La Carihuela, Torremolinos, Costa del Sol, Spain
Rating6.9Rating8.0Adults OnlyRating6.9Good
Based on 1.8k reviews
Superb Location
The hotel's prime position steps from La Carihuela beach, shops, and restaurants is consistently praised as its top feature, offering direct access to the promenade and local attractions.
Outstanding Staff Service
Guests frequently commend the warmth, friendliness, and helpfulness of the entire staff, with many feeling genuinely welcomed and at home during their stay.
Excellent Food Variety and Quality
The buffet restaurant receives high marks for delicious international and local dishes, with guests particularly highlighting the great variety and quality of the breakfast offerings.
Inviting Rooftop Experience
The Vertigo Sky Bar, rooftop pool, and sun deck are a significant draw, providing great views and a pleasant, relaxing atmosphere for adults.
Immaculate Hotel Upkeep
The hotel is generally noted for its high standards of cleanliness, with guests appreciating the immaculate condition of both rooms and common areas.
Comfortable and Spacious Rooms
Guests frequently appreciate the generously sized and comfortable rooms, many of which include a private furnished balcony for added enjoyment.
Dated Room Interiors
While spacious, some rooms are described as being tired or in need of modernization and renovation, potentially not matching expectations from online photos.
Inconsistent Jacuzzi Functionality
Guests are often disappointed to find that the rooftop Jacuzzi may not be hot or operational, impacting the intended relaxation experience.
Hidden Costs for Amenities
Travelers should be aware that certain amenities and services, such as the in-room safe, parking, late checkout, and specific drinks, come with additional charges.
Occasional Cleaning Inconsistencies
Despite generally high cleanliness standards, a few guests have noted isolated issues such as residual hairs upon arrival, suggesting occasional lapses in thoroughness.
Limited Sunbed Availability
Some guests have mentioned a scarcity of available sunbeds, especially during peak times, which can make securing a spot challenging.
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Biosphere Certification
Responsible Tourism Institute (RTI)
Certified sustainable hotel
Jet2holidays
Green & Fair Hotel
TUI
Fifty meters from La Carihuela Beach, 8-11 km from Malaga Airport, a rooftop pool with bar and heated Jacuzzi above the Costa del Sol coastline, and a genuine adults-only policy: AluaSun Lago Rojo makes a coherent case for itself in a category where many properties make the same promises and deliver fewer of them.
La Carihuela is the older, more residential end of Torremolinos — fish restaurants on the promenade, a quieter atmosphere than the main strip, and a beach that gets called 'biscuity' and 'gloriously golden' in the same reviews. The beach itself is a 1-minute walk (50 m) from the hotel. That proximity is the strongest practical advantage of the location.
The rooftop is where the property earns its premium positioning within the Alua range. The Vértigo Sky Bar sits above a rooftop pool with panoramic views over the coast. The Jacuzzi is adjacent and heated from October through May — which matters for guests visiting in the shoulder season when the main pool and beach are less appealing. Balinese beds and direct bar service from the loungers complete the setup. In high summer, the rooftop is the most in-demand area of the property.
Rooms are 355 sq ft (Superior Double) or 474 sq ft (Junior Suite). The junior suites have a separate living area and are the only pet-friendly category — small dogs under 10kg are accepted at extra cost. The top tier, Junior Suite Superior, adds a coffee maker, bathrobe, slippers, and pillow menu. Rooms on lower floors and those facing the street have received mixed feedback — the sea-view and upper-floor options are more consistently positive.
Malaga Airport (AGP) is 8-11 km away, a 18-minute drive. That transfer is competitive with beach hotels much further along the coast. Public transport from La Carihuela to Malaga, Benalmadena, and Fuengirola is easy — a bus stop is 20 meters from the hotel and the Montar Alto train station connects to the coastal rail network.
No gym, no spa facility. Massages and billiards are available at extra cost. Guests wanting a full wellness program should look at other properties; Lago Rojo's appeal is the location, the rooftop, and the adults-only atmosphere.