Top 11 Gay Friendly Hotels In Malaga

Mesmerizing Malaga puts the ‘soul’ into Costa del Sol, the famous Spanish coastline overlooking the Alboran Sea. This ancient beach town is the birthplace of Picasso and is steeped in rich Islamic and Roman history. Moreover, it blends lip-smacking cuisine and authentic Spanish traditions with stunning architecture and wicked, wild nightlife. With Spain being renowned for its LGBTQ+ progressiveness, it’s no surprise that Malaga is extremely gay-friendly. In fact, the options for a gay hotel in Malaga, Spain, will have you swooning and are extremely friendly towards their guests. Think ancient Andalusian homes converted into soothing modern sanctuaries or sun-kissed beachside retreats. So, be prepared for Malaga to spoil you silly.

Interestingly, the gay scene in Malaga’s city center neighborhood of La Merced is quite small, unlike those in Barcelona or Valencia. However, Malaga Province has the best and liveliest gay scene in all of Andalusia in the form of Torremolinos. This dynamic gay town sits around 20 minutes south of Malaga’s city center and is centered around the buzzing La Nogalera, which has a slew of gay bars and clubs. Plus, it even has a gay beach and hosts one of the hottest fetish parties in Spain!

Furthermore, the Malaga Province is more than just the sun, sand, and sea, which is why so many LGBTQ travelers throng here. In fact, most of the most beautiful towns in Andalusia can be explored from Malaga. Also, just an hour away from the city sits the cliffs of Ronda, one of the most incredible cliffs in the world. Clearly, Malaga is more than just a riotous beach destination and is a particularly wonderful LGBTQ one. To that end, here are the top 11 gay-friendly hotels in Malaga, Spain.

Barceló Malaga

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Barcelo Malaga is fun, stylish, and arty all at once. A bohemian gay hotel in Malaga, Spain, the four-star Barcelo is directly linked to the city’s train station by a dazzling, tile-adorned walkway. So, if you plan to take day trips around the region, then you couldn’t be in a better place. Plus, Malaga city center is no more than a 20-minute stroll, while the La Nogalera gay district in Torremolinos is a 15-minute drive.

The entire hotel sits around a stunning mirrored staircase, complete with shades of coral, turquoise, lavender, and dusty pink with splashes of gold. The jazzy tone begins right from the glittering, futuristic lobby lounge, where the showstopper is a massive steel slide art installation, which you can use! The ground floor gastro bar sports the same vibrant tiles and plush velvet fabrics, which is the perfect place to grab a cocktail or a nightcap. The crown jewel is the white-themed roof terrace with a cafe bar and sun loungers around a glistening blue pool. Moreover, there’s even a small gym and a sauna, while the first-floor dining space lays out one hell of a breakfast spread.

With white-grey touches and prints of the Malaga life, you’ll love the contemporary rooms at this hotel. Even the entry-level rooms feature hydromassage baths, kettles, and pillow menus, while the Deluxe ones add separate whirlpool baths.

Hotel Molina Lario

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Hotel Molina Lario is one heady mix of contemporary and old-world romance. This chic, four-star, gay-friendly hotel sits in two 19th-century buildings that overlook Malaga’s historic core. In fact, the majestic 16th-century Malaga Cathedral is right next door, with many of the hotel’s rooms and rooftop catching splendid views.

The hotel’s facade is gorgeous, to say the least. Along with the two 19th-century structures, there’s even a modern extension; all three make for a striking picture. When you check in, a glass of bubbles awaits you. The heart and soul of the hotel is the stylish rooftop bar, peppered with turquoise cushions. It’s the ‘it’ place to have sundowners in the city and meet some gorgeous people. The second-best part of the hotel is the sky-high pool terrace with the lovely open-air pool, which is the perfect place for lounging. The hotel staff also organizes city tours and gives recommendations, maps, and travel tips. Rounding out the amenities is the lovely ground-floor Mediterranean restaurant, which hosts monthly flamenco in the courtyard.

Rooms are a mix of urban-chic and high-ceilinged historical ones. Nevertheless, they all have creature comforts plus pillow menus, and the superior ones even have welcome drinks and balconies. What’s more, a few rooms even have in-room bathtubs, which are as romantic as they can get.

Room Mate Valeria

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Best value for money. The trendy Room Mate chain of hotels makes its appearance in Malaga in the form of Room Mate Valeria, a fashionable gay hotel in Malaga, Spain. You’re located in the heart of the vibrant-street-art-filled Soho barrio, right opposite the Muelle Uno marina. What’s more, the gayborhood of La Merced is a 15-minute walk. Even Torremolinos’ La Nogalera is a mere 15-minute drive. Furthermore, all the amazing sights in town are not more than a 10-15-minute walk away.

