Macdonald Leila Playa Rental, Malaga, Spain

The beachfront boardwalk setting is the standout, and Luna Beach restaurant is right beside the water. Walk about 2,500 steps along the boardwalk and you'll reach Puerto de Cabopino, with around eight restaurants open in high season and two or three in low season. Keep going beyond the port to reach the beautiful Dunas de Artola. There's also an easy walk to groceries across the highway using the pedestrian overpass. The highway exit can be awkward in traffic, so slow down, signal early and watch for cars and people by the entrance. We came for a week in a two-bedroom apartment over the winter holidays, then returned in February for another week. Staff were friendly, especially at reception. The resort is thoughtfully laid out, and many apartments have sea views from a balcony or window. Like its sister property at Dona Lola, apartments vary according to location and renovation status, though they're all kept up well. The buildings have been here since around the 1970s, which is typical along the Costa del Sol waterfront. Even in winter the grounds were lovely. After a storm, everything was being cleaned up the next day. Set on a hillside, the property has a restaurant and snack shop at the top, with waterfalls and ponds running down toward the ocean. It's stunning. Most units are walk-ups on the first or second floor. First-floor apartments have a few steps and may work for some people with mobility issues; second-floor ones had roughly 12 steps, depending on where they were. Internet was great, and satellite TV included UK English and lots of international channels. The kitchens had a good-sized fridge, four-burner stovetop and oven, plus a clothes washer and dishwasher. Definitely worth a stay.