The new hotel in downtown Málaga that is already considered the 'Best Urban Hotel in Spain'

As is tradition, National Geographic magazine has launched a new edition of the National Geographic Traveler Readers' Awards 2026, awards in which, with direct public participation, the best destinations, hotels, tourism initiatives, and airlines in the world are recognized. This time there are several nominees in different categories, one of them particularly notable for how quickly it has won the favor of the travel magazine, the recently inaugurated ME Málaga by Meliá, a candidate in the 'Best Urban Hotel in Spain' category.

The deadline to participate in the voting remains open until 23:59 on the upcoming Sunday, February 22, in an edition that is now in its fourth year. In this category, the hotel in the capital of Málaga, located right in the city center, competes with seven other top-level accommodations: Brach Madrid, Casa Palacio Don Ramón, METT Barcelona, Nobis Hotel Palma, Totem Madrid, and Grand Hotel Centenari Valencia, Autograph Collection.

Regarding ME Málaga, which opened its doors opposite the Plaza de la Merced last December and features a significant gastronomic offering, the magazine highlights and adds more details about its location, in addition to being a new 5-star in the city: "This new 5* from Meliá with views of the Alcazaba is located a short distance from the Roman Theater and the Picasso Museum."

As for its rivals, Brach Madrid is noted as a "hotel where poetry and design come together in an offering that amazes from the lobby to the bedrooms," while Casa Palacio Don Ramón is highlighted as "a palatial house in the heart of Seville transformed into a 5* GL that puts soul into every corner."

They also talk about METT Barcelona, located "on the mountain of Tibidabo, with the city and sea at its feet" and featuring "a vermouth bar and gastronomic restaurant." Meanwhile, Nobis Hotel Palma, is "a palace from the Islamic era of the 12th century in the center of Palma hosting this high-end hotel."

Finally, Totem Madrid stands out for "elegance at the service of a cosmopolitan city" and is located in a "19th-century building on Madrid's Golden Mile." Lastly, Grand Hotel Centenari Valencia, Autograph Collection is "the great novelty in the city of Valencia" and is located right in the town hall square.

Voting to choose the winners of the National Geographic Traveler Readers' Awards 2026 can be done through the magazine's own website. The results will be announced weeks later.

The contenders for 'Best Urban Hotel in Spain'

• ME Málaga
• Brach Madrid
• Casa Palacio Don Ramón
• METT Barcelona
• Nobis Hotel Palma
• Totem Madrid
• Grand Hotel Centenari Valencia, Autograph Collection

In bold, the only hotel from the province of Málaga.