We are travelling to Andalucia in May for 4 nights, flying into Malaga, and have yet to decide whether to hire a car. If we hire a car we will stay in the Malaga area only one night,but otherwise we will use Malaga as our base for day trips.<BR>If we decide on a car we can stay just east or west of Malaga or centrally for our first night- it won't matter which. But we need a hotel that mans reception 24 hours as we arrive at the airport at 1am! We are looking for a moderately priced hotel and the main consideration is that it should be quiet -my pet hates are constant traffic noise and noisy bars! I have searched the archives but its hard to tell what might be suitable - I wondered about the Hostal los Jazmines which someone recommended in Torremolinos? Or we could perhaps go towards Torre del Mar in the other direction.<BR>If we have no car I would ideally like a hotel not more than a mile or so from Malaga train/bus stations but I realise that I will have to be out of the centre if I want a residential area so would settle for somewhere more than a mile but on a regular bus route if absolutely necessary. <BR>I know that I will be asking many more questions of this board in the next few weeks as I plan, but replies to this posting would get me nicely started! Many thanks.

Hi Hilary,<BR>You might consider the Parador de Golf, which is very close to Malaga's airport yet quite quiet, with pretty grounds. It's not an historic Parador, just a modern but pleasant one that's quite handy for your first night after arrival.<BR>www.parador.es<BR>There's also the Parador de Gilbralfaro on a hill overlooking the city.

Maribel, am really grateful for your reply. However I think I am looking for somewhere cheaper than a parador - we are travelling with my son and his wife - they are doing PhDs are present and don't have a lot of money! Sorry if I gave the wrong impression when I said a moderate price - perhaps I should have said cheapish!<BR>Many thanks Hilary

Hilary,<BR>Sorry! I wasn't sure of your price range. I understand completely. <BR><BR>While I'm not a fan of Torremolinos, it's the closest town to the airport that would have plenty of cheapish lodging for your 1 night. I personally wouldn't use the city of Malaga as a 4 day base, as you're looking for quiet, and Malaga is a very large, noisy city with lots of traffic-don't think that's what you're seeking at all. I'd encourage you to rent that car, as that's the very best way to see Andaluc&iacute;a.<BR><BR>In Torremolinos (7 km. from the airport), you might try the Hotel Miami. I mention it because it looks very quiet, like a pretty Andalusian style home set in a garden with pool and only 26 rooms. My Andaluc&iacute;a Footprint guide states that it's quiet and nice, and the Time Out Andaluc&iacute;a indicates that it was built by Picasso's cousin and &quot;the flower filled garden and pool provide a blissful retreat&quot;-removed from the discos of the raucousTorremolinos night life. It's also in my Lonely Planet Andaluc&iacute;a guide, which calls it &quot;a quaint 1940's villa turned into a small hotel&quot;.<BR><BR>You can see photos here:<BR>www.terra.es/personal2/jmdejens/html/espanol.htm <BR>(although the site is in Spanish, there's the contact info at the bottom)<BR>Doubles ran last yr. from 34-63 euros.<BR><BR>Hope this helps a bit more.<BR>

Thank you Maribel - the hotel you recommend looks very nice and I have emailed them to ask if they have rooms and if they have a door porter so that we can get in at circa 2am when we would arrive! I agree that Malaga is noisy - we hope to have a car butwe wanted to explore our options before making up our minds. I am sure there must be quietish hotels in Malaga that would suit us if we decided not to have a car, but no-one has come up with one yet!<BR>I am amazed at your kindness to so many people on this board - I am aware you answer a great many questions and it must take up a lot of your time. I hope that if you are posting questions re your planned holiday in France that you are getting the feedback you need!

Hi Hilary,<BR>I hope that the Hotel Miami has rooms available for your dates and works out well for you. I wish I had found it earlier, as it looks so nice. It might even make a very nice 4 day base for you if the price is right.<BR>I forgot to mention that it's also recommended in the Rough Guide Andaluc&iacute;a, so if all the budget guidebooks agree, it must be fine-I hope so.<BR>And thanks very much for your nice words.<BR>If I can think of another inexpensive (and quiet! option for you in the city of M&aacute;laga or immediate area, I shall pass it on. Just yell if you need more ideas.<BR>Hope you have a great stay.