Location: Costalita, C. Trajano, 16, 29688 Estepona, Málaga

Budget: €240-€480 / night

Date of Stay: April 2024

4* Flag Hotel is located on the ‘Costalita’ part of the Costa del Sol – between Marbella, Estepona and Benahvis – with easy access to all three towns of the ‘golden triangle’.

We checked in on a Sunday morning after a busy work week of tours with some fabulous clients. Immediately we were hit by the tranquility that exudes from the spacious lobby. Check in was friendly and efficient and we were shown to our corner suite, overlooking the pool with views to the med. The suite is more akin to a small studio than a hotel room, with a huge terrace and multiple seating areas. Mdern and sleek, it was equipped with everything we could wish for, from a nespresso machine to corkscrew 😉

We spent the afternoon relaxing by the gorgous heated saltwater pool, surrpunded by the beauifully landscaped tropical gardens.

The next morning we enjoyed the amazing a la carte breakfast. Personally, I prefer a la carte breakfast as I generally find the offerings to be of a much higher standard (prepared to order) and it also prevents me from overeating!

The Flag Estepona is well situated on the Costalita: Equidistant between and just a 15 minute drive to Puerto Banus, Estepona and Benhavis. The hotel has bicycles available for guests to rent – I recommend taking advantage of this and heading along the beach promenade/path to explore the coast to the east and to the west. 

The Flag Gallery

Location: Calle Tomás Heredia 11, Soho

Budget: €120-€180 / night

Date of Stay: September 2021

4* Hotel Icon Malabar opened its doors in July 2020 in the heart of Malaga’s trendy Soho district. I’ve been walking past the iconic building for the past couple of years, thinking what a shame it was that it wasn’t looked after, so when I saw works happening here I was delighted. 

And the end result doesn’t disappoint. With major kerb appeal, as well as stunning interior design, the place has the wow factor.

I stayed with two girl friends in a Junior suite – perfect for 3 adults. We arrived on a Friday afternoon and basically hunkered down in our fluffy robes for a relaxing girls’ night in! The junior suite was fabulous, with a huge bath tub in the room we had a real pamper party. Room service and reception took care of our every whim, from bringing us drinks and snacks, to arranging a late checkout. On Saturday morning we enjoyed the amazing breakfast buffet. My friend, who says she never takes the brekkie option, was blown away and said she would stay here JUST for the breakfast – praise indeed! (Breakfast €20 pp/pn) We booked our stay on a new opening deal and so we paid just €120/night. I believe at the time of writing, the junior suite starts at around €140/night for members of Icon’s ‘Tripster Club’.

Hotel Icon Malabar is perfectly situated: Just a 5 minute walk to Malaga’s historic downtown area; 5 minutes on foot from the cercanias trainline which links to the airport and to the west; 2 minutes to all main inner city bus lines; 10 minutes to the stunning port area, 15 minutes to the beach; and less than 10 minutes walking to most of Malaga’s 34 (and counting) museums! They also have bicycles available for guests to borrow – I recommend taking advantage of this and heading down to the local fishing village of Pedregalejo on the east side of the city to have some traditional seafood such as ‘espetos de sardinas’ – sardines cooked over a log fire on the beach. 

Icon Malabar Gallery