H10 Andalucia Plaza

H10 Andalucía Plaza is housed in a large U-shaped building with a strong Andalusian flavor. Doors and windows have yellow painted frames that stand out against the white-washed facade in the traditional southern style. The main entrance could very well belong in a typical grand Andalusian country house, with a covered area featuring a brown tiled gable roof and exposed wooden beams, and topped with a classic frontal. The lobby, however, is strikingly modern, with all-white decor, gleaming floors, and minimalist furniture. The wall behind the front desk is covered in large black-and-white photos of Marilyn Monroe. In the center of the property is the large free-form pool surrounded by loungers and palm trees. To one side of the building is the casino, which is not owned by the hotel but to which guests get free access. Right next to it is the underpass that guests can use to cross the highway and access the beach, which is just a short walk away.

The hotel is located right off Autovía del Mediterráneo, a major highway running all along the Spanish Mediterranean coast. This makes it easy to reach both from the airport and from nearby towns. There is a golf club nearby, and a street full of shops and bars adjacent to the hotel, but there are many more dining options on the other side of the road. Guests can use an underpass located inside the property to cross the highway. The beach is also on the other side, and can be reached on foot in about 10 minutes. Guests can find tons of dining and shopping options in Puerto Banús, located a 15-minute walk away. Puerto Banús is known for being the meeting point of the international jet set in the summer months, and offers a wide array of top-notch boutiques, and hopping nightlife. Marbella, located a 10-minute drive away, has a cute historic center with quaint shaded squares lined with small restaurants and bars. Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport is a 35-minute drive away.

The hotel features 400 large, bright rooms overlooking either the pool or the rear of the property -- which in some cases means the highway and the ocean in the distance. Decor is contemporary and stylish, with a silver, white and light brown palette, and minimalist furniture in metal and wood. All rooms have either a balcony or a small terrace, but most have old-fashioned tiles, and are in need of an update. {-tag:revisit 3/1/2015-}Standard room amenities include flat-screen TVs, minibars, free Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, and hotel-brand toiletries. Bathrooms feature frosted glass doors, which may not be everyone’s cup of tea, as they lack privacy. Privilege Rooms feature Nespresso coffeemakers, iPod docks, pillow menus, and free use of safes. Rooms facing the highway may get some noise when the windows are left open.

The hotel features a wide array of on-site amenities, including a large free-form pool with tons of loungers, palm trees, and a bar with outdoor seating; a restaurant serving a solid buffet as well as a la carte items; and events space for up to 600 guests. The fitness center offers only a handful of machines, but features a spa area complete with a nice indoor pool, a whirlpool, and treatment rooms. Off the lobby is the hotel’s main bar, a large space full of tables and chairs, and offering live music. Loaner bikes, tickets to the adjacent casino, and Wi-Fi are all available at no extra charge. Privilege Room guests have access to a private lounge, a private poolside terrace with loungers, and discounted rates at the spa.