Part of Malaga's Holiday World group of hotels, the 28-room Holiday Hydros is an upscale boutique hotel that has access to a popular beach club nearby. It's a bit removed from any major Costa del Sol action, but many guests consider that a plus. Suites are modern and done in attractive dark palettes, and all have sea views. Some have huge balconies, and many have outdoor hot tubs. A continental breakfast is included in some packages, and meals at the attractive restaurant are well-liked. The outdoor pool and bar overlook the sea, and the elegant spa provides a range of services including hydrotherapy. Travelers looking for a more family-focused property could check out the Holiday Palace, which has an on-site kids' club and outdoor playground. 

The THB Torrequebrada Hotel is a large three-pearl property right on a seafront promenade and less than a five-minute walk from the beach. All 350 rooms have private balconies facing the sea, though the style is an oddly dated blend of country and IKEA-esque styles. This isn't the right pick for those wanting to be near the buzz of Benalmadena's marina, but there's a lot to do on-site, including the attached Torrequebrada Casino. There's also an indoor pool and two outdoor pools on a sundeck overlooking the sea, plus a small spa and a sauna. Optional all-inclusive rates and crowds mean frequent lines for food and drinks. Check out the nearby Sunset Beach Club for cheaper rates and similar amenities.  

The 155-room Palia La Roca Hotel-Club is a two-and-a-half-pearl property situated a two-minute walk from the beach and close to restaurants, bars, and shops. Rooms are rather plain and some are worn, but they're clean and have air-conditioning and flat-screen TVs. Rates are all-inclusive and include meals, snacks, activities, and entertainment, but not Wi-Fi. The restaurant serves buffets for all meals, and guests can dine inside or out, though food gets mixed reviews and it can get busy. The pool is large, and there are scheduled activities to keep everyone occupied. During high season, children have their own club with activities. Travelers who would prefer more variety at meal times could check out the Sunset Beach Club, where there are more restaurants and rooms have full kitchens. 

The 331-room Playabonita Hotel is a two-and-a-half-pearl property on the beach, about a 15-minute drive from the shops and restaurants of Benalmadena. There's not much near the hotel save for more hotels and some restaurants, but there are lots of activities and entertainment on-site, and all-inclusive rates are available. Rooms are dated, and while they include air-conditioning and most have mini-fridges, we spotted plenty of tube TVs. Some feature lovely sea views from balconies. The well-liked restaurant serves buffets for all meals, and there are bars plus kids' and teens' clubs. However, limited free Wi-Fi and the often crowded pool are underwhelming. Travelers who'd prefer being closer to Benalmadena's action could check out the MedPlaya Hotel Bali, though it's not right on the beach. 

There are 360 suites at this four-pearl property set within a large holiday complex. It’s a stylish, family-focused hotel with lots of facilities on-site, including a spa, playground, game room, and four restaurants. The suites are huge, with two bedrooms and a living area, plus a large bathroom and balcony. Many guests stay here for the excellent beach club, which has a water park and sports courts, and is just a five-minute walk from the hotel. It’s not ideally situated for access to sights and nightlife, though, as it’s a 20-minute drive from Benalmadena and Fuengirola. Those traveling without kids may prefer Holiday Hydros -- a more romantic property in the same complex.

The Holiday Polynesia is a beautiful, upscale all-inclusive resort located in a big complex near the ocean. Its family all-inclusive package gives access to a waterpark with waterslides, a wave pool, and a giant pirate ship. The hotel has an entertainment staff and a children’s club with organized activities. Other all-inclusive plans have various dining and drinking options including a buffet restaurant, a Chinese restaurant, and a Polynesian restaurant, as well as a piano bar. The hotel is popular with English guests, and its 328 rooms are spacious with separate living rooms and sea-view balconies. There are a handful of annoying extra fees at the hotel such as fees for Wi-Fi, and towel and inner tube rentals at the waterpark. Couples may want to check out Holiday Hydros in the same complex, an upscale hotel with a relaxing pool area with ocean views. 

This family-focused, three-pearl property has 436 rooms just a five-minute walk from Benalmadena's sandy beach. It’s a popular all-inclusive hotel, and there are a range of restaurants, bars, and shops right outside its grounds; the marina is also a 10-minute walk away. Decor and facilities are basic, but all rooms have air-conditioning, a balcony, and a spacious bathroom; apartments and suites with kitchenettes are also available. The hotel has four pools, including a separate children’s pool and splash pool with water features, playground, and gardens. The buffet restaurant, which gets decent reviews, serves all meals. Those wanting to be right on the beach should check out the nearby Las Arenas Hotel as an alternative. 

The Hotel Palmasol is a budget property that's conveniently close to Benalmadena's lively marina, with lots of dining and nightlife options. It has an indoor and outdoor pool, along with two bars and some breezy terraces, but the whole property is dated and in need of TLC. The 269 rooms all have balconies and flat-screen TVs, and while some bathrooms have been modernized, everything from furniture to decor is old and worn. Breakfast is free, but fees for every other little thing (Wi-Fi, kettles, towels, etc.) can add up. If being right by the marina is paramount, the Palmasol may fit the bill, but travelers should consider the nearby, though there are more modern rooms available at Hotel Mac Puerto Marina Benalmadena -- it's a mixed bag there, but rates are lower.