Looking for a hotel that’s located in the city center where you can walk everywhere when staying in Malaga, Spain? Hotel Molina Lario is a boutique, four-star hotel that offers an impressive address.
Hotel Molina Lario is located steps to Malaga Cathedral and Paseo del Parque (which runs alongside the harbor and happens to be one of my favorite parks to stroll for its palm trees, walking paths, fountains and sculptures).
Hotel Molina Lario was renovated in 2018 — both the original 19th century hotel building and a new, expanded portion of building was added and combined during the refresh. It offers cozy public spaces for you to relax or meet travel companions or locals you’re meeting. My favorites: They have a rooftop bar where you can take in the views of the cathedral and city, and dinner at their restaurant Martiz offers an amazing experience.
Hotel Molina Lario Guest Rooms
The hotel’s size is a bit deceiving from the street view. It actually has eight floors and 103 guest rooms.
Guest room amenities include Smart 40″ TVs (limited English speaking channels), free wifi, complimentary water, coffee and tea facilities, a minibar, safe deposit box, a bathrobe, slippers and more.
Hotel Molina Lario offers four categories of guest rooms:
- Standard double room (located in the new building)
- Superior luxury room (located in the 19th century building)
- Junior suite (five rooms)
- Family room (for families with one or two children)
Rooms that are part of the new building face an inner courtyard, while rooms that are in the classic 19th century building mostly face the city and pedestrian streets. They are quiet, functional and appointed with pleasant furnishings that will allow you to relax. And the beds are comfortable. Tip: ask for a room that faces the cathedral.
And room service is available 24/7. In fact, room service was ordered in advance of my visit and delivered to my room — a grilled ham and cheese sandwich with an amazing gazpacho along with olive oil and potato chips. It was a simple and perfect way to kick off the visit and delivered shortly after arriving in my room. It’s that type of touch that makes the travel experience worthwhile… and then you’re ready to explore.
Dining at Hotel Molina Lario
Located off the lobby, Matiz (which translates to hue, shade, color) is the hotel’s restaurant that offers breakfast, lunch and dinner. It’s more than adequate for your breakfast buffet, but at night the dining room that’s located in the heart of the hotel’s courtyard patio is lit by strings of light (and giant awnings if needed). Matiz also has patio seating along the street — feel free to enjoy an afternoon cocktail and watch the street activity.
Matiz offers an innovative Mediterranean menu of tapas and main dishes that uses fresh, local ingredients — and the wines are local or Spanish. I suggested an evening of tasting here. My menu included:
- Special fritters with a variety of cheese
- Iberian ham croquettes topped with wafer thin serrano ham
- Crunchy wafer with bluefin tuna tartar
- Platter of Iberian pork shoulder with tortilla cheese, hazelnuts and date vinaigrette
- Scallop and plan ravioli with basil Hollandaise
- Grilled Malaga-style goat cannelloni
For dessert? Caramelized brioche french toast with an infusion of meringue milk, biscuit crumble and mandarin ice cream.
Tip: Matiz and its patio is an excellent spot for a private event.
Other Features and Amenities at Hotel Molina Lario
The 8th Floor is where you find the hotel’s pool and lounge area. This is an area that can sometimes get busy. It’s actually more of a place to relax than to get in the laps. There’s a bar upstairs and seating surroundings the pool along the edge of the rooftop so you can get in the maximum views.
My spot up there? Suggest going upstairs after the sunset and about an hour before the pool bar closes. Take the stairs down a half floor to an imitate seating area where you can enjoy a cocktail and conversation with friends — feel free to strike up one with the others nearby, if they are open… I did. It was among my favorite experiences in Malaga.
You may not realize it, but Hotel Molina Lario also has functional spaces for business meetings and events (so it’s worth considering if you’re looking to host a small meeting or even a special event like a wedding or anniversary party). The hotel also offers a small business center with two computers to handle any internet and printing requirements.
Looking for things to do when visiting? Check our Malaga, Spain Review.
The Verdict?
This was my second visit to Malaga. I felt like the hotel was intimate and comfortable. I met my colleagues in the hotel lobby each day and we went off to experience the city and returned there throughout the day.
Dining at Matiz exceeded my expectations, the guest rooms met my expectations and the rooftop terrace exceeded my expectations.
It’s the perfect spot for you to check out Malaga’s historic city center. The cultural options, including Picasso Museum, are still quite walkable and nearby. The port and park are minutes away. The city’s Hop On Hop Off bus is down the street to get quicker access to the spots you want to visit.
Hotel Molina Lario in Malaga is a mid-range priced hotel, so it should be on anyone’s consideration. I’d go back.
