A luxury boutique hotel has opened in Malaga old town inside a historic aristocratic palace.
Palacio Solecio is close to the Picasso Museum and Roman amphitheatre, and was originally built in the 18th century by Italian nobleman Felix Solecio.
The building stood derelict for 80 years before restoration began, and because the footprint of listed buildings in Spain must remain the same, elements such as the inner courtyard have been unchanged in the construction.
Original features, such as window grills and elements of the main staircase, have been restored.
The hotel will be managed by Marugal Distinctive Hotel Management.
“Palacio Solecio is one of the finest examples of 18th-century domestic architecture in Malaga, so our restoration has been incredibly sensitive,” said Pablo Carrington, founder of Marugal.
“We’ve been able to incorporate the wonderfully decorative original architectural elements – pilasters, garlands, Tuscan columns topped by vases and the original staircase – into the design of the hotel.
“For the interiors, we’ve been led by old photos of the palace. The idea was to be authentic, but not folksy.”
It will feature a restaurant by Michelin-starred chef Jose Carlos Garcia.
The 68-room Palacio Solecio opened on 5 December, with a further 49 rooms, rooftop bar and pool to follow in 2021.
