We needed a 1 night stay in Malaga due to a late arrival on our flight and if this proved ok to stay again for 3 nights before flying home so that we could see some more of the local attractions of Malaga. It was really pot luck with ‘booking.com’ and we thought this hotel was somewhere near the lighthouse looking at the map. Wrong – it was much further away but what a lucky decision. Admittedly the taxi cost 40 euros to take us there around midnight and we had no idea where we were. However, the arrangements the hostel made for us to pick up a key, let ourselves in and find our room worked a treat. Thankfully the room looked good but being very tired by then we just fell into bed and would review our position in the morning. No breakfast or tea making here but a gorgeous little cafe immediately next door was perfect to pop to for the fabulous cafe con leche and tomato tosta. Then time for a little explore as we were not continuing to our destination until late afternoon. The hotel itself was a little gem, very traditional with a terrace downstairs open to the sky and up the stairs to a galleried terrace all with potted plants and the usual pretty tiling. Our room was a twin (as requested), very pretty and spotlessly clean, with hanging rail, dressing table and ensuite facilities with adequate toiletries. TV and wifi also included. We later discovered that there was a kitchen area with drinks machine, kettle and microwave so if you wanted to cater for yourself to a degree then it was possible.
The biggest surprise was how close it was to the sea – just one main road to cross and another small lane and you were on the sea front with many small cafes and outside tables. The long beach was divided into bays with breakwaters and so you never felt that you were surrounded by people but could choose your own cove to sit in. We walked as far as we could and all the areas were clean and there were many of the traditional boat bbqs along the front sending out the smell of wood fires and cooking fish. MMMmm.
Because the location was perfect after all, we booked for the additional 3 nights and on that stay discovered that the cafe next door did evening meals as well. Highly recommended. The buses into the centre of Malaga stopped right outside the hotel but feeling very energetic we actually were able to walk on the flat into the centre of town and even to the Zambrano bus station. It took a couple of hours but I think we are getting to know the area pretty well now.
The hostel arranged an early morning transfer to the airport at 5.30 am which also worked perfectly and I am definitely going to stay there again.
