Hotel Posada del Patio

On the edge of Old Malaga, this sleek new five-star hotel envelopes the patio of a previous building and a section of the city’s old Arab walls in its nether regions.

Well-positioned for seeing the sights – the Picasso Museum, Cathedral and arty Soho district are a short walk away, the Posada del Patio has big bedrooms in soothing tones, and there’s a small rooftop pool for a cool dip after a day’s sightseeing.

The buffet breakfast is excellent, and there’s a smart restaurant, Le Diner and bar. But in spite of all its bells and whistles, it’s the friendly, helpful smiling staff who make it an ideal place to stay for getting the most out of Malaga.