Stayed at the Eurostars Astoria on Avenida Comandante Benitez 5, between 30th July and 3rd August .

A basic, but spotless hotel, just ten minutes walk to most attractions, shops, bars and restaurants as well as to the port. three minutes walk from the train station and fifteen minutes walk from the bus station.
All of the staff were extremely friendly and helpful, spoke English, and German very well.

There are two lifts to the seven floors

The soundproofed Room was quite small but adequate with a mini bar / fridge, phone, a safe and TV. Mini bar quite expensive but aren't they all? (Theres a supermarket just around the corner which is handy to get most things that you may need).
There are plenty of powerpoints in the room, loads of coathangers and adequate shelving for clothes The bed was comfortable and the Air con was not noisy.
The TV only has one English channel, (CNN) which is fine if you like to keep up to date with the business world whilst on your holidays. good news though if you speak Spanish or German as you will be spoiled for choice.
There is a nice bathroom with whirlpool bath( I think I had the same room as the previous poster whose bath leaked, shower, basin toilet and bidet. There is no hairdryer,
The maids are a credit to the hotel for keeping everything neat, clean and in order.


If you are a non smoker, specifically ask for a NS room as mine smelled a little of stale smoke. (my own fault for not specifying as NS rooms are available.)

There is a coffee bar but no bar or restaurant although there is a nice bright modern Breakfast room, with a good selection of fresh fruit, fruit juices, cold cuts, cheese, cereal, bacon and eggs, toast, pastries and all the usual stuff. If you intend to have breakfast you can pre book on check in and it will cost you €7 per day. if you just turn up on the morning, it costs €10

There is an internet terminal in the hotel's coffee bar at 1 € for 12 minutes or €2 for 30 minutes

All road works around the hotel are finished and the result being a nice new paved area to the front.

Getting there from the airport by train is so simple.
Board the train for Malaga (line C1) and stay on until the end of the line (Malaga centro) there are two exits from the underground platform.


FIRST EXIT FROM STATION, take the left exit as you leave the train. The steps go straigt up from the platform to the street. When you get to the top of the stairs, there will be a white and blue ice cream kiosk facing you. look to the right accross the river (which is actually a grassed area at this point) and the hotel is approx100 mtrs over the bridge and directly opposite. next door but two, to the right of the Santander bank

SECOND EXIT FROM STATION.You leave the platform to the right as you leave the train and continue through a long subway at the end of the subway you will go up some stairs and will see a red Tourist information kiosk facing you as you come up the stairs do a U turn and the Astoria is about 40 mtrs on your left.

The ticket machines at the station are all in spanish only so you first select the station you require i.e malaga centro on he touch screen , Then select either "Ida" for one way or "ida y vuelta" for return then insert the correct amount when prompted. **TIP** dont try and save time by buying a ticket for later i.e for your return journey as the ticket is only valid for two hours from purchase
When returning to the airport get off at the one announced as Aeropuerto and not the one announced as T 1 Car park. All trains leave Malaga Centro on the hour and on the half hour promptly. It is impossible to get on the wrong train

HOTEL SUMMARY

In summary a nice base to stay at whilst in Malaga. I would recommend to anyone who wants clean modern accomodation but not too bothered about luxury.

DISTANCES IN TIME FROM HOTEL

10 minutes walk to Shops, main attractions,Restaurants and
bars
3 minutes walk from Train station
15 minutes walk to main Bus station
10 minutes walk to Port
20 minutes walk to beach
20 minutes walk to Alcazaba
15 minutes by train to Airport (COSTS €1.25EACH WAY)
1 hour by train to Fuengirola (COSTS €2.80 EACH WAY)
45minutes by train to Benalmadena (COSTS €1.25EACH WAY)
30 minutes by train to Torremolinos (COSTS €1.25EACH WAY)
1.5 to 2 hours by bus to Granada (take a hat) (COSTS €9 EACH WAY) No train service
2.5 hours flight from UK