The 227-room Helios Costa Tropical is a three-pearl property built on the beach in Almunecar. Its big draw is access to the sand and the nearby resort town that teems with shops and restaurants. The hotel itself has loads of amenities, especially for a three-pearl property, including an outdoor swimming pool, spa with whirlpool and treatment rooms, and a terrace rooftop bar overlooking the beach and promenade. Rooms are clean with hardwood floors, and most have nice views of the water, although suites offer a marked upgrade in style.

The 253-room Bahia Tropical Hotel is a relaxing, family-friendly beach escape on the coast of Granada, with a large pool, spa, ample areas for sunning and snacking, low-key evening entertainment, and a healthy two-kilometer coastal walk into the town of Almuñecar. It's too far from civilization for business travelers (there's a bus stop to Almuñecar outside the hotel), but families or couples wanting an affordable seaside resort with a lovely setting will likely enjoy this hotel. Nothing here is fancy and rooms are quite basic, but they're big and clean with scenic, private balconies.

The Almunecar Playa Spa Hotel is a large, mid-range chain hotel located directly on the Mediterranean Sea in Almunecar, Spain. With a seemingly endless list of activities and events for kids, including mini-golf, a water slide, the Dolphin kid's club, and beach access, the hotel is appealing for families but not ideal for business travelers, who can expect to pay extra fees for Wi-Fi and printing. Rooms look dated with worn furniture, but some have private balconies with views. There's a full-service on-site spa with a whirlpool and treatment rooms.