The 10 best hotels in Benalmádena

This award-winning five-star boutique is a uniquely tranquil choice in Benalmádena Costa, nestled directly on the beach amongst huge, anonymous resorts. Ideal for couples, the hotel is intimate and chic, with a refined atmosphere and unparalleled customer service. Soundproofing and an extensive pillow menu will ensure an unbeatable night’s sleep in your ocean-facing room. Flit between the Aleysa’s multiple pools and hot tubs or relax in the spa, with its Turkish baths and Finnish saunas. For a special occasion, splash out on the gourmet tasting menu in on-site restaurant Alamar. And be sure to book early – the 36 rooms get snapped up fast.

Sheltered away in the heart of relatively calm Benalmádena Pueblo, La Fonda is an immaculately restored traditional Andalusian hotel, with white buildings surrounding an outdoor pool and terrace. Marble floors and fountains add to an air of class, and each of the spacious 27 rooms is uniquely decorated to Arabic, Greek and Spanish themes. Start your day with a lovingly-made breakfast of homemade bread and jam on the terrace, with unobstructed views of the Mediterranean, and end it on the hotel’s moonlit patio with a sangria under the stars. Warm, personalised service sees loyal guests returning year on year.

A relatively new boutique guesthouse, Hotel Pueblo is an intimate, family-run establishment offering just ten rooms in the centre of the picturesque Pueblo. The traditional whitewashed Andalusian casa is pretty hard to miss, with its brightly-coloured flowerpot-covered façade. Sunny, super-comfy guest rooms are outfitted with excellent-quality linens, flatscreen TVs, Egyptian cotton and Tassimo coffee machines. Bag one of the huge attic rooms for unbroken views from the sea to the Sierra Nevada. Reasonably-priced continental breakfasts are available, although there are plenty of restaurants and cafes to be found right on the hotel’s doorstep.

Aimed squarely at adults, the Double Tree is situated in peaceful mountains on the road to Fuengirola, well away from the chaos of downtown Benalmádena. Streamlined, modern interiors make for a relaxing atmosphere, and the rooftop infinity pool is stunning. The hotel sealed its place on our list for its incredible  Michelin-starred restaurant, Sollo (one of five dining options on the property), the first 100% sustainable restaurant in Spain. Helmed by chef Diego Gallego, it’s a complete gastronomic delight – the sort of place Rob Brydon and Steve Coogan might pop into for a lengthy lunch on their Trip to Spain.

Sister hotel to the aforementioned La Fonda, the slightly smaller and more affordable La Posada lies in a charming, flower-filled, pedestrianised side street in central Benalmádena Pueblo. A favourite with solo travellers, the hotel offers quaint, compact, traditional Spanish-style rooms, with plenty of storage space for all your luggage. Friendly, multilingual staff couldn’t be happier to help with recommendations for local activities and eateries. And the hotel’s position is hard to beat – just a minute from the Pueblo’s pretty main plaza, with its sweet-smelling orange trees and great restaurants.  

A budget, bijou option in the mountain pueblo, Casa Rosa is ideal for any travellers counting their pennies - rooms start at just €37 per night in low season. Spotlessly clean guestrooms come with everything you might need for a comfortable stay, from plasma TVs to mini-fridges. Neutrally decorated in calming tones, many rooms also boast their own terrace with unforgettable views over the village’s tiled roofs, right down to the sea. It’s definitely worth parting with a bit of extra cash for the hotel breakfast – generous servings of fresh fruit, homemade pancakes and eggs will see you right through to dinner.

This sleek, adults-only resort feels ultra-modern on arrival in its neon and tiled reception. Located on the seafront overlooking Benalmádena’s marina, each homey, air-conditioned room comes with a private balcony for those panoramic Med views. Spend a languorous day surrounded by tropical flowers on a sun lounger or Balinese bed on the hotel’s beautifully landscaped multi-level roof garden. Relax in the sauna, solarium or secluded Jacuzzi, before an indulgent trip to the in-house spa. Feeling a bit more active? A broad entertainment programme is on offer day and night, with diversions from exercise classes to cocktail-making courses.

Just a two-minute walk from the beach, this faux-Moorish resort offers incredible value given its location and amenities. Sizable, sparklingly clean rooms are set around an impressive pool and decked out in warm, earthy tones. Soak up the rays on your private balcony or terrace, or grab a book from the library and wander down to the sands. Sample exotic cocktails in the Casbah Cafe or work up a sweat in the on-site gym or sauna. With a kid’s playground, table tennis and mini-golf, there’s also more than enough to keep little ones entertained.

One of the more pleasant options on Benalmádena Costa, the four-star mid-size Las Arenas is situated directly in front of the town’s iconic Bil-Bil Castle, a medieval-style fortress actually built in the 1920s. The vast outdoor pool has plenty of sunbeds, but if you prefer a dip in the sea, the beach is just a few minutes’ walk away. Settle in with an Estrella at the rooftop Sky bar – you’re likely to be joined by regulars for happy hour – with its knockout sunset views. A gargantuan buffet restaurant offers show cooking and enough variety for the pickiest of eaters.

Kids will love the activities on offer at this family-friendly hotel, from the mini bowling alley to games arcade and adventure playground. In fact, drop them off at one of the three kids’ clubs on day one and you may hardly see them for the rest of the holiday. It’s a perfect base for a few rounds of golf at award-winning local courses, but it’s doubtful you’ll want to leave the seafront complex, with its pools ringed with palm trees and six seasonal bars and restaurants. An on-site supermarket is well-stocked if you fancy self-catering in your own kitchenette.