Last month I went to Malaga on a business trip and stayed at the Palace Hotel in the city center for a few days. It was quite good, so I’d like to share this Malaga hotel apartment stay experience with everyone. The hotel’s location is really convenient, just a ten-minute walk to both the old town and the port, making it a great choice for friends who want to explore Malaga in depth.
Location and Transportation
The hotel is situated on a quiet street in Malaga’s city center. Although it’s not on the busiest main street, this actually ensures a peaceful night. A taxi from the airport costs around 15 euros, or you can take the C1 bus line which goes directly there, very convenient. It’s only an 8-minute walk to the Picasso Museum, and about 10 minutes to Malaga Cathedral. There are plenty of tapas bars and supermarkets nearby, with quite complete amenities.
Room Facilities and Services
I booked a standard double room, approximately 25 square meters, with a modern minimalist decor style, very clean and tidy. The air conditioning works well, which is really important in Andalusia during summer. The bathroom is equipped with a hairdryer and basic toiletries, and the hot water is stable. The only minor drawback is that the soundproofing is slightly lacking - you can hear footsteps in the hallway, but it doesn’t affect sleep. The front desk staff speak English and Spanish, are quite friendly, and helped me book a day trip to Ronda.
Below is a comparison of basic hotel information I’ve compiled:
| Item | Palace Hotel | Area Average |
|---|
| Room Rate | 80-120€/night | 90-130€/night |
| Breakfast | 12€ | 15€ |
| Parking Fee | 18€/day | 20€/day |
| Distance to Old Town | 10-min walk | 15-min walk |
Nearby Attractions Recommendations
The biggest advantage of staying here is the convenient access to various attractions. In the morning you can visit Alcazaba fortress first, then climb the mountain path to Gibralfaro Castle for panoramic views, spend the afternoon at the Picasso Museum, and have seafood at the port in the evening. I originally wanted to visit the Malaga bullring, but didn’t have enough time so I skipped it. If you enjoy shopping at Vincci Hotel, El Corte Inglés department store is a 15-minute walk away and has everything.
Value Summary
Overall, this hotel is suitable for travelers with a moderate budget who prioritize location. Room rates are around 80 euros per night during low season, rising to about 120 euros in peak season, which is relatively good value compared to other hotels in the same area. Breakfast is buffet-style, not particularly extensive but adequate, with ham, cheese, bread, and coffee. If you don’t want to eat at the hotel like at Malaga Picasso Hotel, there are many local breakfast spots nearby where a tostada with coffee costs just 3-4 euros.
Finally, a reminder: if you’re driving, parking spaces are quite limited, so it’s recommended to book a spot with the hotel in advance. Also, Malaga gets really hot in summer, so remember to bring sunscreen and sunglasses. Feel free to leave comments if you have any questions, and I’ll try to answer them.
