La Nogalera

The apartments have distinctive furniture from the 60s and 70s, which I thought gave them a unique look. Ours had all the necessary equipment, and the complex had gardens and a couple of swimming pools. It's downtown and about a 10-minute walk to the beach. There are lots of bars and restaurants nearby, with lively nights and activity during the day, so keep that in mind. A nice place to stay.

We left the car and didn't need it again. A garage is available for €15 a day, and it's not far from Malaga or other places to visit. The resort has two proper swimming pools, and the surroundings felt safe with plenty of good food nearby. The apartment was quiet, very clean, practical, and nicely decorated, with a pleasant veranda. It's equipped for cooking like at home, though we didn't cook. It suits a family of four, with two double beds, a sofa, and two bathrooms. The beach is an easy 700-metre walk. In the mornings, we'd head out and have breakfast at a local café on the way to the sea.

We stayed with family in 2017, and honestly, two stars would fit better than the hotel's three-star rating. Maybe it was nice in the 1970s, but the rooms badly need renovating. The bathroom tiles were dirty and worn, closet doors wouldn't close right, and the ceiling fan only worked at one speed. The gas stove wouldn't light without matches, and our showers went several days without warm water. Most rooms seemed either empty or occupied by permanent residents, with few tourists. I can see why.

Our ninth-floor apartment was in great shape and had fantastic views. The train station was right across the road, and we were in the middle of town, so the location was spot on.