The Barceló Málaga is a different kind of stay from the old-town hotels, and for the right trip it is the smartest choice. It stands next to the María Zambrano station, the city’s main railway and bus terminus, so you can step off a high-speed train from Madrid, Córdoba or Seville and be in your room within minutes. The airport train, which runs on the same line, takes about ten minutes to the station, so a late arrival or an early departure is easy. For anyone using public transport to reach day-trip destinations such as Ronda, Córdoba, Seville or Granada, the location is very convenient, and the nearby bus station serves the Costa del Sol and many of the white villages. The hotel is a modern building, with spacious air-conditioned rooms, a restaurant and bar, meeting rooms and the kind of dependable service that suits business travellers and holidaymakers alike. The rooms are quiet, well equipped and generally larger than those in many old-town hotels, which suits families and long stays. It is a short walk from the station area to the old town, about 15 to 20 minutes along flat streets, or a few minutes by taxi, so you can still dine in the centre. Prices are often more reasonable than in the historic quarter, and this makes the hotel a smart way to stretch a budget. The trade-off is atmosphere: the neighbourhood is practical rather than picturesque, so you will want to head out for your evening in the old town.
Location and getting around
The hotel is beside the María Zambrano station, on the western side of the Guadalmedina. The walk to the cathedral and Calle Larios takes about 15 to 20 minutes, mostly along wide pavements, and buses and taxis are plentiful. The airport is about 10 kilometres away, and the Cercanías train links it to the station in roughly ten minutes. High-speed trains reach Madrid in around two and a half hours and Seville and Córdoba in an hour or two, which makes Málaga a convenient base for rail journeys.
The rooms
Rooms are modern and comfortable, with air conditioning, desks and good soundproofing. Higher floors may have views over the city and the hills. Check the room types if you need a family room or extra beds, as the options vary. Bathrooms are practical and well kept.
Who it suits and good to know: it suits travellers with an early train or flight, those taking several day trips, business visitors and families who like space. If your priority is atmosphere and evening strolls in the old town, a hotel in the centre may be a better fit. Parking may be available for a fee, so ask before driving. The Automobile and Fashion Museum is also within walking distance, and so is a pleasant river walk.
Book ahead for event weekends, Easter and the summer, when the station area also fills up. Ask the reception about luggage storage if you check out early and have a late train, and plan your evening in the old town with a taxi back or a walk along the lit streets. For a short stay built around trains and excursions, this hotel offers excellent convenience.
Why stay here
- ✓Beside the train and bus stations
- ✓Modern air-conditioned rooms
- ✓Easy airport train link
- ✓High-speed rail to Madrid and Seville
- ✓Restaurant and bar
- ✓Walk to the old town
- ✓Business facilities
- ✓Free Wi-Fi
Good questions
Where is the Barceló Málaga?+
It is beside the María Zambrano railway and bus station, about 15 to 20 minutes on foot from the old town.
Is it a good base for day trips?+
Yes. Trains and buses leave from the station next door, which makes day trips to Córdoba, Seville, Granada, Ronda and the coast simple.
How do I get to the hotel from the airport?+
The airport train takes roughly ten minutes to María Zambrano station, which is next to the hotel. A taxi is also quick.
