Picolo recommends · Hotel in Gibraltar, British Overseas Territory
The Rock Hotel
A white hotel on the side of the Rock, where the terrace looks across the bay to Spain and, on a clear day, the mountains of Morocco.
Evening comes slowly on the terrace here. Tankers and ferries wait out in the bay, the lights of Algeciras come on across the water, and the coast of Africa fades into the haze to the south.
The Rock Hotel has been the town's grand old address for close to a century. Below it is a garden with a pool, inside there is a bar and Alfred's restaurant, and the base station of the cable car is only a short stroll away.
Picolo’s verdict
Why we chose The Rock Hotel
We chose it for the view and the sense of history. It is the hotel Gibraltar has been proud of for generations, and it puts the upper Rock, with its apes and caves, within easy reach.
The setting has a price: the hill. Getting back up from Main Street is a stiff climb, so anyone with tired legs or heavy shopping bags will be calling a taxi more than once.
What you get
- Pool in the garden
- Alfred's restaurant
- Bar
- Terrace facing the bay
- Classic hotel service
A day at The Rock Hotel
- Morning
- Breakfast with the ships in the bay below you.
- Midday
- The cable car to the top and the Barbary macaques.
- Afternoon
- A swim and a book by the garden pool.
- Evening
- Dinner at Alfred's as the lights come on in Spain.
Location
Gibraltar
Open in MapsQuestions about The Rock Hotel
Is The Rock Hotel near the cable car?
Yes. The lower station of the cable car is a short walk away, so you can be at the top of the Rock without dealing with traffic or tour buses.
Is The Rock Hotel within walking distance of Main Street?
It is, but the walk is steep. Going down is easy; most guests take a taxi back up, especially in the summer heat.
Does The Rock Hotel have a pool?
Yes, there is an outdoor pool in the garden, with views out over the bay.
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Updated 6 Nov 2026All articles
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