Palacio Solecio Review - The Luxury Editor

We revisit Palacio Solecio, discovering its new pool terrace, rooftop bar and the sensational seasonal dining of Balausta Restaurant. Established as Malaga’s most elegant small luxury hotel, Palacio Solecio captures both the charm of the historic old town and the contemporary energy of the city’s contemporary cultural and culinary scene.

A stay here is to be immediately embraced by the essence of Andalucia’s fastest-growing city, writes Andrew Forbes (The Luxury Editor).

Palacio Solecio is within an 18th-century former noble residence, dating back to 1789. Built as the private home of Genovese businessman Felix Solesio, a businessman who wanted to convey wealth and status in Southern Spain’s high society, this elegant palace has been restored, retaining original wrought iron features on the windows and balconies, as well as original 18th-century baroque trompe l’oeil mural paintings on the exterior, so characteristic of Malaga homes of this period.

Old Town Malaga

A stay here is to be at the heart of Malaga’s historic Jewish quarter, opposite the famous Santiago Church, on Calle Granada (where Picasso was baptised), and close to many of the capital’s more than 35 museums including the iconic Picasso Museum, and historic sights like the Alcazaba, the Roman Theatre and Malaga Cathedral, while the chic stores of Calle Marqués de Larios street are a few minutes walk away too, as are the city’s lively tapas bars.

This Mediterranean city has been on the up for the last 20 years, making an unprecedented transformation into a popular city break destination, where the warm hospitality of Andalucia meets the free spirit and creativity of the Malaga people. The city’s sizzling arts scene has been matched by a raft of new restaurant and bar openings.

Balausta Restaurant

Palacio Solecio is part of this urban renaissance, a smart city hotel that has emerged as not only a sought-after boutique hotel but also as a culinary destination for flavour hunters and foodies. The hotel’s Balausta cocktail bar directly faces the bustling Calle Granada street, inviting passersby to try aperitif of crips, chilled Manzanilla Nave Trinidad from Sanlúcar de Barrameda, while surveying the tempting menu of Balausta Restaurant, developed in collaboration with award-winning Michelin star chef José Carlos García.

Chef Sergio Solano Jiménez heads the kitchen creating dishes inspired by the premium local and national market garden produce. Every few months the restaurant offers an additional menu, celebrating seasonal delight, like a spring selection of flavoursome vegetables such as green peas, asparagus, and local Huelva strawberries. Then in June comes the unique almadraba tuna dishes, prepared with traditional caught tuna that comes to the Mediterranean, passing the Malaga coast.

The al a carte menu is a great place to start if you wish to indulge in emblematic dishes of Southern Spain, like the premium jamón ibérico, the tasty garlic prawn croquettes, or delicious grilled sardines. From the seasonal menu, you can mix in a dish of vibrant Andalusian Raf tomatoes from Almeria, beautifully crafted with a radish and cucumber salad with mackerel, and grilled asparagus from Navarra.

Main dishes delight with grilled tuna belly, octopus finished in a wood-fired oven, or Ronda pork fillet with chestnuts. Each dish can be paired with a selection of regional and national wines. Enjoy the journey of discovery, trying the Dominios de Arenas Moscatel, D.O. Sierras de Málaga, from Axarquia, east of Malaga, or the Prieto Pariente I.G.P. Castilla y León, and to end on a sweet note, the Carámbano D.O. Condado de Huelva ice wine from Andalucia’s most western province.

The restaurant setting is quintessentially Andalusian, with the tables set within the internal patio courtyard, surrounded by the ancient columns, rolled up esparto woven blinds and gently lit by Al Andalusia-inspired lanterns. The calming tones of olive greens, and subtle cream sets the tone for an elegant evening of fine dining, with an elegant crowd, including in-the-know locals, showing that Balausta Restaurant is now an established and respected part of Malaga’s acclaimed dining scene.

Sumptuous Suites

As a guest the greatest luxury is to simply take the lift to your room after an indulgent evening. The accommodation has a timeless elegance that is both evocative of period Andalucian architecture as well as having contemporised simplicity, with striking lighting, and bold fabrics. You can read more in our original 2020 review here, where we are visiting during the opening season.

Since then, Palacio Solecio has continues to flourish and has opened an additional wing of 48 rooms, bring the hotel’s total to 116 rooms and suites. The new wing includes spacious, light-filled suites that add contemporary flair to this city boutique hotel with signature interior design by the acclaimed studio of Antonio Obrador. The new wing has a private rooftop terrace and pool, exclusively for guests, a private area to soak up the Mediterranean sun and take a dip as you listen to the bells of the adjacent Santiago Church.

Roof Terrace Vibes

Malaga has also become renowned for its rooftop bars, offering an alluring evening perspective to Malaga’s sultry summer nights. Palacio Solecio has joined this urban trend with the opening of ‘La Terraza de Solecio’, its new rooftop cocktail bar, restaurant, and al fresco dining terrace open to guests from morning and to visitors from late afternoon. In addition to the gastronomic breakfast in the main restaurant, hotel guests can enjoy a lighter start today with a Mediterranean-inspired menu of breakfast dishes served on the new terrace.

Then from 4pm, the terrace is your destination for afternoon aperitifs, cocktails, and regular live music. This is a splendid addition to the hotel and completes the guest experience, which also includes an onsite gym.