Decided to stay on the coast near the airport after my last business trip (23 - 26 Nov 2011.)
Stayed at Hotel Torrepalma in Alcala la real for previous 2 nights. Had an early(ish) flight from Malaga and didn't want a 100 mile drive before flying.
For the price (€31) for the night, I thought it was really good value.
Basic hotel but clean and comfortable. Very quiet too and only about 60 or 70 metres from the beach.
Plenty of bars and restaurants and shops nearby too.
As always, the beaches in Torremolinos are nice with a great promenade. Shame the rest of the Costa del Sol resorts have built the motorways right on the beach!!!
Had lovely weather too!
All in all, I'd recommend this place if you wanted a budget winter holiday.
Has the benefit of parking inside it's own grounds too.

The Hotel Residencia Miami is a lovely old (for Spain) hotel just a few minutes from the beach. I stayed there on my own as had to be on the coast for a couple of days. When the Spanish restore it can end up being a bit kitsch and this was - see photos, but it was right up my street. The hotel photos are pretty accurate. Beautiful old tiled floors and a lovely terrace and garden.

On the down side - and being v honest: the room was a bit pokey and bed strangely rather short and not the most comfortable. The shower was a bit old. There was air con and narrow french windows looking out onto the back street which I quite liked. There was a tiny TV and fixed right up in the corner of the room so not really watchable.

Breakfast on the terrace in the sunshine was pretty but rather basic: tea/cofee, a bread roll and jam. On the second day I took my own fruit and yoghurt and also a lemon for my tea. The pool was lovely and fairly quiet - I think most people just head for the beach, and there was a small bar that opened in the afternoon. However, all the sunbeds apart from one were completely flat and not adjustable so unless you get the one adjustable one you can't sit comfortably to read - didn't get that at all. I like the shade and the garden was very shady and was well kept - big bonus. Reception staff could have been a bit more friendly - I got the impression they were really just there to do the admin rather than run the desk and help guests. But I loved this hotel and would definitely stay there again. If you want something a bit quirky then this is the place for you. Before I left I asked which rooms had terraces and was told rooms 17 & 20 (twins) and 14 & 19 (doubles) do.

Turn left out of the hotel and there is a little spanish bar on the corner. Great tapas. And the Italian on the right served a great salad.

not a particularly friendly welcome. we knew it was only a 2 star hotel so didnt expect the ritz. we had booked with booking.com 9 months before and requested room with balcony. we were told this was not possible as we were only paying for a standard room and we were put in room 8. avoid this room at all costs. very small and dowdy with extremely small hard double bed. it would maybe have been ok for one or two nights at the most. we tried to make the best of it but as the week progressed we werent able to sleep. definately not worth the money we paid.

Stayed for one week on the recommendation of a friend and will certainly go back! Spotlessly clean bedroom with good air con and comfortable beds. Bathroom very clean and towels changed frequently. Staff very friendly and gave good advice re nearby restaurants etc. So close to beach and good flat walks along promenade either into Torremolinos or Benalmadena. The area of La Cariheula is more an old fishing village and although very touristy not TOO built up. Got taxi from airport as arrived 10pm - 17 euros. Train link very good also. Get off at Montemar Alto and 15 min walk downhill to hotel. Had planned to take train back to airport but too hot and hill too steep for me. Went to Granada and Alhambra - easy trip by train to Maria Zambrano station then bus. Book online from UK. Cost us 90 euros all in for 2 compared to travel agents wanting well over 100. Our bus back from Granada was a "supra" and included water and snacks! All in a great week!