The Gran Hotel is popular with package holidaymakers for the relatively good value it offers. Built in 2002, the hotel’s grounds are pleasant with thatch-style parasols on a lawn beside the attractive pool. There’s a lovely elevated sundeck that’s modern and stylish. Chic sun loungers are arranged on artificial grass and wood platforms for views of the sea. Inside, however, the decor is markedly more dated and could use a facelift. Metal-framed revolving doors give the entrance a convention-center-like feel. The lobby has high ceilings, patterned marble flooring, and a huge tiered crystal chandelier. A stained-glass window lets in light above the doors. The wood-paneled front desk has cheap world flags pinned overhead. The bar feels similarly dated, and the cafeteria-like restaurant lacks natural light. Alongside the hotel is a pleasant stretch of beach, though its faded stone boundary walls aren’t exactly photogenic.

The Gran Hotel’s location beside La Cala de Mijas Beach is one of its biggest selling points -- the hotel backs directly onto the beach, and the entrance is just 525 feet (160 meters) from the sand. There are pleasant coastal walks nearby, and the town of La Cala de Mijas’s shops and restaurants are within walking distance. The resort city of Marbella is under a 25-minute drive away. Malaga is a 45-minute drive.

• One-minute walk to La Cala de Mijas beach
• Four-minute walk to La Cala de Mijas
• 10 minutes to El Chaparral golf club and Miramar shopping center by car
• 12 minutes to Fuengirola Zoo by car
• 13 minutes to Cabopino Golf by car
• 14 minutes to Las Lagunas de Mijas theater and Fuengirola railway station by car
• 17 minutes to Mijas Golf by car
• 29 minutes to Malaga Airport by car

Rooms are fairly spacious and pleasant but decor is on the dated side, and some rooms are a tad basic and sparse. Standard Rooms have wood-paneled flooring, white walls, dark-wood headboards and bedside tables, and faded blue linens. Sliding glass patio doors sport frumpy blue floral curtains. Bathrooms are also old-fashioned. They have beige wall and floor tiling, vanities with submerged sinks, shower/tub combos with power showerheads, and bidets.

Suites sport rather garish orange wallpaper, bright red carpet, and gray headboards and bedside tables with built-in panel lamps, plus large walk-in closets. Connected living spaces have black-and-white floor tiling, cream leather sofas, and dark-wood coffee tables. More impressively, suites also feature in-room hot tubs, an unexpected bonus at this price point. Bathrooms have beige marble-effect floor and vanity tiling, corner shower stalls with fixed and power showerheads, and bidets. Miniature toiletries and hairdryers are provided.

All rooms have generously sized balconies with simple tables and chairs, and decent partial sea views; many rooms also overlook the parking lot. Amenities include air-conditioning and heating, small flat-screen cable TVs (though reviews suggest some rooms have tube-style TVs), phones, free Wi-Fi, and mini-fridges. Safes incur an extra charge, and there are no coffee- and tea-making facilities. Family rooms and limited connecting rooms are available.

The star facility at the Gran Hotel is the attractive pool. It’s surrounded by plentiful sunbeds on a lovely grassy lawn, though the pool itself is a tad small and shallow. The nearby elevated sundeck is stylish and has fantastic sea views. Note that a deposit is required for pool towels and there’s a charge for new linens.

Half-board and full-board options are available, but the free breakfast buffet and the Spanish and international lunch and dinner buffets get poor reviews. The restaurant isn’t open between meal services, though the all-day pool bar and coffee shop operate until late evening.

Massage is available (fee payable), and sports facilities include billiards, darts, and ping-pong. Water sports are also available in the summer at the beach (extra charges). There’s a TV room and library with computers, and reliable free Wi-Fi throughout. A meeting room accommodates 120 people, limited on-site parking costs extra, and car and bicycle rental are available.