Gran Hotel Costa del Sol All Inclusive La Cala de Mijas
Gran Hotel Costa del Sol is a four-star beachfront hotel in La Cala de Mijas with 300 rooms and 2 suites. Its biggest attraction is location: the hotel sits directly beside Butibamba Beach in a quieter coastal town, while Fuengirola, Mijas Pueblo and Marbella are all realistic days or evenings out. It is a strong choice for families and couples who want a proper beachfront holiday without staying in the busiest parts of the Costa del Sol.
Gran Hotel Costa del Sol at a Glance
What Is Gran Hotel Costa del Sol Really Like?
The biggest reason to choose Gran Hotel Costa del Sol is not a long list of resort facilities. It is the combination of direct beach access and La Cala de Mijas itself.
La Cala has a smaller, more relaxed feel than Torremolinos, Fuengirola or Marbella. You can walk into the town, stop at local restaurants, use the coastal path and still return to a full-size beachfront hotel with pool facilities, entertainment and all inclusive convenience.
That makes the hotel particularly appealing for travellers who want the ease of all inclusive but do not want to feel as though they are staying inside an isolated resort complex.
It also works well as a Costa del Sol base. Fuengirola is close enough for an easy change of scene, Marbella is within reach for a longer day or evening, and Mijas Pueblo provides a completely different white-village experience inland.
We think this hotel makes the strongest case for people who care more about beachfront location and La Cala's slower atmosphere than huge waterparks or dozens of resort facilities. It is a practical family hotel, but couples who value beach walks, local restaurants and easy exploring can also get a lot from the setting.
Who Is Gran Hotel Costa del Sol Best For?
Good Choice If You Want...
- A hotel directly beside Butibamba Beach.
- A quieter Costa del Sol base.
- A walkable town rather than an isolated hotel strip.
- Family rooms sleeping 2 adults and 2 children.
- Easy access to Fuengirola.
- Marbella within reach.
- Mijas Pueblo as an easy day out.
- A coastal-path and promenade style holiday.
- All inclusive convenience without spending every minute inside the hotel.
Think Again If You Want...
- A huge waterpark resort.
- An adults-only hotel.
- A lively Torremolinos-style nightlife base.
- A large apartment-style family room.
- A hotel with dozens of specialist restaurants.
Why La Cala de Mijas Makes This Hotel Different
La Cala de Mijas is the real differentiator here.
The town sits on the coast between Fuengirola and Marbella and has retained a smaller-scale feel despite becoming a popular holiday destination.
Instead of stepping outside the hotel into a dense high-rise resort, you have a more relaxed local centre, seafront walking, restaurants and Butibamba Beach immediately around you.
That can make the hotel particularly attractive for repeat Costa del Sol visitors who already know the busier resorts and want somewhere slightly calmer.
Butibamba Beach
The hotel's beachfront position means you do not need a shuttle, taxi or long walk for a day by the sea.
That is particularly valuable for families. Moving between the pool, room and beach becomes far easier when the hotel and seafront are directly connected.
Coastal Walking
The Mijas coastline is also useful for travellers who enjoy walking rather than spending every afternoon on a sunbed.
The seafront route allows you to see more of the local coast while still remaining close to the hotel.
Rooms & Accommodation
Gran Hotel Costa del Sol currently lists 300 rooms and 2 suites.
The main Comfort, Family and Premium room categories are around 24m², so these are conventional hotel rooms rather than large apartments.
Comfort Room
Comfort Rooms are currently listed with two single beds and can accommodate up to two adults and one child.
Facilities include Wi-Fi, terrace or balcony, bathroom, refrigerator, television, air conditioning or heating depending on season, and tea-making facilities. The safe is currently listed as chargeable.
Family Room
Family Rooms are also around 24m² but use two 135cm double beds and can accommodate two adults plus two children.
That is practical for a family of four, although parents travelling with older or taller children should consider whether sharing two double beds suits them for the full holiday.
Premium Room
Premium Rooms are around 24m² and are currently listed for two adults and one child, or up to three adults. They include additional touches such as bathrobes and slippers.
Check the exact room category, bed configuration, sea view, terrace or balcony and maximum occupancy on the provider page. Do not rely only on the word “family” or “premium”.
What Is It Like For Families?
The beachfront position is probably the hotel's biggest family advantage.
Instead of loading bags, towels and children into transport for every beach day, you can move between hotel, pool and sea much more easily.
The dedicated Family Rooms also provide a straightforward option for two adults travelling with two children.
La Cala itself is another benefit because the town is easier to explore than a large, traffic-heavy resort centre. Restaurants, beach walks and local shops can become part of the holiday without needing a formal excursion.
