The Best Hotels for Wellness Stays and Spas in Málaga, Spain

Favourite of starlets and authors of days gone by – Elizabeth Taylor and Ernest Hemingway have both stayed here – Hotel Miramar is the ultimate spot for indulgent relaxation in Málaga. It sits on the seafront, a sand-coloured palace flanked by palm trees. Beyond the grand lobby, there’s a pool terrace lined with loungers, a rooftop cocktail bar and two restaurants to choose from. The basement spa is a medley of Moorish tradition and modern treatments. Starlight bulbs twinkle above the hydrotherapy pool and there are private massage rooms, saunas and a Turkish bath for solo or couples treatments.

Just a few metres from the beach, most of the rooms at Hotel Ilunion come with a sparkling sea view. A vertical garden greets you at the entrance and greenery splashes the central courtyard by the pool. With one half covered, the pool is both indoor and outdoor. The wellness centre offers a wide variety of treatments, where you can indulge in a day of massages, facials and skin treatments to leave you glowing. If you’re looking for a spa hotel in Málaga that doesn’t break the bank, this is the place for you.

Out in the verdant Andalucian hills, 9km (5.6mi) from Málaga’s centre, this three-star wellness hotel offers a spa break in the countryside. Sleek bedrooms in soothing grey and white have wall art inspired by the Far East. Independently owned, there are plenty of personal touches like the home-made bread, jams and yoghurt in the inclusive breakfast. Access to the spa is part of the package too, so take advantage of the mountain-view jacuzzi, sauna, plunge pool and Turkish bath without paying extra.

Housed in a 19th-century building in the peaceful village of Tolox, Hotel del Balneario offers a relaxing retreat from the city, near a natural spring. You’re surrounded by dramatic hills and lush greenery, on the edge of a national park. Bedrooms are in stone-walled, Finca-style spaces, kept cool during the day with tiled floors. This spa in Málaga uses its natural spring to care for those with respiratory problems, and people flock from all over the region to experience the healing waters. There’s a restaurant within the hotel, but the charming village of Tolox – with a handful of family-run eateries and shops – is just a five-minute walk away.

Just outside the city of Antequera, this fabulous hotel is in the old convent of San Pedro de Alcántara. Apart from the addition of a window-lined indoor pool, a hot tub and mod cons in every room, it doesn’t feel like anything has changed here since the Middle Ages. Manicured grounds are flanked by hills where olive and citrus trees grow. Opt for a massage on the lawn to be at one with nature – an array of treatments in the spa are the perfect tonic after a day of hiking the nearby trails. The restaurants on the terrace and in the old refectory serve up local cuisine accompanied by fabulous views of the surrounding countryside.

Overlooking Lake Viñuela and flanked by mountains, there are few better locations for a country hotel. Rooms have Moroccan and Far Eastern touches, and sliding doors which open to sunny terraces overlooking the lake. The grandest suites boast four-poster beds. In the restaurant, the slow-food movement is embraced, with locally sourced ingredients and a menu that covers vegan, vegetarian and coeliac options without compromise. Couples, in particular, will enjoy this spa in Málaga, as it’s set up for double massages, hot tub soaks and private treatments.

In the heart of historic Málaga, combine a stay at Madeinterranea Suites with a trip to the nearby day spa in Málaga – Hammam Al Andalus. Spend the day exploring the nearby Picasso Museum, Alcazaba and winding streets of the Old Town, then unwind with a massage before returning to your hotel room. Each of the 12 rooms are decked out in soothing lemon or light blue and the charming central courtyard is filled with plants – a tranquil spot to relax in the evening. The tapas restaurant is a destination in its own right: cool, calm and collected with a huge wine list.

TOC Hostel proves that a spa break doesn’t have to break the bank, and staying in a hostel doesn’t mean sacrificing luxury. In a traditional house next to Málaga’s Picasso Museum, the columned courtyard retains that old-world feel. Rooms are luxuriously modern and range from super-cheap beds in shared dorms, to private doubles for couples and four-person suites ideal for families or close friends. Though there’s no spa on site, it’s a few steps to Hammam Al Andalus, where you can bliss out with treatments and sessions in the traditional, Arab-style baths.

Right in the centre of Málaga, this hotel is for the trendsetters. The rooms are 60s-chic and have beautiful views of Malaga’s gothic Cathedral from big windows. Bag a top-floor room for one of the best views in the city, only rivalled by the view from the hotel’s rooftop terrace. If you want to explore artsy Soho or hit the beach, there are free bikes on offer. Turn your city break into a spa break with a trip to the nearby Hammam Al Andalus – a collection of old-style Arab baths with sumptuous treatments and hammams on offer.

There’s no denying you’re in the historic heart of Málaga with a stay at Palacete de Alamos. Built around a part of the medieval wall of the old city, some of the deluxe bedrooms show off the exposed stone as a feature wall. You’re just metres from the main attractions of the city – the Cathedral, Picasso Museum and Alcazaba. But if you prefer a little downtime, El Hammam Open & Spa, Málaga, is a short walk away. Here, you’ll find a traditional Arabic bathhouse where Turkish hammam meets Swedish massage.