The Costa del Sol has more than 300 days of sunshine a year, a string of chic resorts from Marbella to Sotogrande, and short flights from every corner of the UK. Its luxury hotels range from family all-inclusive to golf resorts and beachfront design hotels.
These are ten of the best, all rated highly by guests.
You’ll find on this page
- Quick verdicts and a comparison table of every hotel
- Ten luxury hotels with photos and ratings
- Where to stay on the Costa del Sol
- Answers to the questions we’re asked most
- Live prices with flights and transfers in the search box at the end of the page
At a glance: compare the hotels
| Hotel | Where | Stars | Board | TripAdvisor | Adults only |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ikos Andalusia | Estepona, Costa del Sol | 5★ | All Inclusive Plus | 4.9/5 | No |
| Vincci Seleccion Aleysa | Benalmadena, Costa del Sol | 5★ | Bed and Breakfast, Half Board | 4.9/5 | No |
| ME Marbella | Marbella, Costa del Sol | 4★ | Bed and Breakfast | 4.9/5 | No |
| La Zambra Resort | Mijas, Costa del Sol | 5★ | Bed and Breakfast, Half Board | 4.8/5 | No |
| Kimpton Los Monteros Marbella | Marbella, Costa del Sol | 5★ | Bed and Breakfast, Half Board | 4.8/5 | No |
| METT Marbella – Estepona | Estepona, Costa del Sol | 5★ | Bed and Breakfast | 4.8/5 | No |
| Fairmont La Hacienda Costa Del Sol | Sotogrande, Costa del Sol | 5★ | Bed and Breakfast, Half Board | 4.7/5 | No |
| SO Sotogrande Spa & Golf Resort Hotel | Sotogrande, Costa del Sol | 5★ | All Inclusive, Bed and Breakfast | 4.6/5 | No |
| Anantara Villa Padierna Palace Benahavis Marbella Resort | Benahavis Marbella, Costa del Sol | 5★ | Bed and Breakfast, Full Board, Half Board | 4.5/5 | No |
| Hotel IPV Palace & Spa | Fuengirola, Costa del Sol | 4★ | Bed and Breakfast, Half Board | 4.3/5 | No |
Star ratings are official; TripAdvisor scores were correct when we last checked and can change. Board options vary by room and date.
Quick verdicts
Our top picks
1. Ikos Andalusia
- Estepona, Costa del Sol
- 5-star
- All Inclusive Plus
- TripAdvisor 4.9/5
Ikos Andalusia in Estepona is perfect for families, with an idyllic beachfront location, a range of pools and excellent dining on All Inclusive Plus.
Best for: Families
2. Vincci Seleccion Aleysa
- Benalmadena, Costa del Sol
- 5-star
- Half Board
- TripAdvisor 4.9/5
Vincci Selección Aleysa in Benalmádena is close to the beach, with modern, luxurious rooms and a rejuvenating spa, and it is great for couples and friends.
Best for: Couples and friends
3. ME Marbella
- Marbella, Costa del Sol
- 4-star
- Bed and Breakfast
- TripAdvisor 4.9/5
ME Marbella is set in sub-tropical gardens with an excellent spa, great service and upgraded rooms on The Level.
Best for: Marbella style
4. La Zambra Resort
- Mijas, Costa del Sol
- 5-star
- Half Board
- TripAdvisor 4.8/5
La Zambra Resort in Mijas is perfect for spa lovers, with a tranquil location, light-filled rooms and a Michelin Guide restaurant.
Best for: Spa and food
5. Kimpton Los Monteros Marbella
- Marbella, Costa del Sol
- 5-star
- Half Board
- TripAdvisor 4.8/5
Kimpton Los Monteros Marbella is close to the beach, with an ultra-modern style.
Best for: Design lovers
6. METT Marbella – Estepona
- Estepona, Costa del Sol
- 5-star
- Bed and Breakfast
- TripAdvisor 4.8/5
METT Marbella–Estepona has luxurious interiors, an excellent beachfront location and great dining, and it is great for adults.
