Pasaje Cerrillo 2, Torremolinos, Spain | (251) 219-4428
Boutique hotel with large rooms and spacious bathrooms
Quiet and relaxed Japanese-themed atmosphere
Serene swimming pool and secluded garden areas
Private rooftop hot tub and sauna
Japanese restaurant on-site serving authentic cuisine
Free breakfast, private parking, and Wi-Fi
Situated in a residential area
Steep 10-minute walk to beach
Driving distance to city center
Three-night minimum stay during high season
Hotel La Luna Blanca is a quaint, Japanese-themed value hotel tucked away in a residential area of the beach town Torremolinos, a short drive from the city of Malaga. It's intimate, with personalized service and only 11 rooms on the entire property; they're spacious, and as with the rest of the residence, Japanese-themed. Although the beach is a 10-minute walk away, there is an adequately sized pool in the back garden and a private hot tub on the roof. The hotel offers authentic Japanese cuisine at its on-site restaurant, which has outdoor seating on the terrace.
Scene
An authentic Japanese-themed hotel in the south of Spain
Hotel La Luna Blanca is incredibly charming for a value hotel. The entrance to the white, stucco, Mediterranean-style building is surrounded by lush greenery and bright flowers, and boxy hedges on top of the property wall add privacy. The attractive lobby has cushioned wicker seating, warm wood furnishings, marble tile floors, and plenty of natural light; big glass sliding doors open up to a backyard with lawn.A Japanese theme is carried out throughout the hotel, and is evident in a number of subtle and not-so-subtle details, from the choice of fabric prints to the furniture style to the artwork. The restaurant, which serves Japanese cuisine at all meals (including free breakfast) overlooks the pool area with outdoor seating on the terrace. This quiet, quaint hotel primarily attracts couples, but is also suitable for families.
Location
A boutique hotel situated in a sleepy residential Spanish beach town
Hotel La Luna Blanca is tucked away among the local residences of Torremolinos, Costa del Sol, so much so that it may be hard to find. It's a 10-minute walk from La Carihuela beach, although it is a steep walk back to the hotel. It's a 25-minute drive to the city of Malaga, which has a city center, sights, shops, and an international airport.
Rooms
Spacious bedrooms with terraces, large bathrooms, and Japanese flair
With only nine rooms and two suites, Hotel La Luna Blanca is small in number but, when it comes to the bedrooms and bathrooms, large in square footage. The rooms are contemporary, minimal, and a bit basic (this is a value hotel, after all), but the marble tile floors, natural light, and Japanese artwork put them a step above what may be expected for this category. In addition, all have terraces. Amenities include satellite flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, tea kettles, and minibars; most bathrooms have shower/tub combos and bidets. For an even more traditional Japanese experience, the Japanese Junior Suite is a truly authentic, with a futon instead of a normal bed as well as a furo, a tub that is at least six times the size of a normal one.
Features
Japanese cultural courses and private outdoor amenities
Hotel La Luna Blanca offers Japanese cultural immersion courses in seven- and three-day package deals, with activities ranging from Japanese cooking classes to bonsai tree trimming and shiatsu (these courses do come at a price). The hotel can also arrange for other off-site activities such as horseback riding and golfing. Free continental breakfast, Wi-Fi, and private parking (especially appreciated in Torremolinos) are big pluses. The breakfast includes both Japanese and western options.The rooftop hot tub and sauna are a highlight, and can be booked for one-hour sessions, allowing privacy. Shiatsu massages are also available for an added fee. The small outdoor swimming pool is surrounded by lawn and tall hedges (for privacy from the street); it's more suitable for a dip than a swim, and there are only a few lounge chairs available.Guests interested in memorializing their Japanese experience can get photos of themselves taken wearing kimonos for a fee.