AC Hotel Málaga Palacio by Marriott

The four-star harbourfront tower on Cortina del Muelle, AC Hotel Málaga Palacio anchors the eastern edge of Málaga's port promenade, with the Picasso Museum a seven-minute walk north and the cathedral just beyond. Business travellers and couples both find it useful: the Renfe station is under fifteen minutes on foot, and the old town begins immediately inland.

Upper-floor rooms face the Mediterranean and the Alcazaba hill simultaneously — a pairing few city hotels can offer at this address. The rooftop outdoor pool and solarium extend the view without extra cost, and the bar stocks local Málaga wines by the glass.

Check-in opens at 15:00; the 24-hour desk handles late arrivals without fuss. Meeting rooms suit small corporate groups, while the restaurant and room service cover guests who prefer to stay in after an evening on the waterfront.