. Thankfully, the new owners took over and preserved much of the hotel's original shell, including the iconic blue tiles. Inside, interiors are distinctly Mediterranean, with the lobby resembling a high-end Ibiza villa—white walls, the low-slung, built-in sofas, and scatterings of clay pots.
All 115 rooms and 81 suites follow suit. Expect earthy tones with a multitude of textures—linen, wood, and marble—punctuated by colorful minimalist woven tapestries by Madrid-based multidisciplinary artist, Karal Antolin and family, who create bespoke embroideries under the name Studio Fi.
Esteva i Esteva architecture is responsible for most of the tasteful renovation with help from interior designer Sandra Tarruella across the hotel’s restaurants. The studio has mindfully curated relaxing spaces that have a sense of place while embracing the building’s ’80s history.
Take Bamboleo, the hotel's indoor-outdoor bar overlooking the Los Olivos golf course, which has a retro playlist and tongue-in-cheek named cocktails like “Livin on a Pear” and “Smells Like Teen Spritz.” The hotel's standout restaurant, Picador, whips up elevated tapas dishes, while Palomito offers a selection of plates drawing on local and Mediterranean delicacies (the frying-pan-sized chicken Milanese topped with truffle is mouth-watering). Despite opening just a few years ago, La Zambra has already secured a Michelin key.
Courtesy Finca CortesinhotelFinca Cortesin
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Gold List 2020, 2022, 2024 
Readers' Choice Awards 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024The lawns at Finca Cortesin are meticulously manicured to look like golf greens and fairways, which is fitting, given Europe won the Solheim Cup here in 2023. The hotel’s challenging 18-hole course comes complete with a Jack Nicklaus training facility and a driving range with dazzling views. But Finca Cortesin isn't just about golf.
This five-star hotel is one of the most exclusive hideaways in Spain—Barack Obama once stayed here—located in a serene setting backed by the reddish Sierra Bermeja mountain range, close to Casares. Naturally, the hotel’s facilities are presidential-worthy: an on-site art gallery, Romanesque spa with an indoor 82-foot pool, and locker rooms ready-made for a GQ photoshoot. Not to mention, a yoga shala, two Bali-style outdoor pools, and 40 acres of lush gardens blooming with flora and fauna.
Of course, the hotel’s gastronomic options are world-class. Join Serge, a charming veteran French maître d’, for a fish dinner in El Jardin one night. Most guests also make a beeline for Luis Olarra’s REI, Finca Cortesin’s signature restaurant. Try the intricate tasting menu featuring traditional Japanese dishes blended with Spanish produce, such as Iberian pork and tuna. Afterwards, it’s time for a nightcap in the Blue Bar, while those with early tee times retreat to their exquisite rooms.
Each of the 67 suites and 16 private villas is styled by design sisters Anna and Cristina Calderón to convey subtle sophistication: high ceilings, clashing patterns, and gorgeous fabrics. Bathrooms are covered in Travertine Italian marble with checkerboard flooring, low slung tubs, and Penhaligon's toiletries. The decor features upholstered, bell-shaped headboards, ornamental curtains, and premium throws, which provide a welcome contrast to the neutral-hued walls.
Hallways are like a tasteful Spanish cortijo, thanks to exquisite Flemish tapestries, 18th-century stone floors, and hand-painted Chinese wallpapers, which came directly from late Portuguese antique collector and interior designer Duarte Pinto Coelho’s private collection. The hotel’s standout architectural feature is the Moroccan lounge—a nod to Spain's Moorish past—where the precisely-carved wooden ceiling took the skilled restorers who maintain the Alhambra Palace in Granada six months to finish.
Palacio SolecioPalacio Solecio
This four-star hotel in Málaga’s historic center is inside a palace, built in 1789, that was brought back from a state of almost total neglect and opened as a hotel in 2023. In addition to the spacious and elegant rooms with marble bathrooms, the facilities include a cozy lobby bar, two meeting rooms, a gym, and an incredible restaurant with a menu by Michelin-starred chef José Carlos García. There’s also a rooftop pool—a real luxury in the heart of the Judería neighborhood—with stunning views. The hotel is opposite the historic Santiago church on the popular Calle Granada, and just a few steps away from the cathedral and a number of museums, including the Museo Picasso Málaga, Carmen Thyssen Málaga, and the Centre Pompidou Málaga.
