Málaga: Gran Hotel Miramar
Spain’s Costa del Sol is an experience all in itself. Beautiful beaches and perfect weather make for a lovely vacation. Málaga is a resort town on the coast of Spain, considered the gateway to the Costa del Sol. If you want a little luxury during your stay in Málaga, the Gran Hotel Miramar is definitely the place you want to be.
The Property
I stayed at the Gran Hotel Miramar in January 2020. It’s a beautiful, grand beachfront property on the Mediterranean Sea.
The hotel has an interesting history. It was inaugurated as a hotel by King Alfonso XIII in 1926. During the Spanish Civil War, it served as a field hospital before becoming a hotel again in 1939. From 1987 to 2007, it was utilized as Málaga’s Palace of Justice. And finally, in 2017, it regained its former hotel glory and became what it is today.
The hotel is a member of The Leading Hotels of the World and was on the Conde Nast Traveler Gold List in both 2018 and 2019.
The Room
We stayed in a Deluxe room with a city view. The decor was very beach themed and the color palate was relaxing. We had an extra seating area which provided a nice place to lounge and the room as a whole was very comfortable.
There were helpful guides in the room that shed some light on the unique history of Málaga. Complimentary bottles of water were refreshed daily. Finally, as my favorite touch: we were provided with two small bottles of local olive oil that made for a wonderful souvenir to take home. (Don’t come home from Spain without some olive oil!)
Common Spaces & Dining
The Gran Hotel Miramar definitely lives up to it’s name: it is very grand! From the lobby to the breakfast area, the decor is stunning and meticulously maintained. The property itself is beautifully landscape and walking from the front door to the street is quite a lovely little stroll!
Dining at the hotel was pricey, but the food was really delicious. We ate breakfast in the downstairs restaurant both mornings and had lunch at the Príncipe de Asurias Restaurant. Our lunch was enjoyed al fresco on a quiet, relaxing patio overlooking the pool area with a wonderful view of the Mediterranean.
Amenities & Activities
The pool area is large with plenty of seating and tables. Since we were visiting in January, it was a little chilly for swimming, but it did allow for some nice pictures of the space with no other guests present!
Also, don’t miss a walk along the beach that’s directly in front of the property. When we walked at sunset, there was barely another person to be seen along the entire stretch of beach.
Finally, I definitely recommend you take advantage of the Botanic Spa! We had booked in 50-minute massages and you’re given access to the water circuit on the day of your massage as well.
The water circuit includes a hot water pool with waterfalls, jacuzzis, bubble beds, and jets. There are also showers of varying types (bithermal, Swedish, and relaxing shower with aromas). You’ll find 4 hot stone loungers and a sauna as well.
We spent an hour in the water circuit before enjoying our massage. I can confirm you come out of the Botanic Spa feeling 100% relaxed!
The Location
A beachfront hotel is always a great location if you love walking the beach. Our stroll along the Mediterranean was very relaxing and enjoyable.
Additionally, the Gran Hotel Miramar is only a 15 minute walk from the downtown area of Málaga, where you’ll find an abundance of shopping and dining. Your route to downtown includes walking along the Paseo del Parque, a lovely strip of greenery through the city.
Price
I booked this hotel through the AmEx Fine Hotels & Resorts program. The cost of the room was $275 USD per night, taxes included.
As I booked through the program, this stay also included complimentary breakfast for two people each morning and a 50-minute massage for two people.
If you’re curious about how I have used this and other programs for maximizing travel perks, read all about it here!
This was my first visit to Málaga and I would love to one day return. I’m sure visiting in the summer would be an incredible experience and would allow you to fully enjoy the pool and Mediterranean during a stay at the Gran Hotel Miramar. Though, less crowds and tourists in January wasn’t too shabby, either!
If you’re interested in downloading my full itinerary for Southern Spain, including our two days in Málaga, click here!
