The Costa del Sol stretches for more than 150 km either side of Málaga, and each resort has a different personality: glamorous Marbella and Puerto Banús, family-friendly Benalmádena and Fuengirola, lively Torremolinos, polo-and-golf Sotogrande, and charming, clifftop Nerja.
Here is our guide, with ten of our best-rated hotels along the coast.
You’ll find on this page
- Quick verdicts and a comparison table of every hotel
- Marbella, Puerto Banús and Sotogrande
- Benalmádena, Torremolinos and Fuengirola
- Nerja
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Puente Romano Marbella | Marbella, Costa del Sol | 5★ | Bed and Breakfast | 4.6/5 | Yes |
| Iberostar Selection Marbella Coral Beach | Marbella, Costa del Sol | 4★ | All Inclusive, Bed and Breakfast, Half Board | 4.6/5 | No |
| Occidental Puerto Banus | Puerto Banus, Costa del Sol | 4★ | Bed and Breakfast | 4.4/5 | No |
| Hard Rock Hotel Marbella | Puerto Banus, Costa del Sol | 4★ | Bed and Breakfast, Half Board | 4.3/5 | No |
| OKU Andalusia | Sotogrande, Costa del Sol | 4★ | Bed and Breakfast, Half Board | 4.4/5 | No |
| Spirit Hotel Benalmadena Beach | Benalmadena, Costa del Sol | 4★ | Bed and Breakfast, Half Board | 4.6/5 | No |
| Hotel Las Arenas Affiliated by Melia | Benalmadena, Costa del Sol | 4★ | Bed and Breakfast, Full Board, Half Board | 4.5/5 | No |
| Hotel Isabel | Torremolinos, Costa del Sol | 4★ | Bed and Breakfast | 4.4/5 | No |
| Santa Barbara Heights by Wyndham Grand Costa del Sol | Fuengirola, Costa del Sol | 4★ | Bed and Breakfast, Half Board, Self Catering | 4.4/5 | Yes |
| Hotel Balcon De Europa | Nerja, 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
Marbella, Puerto Banús and Sotogrande
Glamour, beach clubs, golf and the marina.
Puente Romano Marbella
- Marbella, Costa del Sol
- 5-star
- Bed and Breakfast
- TripAdvisor 4.6/5
- Adults only
Five-star Puente Romano on Marbella’s Golden Mile is beachfront, with superb dining, and it is great for golfers.
Best for: Golden Mile luxury
Iberostar Selection Marbella Coral Beach
- Marbella, Costa del Sol
- 4-star
- All Inclusive
- TripAdvisor 4.6/5
Iberostar Selection Marbella Coral Beach is set in pretty gardens close to the beach, with the Chambao beach club and stunning sea views.
Best for: Beach club
Occidental Puerto Banus
- Puerto Banus, Costa del Sol
- 4-star
- Bed and Breakfast
- TripAdvisor 4.4/5
Occidental Puerto Banús is close to the beach and within walking distance of Puerto Banús, with a lovely pool.
Best for: Puerto Banús
Hard Rock Hotel Marbella
- Puerto Banus, Costa del Sol
- 4-star
- Half Board
- TripAdvisor 4.3/5
Hard Rock Hotel Marbella has a music theme and stylish design, within walking distance of Puerto Banús.
Best for: Style and nightlife
OKU Andalusia
- Sotogrande, Costa del Sol
- 4-star
- Half Board
- TripAdvisor 4.4/5
OKU Andalusia in Sotogrande offers coastal luxury, with infinity pools and a range of dining and facilities.
Best for: Sotogrande
Benalmádena, Torremolinos and Fuengirola
Family-friendly, lively and close to Málaga airport.
Spirit Hotel Benalmadena Beach
- Benalmadena, Costa del Sol
- 4-star
- Half Board
- TripAdvisor 4.6/5
Spirit Hotel Benalmádena Beach has a relaxed atmosphere, beautiful sea views, excellent facilities and a rooftop terrace bar.
Best for: Rooftop drinks
Hotel Las Arenas Affiliated by Melia
- Benalmadena, Costa del Sol
- 4-star
- Full Board
- TripAdvisor 4.5/5
Hotel Las Arenas in Benalmádena is opposite the beach, with a stunning rooftop terrace, and it is great for couples.
Best for: Couples
Hotel Isabel
- Torremolinos, Costa del Sol
- 4-star
- Bed and Breakfast
- TripAdvisor 4.4/5
Hotel Isabel in Torremolinos has a great location close to the beach, a friendly atmosphere and sea-view rooms.
Best for: Torremolinos
Santa Barbara Heights by Wyndham Grand Costa del Sol
- Fuengirola, Costa del Sol
- 4-star
- Half Board
- TripAdvisor 4.4/5
- Adults only
Adults-only Santa Barbara Heights in Fuengirola is small and peaceful, with modern, stylish interiors and stunning views.
Best for: Peaceful adults-only
Nerja
A charming white town on the cliffs east of Málaga.
Hotel Balcon De Europa
- Nerja, Costa del Sol
- 4-star
- Half Board
- TripAdvisor 4.3/5
Hotel Balcón de Europa is built into the rock face in Nerja, close to the Old Town, with great sea views and well-equipped rooms.
Best for: Nerja
How to choose
Glamour and nightlife: Marbella and Puerto Banús. Families: Benalmádena and Fuengirola, with long beaches and attractions. Short transfers: Torremolinos and Benalmádena, 15 to 20 minutes from Málaga airport. Golf and peace: Sotogrande. Charm and coves: Nerja, with its famous caves and the Balcón de Europa viewpoint. Flights to Málaga take around two and three-quarter hours from the UK.
How we chose these hotels
We looked at every hotel we sell on the Costa del Sol and chose the best-rated in each resort. We excluded hotels already featured in our other guides, so you get fresh choices. Every hotel here is well rated by our guests on TripAdvisor, and every one can be booked with us 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.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best area of the Costa del Sol?
Marbella for glamour, Benalmádena and Fuengirola for families, and Nerja for charm.
Where is closest to Málaga airport?
Torremolinos and Benalmádena.
Is Puerto Banús part of Marbella?
Yes, it is Marbella’s glamorous marina district, a few miles west of the old town.
How long is the flight to Málaga?
About two and three-quarter hours.
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 hotels on the Costa del Sol
- Best hotels in Málaga and Seville
- Best hotels in Benidorm
Updated October 2026. Hotels can be booked as ATOL-protected packages with flights and transfers through Travelisto.