Gran Hotel Miramar 5* GLGran Hotel Miramar GL
King Alfonso XIII (who reigned from 1886 to 1931) and Queen Victoria Eugenia were among this hotel’s first guests when it opened in 1926, and they paved the way for many other European aristocrats and royals. After being used as government offices for many years, the hotel returned to its original function in 2017. In its second turn as a hotel, the Miramar has helped to attract luxury travelers who were previously relatively unknown in Málaga, helping to make it a flagship of the city’s hospitality industry. With its five-star Grand Luxury rating, stunning palatial architecture, and two outdoor swimming pools, the hotel is once again a shining seaside jewel of Málaga.
Roger MendezH10 Croma Málaga
“A mass pierced with colors” is how Rafael Moneo, winner of the Prince of Asturias Award for the Arts, described the H10 Croma Málaga, located in the city center. Its iconic profile, with openings featuring traditional Andalusian ceramic tiles hand-painted with natural pigments, has helped to change the image of Málaga. Inside, and on the spectacular terrace with a swimming pool, renowned interior designer Lázaro Rosa-Violán has left his impeccable mark. The bathrooms, by the way, are all along the building’s façade: “The idea was to have a window where you can smell the sea, even when you are in the shower. It’s something that is very difficult to achieve architecturally and structurally, which is why it’s not common in hotels, but we wanted to create a different type of space,” Moneo’s studio explains.
Barceló MálagaBarceló Málaga
A slide in the lobby? We’re on board with that! In fact, we like the entire lobby, with its modern, casual style that’s Instagram-worthy. The Barceló’s location, next to the train station and two shopping centers, is also very convenient. Plus, it’s just a short walk from the city center and has a pool and rooftop bar when you decide to stay in instead of venturing out.
Anantara Villa Padierna Palace
Snuggled into a hillside just 15 minutes from Estepona and Puerto Banús on the Costa del Sol, the grandiose Anantara Villa Padierna looks as if it’s stood for centuries. Yet the pink palace has only been around since 2003. The labor of love of wealthy businessman Ricardo Arranz was built as a tribute to his beloved wife, Alicia Padierna de Villapadierna Klein, a prominent figure in Marbella’s high society. Today, it’s under the management of luxury Asian hoteliers Anantara.
What the architecture of this five-star hotel lacks in history, its interiors make up for in spades. A collection of 17th-, 18th-, and 19th-century oil paintings is placed liberally throughout the property, which is a member of the Leading Hotels of the World. Greco-Roman busts are prevalent, too, in the gardens, passageways, and even in the hotel’s high-tech gym.
Elsewhere, all of Villa Padierna’s stylish, romantic rooms are fit for a first lady. In fact, Michelle Obama stayed here during a tour of Spain and now has a villa named after her. Nowadays, you’re more likely to find them occupied by golfers—the hotel is surrounded by three world-class, in-demand courses. The best of them, Los Flamingos and Alferini, feature well-maintained greens and fairways and picture-perfect water hazards strewn with lily pads (and the occasional lost golf ball).
Besides golf, guests have access to one of Andalusia’s largest spas. Here, robed, crimson-cheeked folk wander from saunas and steam rooms to the swimming pool, while talented masseuses work out knots in neighboring treatment rooms.
Food takes center stage at many Anantara properties, and it’s no different here. There are nine dining options, ranging from Lebanese and Italian to sushi and healthy poolside snacks. The hotel also has a beachside bar-restaurant and tennis club, which it shuttles guests to and from in summer months.
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Vincci Selección Posada del PatioHotel Vincci Selección Posada del Patio
In addition to offering all the luxuries of a grand hotel, this five-star establishment has some unusual and impressive details. For example, in some rooms you’ll find bathtubs next to the beds, and you can glimpse sections of Málaga’s Roman walls under the glass floor—an elegant feature that’s also a reminder of exactly where you are visiting and its history. There are also weekly performances by local musicians in the bar. The hotel’s features include a swimming pool, an interior courtyard, a library, unique decor, and excellent local cuisine at its restaurant.
