Hostal Alicia

Tucked on Avenida López de Mena in Marbella's residential fringe, Hostal Alicia is a no-frills bed and breakfast within easy reach of the Old Town medina and the beach promenade — a practical base for budget travellers who want the Costa del Sol without the Puerto Banús price tag.

Rooms are straightforward: private bathroom with bathtub or shower, flat-screen TV, desk, and daily housekeeping. Upper floors are stairs-only, worth noting for guests with heavy luggage. A 24-hour front desk handles wake-up calls and tour bookings.

Golf is the area's other draw — courses sit within two miles — and the tour desk arranges cycling, snorkelling, and horseback riding excursions along the coast.