Best for: Beachfront for adults
7. Fairmont La Hacienda Costa Del Sol
- Sotogrande, Costa del Sol
- 5-star
- Half Board
- TripAdvisor 4.7/5
Fairmont La Hacienda in Sotogrande is perfect for spa lovers, with a heated infinity pool and rooms, suites and villas in a calm coastal location.
Best for: Calm and spacious
8. SO Sotogrande Spa & Golf Resort Hotel
- Sotogrande, Costa del Sol
- 5-star
- All Inclusive
- TripAdvisor 4.6/5
SO Sotogrande Spa & Golf Resort is perfect for golf, chic and sophisticated.
Best for: Golfers
9. Anantara Villa Padierna Palace Benahavis Marbella Resort
- Benahavis Marbella, Costa del Sol
- 5-star
- Full Board
- TripAdvisor 4.5/5
Anantara Villa Padierna Palace in Benahavís is perfect for golf, with excellent dining, heavenly spa facilities and an elegant, traditional style.
Best for: Palatial luxury
See Anantara Villa Padierna Palace Benahavis Marbella Resort →
10. Hotel IPV Palace & Spa
- Fuengirola, Costa del Sol
- 4-star
- Half Board
- TripAdvisor 4.3/5
Beachfront Hotel IPV Palace & Spa in Fuengirola has excellent facilities and a fantastic spa.
Best for: Beachfront value
Where to stay on the Costa del Sol
Marbella and Puerto Banús: glamour, boutiques and beach clubs. Estepona: a charming old town and quieter beaches. Sotogrande: exclusive, with polo and golf. Mijas and Benahavís: hillside villages and golf. Benalmádena and Fuengirola: lively, family-friendly and close to Málaga airport.
How we chose these hotels
We sell 70 hotels in the Costa del Sol. To build this list we started with the five-star and luxury hotels and the highest-rated four-stars, then read what our guests say: every hotel here is well rated on TripAdvisor. We spread our picks across different resorts so you can compare areas, and we only include hotels you can book with us today as an ATOL-protected package with flights and transfers. Prices change daily, so use the search box at the end of this page for live availability, or ask a Travel Designer for a tailored shortlist.
Things to do
Explore Málaga’s Picasso Museum and Alcazaba, wander Marbella’s old town, visit the white village of Mijas, take a day trip to Ronda’s gorge or the Alhambra in Granada, and play some of Spain’s best golf courses.
When to go and getting there
The Costa del Sol lives up to its name, with more than 300 sunny days a year. July and August are hot, typically around 30 °C, and the resorts are at their liveliest. May, June, September and October are ideal for warm beach days with fewer crowds, and the mild winters suit golf and city breaks to Málaga. Flights to Málaga take around two and three-quarter hours from the UK. Benalmádena and Fuengirola are 15 to 30 minutes from the airport, Marbella around 45 minutes, and Estepona and Sotogrande about an hour to an hour and a quarter.
Eating and drinking
Fresh fish rules here: try espetos, sardines skewered and grilled over a wood fire on the beach, and fritura malagueña, a platter of lightly fried fish. Gazpacho and the thicker ajoblanco, a chilled almond and garlic soup, are perfect on a hot day. Marbella’s old town is full of tapas bars, while Puerto Banús and the Golden Mile have some of Spain’s smartest restaurants. Sweet Málaga wine makes a good digestif.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to stay on the Costa del Sol?
Marbella for glamour, Estepona for charm, and Benalmádena or Fuengirola for families and short transfers.
What is the best family hotel on the Costa del Sol?
Ikos Andalusia in Estepona.
Is the Costa del Sol warm in winter?
Mild, typically around 17 °C, with lots of sunshine.
How long is the flight to Málaga?
About two and three-quarter hours from the UK.
Find your Costa del Sol holiday
Search live prices with flights and transfers, all ATOL protected, or ask a Travel Designer to compare these hotels.
Keep planning
- All Costa del Sol hotels
- Spain holidays
- Best luxury all-inclusive resorts under 4 hours
- Best golf resorts
- Best hotels on the Costa Blanca
- Best hotels on the Costa de la Luz
- Best hotels in Málaga and Seville
- Where to stay on the Costa del Sol
Updated October 2026. Hotels can be booked as ATOL-protected packages with flights and transfers through Travelisto.