Tropical florals and nautical stripes take center stage in this place, which sits within a wonderfully restored late-19th-century structure. The palm-patterned lobby with soft dulcet tones, leather lounge chairs, and moody lighting is akin to New York or London. The warm, unfailingly helpful staff happily dish out Malaga tips as well as umbrellas, portable Wi-Fi devices, and whatnot. Besides a 24-hour gym, the buffet breakfast is a spread of cold meats, cheeses, eggs, pastries, fresh bread, olive oil, and more. The hub of the hotel is the rooftop terrace with a plunge pool, striped sun loungers, cocktails, and panoramic views of the city. It’s also one of Malaga’s most popular meeting spots, so you never know!

Rooms feature shades of bright turquoise, deep greens, and royal blues, evoking Andalusian vibes, and sit around the central patio with a lovely fountain. Monochrome armchairs, vintage-style photos of Malaga, plush beds with fluffy pillows, and mod-cons make staying here a wonderful experience. Rooms at the front of the structure have either huge windows or lovely little patios that look out to the port.

Vincci Selección Posada del Patio

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Most luxurious gay-friendly hotel. The Vincci Seleccion Posada del Patio is one of the sexiest luxurious gay-friendly hotels in Malaga, Spain. The hotel is located right in the city center next to the Guadalmedina River, on the edge of the old town. Not that the place is without history; the remnants of a Roman-Arabic wall that once fringed Malaga sit right underneath the lobby.

The five-star hotel sits in an old posada (Spanish inn) and is centered around a quaint lantern-lit patio. So, contemporary fixtures blend brilliantly with wide, odd-angled corridors and the stretch of ancient city wall below. A travel-themed library and lobby art exhibits changing every month set the tone at this place. The facilities for a city center hotel are as stunning as they’re extensive. The aqua-shaded roof terrace with the rooftop pool is a great place to chill, with stunning views of Malaga and the Gibralfaro castle. The bar-café serving artisanal beers and the modern restaurant serving delicious Andalusian fare are rounding up the amenities. Finally, breakfast is a tranquil backroom buffet affair with made-to-order eggs, omelets, fruit, pastries, cheese, and cold meats.

The rooms are contemporary yet sexy, with a beige, white, and cream palette with pops of deep pink, sun yellow, and magenta. Besides mod-cons, most come with balconies, while the suites even have sensuous in-room bathtubs behind cheeky glass panels.

El Riad Andaluz

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Best traditionally Andalusian gay-friendly B&B. There’s nothing like staying in a traditional Andalusian house. The gay-friendly El Riad Andaluz is a wonderful Moroccan-styled Andalusian home and one of the best local home-like hotels in Malaga, Spain. It lies right in the city center, smack dab in the middle of the gay neighborhood. In fact, Picasso’s home is within walking distance, as are the other historic attractions around town. This guesthouse is perfect if you’re looking for an intimate hideaway in the city center.

The place sits in an older heritage building that’s been remodeled to suit modern sensibilities but with a very homely vibe. Think vines rambling up walls, a charming courtyard, and stained-glass windows. Moreover, the owners are not only welcoming but even give you recommendations, apart from even making bookings. The plant-filled patio with a kettle and complimentary coffee/tea is the highlight here, with complete mosaic tables to lounge. What’s more, you can even rent parasols and beach towels from here. Even though there’s no restaurant, the owner offers fantastic recommendations for nearby restaurants.

All eight first-floor rooms lie around the patio, each of which features different décor in taupe, ochre, rust, raspberry, and turquoise. Lots of throws and cushions lend it a homely appearance, as do the petite balconies that look out to the busy lane outside. All rooms have pretty bathrooms with toiletries. Do note that the ‘Sumak’ room even has a small terrace overlooking the patio.

NH Malaga

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If you’re looking for a modern, city center, gay-friendly hotel in Malaga, Spain, then you can’t do better than the NH Malaga. Overlooking the Guadalmedina river, the hotel sits in the city center close to most of Malaga’s points of interest. What’s more, even the gay scene at La Merced is a mere 15-minute walk. So, after a day of exploring the town, delving into the wild nightlife is an equally exciting prospect while staying here. Above all, reasonable rates, a superb breakfast, and stylish rooms make this one of the most sought-after accommodations in Malaga.

A marble-floored lobby extends to the snazzy ground-floor restaurant and bar, which is a great place for a nightcap. The star attraction here is the sun-kissed rooftop outdoor pool with sun loungers and 180-degree views of the city and the Alboran Sea. If you don’t want to miss your workout regimen, then the basement gym is perfect, followed by a trip to the sauna. What’s more, the hotel has rental e-bikes, which you can use to explore the neighborhood. Breakfast is one long affair, which is especially great if you’re a late riser, with coffee and pastries available from as early as 5 a.m. Rooms and suites here receive lashings of sunlight and are replete with cloud-like beds, marble bathrooms, and plush fabrics. Moreover, all room categories are great, from the Standards to the Suites.