Families looking for a huge slide complex or large children's waterpark should compare other hotels, because this property's strength is simpler beachfront convenience rather than full-scale theme-resort facilities.
What Is It Like For Couples?
Couples benefit from the exact same location for different reasons.
Direct access to the beach, promenade walks and restaurants around La Cala create a more relaxed evening routine than an isolated resort.
You can also use the hotel as a base for Marbella, Mijas Pueblo or Fuengirola without having to stay in those busier destinations.
Couples wanting a completely adults-only atmosphere may prefer another hotel, but travellers who like a quieter coastal town and easy exploring should find the setting attractive.
Pool, Beach & Leisure Time
Gran Hotel Costa del Sol is officially positioned as a beachfront hotel with swimming pool, entertainment and leisure facilities.
Beachfront Days
Butibamba Beach sits directly beside the hotel, making it easy to switch between sand and hotel facilities during the same day.
Pool Time
The hotel swimming pool gives guests the usual resort alternative when they would rather remain close to their room and hotel services.
Entertainment
Hotel entertainment provides an additional option in the daytime and evening, although programmes can vary according to season and occupancy.
Food & Drink
The all inclusive format is useful here because you can keep food, drinks and snacks simple during pool and beach days while still having La Cala's own restaurant scene available when you want a change.
That flexibility is worth remembering. Booking all inclusive does not mean you have to eat every meal inside the hotel.
A lunch or evening meal in La Cala can give the holiday more local character, while the included hotel meals still provide convenience for the rest of the week.
What Should You Check Before Booking?
Look carefully at the current meal times, snack service, included drinks, bar opening times and whether particular branded drinks or services carry an additional charge.
Restaurant openings, bar hours and all inclusive inclusions may vary by season and provider.
Step Outside: What Is Around Gran Hotel Costa del Sol?
Unlike a self-contained resort where most guests need a taxi to find anything outside, La Cala gives you a genuine local town to explore.
La Cala Centre
The centre has restaurants, cafés, shops and a more everyday coastal atmosphere. It works particularly well for an evening walk when you want to leave the hotel without making a full trip elsewhere.
Butibamba Beach
The beach is the most immediate attraction and effectively acts as an extension of the hotel's outdoor space.
Coastal Path
The wider coastal walking routes make it easy to add activity to the holiday without committing to a gym session or formal excursion.
Good Days Out From Gran Hotel Costa del Sol
🏘 Mijas Pueblo
Mijas Pueblo is one of the best contrasts to a beach holiday. The whitewashed village sits inland above the coast and gives you narrow streets, views and a very different atmosphere from La Cala.
🌴 Fuengirola
Fuengirola is around 11km away according to the hotel.
It gives you a larger seafront, shopping, restaurants and a much busier resort atmosphere than La Cala.
🐾 Bioparc Fuengirola
Families may want to combine a Fuengirola trip with Bioparc, which provides a completely different day from another beach or pool session.
✨ Marbella
Marbella is around 20km away according to the hotel.
The old town, seafront and wider Marbella area create an easy way to add something more polished and energetic to a relaxed La Cala holiday.
💦 AquaMijas
AquaMijas gives families a dedicated waterpark option when children want something more substantial than the hotel pool.
🏙 Málaga
Málaga is worth a longer day out for its historic centre, waterfront, shopping, restaurants and museums.
La Cala de Mijas vs Fuengirola vs Torremolinos
Choose La Cala If...
You want a smaller coastal town, beachfront walking and a more relaxed holiday base.
Choose Fuengirola If...
You want more shops, restaurants and a busier resort atmosphere immediately around you.
Choose Torremolinos If...
You want the shortest airport access, a larger resort centre and particularly easy rail links towards Málaga.
Airport Transfer Time
Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport is the main gateway for La Cala de Mijas.
A private road transfer is often around 25–35 minutes depending on traffic and route.
Shared transfers can take longer because of airport waiting time and additional hotel stops.
If you intend to explore Marbella, inland villages or other stretches of coast, car hire may be worth comparing with transfer-only arrangements.
Journey times are approximate and can vary with traffic, roadworks, airport conditions and transfer type.
Costa del Sol Weather – Temperature & Sunshine By Month
La Cala de Mijas has hot, dry summers and comparatively mild winters, making it useful for both peak summer beach holidays and quieter spring or autumn breaks.
