Málaga’s Palacio de la Tinta reborn as a five-star hotel opposite La Malagueta

One of the most recognisable buildings on Málaga’s Paseo de Reding has started a new life. The Palacio de la Tinta has officially been inaugurated as a five-star hotel after an extensive refurbishment that has transformed the former administrative building into the Áurea Palacio de la Tinta, managed by Eurostars Hotel Company, part of Grupo Hotusa.

The hotel had already begun welcoming guests in May, but its official opening marks the completion of a project that returns one of La Malagueta’s most distinctive historic buildings to active use.

Located just a short distance from the Mediterranean, the property now combines luxury accommodation, gastronomy, wellness facilities and event spaces while preserving much of its original architectural identity.

From railway headquarters to luxury hotel

The Palacio de la Tinta was built in 1908 as the headquarters of the Compañía de los Ferrocarriles Andaluces, the Andalusian Railway Company.

Its unusual name is linked to that railway past: large quantities of ink were used inside the building to produce and print railway tickets manually.

Over the decades, the property had several different uses and eventually became part of the estate of the Andalusian Regional Government before being sold and converted into a hotel.

The refurbishment has restored approximately 10,500 square metres of historic property, while preserving some of the building’s most recognisable features, including its façade and monumental main staircase.

Interiors inspired by Pablo Picasso

While the exterior retains much of the Palacio de la Tinta’s historic character, the interior introduces a cultural reference deeply connected with Málaga: Pablo Picasso.

The design draws particular inspiration from the artist’s Cubist period, incorporating ideas such as geometry, fragmented forms and carefully selected colours.

Rather than recreating Picasso’s work literally, the hotel uses his creative language as inspiration for materials, compositions and contemporary decorative details.

The concept brings together two different aspects of Málaga’s cultural history: early 20th-century architecture and one of the city’s most internationally recognised artists.

Restaurant, spa and rooftop views over Málaga

The new hotel has been designed as more than simply a place to stay.

Its facilities include Asador Contrapunto, the hotel’s main restaurant, as well as a spa with a thermal circuit, gym and a range of spaces for meetings, celebrations and private events.

One of the most striking areas is found at the top of the building: La Danza Rooftop Bar, offering views towards both the Mediterranean and Málaga’s urban skyline.

Its location on Paseo de Reding, beside La Malagueta, also places guests within walking distance of landmarks including the Alcazaba, Roman Theatre, Muelle Uno and the historic centre.

Another five-star hotel for Málaga

The transformation of the Palacio de la Tinta also reflects Málaga’s continued expansion in the high-end hotel market.

During the official inauguration, both institutional representatives and Grupo Hotusa executives highlighted a tourism model focused not only on visitor numbers, but on hotels connected to the history, architecture and identity of their destination.

The project also gives a permanent new use to a building that spent many years linked to public administration.

For Grupo Hotusa, the property forms part of Áurea Hotels, a collection focused on distinctive hotels in historic buildings with a strong connection to the cities in which they are located.

More than a century of history beside the Mediterranean

The change is significant: spaces once occupied by offices and administrative departments are now home to a five-star hotel.

However, the aim of the restoration has been to keep that history visible. The exterior architecture, staircases and other original features now coexist with new guest rooms, restaurants and wellness areas.

More than 118 years after it was built, the Palacio de la Tinta has once again become one of the standout buildings on Paseo de Reding, this time as a hotel welcoming visitors to Málaga and as a new addition to La Malagueta’s tourism offer.

The building’s history, facilities, services and hotel concept can be found on the official Áurea Palacio de la Tinta website from Eurostars Hotel Company.