Hotel Palia La Roca

There's not much to set this property apart from the other budget and mid-range hotels spread around the coast in Benalmadena. That being said, interiors are a bit of a mixed bag, and while some are fresh and modern others are plain and a bit dated. This hotel's exterior is all white and rooms are spread out in various buildings that range from three to six floors. Like the exterior, the lobby is white, with a handsome gray marble tile floor, big white columns, and contemporary white sofas and chairs. Some hallways to guest rooms also provide white sofas and chairs along the way. Elevators are so small, claustrophobic guests may prefer to take the stairs. Public spaces at the hotel can get quite busy, especially the pool area, with children running around. In addition to families, the hotel also attracts couples and groups looking for a beach hotel near the action in Benalmadena. 

The hotel is located in a hotel-heavy area of Benalmadena, near Playa Santa Ana and surrounded by restaurants, bars, and shops. The beach can be reached in two minutes on foot -- it's just across the road -- and guests can walk to the marina or Arroyo de la Miel , the touristy center of Benalmadena, in about 15 minutes. Both Tivoli World amusement park and Crocodile Park in Torremolinos are about a 10-minute drive from the hotel. The Malaga Airport is about 20 minutes away by car, and the town of Malaga is about a 30-minute drive. 

Rooms are offered as singles or doubles, and all doubles have balconies. There is a bit of disparity between what rooms look like -- some are fresh and modern (like the Superior Room that we visited), while others are plain and worn. In either case, the aesthetic is simple, with IKEA-style furniture and built-ins in more modern rooms and mid-tone wood-veneer furniture in older rooms. Floors are done in old wood-laminate finishes or sharp gray marble, and bedspreads lend the rooms their budget feel across all categories, though some at least come in sharper modern hues. Superior Rooms have modern art hanging on white walls, while the more dated rooms have yellow or beige accent walls. Many of the Standard Rooms also showed a bit of wear on furniture when we visited.

Small flat-screen TVs hang on the walls or sit on desks, but that's about it for amenities, except for air-conditioning and small safes. Mini-fridges can be rented on request. Bathrooms are small and dated in many rooms, though of course the modern rooms have nicer bathrooms. Combo shower gel/shampoo is offered in large containers in walk-in showers, and soap is provided. Superior Room bathrooms have contemporary fixtures, hairdryers, and rainfall showerheads. Balconies are furnished with plastic chairs and tables, and some have nice views of the sea, mountains, pool, and surrounding buildings.  

The features on offer here are typical of the many hotels in this part of the Costa del Sol. The on-site restaurant offers a buffet for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Meals are included in all-inclusive rates, which most guests choose. The restaurant is plain, with white walls, white floors, light wood tables and chairs, but guests also can dine on the patio, furnished with white tables and bright orange and red chairs. There's a bar in the lobby as well, with seating indoors and outdoors, where there are also some cushioned sofas and chairs for relaxing in the sun. Food gets mixed reviews and the dining area can get backed up with lines on occasion.

The large free-form pool is surrounded by lounge chairs that are shaded by umbrellas and small palapas. Unfortunately, there is a fee for renting pool towels. Cushioned lounge chairs and palapas are also lined up on the wide, sandy beach that's across the road from the hotel. The Game Zone offers bocce ball, ping-pong, darts, and shuffleboard. Other activities include gymnastics, water aerobics, water polo, and beach volleyball. Kids get their own shallow pool by the big pool, and the kids' club offers games, toys, and a mini-trampoline during high season. Nightly entertainment includes theme nights, dance performances, and live music. 

Two computers and a printer are set up for guests to use in the lobby. Otherwise business features are limited, and Wi-Fi is only available for a fee.