Hotel Palmasol

Popular with tourists from the U.K., especially mature couples who want the convenience of being near the marina, the Hotel Palmasol is an older hotel that needs a little TLC. It's hard to miss the property, thanks to bright-blue balconies that wrap around the building, and the first impressions here aren't bad. The lobby is pleasant and simple, with white marble tiles and oversized contemporary rattan couches. However, the budget nature of the hotel comes into play with tacky jewelry cases, racks of travel brochures, and halls filled with vending machines. The off-white, coin-operated, massage chairs also feel gimmicky at best. There's an abundance of pleather and worn furniture throughout the hotel's other indoor common areas, though most guests are here to pass the time out under the sun. With that in mind, the pool is nice enough, though queues do form for chairs in the morning in high season. All in all, with all-inclusive options, the hotel draws plenty of satisfied guests year after year, though there are far nicer options in the area, especially for those who don't mind being away from the marina. 

Hotel Palmasol is just down the street from the Benalmadena Marina, which serves as the nightlife hub for the town. Plenty of bars and restaurants line the marina, and cuisine from seafood to steakhouses are just on the hotel's doorstep. There are plenty of other attractions within easy reach: it’s a two-minute walk to the stores in the Puerto Marina shopping mall, and the Sea Life Benalmadena center is just five minutes away on foot. There are also a number of operators providing boat trips and excursions from the marina. For those arriving in the region by plane, Malaga International Airport is a 20-minute drive from the hotel.

The hotel's 269 rooms have tiled floors, deep-cream walls, and pink accents, but there isn't much to be excited about for a stay in them. The furnishings are dated, with visible wear on heavy-use areas like chairs, bedside tables, and desks. The color schemes and light oak details all combine with accents like old bedspreads and curtains to give everything a worn-out dorm-like aesthetic. Most rooms have two beds and mirrored wardrobe closets. Flat-screen TVs come standard, but it costs extra to use the safes and even the kettles. All units have small private balconies with white plastic tables and chairs, and some rooms have sea views. Junior Suites have two double beds and add separate living rooms with sofa beds and mini-fridges. The bathrooms have a more modern look than the rooms, with white-and-gray tiles, bidets, and either large walk-in showers or shower/tub combos. Noise can be an issue at the hotel given it's location near all of the buzzing nightlife in town.

This all-inclusive property has fairly predictable features, though they keep most of the hotel's guests -- many of whom are repeat customers -- happy. The hotel has a broad sunbathing lawn surrounding the outdoor pool; the space is partially shaded by palm trees and has plenty of lounge chairs. Queues aren't unheard of in the morning, as guests line up to claim seats. The kidney shaped pool has a sun deck with umbrellas, a small kids' pool, and tiled rainfall showers for rinsing off. There's also an outdoor hot tub in a separate area under a wooden awning, and a small indoor pool. The hotel's fitness center is more of a collection of cardio equipment crammed into an alcove, and there's a sauna as well. Other features include a lounge with a pool table and a stage that hosts nightly entertainment (which gets mixed reviews), along with an internet corner with free Wi-Fi (which costs extra everywhere else). There's also a piano bar as well as an open-air terrace with breezy white curtains and a relaxing lounge area with cushions and pillows under a thatched roof. There's one restaurant, where meals are served buffet-style in an aging dining room. Breakfast is included, and all-inclusive rates are available.