UKIPT Malaga, is set to offer seven days of non-stop poker action from June 10-16 at Casino Torrequebrada in Benalmadena, a popular Costa del Sol resort. With sun, sea, beautiful beaches and historic Malaga nearby, we’re expecting UKIPT Malaga to attract big numbers.
Malaga is an amazing city and you also want to give yourself time to chill out on one of the fabulous Costa del Sol beaches near Benalmadena – or enjoy a round or two on one of the Costa del Sol’s superb golf courses.
About Benalmadena
As well as a great casino, gorgeous harbour, vibrant old town and a ton of lovely beaches, Benalmadena also has a number of well-known tourist attractions including Europe’s largest Butterfly Park – home to over 1,500 exotic butterflies – and the Benalmadena 15-minute cable car (pictured below) which takes you high above the town to the top of the Calamorro Mountain. Benalmadena’s Paloma Park is also a lovely place to get your head in gear before taking to the tables with more than 200,000m2 of green space in the centre of the town including an impressive Cactus Garden with more than 450 species.
Benalmadena is well-known for its lively nightlife scene. It’s buzzing! Especially around the resort’s famous Plaza Solymar where bars and clubs are open pretty much 24 hours a day. (Popular clubs including the disco pub Molly Malone’s (pictured below) and Discoteca Mango.) Benalmadena Marina is also a great spot for hanging out with numerous bars in a lovely setting overlooking the luxury yachts.
Golfer’s Paradise
The Costa del Sol is also a haven for golfers with a total of 22 courses near Benalmadena ranging from nine-hole Pitch and Putt courses to top courses like Torrequebrada, La Cala, Santana, Mijas, Calanova and Lauro Golf.
Further Afield – Visiting Malaga
Malaga was founded in the 8th century by the Phoenicians and is one of the oldest port cities in the world. With its cobbled Old Town and palm-fringed plazas, it has all the charm of a southern European city with numerous attractions including a Roman amphitheatre, amazing baroque cathedral (pictured below) and Moorish Alcazaba castle. The city is also home to over 30 museums dedicated to everything from decorative glass to the automobile.
Chief amongst these is the Picasso Museum (pictured below). Picasso was born in Malaga and the museum, which is housed in the 16th-century Buenavista Palace, gives a solid overview of the artist’s life with over 200 works in the collection. Highlights include a painting of Picasso’s sister Lola undertaken when the artist was only 13 along with sculptures, sketches and paintings galore.
Another great tourist attraction is Málaga’s Alcazaba – a stunning 11th-century Moorish palace-fortress set in gorgeous gardens. Also on our list – if you have time – are Malaga’s celebrated Botanical Gardens, created just outside the city by a noble family of railway builders and bankers and now containing the largest collection of subtropical plants in Europe.
No visit to Malaga is complete without dropping into the city’s magnificent Cathedral. Started in the 16th century, it boasts a fabulous 40m domed ceiling along with a vast collonaded nave and 15 distinct chapels along the aisles. The guided tour takes you up to the roof which affords panoramic views of the city.
Hotels
As you might expect from a Costa del Sol resort, you are spoiled for choice when it comes to hotels and several are within walking distance of Casino Torrequebrada.
3* Casinomar
They don’t get much closer than Casinomar which is just 200 metres from the beach and five minutes’ walk from Casino Torrequebrada. Decorated simply and with wooden furnishings, the Casinomar apartments each have their own private balcony and even a parking space. Facilities include a dining area with TV, kitchenette, fridge and washing machine. Casinomar has a bar on site, an outdoor swimming pool, garden and terrace. Although there is no onsite restaurant, there are plenty nearby.
3* Flatotel Internacional
The Flatotel Internacional is just 14 minutes’ walk from Torrequebrada Casino and 20 metres from Benalmádena's Yucas Beach. It features an outdoor pool with a bar, a buffet snack bar and a gym. All the rooms have air-conditioning, and the apartments and studios also have private balconies with sea views. Free WiFi is available and there is also a games room, gym and on-site restaurant. It’s also bang next door to the local golf course!
3* MedPlaya Hotel Alba Beach
This pleasant hotel is situated just a stone's throw from Benalmádena's Torrequebrada Beach. There are two outdoor pools, bars and a restaurant and it’s close to lots of little shops, cafés, bars and restaurants. The Torrequebrada Golf Course is right next door and the Casino is just a short walk away.
3* Sahara Sunset By Diamond Resorts
Just seven minutes by cab from the Casino Torrequebrada, the Sahara Sunset punches above its weight when it comes to comfort and amenities. Designed to emulate Moorish architecture, this 3* hotel has both an outdoor pool – set in landscaped surroundings – and an indoor pool. Rooms are spacious and welcoming and each has its own private balcony or terrace. Dining – and cocktails – are at the hotel’s Casbah Café and the hotel also offers massage services.
4* Las Arenas Affiliated by Melia
Featuring an outdoor pool and offering a beachfront location opposite the 1920s-built Bil Bil Castle, Hotel Las Arenas is a great option for your UKIPT Malaga stay. Every room has air-conditioning, TV and minibar along with its own balcony. Some rooms also have a sea view and the hotel offers a spacious sun terrace. Facilities include an outdoor swimming pool, restaurant, bar and lounge plus free wifi. It’s a six-minute drive to the casino (or 25-minute walk.)
4* Moon Dreams Torremolinos
Further afield, there are some great properties in the neighbouring resort of Torremolinos. The Moon Dreams Torremolinos is 60m from La Carihuela Beach and has its own outdoor pool. Each air-conditioned room comes with a flat-screen satellite TV, private bathroom and hairdryer. As well as onsite restaurant, the hotel offers a spa and massage services. A 24-hour reception is also available and there is free high-speed WiFi. It’s a 20-minute cab journey to UKIPT Malaga venue.
4* Ilunion Fuengirola
Lying to the south of Benalmadena is another well-known Costa del Sol resort called Fuengirola. The 4* Ilunion Fuengirola is located on the seafront with amazing views over Boliches Beach. The hotel boasts a splendid terrace, an outdoor pool, and children's recreation area. There’s free Wi-Fi. The Ilunion Fuengirola Hotel is also just 300 metres from Los Boliches train station which has a direct train to/from the airport. All the air-conditioned rooms have satellite TV and a minibar and many have their own balcony. There’s an on-site restaurant as well as a poolside snack bar with sea views.
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