ICON Malabar



About
YOU'RE NOT IN A HOTEL
YOU'RE IN ICON MALABAR
YOUR BOUTIQUE HOTEL IN THE SOHO DISTRICT OF MÁLAGA
The ICON Malabar hotel is located in the trendy SOHO area of Malaga.The emblematic building that houses the ICON Malabar hotel dates back to the beginning of the 20th century, and features a colonial inspired decor.
ICON Malabar has a large lobby and two patios with plenty of natural light.
Each room of the ICON Malabar has been designed down to the very last detail: a King-size bed, Queen-size beds or twin beds, spacious showers, a coffee and tea station, air conditioning and heating, soundproof windows, a Smart TV, ... We’ll be waiting for you at ICON Malabar.
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We can start with the room and talk about the cleanliness: impeccable. We didn't find a single hair, on the floor or in the shower. The mattress is very comfortable and the hotel even allows you to choose the pillow that best suits your style! We also really liked the shower gel and hand cleanser, from the London brand Molton Brown. Before we opted for the Icon Malabar, we read some criticisms here about the noise that entered the rooms from the street – and in this particular case, we should not forget that Málaga is a city full of life – but the truth is that we didn't feel that bothered by it, with very acceptable acoustic insulation.
The next day, go to breakfast: extremely complete, with sausages, cheeses, scrambled eggs, fruit, etc. The dining room team was always very attentive and efficient, both replenishing food and clearing tables so that there were always tables available during service. The timing couldn't be better and after some bad experiences on a recent trip to the Nordics, it feels great to be able to have breakfast until 11 am. As the hotel is relatively new, there is no worn-out furniture (neither in the room nor in the public spaces) and the public spaces are very inviting, bright, spacious, with natural materials predominating (wood standing out) in an atmosphere with ceiling fans that reminds for the typical atmosphere of a good holiday home on a Caribbean island, with a certain colonial charm. Next to reception, you can find tea and biscuits available, provided by the hotel. And since we're at reception, here's a compliment to the entire team, new, friendly people who are always ready to answer any questions. The location is top. Icon Malabar is located in Soho in Malaga. From here you can walk to discover the city and for those arriving by car, like us, the Parkigrund car park is right next door, with special rates for those staying at the hotel.
In short, nothing negative about this stay. Icon Malabar is a four star as all four stars should be. ;)




In the afternoon and evening, light food is served, along with very inexpensive drinks.
You can sit outside at a small table to sip a glass of wine after you have exhausted yourself walking around the Alcabazar.
The hotel is in a quiet pedestrian area and only a few minutes walk to the port or in the other direction to the historic center, full of shopping and restaurants.
If we make it back to Malaga, this is where we will stay.
We stayed for 10 days in a de Luxe room with breakfasts and thought it was really good value for money. The Hotel is a very attractive building in an excellent location – a few minutes from waterfront and the centre (in a pedestrianised street in Soho) which is quieter but has plenty of restaurants and amenities close by. Our room was large, bright and had 3 Juliet balconies. The standard of décor and facilities was extremely high and the staff were all both friendly and helpful. We thought the standard of the breakfasts was extremely good with a wide range of choices of fresh, cold and hot foods and drinks. There was a large and very pleasant reception area on the ground floor with plenty of space and facilities (armchairs, tables). There is a Tabac nearby which sells Bonobus ticket strips (10 for 5.40 until end of March) which make travel around the city very simple and cheap.
We really enjoyed our stay in Malaga and the Icon Malabar was an excellent base.
Efficient catering and floor staff
Reception staff not speaking French
it is the waiter of the restaurant who gave me the leaflet of the visits priced the 3rd day in the evening and not one of the people of the Reception!!! amazing!!
THE Negative Strong I booked a superior room with balcony, second floor, and the big problem was in the pickup at 3am under the windows of the Hotel buried containers of garbage cans and a city staff who speaks very loudly while working (I respect the obvious work) generating a rising sound so difficult to fall back to sleep to ensure the visits of the day. The Hotel should intervene for pick-up either at midnight or at 6 am. Response from Reception: you should have asked for a superior room on the other side!!! How I know it by booking more the Hotel was full, which makes me say that the Reception is informed of this recurring problem

