The Hotel San Cristobal is all about low-key simplicity, from its straightforward amenities to its no-frills decor. With its mahogany marble tiled walls and floors, the entry space feels slightly dated, and that impression doesn't change once guests get to their rooms. Expect to see lots of dark details in common areas, like brown marble, mahogany-toned paneling, and low ceilings that all contribute to the old school aesthetic. The hotel is accessible via an enclosed shopping mall, which adds to the overall casual, slightly budget vibe. Despite the plethora of spotlights, interiors are still a bit dim. The overall vibe, though, is friendly, and it's suitable for everyone from tourists to couples to families to business travelers seeking some downtime and beach access.

On a busy street in the heart of historic Marbella, the Hotel San Cristobal is ideally situated in the center of all the action. It’s surrounded by small shops, restaurants, and bars, and is within a five-minute walk from Venus Beach. Certain parts of the hotel have prime views of leafy Alameda Park, set directly across the street from the hotel. Iconic, 15th-century Orange Square, whose brilliant Renaissance fountain is framed by abundant orange trees, is just a two-minute walk from the hotel. The city’s main place of worship, the Church of the Incarnation, is under five minutes away by foot and features an imposing cathedral bell tower. The Malaga Airport is approximately a 45-minute drive, while Los Boliches Station is just about 30 minutes away by car for rail connections.

There's not much to the hotel's rooms, though most guests use them as a place to recharge at night rather than spending time whiling away their hours indoors. The decor is basic -- dark wood-veneer furnishings and minimal abstract wall art don't do much in the way of style when paired with dated blue bedspreads and heavy patterned curtains. Still, things are mostly well kept and the rooms are clean. Standard features include air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and mini-fridges (on request). The majority of rooms also have balconies that overlook Alameda Park, the beach, the courtyard below, or the Sierra Blanca mountain range in the distance. Some may pick up noise from the street during the day. The bathrooms are spartan, yet provide functional amenities, including showers and pedestal sinks, old tube hairdryers, and bidets. Basic toiletries come standard. We did spot some grimy basins, and the exposed piping feels a bit budget.

There are just enough features at the Hotel San Cristobal to make it a decent value. The Alameda restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner in a vibrant, open dining room that gets plenty of natural light thanks to a wall of floor-to-ceiling windows, and there are spectacular views of Alameda Park across the street. The menu is packed with Mediterranean specialties, while the generous breakfast buffet includes plenty of hot and cold options. It's reasonably priced and gets mostly decent reviews from previous guests. 

The hotel also caters to business travelers, with three ground-floor meeting rooms, at least one of which can accommodate up to 100 people. These are equipped with functional amenities, including projectors and audiovisual equipment. The most relaxing area in the hotel is the Andalusian Courtyard, an airy, colorful outdoor spot perfect for sitting in peace or even hosting a small event. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel. Paid parking is available, but limited to just 20 spaces with in-out privileges.