Hotel Monarque Torreblanca

From the street, the Hotel Monarque Torreblanca is mostly white with a few sporadic splashes of yellow and blue on the private balconies. Guests should take these bright exterior color combinations as foreshadowing for what's to come inside. The lobby is a hodgepodge of colors, though mostly there are bright yellow and blue accents seen in the highlighter-yellow columns with royal-blue molding and large wall mural of the landscape. The lounge is filled with worn-in couches in a variety of shades, while the buffet eatery has more attractive -- albeit still outdated -- wooden seating surrounding by windows and stained-glass accents. The restaurant still manages to fit in pink, orange, yellow, and blue colors, though the look is more cheerful than harsh. This most attractive areas are the outdoor pools, which have bright-yellow loungers and umbrellas and are surrounded by pretty green lawns. There's not a ton for kids to do, so most guests are couples or groups of friends who appreciate the central location and affordable rates. 

Located in Fuengirola, Monarque Torreblanca is in a mostly quiet area just a five-minute walk from the beach. Exploring the surrounding area by foot is easy, and there are plenty of bar and restaurant options within walking distance. In less than 10-minutes walking guests can reach Jack's Chicken Shack (four minutes), Bar La Terrazza (four minutes), The Anchor (three minutes), or Timmy's Bar (three minutes). Entertainment options such as Costa Water Park (10-minute drive) and Miramar Shopping Center (seven-minute drive) are a little too far to walk to, but they're a quick drive away. There are public transportation hubs close by, too, as the Torreblanca train station is just two minutes away on foot, and the Los Boliches Train Station is an 18-minute walk. Parking is free. Malaga airport is about 25 minutes away by car.

Like the public spaces, guest rooms are colorful and dated. Though design varies a bit between room categories, most have two-tone wooden furniture -- some painted turquoise and pale-yellow, colorful walls with an outdated strip of floral-print wallpaper, and wood floors. Bedding consists of either dated patterned comforters or more attractive white quilts with solid-colored bed runners. Mismatched linens in some rooms only enhance the old-fashioned vibe. A big perk, however, is that all rooms have furnished balconies, some of which have lovely sea and/or mountain views. Also standard are free Wi-Fi, safes, flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, and mini-fridges. Bathrooms are, unsurprisingly, colorful, outfitted with floor-to-ceiling green tile, as well as shower/tub combos, bidets, free bath products, and hairdryers. 

A primary feature of the hotel is that the beach is a quick five-minute walk away, and there guests can rent loungers. On-site, though, the two outdoor bean-shaped pools are lovely, and both are surrounded by stone decks with loungers and green lawns. One is more peaceful, while the other has an adjacent pool for kids, making it a bit more lively. Other kid-friendly amenities are few, but there are a small playground and daily entertainment, though the latter is reportedly mediocre. Other on-site features include a souvenir shop, and a hair and beauty salon, but there are no kids' club or gym.

Dining-wise, the hotel has the main buffet restaurant, a cafe with outdoor seating, and a poolside bar. All rates include breakfast, and all-inclusive packages are also available. Food, however, receives mixed reviews for variety, temperature, and quality.