I'm having a hard time deciding where to stay in or near Malaga. This will be the half way point for our trip and my husband thought it would be nice to stay at a resort, or at least somewhere with a pool near the beach or on the beach just for a little break. We are also traveling with our kids, ages 2 and 4. Does anyone have any suggestions based on their experience? We don't need to stay in Malaga, we are ok with venturing away from there if we can find some place nice. Thank you!

Malaga is the best place to stay in the area, bar none. We just spend a few days at the AC Malaga. Our room faced the port. Outstanding! Nothing better!

The area around Malaga is highly overbuilt and unattractive. Malaga's old quarter is beautiful and walkable.

Mmodrich, I am in the same situation, hope you don't mind me jumping in on this thread!
What about Marbella, is that a better option to spend a couple of days before flying out from Malaga? It seems like it's a 45 minute drive.
Thanks!

Malaga.

My only experience with hotels in Malaga is the Tryp Malaga Guadalmar Hotel. We had a beautiful room and it wasn't very expensive.

Mijas Costa is the place I'd recommend. Not too overbuilt and a less touristy place.

excited_confused - please feel free to jump in! I was wondering the same
thing about Marbella. We just want somewhere to relax that is walking distance from the beach and that has a pool. Does the AC Malaga have a pool? I was on their website yesterday and it didn't seem that they did. Also, is it walking distance from the beach? I would be willing to stay there if it is because we have Marriott points we could use.

I dislike Marbella and think Malaga old town is wonderful, plus museum, art, castle, beach, shopping, food etc. When I think of Marbella I think of East Enders (a UK soap opera) with wealthy criminals.

I also recommend genuine Malaga city over the resorts to the west.

AC Malaga has a rooftop swimming pool. The location is as Central to the Old town as it gets and two mins from the seaside and the fine new port area. Ten-fifteen mins walking through the nice Paseo del Parque along the seaside, or two bus stops, to the Malagueta Beach: http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/acmalagapalacio.html

The new port promenade three minutes walk from the hotel with lots of restaurants, shops and things to do for the kids:
http://www.muelleuno.com/ http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractio...Andalucia.html

Malaga has a nice hammam that I highly recommend.

I too am a fan of Malaga.
I dislike the atmosphere of Marbella-rich and famous and totally fake!

Thank you everyone! Ok, Malaga it is.

MMOdrich, I had already booked the AC Malaga seaview room but then was getting tempted by the pictures I saw of Marbella so was considering the Fuerte Miramar there. Which hotel did you decide on?
Sooo, no one in favor of Marbella?
What is the best way to get to Marbella or Malaga from Seville? Train or rent a car?

It depends on what your definition of "best" is.

Easy is to catch the train and then a taxi to the hotel, there are buses though, or a good brisk walk.

excited_confused - still haven't booked anything yet! The reason we were thinking Marbella was because it seemed like it had more resort options than Malaga. Typically we are into the history, churches, etc, but for this leg of our trip my husband really just wants a break from all of that and wants to enjoy poolside cocktails and the beach. We will be in Spain for 3 1/2 weeks total and I'm trying to accommodate his request for 4 nights of that. Haha

If you want "poolside cocktails and the beach" Marbella would be a better option than Málaga city. Málaga is more of a big and genuine Andalucian city with three thousand years of history all around you. Coctails and beach here also, but Marbella has made a living out of it. http://www.andalucia.com/marbella/home.htm

Unless the rooftop terrace at AC Málaga persuades you to stay in one of my favourite cities in Spain...
http://www.spain-holiday.com/Malaga-...oftop-terraces

seriously good views kimhe

MModrich, exactly my thoughts! This will be the last leg of a pretty hectic 11 day trip through Barcelona, Madrid & Seville so I was also thinking that a nice relaxing beach break would be great at the end of the trip. Not so much into cocktails,but I love scenic water views!
Thanks Kimhe, we will visit both in either case, just have to decide which is the better place to stay.
The reason I was thinking of renting a car was so that we could drive along the coast. But maybe we can take the train from Seville and rent a car just for the day? Do I need to book those train tickets in advance?