Soho Boutique EquitativaSoho Boutique Equitativa
The Equitativa building is a landmark in Málaga. The 138-foot-tall tower from the 1950s was formerly the headquarters of an insurance company with the same name. In 2021, it reopened as a hotel—or rather, two. One part became Only You Málaga (more about it below), and the other became Soho Boutique Equitativa, a four-star hotel located close to everything you’ll want to visit in the city, and with a modern interior design. On the seventh floor, there’s a bar and a small pool.
Only YOU HotelsOnly You Málaga
With a cosmopolitan and elegant interior design and a legendary terrace with a pool facing the sea, Only You Málaga has everything you need for a perfect stay in the city. There’s also an informal restaurant on the ground floor, Carmen, and another on the seventh floor, Lola, which serves dishes featuring seasonal market ingredients. A small gym, 24/7 room service, a dog-friendly policy, and events like pop-ups by Spanish designers round out its impressive list of offerings.
Nobu Marbella
Supercars, Prada sunglasses, and Louis Vuitton luggage are all things you see plenty of at Nobu Marbella, which occupies prime real estate between Marbella and Puerto Banús on the Puente Romano complex. The whitewashed village, which houses two five-star hotels, Nobu and Puente Romano, has been designed to mirror old town Marbella. It could be mistaken for one of Spain’s famous Pueblos Blancos if you ignored the abundance of swimming pools, international clientele, and championship-grade tennis and padel academy.
A playground for the rich, the resort comes with 24 dining options, including the place to be seen: Nobu restaurant. Don’t miss the now-iconic black miso cod, a favorite of Nobu co-founder Robert De Niro. Guests here jump between two worlds of dining: health-conscious and indulgence. A healthy brunch of avocado and poached eggs at Rachel's Eco Love here, a feta cheese truffle pie at the Greek restaurant GAIA there.
Away from the culinary delights, rooms, and suites at Nobu Marbella lean towards Japanese minimalism—clean lines, sleek design, earthy tones, and wooden abstract wall art. Some feature hot tubs and terraces, and all have gentle, ambient lighting designed to soothe you to sleep.
Come morning, breakfast is served á la carte at Nobu's private beachfront Chiringuito—the menu features smoothies, health shots, and various egg dishes. True, it feels a bit like LA on the Costa Del Sol at times. What with a gluten-free bakery, flashy underground gym (with Everlast Boxing ring), and fluorescent bottles of Dom Perignon dolled out like water in La Plaza, a glitzy late-night bar. But that's exactly what folks come here for: unadulterated luxury with a dash of wellbeing.
Room Mate ValeriaValeria Room Mate Collection
“A sophisticated designer hotel in the center of Málaga, with a terrace, swimming pool, and panoramic sea views.” That's how Valeria Room Mate Collection describes its hotel, located in an iconic modernist building near two of the city’s most important culture and leisure hubs: the city center and the port (it’s also literally next door to the two previous hotels on this list). Among the reasons we love the Valeria Room Mate: Breakfast until noon, a relaxed and informal atmosphere, and, coming soon, the option to customize rooms according to specific types of vacations (you’ll be able to choose from romantic, celebratory, relaxation, cultural, and other themes).
Hotel Molina LarioHotel Molina Lario
Locals as well as tourists frequent this rooftop terrace; they weren’t going to allow only visitors to enjoy its spectacular views of the cathedral and the port. There’s also a great program of performances to go along with the incomparable setting, making the Terraza Molina Lario a must, even if you end up staying at another hotel. Its restaurant, Matiz, has also emerged as a local favorite (the food is stellar, and the interior courtyard is stunning). If you do decide to stay overnight, the rooms are elegant, comfortable, filled with natural light, and many have the same views that have made the hotel’s terrace so popular.
DANI VOTTEROCoeo Aparthotel Málaga
What started as a community-based events company offering salsa, hiking, and yoga classes in central Málaga has evolved into a cool, Gen Z- and millennial-friendly hospitality concept. Coeo, Latin for “go together,” now boasts three aparthotels (Peña, Fresca and Parras), and a unique pod hostel with another due to open soon. Catering to independent travelers with varying budgets, Coeo’s apartments range from modern, well-equipped studios to premium penthouses with generous terraces and hot tubs.
