Hi Gemma, Try the Riu Nautilus , it's with http://www.Portlanddirect.co.uk . It's not actually in Benalmadena , its in Torremolinos but its right on the promenade and only a short walk to the Benalmadena marina. It's a really lovely hotel and it does have sea view rooms which are roomy with plenty of wardrobe space. The food is fantastic so be prepared to gain weight, as the desserts are to die for .You can get a virtual tour if you go to http://www.riu.com. Hope this is what you are looking for.
Sorry just been to the riu site and looks like they dont do virtual tours any more, but they do have lots of pictures . Click on classic hotels and then put in adalusia and it will bring up hotels in that destination including the Nautilus. If you book with Portland, email the hotel direct and ask for a room with a seaview, the address will be on the riu website.

Thanks Serena I will have a look. sounds wonderful, especially those lovely desserts

for a special birthday try the Torrequbrada Hotel it is either 4or 5 star,overlooks the sea too,been inside very posh,but have not stayed there

Does look like a lovely hotel Rebel, is it near the marina?

The Triton is 4 star and is beach-front near the marina.
http://www.besthotels.es/html/fitxa/fitxa.php?c_hotel=21

The Riviera is also 4 star and is next door to the Triton.
http://www.medplaya.com/hotel.php?ch=11&idm=2&ss=8

The 4 star Alay is closer to the marina but is on a busy road.
http://www.hotelalay.com/eng/alay.php

Thanks Mike We have been looking at the Triton and we know exactly where it is. I think that is our preferred option and it gets good reviews in the hotels section. thanks.

Hola

when we were there last year Rui had opened a low rise new 5 star hotel behind(a literal stones throw) from the marina! mucho poshness.

RIU Nautilus reviews HERE, Triton reviews HERE, Riviera reviews HERE, Alay reviews HERE, Torrequebrada reviews HERE.

Pippy

The best with no shadow of a doubt is the Aleysa Playa.

http://www.aleysaplaya.com/

If you'd like to post a review for the Aleysa Playa Aparthotel, please do so HERE.

Thanks.

Pippy

Can recommend the Triton.

The Nautalus is further along the prom going away from the marina and actually comes under Torremolines although RUI do have another one adjacent to the marina.

Triton reviews HERE.

Pippy

when we were there last year Rui had opened a low rise new 5 star hotel behind(a literal stones throw) from the marina! mucho poshness.

Mucho poshness indeed.

Just been in tonight for a look around, the hotel to give it its full title is called Rui. Puerto Marina, Benalmadena.

3 floors high, with 272 bedrooms.
Went downstairs to video the resturaunt (spel) and came face to face with the Director, who was stood at the bottom of the steps at the entrance to the resturaunt.
He offered us a glass of sangria, even though we told him that we were just looking...and said please help yourself and film what you want....a very nice man indeed.

The overall impression that I got walking around, was that the majority of the guests were Spanish
I could tell by the way they "attacked" the displays (joking here) and the type of food on offer, but there also was a carvery going off.

I was getting dark, so the video may not turn out as good as I would hope around the pool area.

Very nice, very posh, very posh prices and very posh waiters waiting to pounce on you....although I wouldnt say that some of the clientele looked posh from first impressions.

Edit: Correction: 4 floors

SanJi x

We have spent the last two Christmas and New Years at the Pez Espada which is about an 8 min walk from the marina. Certainly may not be uber post, but the standards of service, food, cleanliness are excellent.

In fact we are not going this year and i'm feeling miserable just thinking about a Christmas at home!!

Mrs MX5

I'm actually posting this from the Pez Espada.
This is our 4th time here and it just gets better
Jaysus, I will have to join the diet thread when I get home, the food is superb and we are not doing half the amount of walking that we normally do on the Costa Blanca...the beach is opposite and it is just sooo tempting to get your butt parked on a sunbed for the day.

the standards of service, food, cleanliness are excellent.

Yes, it definately is.
Another thing that I like about this hotel is the fact that it was the first hotel to be built on the costa del sol, and whilst it has been renovated several times and an extension added, they dont make hotels like this anymore, the walls are thick and unless someone is shouting on the corridors, then you hear nothing....guaranteed sleep
Another plus, is that the rooms and corridors are carpeted...so, no clip clop from above or people dragging suitcases along the corridors at ungodly hours.

I've been in most of the hotels in this area during the last week filming and the only other hotel IMO that is worthy of the 4 stars is the Rui Nautilus.
I've videod the Rui Nautilus only this morning.
If you walk into the Sol Aloha Puerto which is also a 4 star and then walk into the Pez Espada and the Rui Nautilus, then there really is a difference.

The Aloha Puerto rooms are not carpeted according to someone who is staying there, who I asked....just being nosey I personally think that these little things do actually make a difference.

I personally like a white tablecloth on the table, the Aloha Puerto dinningroom looked like a works canteen.IMO

Besos x
sanJi