What Are the Best Cheap Hotels in Marbella?

There’s more than a touch of Las Vegas about the H10 Andalucia Plaza
There’s more than a touch of Las Vegas about the H10 Andalucia Plaza | Courtesy of H10 Andalucia Plaza / Expedia

Cheap hotels in Marbella may sound like a contradiction: when you think of the smart Spanish resort of Marbella, it’s probably not budget-friendly accommodation that first springs to mind. Yet hidden spots for cost-conscious travellers still exist amid the superyachts – and they’re bookable on Culture Trip.

With its glitzy Golden Mile, flashy yacht-studded marina and more luxury shops than you can shake a credit card at, this famous town in southern Spain is hardly known as the most budget-friendly of destinations. But that doesn’t mean visiting this buzzing Costa del Sol resort has to cost a kidney, as there are plenty of affordable places to stay that go easy on your wallet.

1. NH Marbella

Hotel

Large guest room at NH Marbella with wooden flooring and a large window with a view of the sea
Courtesy of NH Marbella / Expedia

The NH brand is known for giving good bang for your buck, and the Marbella outpost is no different. Located halfway between the city centre and Puerto Banús, its Golden Mile setting puts it within easy reach of the resort’s swankier spots. The hotel’s centrepiece is a fab freeform pool surrounded by manicured gardens and with a poolside bar. All 163 rooms are smart and modern, reaching onto balconies with many featuring shimmering sea views to the front, or to the sculpted Sierra Blanca to the back.

2. Hotel Lima

Hotel

Large, smart room at Hotel Lima decorated in shades of grey with wooden flooring and a large bed
Courtesy of Hotel Lima / Expedia
Opened almost 60 years ago, Hotel Lima was around when the resort first shot to fame among the international jet set. There’s still more than a smattering of old-school pizzazz about the place, and nowhere more so than on its rooftop terrace with pool, cocktail bar and fine sierra vistas. Rooms have been tastefully updated with a touch of the retro, and the restaurant is pretty fancy, too. What’s more, it’s a mere three-minute stroll from the lovely sandy strip of Playa de Venus.

4. H10 Andalucía Plaza

Hotel

Guest room decorated in cool tones with a bed and desk at H10 Andalucía Plaza
Courtesy of H10 Andalucía Plaza / Expedia

There’s more than a touch of Las Vegas about the H10 Andalucía Plaza, with its palatial Andalusian architecture and sumptuous interiors. The lobby alone is vast, and extends to several restaurants, a deluxe spa and a central sun terrace with a huge freeform pool. Rooms blend old and new elements to eye-pleasing effect, with sleek modern bathrooms and walk-in showers. Free access to the adjoining casino adds to the Vegas vibe.

5. Vasari Resort

Hotel

Stunning exterior of the pink Vasari Resort set against a blue sky and blue pool
Courtesy of Vasari Resort / Expedia

This self-contained resort comprises numerous impressive terracotta-toned buildings set amid lush Mediterranean gardens. You can get lost among the forest of palms and cacti, and find your own secluded shade-dappled spot to unwind in. Accommodation is spacious and apartment-style, with anything from one to three bedrooms. There’s a multi-sectioned pool, too, with a jacuzzi and kid-friendly areas, plus an all-important poolside bar.

6. La Morada Mas Hermosa

Hotel

Simple, white room at La Morada mas Hermosa with a bed and chair
Courtesy of La Morada Mas Hermosa / Expedia
This gorgeous Old Town Marbella hotel may have only two stars, but it has all the beauty and charm of a boutique hotel. It’s housed in a charming whitewashed Andalusian townhouse down a tiny cobbled pedestrian street, lined with flowers and overhanging with wrought-iron balconies. The inside is just as picturesque as the outside, painted in light shades of lemon and blue, with romantic double beds and local artworks. Some rooms even have their own private balcony, but there’s a cosy living room and beautiful roof terrace to enjoy, even if your room doesn’t.

7. Pensión Aduar

Budget Hotel

This budget pension can be found in the heart of Marbella’s Moorish-influenced Old Town. The highlight is the central Andalusian patio, where you can enjoy your breakfast or just sit and relax. They offer single, double, triple and even quadruple rooms, so it’s ideal for a family or a group of friends who want to stay together.

8. Selin Star Light PB

Budget Hotel

Located right along the main road in Marbella – Avenida Severo Ochoa – one block from the beach, the Selin Star Light offers visitors a collection of budget apartments perfect for those who want the added benefit of basic cooking facilities. The studio apartments are stylish, light and bright, decorated in tones of white, cream and beige and with attached marble bathrooms and kitchenettes within the room.

9. Bluebelle by Pillow

Budget Hotel

Large room at Bluebelle by Pillow with a bed, Juliet balcony and a sign that reads Reality is wrong; dreams are for real
Courtesy of Bluebelle by Pillow

Bluebelle by Pillow is a budget Marbella hotel situated in the picturesque Old Town. The rooms are dressed in tones of pastel blue and mint green, and boast all the amenities you’d expect, from flat-screen TVs to air conditioning. As well as private doubles, there are family rooms and suites with terraces for even more space. There’s no cafe or restaurant on- site, but you’ll find plenty of places to dine nearby, and the beach is just 600m (1,970ft) away.

This is an updated version of an article originally by Esme Fox.

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