☀️ Jan
17°C6 hrs sun
☀️ Feb
18°C7 hrs sun
☀️ Mar
20°C7 hrs sun
☀️ Apr
22°C8 hrs sun
☀️ May
25°C9 hrs sun
☀️ Jun
29°C11 hrs sun
☀️ Jul
32°C12 hrs sun
☀️ Aug
32°C11 hrs sun
☀️ Sep
29°C9 hrs sun
☀️ Oct
25°C7 hrs sun
☀️ Nov
20°C6 hrs sun
☀️ Dec
17°C5 hrs sun
Approximate Costa del Sol destination averages for holiday planning, not a live forecast.
When Is The Best Time To Stay In La Cala de Mijas?
May & June
Excellent for warm beach weather, walking and exploring before peak summer heat.
July & August
Best for travellers who want full summer temperatures and the liveliest Costa del Sol atmosphere.
September & October
Useful for couples and families who still want warm conditions but prefer more comfortable sightseeing temperatures.
Build Your Own Gran Hotel Costa del Sol Holiday
Start with the hotel you actually want, then compare flights from the UK airport that works best for you rather than accepting somebody else's standard package.
1. Choose The Hotel & Room Type
Decide whether a Comfort, Family or Premium room is the right fit and check the exact occupancy before moving on to flights.
2. Compare UK Departure Airports
Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham, Bristol, Newcastle, Glasgow and London airports can all produce different Málaga flight times and prices depending on the season.
3. Compare Total Flight Cost
Look at baggage, seat selection, departure time and arrival time as well as the headline fare.
4. Choose Your Transfer
Compare private transfer, shared shuttle, taxi or car hire depending on whether you simply want to reach La Cala or intend to explore the wider Costa del Sol.
5. Build The Holiday Around Your Plans
If you intend to visit Mijas Pueblo, Marbella and Málaga, transport flexibility may matter just as much as the hotel price.
Check Gran Hotel Costa del Sol Availability →Affiliate link: GoAllInclusive.com may receive a commission if you book after following this link, at no additional cost to you.
5 Good Reasons To Choose Gran Hotel Costa del Sol
1. Directly On Butibamba Beach
The beachfront position removes one of the biggest inconveniences of a family beach holiday: getting everyone from hotel to coast.
2. La Cala Is Quieter
You get a smaller coastal-town atmosphere rather than one of the busiest Costa del Sol resort centres.
3. Family Rooms Sleep Four
Current Family Rooms use two double beds and can accommodate two adults and two children.
4. Fuengirola & Marbella Are Close
You can add busier Costa del Sol days without having to stay in those resorts.
5. It Works Beyond All Inclusive
La Cala's restaurants, shops, beach and coastal walking give you reasons to step outside the hotel.
Gran Hotel Costa del Sol FAQs
Is Gran Hotel Costa del Sol directly on the beach?
Yes. The hotel describes itself as being directly on the beachfront at Butibamba Beach in La Cala de Mijas.
How many rooms does Gran Hotel Costa del Sol have?
The hotel currently lists 300 rooms and 2 suites.
How large are the standard rooms?
Comfort, Family and Premium rooms are currently listed at around 24m².
How many people can a Family Room sleep?
The current Family Room sleeps a maximum of two adults and two children using two double beds.
Do the rooms have balconies?
The main room categories currently list a terrace and/or balcony. Check your exact room category when booking.
Is Gran Hotel Costa del Sol good for families?
Yes. The beachfront position and family-room option make it practical for families, particularly those who prefer simple beach days to a giant waterpark-resort experience.
Is Gran Hotel Costa del Sol good for couples?
Yes, particularly for couples who want a quieter coastal setting, beach walks and easy access to Marbella, Mijas Pueblo and Fuengirola.
How far is Fuengirola from the hotel?
The hotel's official information currently lists Fuengirola at around 11km.
How far is Marbella from the hotel?
The hotel currently lists Marbella at around 20km.
Is La Cala de Mijas quieter than Torremolinos?
Generally yes. La Cala has a smaller-town coastal atmosphere than larger resorts such as Torremolinos and Fuengirola.
Is all inclusive available?
Yes. The hotel markets itself as an all inclusive Costa del Sol hotel. Exact meal, drink and snack inclusions should be checked with your provider.
Which airport is best for La Cala de Mijas?
Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport is the main airport for the area and normally provides the most convenient UK flight options.
Is Gran Hotel Costa del Sol Right For You?
Choose this hotel if you want a proper beachfront location, a quieter La Cala de Mijas base, family-friendly accommodation and easy access to Fuengirola, Mijas Pueblo and Marbella.
Its greatest strength is not that it tries to be the biggest resort on the Costa del Sol. It is that you can combine all inclusive convenience with a real coastal town and Butibamba Beach immediately outside.
If you want enormous slides, theme-park-style facilities or busy nightlife, another property may suit you better. If beach access, a slower pace and independent exploring matter more, Gran Hotel Costa del Sol has a strong case.