Apartmentos Buensol

The Apartments Buensol offers basic apartments at rock-bottom prices, but low rates mean dated, extremely worn common interiors and exteriors. Families with young kids make up a good portion of the clientele here, as do groups of friends, who some complain can be loud. Aside from the kitchen-equipped apartments, a large selling point of the hotel is its large lap pool and kiddy pool, set in a sunny terrace lined by loungers. Adjacent is a pool bar shaded by a ramshackle tarp, with plastic tables, chairs that advertise a local beer, and a couple of pool, foosball, and air hockey tables, and some coin-operated children’s rides. Scuffed surfaces, mismatched and worn furnishings, and limited amenities are notable downsides, making the hotel a poor value. Potential guests should note that a hefty deposit is required at check-in, but returned if no damages occur. A far better budget-friendly option in the area is the beachfront Hotel Tarik.

The Apartments Buensol’s has a convenient location a two-minute walk from Benalmadena’s beautiful sandy beach, surrounded by restaurants and bars. It's also a 10-minute walk to the town’s marina and center. There are a number of bars and restaurants there, as well as Puerto Marina Shopping Mall and Sea Life Benalmadena aquarium. Meanwhile, it is a 10-minute drive to the center of Torremolinos. Expect transfers to Malaga Costa del Sol Airport to take 15 minutes by car or 50 by public transport.

The 94 sizable apartments here all have one bedroom, separate living and dining areas, and well-equipped kitchens. However, like common areas, lots of wear and tear is evident, and decor is both dated and mismatched. Expect cheap furniture -- including some plastic chairs in living spaces -- rusted showerheads, and old-fashioned upholstery. On the upside, apartments are spacious, and pale-yellow walls with artwork, striped bedspreads, and patterned bathroom tiling have a homey feel. Additionally, all units have large, furnished balconies, some of which have sea views. Living spaces have sofa beds, dining tables, flat-screen TVs, and kitchens equipped with ovens, stovetops, toasters, kettles, cookware, and dishes. Air-conditioning comes standard, while in-room Wi-Fi and TV remotes require a fee. Bathrooms have poor-looking shower/tub combos, bidets, and basic toiletries. Note that guests have complained of noise traveling through the rooms’ thin walls.

The Apartments Buensol is poorly equipped when compared to other budget options in the area. The main, and pretty much only, feature is the decent-sized lap pool set in a concrete terrace with loungers. A smaller, shallow pool for kids is off to one side. Also adjacent to the pool is a seasonal snack bar that sells drinks and fare such as pizza and chips. It's set underneath a battered tarp, along with a few pool, foosball, and ping-pong tables. Unfortunately, there is no full restaurant. Inside, the lobby has three computers hooked up to the internet, as well as a few arcade games. Wi-Fi is free in the lobby, but it requires a charge elsewhere.