Palacio Solecio

The aesthetic antidote to the Costa del Sol’s massive resort developments might just be found in Málaga’s historic city center, where an 18th-century palace and an adjoining mansion have been combined together and thoroughly reimagined as the modern-meets-classic Palacio Solecio. The resulting hotel is as luxurious as any new build, but its centuries of history lend it a depth of character no modern resort hotel can match.

Its 68 rooms and suites are stately and elegant, full of antique flourishes and modern conveniences; the double rooms, though compact, are more than fine enough, while the suites truly shine, especially the top-floor Tower with its expansive views and its private terrace. At every level you’ll find high-end comforts and thoughtful details, as well as a remarkable unity to the interior style — its designers were strict about following the precedent set by the city’s 18th-century residences.

And of course the accommodations don’t tell the whole story — Palacio Solecio also features a couple of inviting common spaces. There’s a cocktail bar which serves as something of a neighborhood nexus, and the restaurant, Balausta, features the cuisine of chef José Carlos García, whose eponymous Michelin-starred restaurant is a 15-minute walk from the Palacio’s door.