Where to stay in Costa del Sol: all-inclusive and beach hotels in Spain

What is your preferred kind of holiday? While many love sunbathing for hours and taking long strolls along the seashore, others indulge in the pleasure of spending the days at an all-inclusive holiday resort, and there are also those who love roaming unknown streets of old towns looking for something unexpected in a local shop or startling new tastes in traditional restaurants. Travellers leading a more refined lifestyle often look for luxury shopping and the finest dining experiences. Well, sunny Costa del Sol in Spain gathers all of the above. This region, which stretches along the coast of the Málaga province in Andalusia, seems like the perfect destination if you seek a combination of sea and activity. Popular holiday areas like Torremolinos, Benalmádena, Marbella, Estepona, Casares and Nerja never sleep, yet still offer the quietness and relaxed atmosphere you need for a much anticipated rejuvenating retreat. See our recommended hotels in Costa del Sol below.

All-inclusive hotel in Torremolinos, Costa del Sol

The Marconfort Beach Club hotel is a 4-star all-inclusive resort that stands only 4,2 kilometres away from Málaga airport, and a short walk separates it from the sand of Playamar beach. In such a privileged location, guests enjoy complimentary breakfast, lunch, dinner, ice cream and snacks, drinks (some restrictions may apply), access to the mini golf, bicycle lending, live music shows, admission to an indoor pool and to leisure areas for kids and for adults.

Furthermore, this hotel in Costa del Sol has a free WiFi internet network, 3 open-air swimming pools, gym, hot tub and sauna, and all rooms –which range from double to family occupancy with either front or lateral sea views- feature air conditioning, a balcony, paid safe, satellite TV and en suite bathroom. You may choose to book a wellness package and enjoy its spa facilities or go out and explore the nearby Málaga old town or take a train in Torremolinos train station to visit the Picasso Museum, the Cathedral, the Botanical Garden or the Aqualand water park. All the aforementioned are a short car drive away.

Nerja Club & Spa hotel in Costa del Sol

This 3-star hospitality establishment is 48 kilometres away from Granada airport and 56 kilometres from Málaga airport, but the hotel provides airport transfer service for a nominal fee, well worth paying if we take into account that by staying here we will be able to visit the famous “Balcón de Europa”, a viewpoint on a cliff that overlooks the Mediterranean sea and offers breathtaking views that are unique to this area. Besides, it takes just a short stroll to get both to the beach and to Nerja city centre.

The facilities of this holiday hotel in Spain comprise an open-air swimming pool, a spa centre with whirlpool baths (guests are entitled to one complimentary session per day during their stay), a buffet restaurant offering entertainment and weekly flamenco shows, a free Wifi lounge, and air-conditioned rooms with TV and private bathroom. When making a reservation, you may choose a breakfast-included rate, and other services include car rental, meeting rooms and spaces for events, concierge, luggage storage, laundry, ironing and daily maid service.

BlueBay Banús hotel in Marbella, Andalusia

Close to Marbella casino and several golf clubs, this hospitality establishment stands 7 kilometres from El Saladillo beach in Costa del Sol and 47 kilometres from Málaga airport. Guests may take a nice stroll to the exclusive harbour town of Puerto Banús. With parking spots available, foreign currency exchange services and spaces for meetings and events, the BlueBay Banús is perfect for those travelling to Spain both for business and leisure.

What is more, this hotel in Marbella boasts two onsite restaurants where guests can delight themselves with exquisite Andalusian dishes, a poolside bar and a wellness centre. The rooms -which may accommodate couples, groups or families-, feature a balcony, a mini bar, private bathroom and TV with satellite channels. Additionally, there is a paid WiFi lounge and three swimming pools available.

Hotels near Málaga airport in Spain

The strategic location of Málaga-Costa del Sol airport makes it the ideal gateway into this part of southern Spain for holiday lovers and business travellers alike, serving not only the city and region of the same name but also other areas of Andalusia such as Torremolinos and Benalmádena, and with the main landmarks and beaches of Málaga within easy reach. As a matter of fact, routes that connect it to more than 150 domestic and international destinations are handled from its three terminals every day, most of them operated by Vueling, Ryanair, Norwegian Air Shuttle, Scandinavian Airlines and Air Europa. However, there are many other airlines currently offering flights to Málaga, among which we count Transavia, Aer Lingus, British Airways, Eurowings, Finnair, Iberia, Qatar Airways, Royal Air Maroc and TuiFly.

Places to stay close to the terminals of Malaga airport in Spain

Before planning your trip, we advise you to take a look at our recommended hotels near Málaga airport in Spain below.

Málaga Nostrum Airport

Five minutes from the airport terminals and the beach by car, this accommodation provides guests with free parking spaces and easy access to central Málaga. Besides, travellers on a short business trip or layover will appreciate the opportunity to swim in the pool or rent a bike to get around. The suites, standard rooms and premium units of this 3-star hotel near Málaga airport in Spain feature complimentary WiFi internet, air conditioning, satellite TV channels, a work desk and a private bathroom with toiletries. Breakfast can be ordered to the room service, but also enjoyed at the onsite restaurant, which specialises in both International and Mediterranean cuisine, including dishes that are suitable for vegan guests and gluten-free diets.

Campanile Málaga Airport hotel

This 3-star accommodation close to Málaga airport is conveniently located a short drive from the passenger terminals and ten minutes by car from the centre. Guests can walk to the beach and visit the Picasso Museum, which lies less than two kilometres away. If you rent a car for the duration of your stay, know that you will be entitled to a free parking spot inside the facilities of the hotel, otherwise you can use the shuttle bus service to and from the airport even if you are carrying several bags. The rooms at the Campanile boast lots of natural lighting, flat-screen TV and comfortable beds, and the buffet restaurant welcomes guests for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Should you need to meet up with potential clients or organise any sort of celebration, its wheelchair-accessible premises comprise business and meeting spaces that can be arranged for your events and presentations.

Holiday Inn Express Málaga Airport

This option is the one that is closest to the terminal buildings, roughly one kilometre away. It is also especially indicated for travellers interested in shopping and golf, with courses and malls within easy reach from the hotel. With the aim of catering to the needs of business travellers, free parking spaces are provided, as well as other services such as complimentary WiFi, currency exchange, business centre, laundry, safes and meeting rooms. The fully-equipped, cosy rooms of this Holiday Inn hotel near Málaga airport may accommodate solo travellers or groups and a hearty continental breakfast is included in the nightly rate per guest. Other advantage of staying here is its proximity to some of the best beaches in Costa del Sol, the Old Town and the Picasso Museum, just a short bus or train commute away.

How to go to Málaga centre from the airport

There are several public transportation methods available in order for you to go from the airport to Málaga city centre, namely the express bus line 75 and other direct services towards Marbella, Estepona and Ronda, as well as trains departing from terminal 3 to the city, Torremolinos, Fuengirola and Benalmádena. Even so, due to the enviable situation of the passenger terminals, many travellers opt for finding accommodation close to them, thus being able to commute to the beach, to the main sites of interest and back to the airport without much trouble.

Will you be flying to Alicante in Spain as well? Take a look at our quick guide to the shops and restaurants in Alicante-Elche airport.

Spain holidays: from Málaga airport to Puerto Banús and recommended hotels