We booked this hotel as much for its proximity to the train station and for ease to walk to the old town; we did also make our booking based from the reviews. Clean, tidy, well located. Pleasant staff. Housekeeping a bit hit or miss. They seemed indignant on the second morning that we were still in our room at 10.30 am.....I felt I was almost apologetic in asking for another 20 minutes before we were heading off and we were the nuisance (not the fact that we paid their wages). One day they left no coffee but 2 milk portions. The next day 4 milk portions and fortunately some coffee sachets.
We assumed by booking a deluxe double (their best non suite or third from bottom room category), it would assure us a good room. Nothing wrong with it, just a bit "pokey". The bathroom/shower area is very small; it also contains the toilet. The wash hand basin however, is in your bedroom. I would have expected this sort of setup in perhaps one of the lower grade rooms.Everything worked, lots of little thoughtful additions like tooth brushes etc. My measure of a hotel is always "Would I stay again?". In this case, No, not for a "couples" holiday, as there aren't really enough space or additional hotel facilities to draw us back, however I would stay if I had a business need to stay in central Malaga and wanted a clean comfortable bed, the compromise of the pokey bathroom would be okay for one night. The clue is, we are back in Malaga in March; we have booked elsewhere. No bad reflection on the hotel, just not quite what we are used to.
I accidentally booked two rooms with breakfast for one person each, instead of two rooms with breakfast for two people each. I asked the hotel manager to skip breakfast on the second day and change it to the first day…the hotel manager apparently cannot change this for technical reasons…..I have never experienced such inflexibility, even though the price of breakfast is €19 per person regardless of the day, the hotel manager did not want to change the booking….I have the feeling that the hotel only wanted to pay us the extra cost for breakfast.
Between 0-1 a.m. it is also very loud because the garbage is being emptied…..so sleeping through the night is impossible…,,and that for a price of more than €200 per night. I will never book the Icon Malabar Hotel again!




The staff are really the shining star of this establishment, each and every one of them are friendly, helpful, professional and go above and beyond, whether it be recommendations of restaurants, places to visit, directions and general assistance, nothing is too much.
On both occasions we stayed in the Superior Double room with Balcony (which is a Juliet Balcony). The room has enough space for 2 travellers staying for 3 nights, perhaps if you were having a longer trip, you may require a little more storage space for clothes and personal belongings (but we do tend to overpack)!! If you pack sensibly you should be fine!
My only critique on the storage in the room is that the bathroom could do with some additional hooks and shelving and the wardrobe space is a little too close to the bed for our liking, however that is the only “negative” I can find and that’s being particular!
The entire hotel, rooms included, are clean, decorated beautifully and modern, practical and welcoming. The beds are comfortable and the pillows (in my opinion, are ever better), but if the pillows are not to your liking, they do offer a pillow menu, where you can select your preference, though we haven’t utilised this.
We have not eaten at the hotel, however on both trips we did sit outside in the alfresco dining area for a couple of glasses of Rosé and some complimentary olives, which were both very nice.
The area is generally quiet, excluding the odd rubbish collection on the street, which doesn’t wake us, as they arrive later than they do in England! There are a few different coffee shops, restaurants, bars and shops, including a Pharmacy within the same square.
In this location you are between the Historic Centre and the Port of Malaga, around 10 minutes to both in either direction. Both sign posted and pedestrian crossings on route. With both areas offering something for everyone it’s the ideal location to stay. Also, the bus station is just before the Port, so only a 5 minute walk from the hotel, meaning you can hop on a bus to some of the areas most popular spots, we in fact got a bus to Frigiliana, via Nerja from Malaga Bus Station. The bus tickets are very reasonably priced and the coaches are large and clean.
All in all, whether you want to be in SoHo, Historic Centre, the Port or beyond, this hotel is the perfect base for your trip, with easy access to travel links to the rest of the Costa Del Sol. But, do not miss out on the magic of Malaga itself, 3 nights is never enough and it always keeps us coming back for more!
We WILL be back again!
Muchas gracias para otro viaje perfecto.
"If you're travelling light, the nearest metro (tube) is only a few minutes away with direct trains to the airport for a couple of euros."Read full review
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