Hotels
Torremolinos hotels: where to stay, from Playamar to La Carihuela
Torremolinos is where the Costa del Sol package holiday began, and it is only minutes from the airport. Here are five hotels near the beach, spread across the three areas you will choose between.
In short
Our first choice in Torremolinos is Hotel Isabel. It sits right on the seafront promenade at Playamar, every room has a balcony, and guests on Hotels.com rate it 9.0. To stay in the old fishing quarter with its restaurants, La Carihuela is the area to pick.
Our first choice: See rooms at Hotel Isabel
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Walk down the steps from Calle San Miguel and you come out on the beach at Bajondillo. It is mid-morning, and the beach bars have just started serving. Further west, in La Carihuela, fires are being lit in the old boats on the sand, ready for the sardines to be grilled on skewers at lunchtime.
Torremolinos was one of the first places on the coast where northern Europeans came for a sunshine holiday, and the tower blocks along the beach still show it. But the town also has old lanes, a fishing village and a lively evening scene, and you are never far from the flight home.
Which Torremolinos hotel suits you?
Quiet by the beach: Hotel Isabel
An apartment with a kitchen: Hotel Apartamentos Bajondillo
Spa and rooftop terrace: Meliá Costa del Sol
Families in the fishing village: Hotel La Barracuda
Small and personal: La Luna Blanca
Playamar: the quiet end
East of the centre the beach widens, and the promenade at Playamar is broad and calm. You are closer to the airport and the Aqualand water park here, but the centre is still about a quarter of an hour away on foot.
The garden behind the promenade
Hotel Isabel has its pool and garden just behind the promenade at Playamar.
Hotel Isabel
Isabel is a small hotel with 74 rooms, all with balconies, right on the promenade at Playamar. Behind it is a garden with a saltwater pool, and the train station is around 15 minutes' walk away. A good choice if you want the beach outside and prefer to avoid the biggest hotels.
Book your stay: See rooms at Hotel Isabel
Bajondillo: the beach below the centre
Bajondillo is the beach directly below the town centre. Steps and alleys lead down to the sea from the shopping street Calle San Miguel, so you have both shops and sand within walking distance.
A garden down to the beach
The garden at Bajondillo runs right down to the beach.
Hotel Apartamentos Bajondillo
Bajondillo has direct access to the beach and apartments with room to cook for yourself. The restaurant, La Braseria, serves dinner with a view over the sand, and there is a pool in the garden and a gym. Ideal if you are staying a while and want more space than a standard room.
Book your stay: See rooms at Hotel Apartamentos Bajondillo
A terrace facing the sea
From the terraces at Meliá you look straight out to sea.
Meliá Costa del Sol
Meliá is the big beach hotel at Bajondillo, with a spa, a rooftop terrace and an outdoor pool facing the promenade. Its restaurant, The Beach, serves Spanish food at lunch and dinner. Choose it if you want a full-service hotel with a spa right by the sea.
Book your stay: See rooms at Meliá Costa del Sol
Palms by the sea
Palm trees and a small footbridge by the sea in Torremolinos.
La Carihuela: the fishing village
La Carihuela is the old fishing district west of the centre. Fish restaurants line the promenade, and this is where you get sardines grilled on skewers over embers. The area is lower-rise and calmer than the centre, but comes alive in the evening.
A rooftop facing the sea
From the rooftop terrace at La Barracuda you look out over La Carihuela and the sea.
Hotel La Barracuda
La Barracuda has the beach at La Carihuela right outside, with a rooftop terrace and a pool that opens in summer. It is popular with families, and the restaurants of the fishing quarter are on the doorstep. Guests rate it 8.6.
Book your stay: See rooms at Hotel La Barracuda
A small hotel on a quiet street
La Luna Blanca sits on a quiet street above La Carihuela.
La Luna Blanca
La Luna Blanca is a small hotel with a Japanese touch, in a residential area above La Carihuela. It has an outdoor pool and a bar, and the beach is a few minutes away by car. Guests rate it 9.4, the highest of the hotels here. Pick it for a quiet, personal stay.
Book your stay: See rooms at La Luna Blanca
Before you book
The airport is close. The local train from Málaga airport stops in Torremolinos, and a taxi gets you there quickly.
Choose your area by your evenings. The centre and Bajondillo are the liveliest, La Carihuela the best for food and Playamar the quietest.
Mind the hills. The centre sits on a rise above the beach, so hotels down by the sea are easiest with children and luggage.
Torremolinos hotels: frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to stay in Torremolinos?
La Carihuela suits you if you want restaurants and atmosphere, while Bajondillo puts both the beach and the centre within easy reach. Playamar is the quietest and closest to the airport. All three areas are on the beach.
What is the best family hotel in Torremolinos?
Hotel La Barracuda in La Carihuela is popular with families, with the beach and a pool. Hotel Apartamentos Bajondillo is another good option, as the apartments give the whole family room. The Aqualand water park is in town.
How far is Torremolinos from Málaga airport?
Torremolinos is one of the towns closest to the airport. The local train stops in the centre, and a taxi is there in no time.
Are there all-inclusive hotels in Torremolinos?
Yes, several of the large hotels offer all-inclusive packages. The hotels in this guide are booked as regular hotels, with breakfast or half board. Check what is included when you choose your room.
Is Torremolinos good for a winter holiday?
Torremolinos has mild weather in winter, and many hotels stay open all year. Being so close to the airport makes it easy for short breaks. Check that your hotel is open on your dates before you book.