Sol Principe by Meliá

There is nothing about the Hotel Sol Principe that is small or intimate. The lobby is large and warm-feeling, done in Spanish reds and dark woods, with armchairs and tables (replaced with new modern furniture after our visit) for socializing or meeting up with friends, but it lacks much atmosphere other than the standard "nice lobby." The lagoon-style pool is stunning, surrounded by palm trees and lush tropical gardens, with fountains in the middle, and a cluster of sunbeds built into the water. The lawns and decks are filled with lounges and beach umbrellas, and the Caribe Pool Bar is pretty and casual (and vast) -- no need for shoes or shirts to order a cerveza. The several other restaurants and bars in the hotel are all large and fairly indistinguishable from one another in decor, but the fun holiday vibe pervades all the common spaces, both indoor and outdoor.

The Hotel Sol Principe is located on Playamar Beach, a 10-minute drive from the Malaga Airport and about a mile from central Torremolinos. The surrounding area is filled with beach bars, apartment buildings, and hotels, offering many options for eating, drinking, shoping, or people watching. Golfers will find courses with two miles, including the Parador golf course, five minutes from the hotel. A rental car is helpful, but there are buses that stop outside the hotel entrance, including one that goes directly to the Aqua Fun Water Park.

Rooms at the Hotel Sol Principe have small balconies with large views of the pool or the sea. Decor is simple, pleasant, and cozy, with a predominance of sunny Spanish orange and a touch of ocean aqua in the textiles and upholstery. Rooms have safes and flat-screen TVs. Rooms and bathrooms are clean and bright, although not the most modern in terms of fixtures and design. The beautiful natural surroundings are the hotel's star attraction.

The lagoon pool at the Hotel Sol Principe is an oasis, and the adults-only lap pool is a haven for swimmers. The playground includes slides, swings, trampolines, and more. There are art and cooking classes for kids, spinning and zumba for adults, and Broadway-type performances based on "Grease," "Mamma Mia,""The Lion King," and more. Restaurants are plentiful, including two all-you-can-eat buffet restaurants, and there are many bars that serve light meals. The many conference rooms are stylish, with cool art photography on the walls, making this a good choice for business travelers, as well as for tourists.