Parador de Málaga Gibralfaro

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Most romantic gay-friendly hotel. There’s no better romantic gay hotel in Malaga, Spain, than the Parador de Malaga Gibralfaro. The spectacular hotel is nestled against the lofty, Moorish-like Gibralfaro castle and is surrounded by acres of eucalyptus, palms, and pine trees. Moreover, it boasts some of the finest wraparound views in the city, which include the city center, the harbor, and the azure Alboran sea glistening all around. If you and your partner are looking for a romantic Andalusian getaway, then this is where you’d want to be.

A laidback Spanish vibe emanates from the gorgeous stone walls and arches, with potted geraniums, ceramics, and palms lending an Andalusian vibe. Romance is in the very air, with original Picasso paintings in the lobby and scented candles flickering at night. Service is impeccable, right down to chocolates appearing on pillows while you’re out to dinner. With fabulous city panoramas, a sunny terrace, and delectable food, it’s no doubt that the restaurant is popular. The lobby lounge area with the library and the café-bar are great for lounging, but the marvelous rooftop pool is the standout. Aqua sunbeds and thatched-roof parasols make it the perfect place to lounge with your partner after a languid swim or dip. And, of course, there are city views.

38 light-filled, breezy rooms with their own private balconies offer picture-perfect Mediterranean and Malaga views. Modern bathrooms and cozy lounge corners make this the perfect romantic escapade that you’ve been looking for. It’s no wonder that this is one of the best hotels in Malaga, Spain.

Hotel Mariposa

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Hotel Mariposa is one of the best stylish and sleek gay-friendly hotels in Malaga, Spain’s arty Soho area. This hotel is ideal if you’re looking for a chic base to explore Malaga’s architectural and culinary delights. It overlooks the port and is within walking distance of most of the town’s attractions. What’s more, it’s a mere 15-minute walk to the gay scene, too, so you’re sorted on nightlife revelry too!

Design-loving gays will love the aesthetic here, which features a lot of white and black with pops of mauves, greens, and blues. The urban setting is complemented by quirky decorative elements like butterflies adorning the walls since the Spanish for ‘butterfly’ is ‘mariposa!’ Even though it doesn’t have a restaurant, the hotel does serve a fabulous breakfast in a stylish, ground-floor space. The buffet includes everything from cheese, charcuterie, and pastries to eggs, bacon, and fruit. Plus, you have crepes and orange juice on offer! Finally, there’s even a nice roof terrace with lots of lounging space and a bar. It’s the perfect place to grab a sundowner before heading out to the nightlife.

52 light-filled rooms are all spacious with art-deco furnishings, mod-cons, and modern, spacious bathrooms with a bath even! If you want to splurge, then go for the super stylish suites, which are twice the size of the regular ones and are more glamorous.

AC Hotel Malaga Palacio

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The AC Hotel Malaga Palacio features on almost every list of the best gay-friendly hotels in Malaga, Spain, and rightly so. The hotel towers over both the port area and the old town, with most of the top things to do in Malaga within walking distance. A jaw-droppingly gorgeous roof terrace, impeccable service, and stylish digs make this 50-year-old hotel a cinch with gay travelers.

The subtly glamorous and moodily lit lobby lounge aside, the 15th-floor roof terrace is the standout here. It’s easily the tallest one in the area, complete with a pool and a divine all-day restaurant. So, you can enjoy a swim, lounge while sipping cocktails, and grab a bite later while gazing out to the Gibralfaro castle and the Alboran sea. The staff is helpful, efficient, and very friendly, and the hotel also has a small gym and a ground-floor cafe where breakfast is served. Gaze at the Paseo del Parque as you settle in for a lovely Spanish-cum-continental breakfast before heading out to explore the town. The best part is that the hotel even has a spa, which is a rarity for a city-center hotel.

It might not be the most characterful, but it’s one of Malaga’s most contemporary and comfortable hotels. A smattering of fresh flowers, wooden floors and walls, and private balconies in many exterior rooms make them the best ones. Corner rooms undoubtedly have the best views, while the sea-facing ones all come with double beds.

Hotel Boutique Teatro Romano

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The sleek Hotel Boutique Teatro Romano is one of the hottest gay-friendly hotels in Malaga, Spain. Not only does it sit in the city’s historic core, but it’s also smack dab in the middle of the La Merced gay scene. In fact, it’s right down the street from the fun, gay-friendly El Carmen Tapas. The icing on the cake is that this welcoming hideaway of a hotel is very wallet-friendly. You couldn’t ask for more.

