The first of the four-star Costa del Sol hotels on these pages is an urban establishment, suitable for a visit to the city of Málaga. The hotel's rather functional web page made me think: "214 rooms, 16 of which are junior suites, three presidencial suites and one room equipped for the handicapped." Does this not imply that there are three presidents in the world for every handicapped person? But the rates given on the hotel's web page are better than those offered by the Hotel Club service, the blurb for which reads: "AC Malaga Palacio Hotel boasts an unparalleled location between the Cathedral of Malaga and the Paseo del Parque, with picturesque views out over the port. It is perfect for a business trip to enjoy one of the largest range of recreational and cultural possibilities of the Costa del Sol."

Top

The web page of the Princess hotel chain is a delight for Flash fans and a nightmare for its detractors, indeed it crashed my browser. What is worse, it inexplicably has no price information. The hotel itself looks rather splendid, though, and I imagine the Hotel Club price will be slightly better than the official one. The (uninspired) Hotel Club* blurb reads: "Andalucia Princess Hotel is located on the seafront inside the Princess Complex, between Estepona and Marbella. It is situated in the heart of Costa del Sol, just 10 minutes from Puerto Banus and 45 minutes from Malaga airport.
The hotel represents typical Andalusian construction with a main building and 6 independent buildings and a total of 385 comfortable rooms."

Top

I have not found a web page for this hotel in Nerja, but as far as I can tell, it is comfortable, but not new, and provides a "spectacular panoramic view" by being slap-bang in the middle of everyone else's view. The Hotel Club* blurb says: "Balcon de Europa Hotel...in the old quarter of the historic Balcon de Europa standing above La Caletilla beach, enjoying the spectacular panoramic view along the coast of Nerja. The hotel is in close proximity to the charming streets of the old town, those of the commercial area, and all the attractions that this delightful town has to offer. (...) Due to its location built into the rock face of the Balcon de Europa, the hotel's main entrance is via the 6th floor, thus allowing direct access from the hotel bedrooms to the beach. The hotel has recently been refurbished and facilities improved."

Top

This hotel's website has special offers which even beat the Hotel Club* prices. The hotel's blurb includes: "One of Hotel el Fuerte's enchantment is its position. In the centre of Marbella, next to the sea and surrounded by more than 4.000 m2 of subtropical gardens. The nearness of the Hotel el Fuerte to the historical centre will allow you to discover corners of the old town of Marbella."

Top

This is one of those curiosities that makes running a site like this worthwhile. This otherwise standard Costa del Sol hotel is home to "the largest Chinese Alternative Medicine Centre in Spain." The hotel's otherwise fine website has no price information, so I cannot compare with the Hotel Club rates. I quote more of the blurb than usual: "The Hotel El Paraiso Costa Del Sol is located between Marbella and Estepona in a quiet residential area. It stands on a hill with breathtaking views over the Mediterranean Sea, and is surrounded by a golf course.
The "a la carte" and buffet restaurants as well as the terrace bar by the swimming pool all offer high quality service and excellent cuisine. The panoramic bar has magnificent views of Gibraltar, the African coast and the Andalusian mountains.
The Hotel El Paraiso Costa Del Sol offers you the largest Chinese Alternative Medicine Centre in Spain, with Chinese and European doctors (and interpreters) who provide traditional Chinese methods such as acupuncture, acupressure, maxibustion, TUI-NA massages, homeopathy, and naturopathy."

Top

A sister establishment to the Hotel El Fuerte above, and like it, with some interesting offers on its web page. Blurb ("first line of the beach" means "on the seafront"): "In the heart of Marbella and on the first line of the beach. The Hotel Fuerte Miramar can offer a wide range of complementary and personalized services."

Top