The brand’s aparthotel portfolio includes the old-meets-new Fresca—imagine exposed brick, high ceilings, original wooden beams, and Mark Rothko-inspired artwork. The other two aparthotels, Peña and Parras, showcase industrial-chic interiors with Crittall glass, colorful terrazzo bathrooms, and concrete ceilings.
Each property is centrally located with studios containing compact kitchenettes, coffee machines, ambient lighting, rainfall showers, and smart TVs with Netflix. Check-ins are done efficiently with lock boxes and WhatsApp messages—ideal if you arrive bleary-eyed after a long travel day. Guests who like a slow morning should opt for in-room breakfast—a choice of artisan coffee, different tostadas, and fruit or yogurt—which arrives in a sweet picnic box.
Beyond its smart aparthotels, Coeo has done away with the old-school hostel, replacing dorm rooms with small but cleverly constructed private rooms. At Coeo Pod Hostel, interiors by designer Eran Binderman lean into zany, Jaime Hayon territory—the Spanish artist and designer behind the art’otel London Battersea and The Standard Bangkok—blending bold color palettes, interesting architectural features, with touch-me textures and 3D shapes. The hospitality group continues to focus on community by hosting weekly wine and art nights, pop quizzes, and language exchanges, available to all Coeo guests.
AC Hotel Málaga Palacio by MarriottAC Hotel Málaga Palacio by Marriott
This legendary hotel overlooking the Alcazaba, the Paseo del Parque, and the port is buzzing with stars and directors during the Málaga Film Festival. It offers an almost front-row seat to the celebrities coming and going on the red carpet. The rooftop terrace is also a popular venue for interviews during the film festival, although ordinary hotel guests are more than welcome to have a drink, cool off in the pool, and pose for their own snapshots.
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Soho Boutique Castillo de Santa CatalinaCastillo Santa Catalina
El Limonar, a residential area close to the historic center (it’s about a half-hour on foot) and the traditional seaside neighborhood of Pedregalejo, is home to some of the most beautiful and exclusive houses in Málaga. Built in 1932, Castillo de Santa Catalina is a Moorish-inspired mansion that is now home to a five-star hotel for adults, where the luxury begins with the valet parking. It also has a swimming pool, a restaurant with sea views, and the perfect setting for a romantic stay in Málaga.
Vincci Larios DiezVincci Larios Diez
The Vincci Larios Diez hotel is located on Calle Larios, one of the most beautiful streets in Spain, which is bustling with events year-round, from Christmas displays to Holy Week processions. The hotel is located in a building dating back to 1821, which was later renovated in 2022 when it opened as a hotel. Behind its 19th-century façade, the decor is very contemporary, and one of the highlights of the hotel is a terrace where you can eat and drink all day long while admiring the incredible views of the cathedral.
JorqueraParador de Málaga Gibralfaro
Perched on a hilltop just a stone’s throw from Gibralfaro Castle (an ancient fortress from the Muslim era), this parador stands in the middle of nature and has a swimming pool that is open year-round (except in January for maintenance). Its views, which take in practically the entire city and a huge stretch of the blue Mediterranean, are some of the best in Málaga. Inside, the decor is simple, a mix of contemporary pieces and traditional Spanish interiors. While the design may not be especially remarkable, the hotel’s dreamlike setting earns it a place on our list.
Icon MalabarIcon Malabar
Málaga has a Soho neighborhood too—more formally, and in Spanish, known as the Barrio de los Artes—but the nickname, Soho, after the neighborhoods in London and New York, has stuck. It is home to one of the city’s more beautiful hotels, Icon Malabar, a modernized, colonial-style boutique hotel with Andalusian details such as a central courtyard, splashing fountains, and large clay jars. At the front desk, where you can check in online to skip the wait, you can rent bicycles, and the restaurant serves local dishes, including delicious and healthy breakfasts each morning. They also have environmentally friendly amenities, guides for exploring the city, and a pet-friendly policy.
This gallery was originally published on Condé Nast Traveler Spain. It has been translated by John Newton and updated with new information since its original publish date. Additional reporting by Adam Turner.
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