The hotel’s crisp Scandi-like look is innately contemporary, with clever use of natural light and mirrors. The style is minimalist inside, with a soothing white-grey color palette and honey-toned woods. Oversized rattan lamps, Roman-numeral room markers, and funky sun-shaped metallic mirrors complement it. Spanish design creeps in the form of marble-topped tables. You’ll get many recommendations and maps when you check in, and you can even borrow umbrellas for rainy days. Besides serving a hearty breakfast buffet, the snug breakfast lounge with superb Roman theater views is a great place to relax. This includes everything from fresh orange juice, tomatoes, ham, cheeses, and bread to yogurts, cereals, fruit salads, and fresh croissants. Phew!

You can choose from rooms and kitchen-equipped apartments, all in invitingly warm dove greys and cool whites. Original design details like huge windows and Roman-relic photos will take your breath away. All rooms except the Standard ones come with Roman theater and Alcazaba views, and some even have petite balconies. Even then, the Standard rooms are spacious and receive lashings of sunlight.

The Urban Jungle Hostel

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Welcome to the jungle – that is, the Urban Jungle Hostel, that is. One of the best budget gay-friendly hotels in Malaga, Spain, it lies right in the heart of the gayborhood in the city center! So, you’re not far from almost all the best places to see in Malaga. What’s more, this snazzy, green hostel is also big on sustainability. It not only stands in a government-protected, original structure but also uses toxic-free cleaning products and takes recycling seriously. Now, who wouldn’t want to live here?

That said, the heart and soul of the hostel is the rooftop terrace, which is where most guests hang out. So, you can spend the day lounging, reading, and swapping travel stories with fellow travelers. It even offers a free rooftop welcome drink when you arrive! The shared kitchen is next to the terrace, which is a lovely place to whip up quick meals and save some Euros. Moreover, the hostel even provides homemade meals, including complimentary breakfast and nightly family dinners. The terrace is also where many events take place, including live concerts and happy hours. Finally, mingle big time with the slew of activities offered here, including walking tours, flamenco nights, pub crawls, and tapas tours.

The rooms at this hostel are one of the most unique ones you’ll see. For one, they bear names like Pink Flamingo, Burgundy Queen, and La Cabana! Seven female-only and mixed dorms feature spotlessly clean shared bathrooms, plush bunk beds, reading lights, and lockers. Three private rooms with equally interesting names have ensuite bathrooms and tea/coffee-making facilities, offering excellent bang for your buck.

Our Verdict!

Here is a smaller, more specialized list of the best gay Venice hotels according to their best attributes:

• Best value for money: Room Mate Valeria
• Most luxurious gay-friendly hotel: Vincci Selección Posada del Patio
•  Most romantic gay-friendly hotel: Parador de Málaga Gibralfaro
• Best traditionally Andalusian gay-friendly B&B: El Riad Andaluz

Best Gay Neighborhoods in Malaga

While all of Malaga is very gay-friendly, the city even has a specific gay neighborhood, Torremolinos, which lies close to downtown Malaga. This breezy beach town is the most celebrated gay beach community in all of Spain and has long been an oasis of freedom. What’s more, it features everything from gay-themed cocktails to drag queen-dancing pool parties. In fact, the neighborhood is nicknamed “Chueca on the Beach” after the famous Madrid gay district.

Malaga is also home to a nudist beach at Guadalmar, which is a sandy beach just south of the city near the airport. It even has a few showers and a bar at each end of the beach. Despite being a very popular beach, the place doesn’t seem too overcrowded, so you can enjoy a day out here. Finally, the car parking area behind the eastern end can get quite cruisy as evenings dawn.

Just So You Know:

• The room where Picasso was born (Plaza de la Merced, 15) can be seen through a tour. Also, it happens to be located in the gayest part of the city! 
• Perhaps the best gay hotel of them all is Hotel Ritual, which is an adults-only hotel in Torremolinos with direct access to Bajondillo Beach!

Get Some Culture in Malaga:

• Pride Torremolinos – This annual queerness celebration features some of the world’s best and biggest pool and circuit parties and a fabulous parade. This festival sees eight days of festivities with the LGBTQ+ community attending workshops, indulging in and enjoying performances and live acts, and partying at night.
• TLF Torremolinos – TLF is one of the hottest cruise and sex parties in Spain, and it happens in Torremolinos! Think beach fetish parties, an “annivers-orgy” event, and ridiculously wild bar events.

Best Gay Bars / Clubs in Malaga:

• Edén Beach Club – This is one of the most popular gay beach clubs in town.
• Boomerang – Indulge in meet-cutes and strike up conversations with gorgeous people at this popular LGBT bar in La Nogaleta.
• El Carmen Tapas – This is a fun tapas bar and gay cruising place in the heart of La Merced in Malaga.

Best Gay Saunas in Malaga:

• Apolo Sauna Cabaret – Mix pleasure with more pleasure at this novel sauna in Torremolinos, which sees men of all ages. This one has everything from video rooms and darkrooms to a maze and Finnish sauna. Oh, and don’t forget the erotic music and go-go dancers.