B111: Torremolinos, Spain - 2008 & 2013

On the hotel balcony - Riu Nautilus Aug 2008

I got a Facebook reminder that this time ten year’s ago I was on holidays at the Riu Nautilus Hotel in Torremolinos.  This particular holiday is special to me as it was the last one I took abroad with my Mammy Peggy as she passed away six months later.  In 2013, this was a return trip to this hotel for both of us as we had spent a great week there in August of 2008.

​Torremolinos is so handy to get to for Irish people and so get very busy.  We had first come across the area when Martin had gone on holidays there with his Civil Defence buddies, Breda and Gretta.  He rang home on a bad line to tell us he was in Torremolinos but Peggy thought he said “I have a terrible illness”.  “Oh my God” she said “What’s wrong with you? Do you have the runs??” 😂

Above: Us in Torremolinos - Aug 2008

So, years later I brought her there and we found this lovely hotel.  People often say to me “weren’t you great to bring your mother on holidays?”.  But I honestly got as much if not more out of it than Peggy.  She was great craic to travel with, would eat and drink anything and get on with everyone.  Or almost everyone!!  I vividly remember her having an international incident with a German woman at breakfast at this particular hotel one morning.  You see, the hotel provides freshly baked bread that is wrapped in white cloths for you to slice yourself.  I was sitting back down at the table having helped my self at the buffet when I heard middle-aged German woman screaming like a banshee and looking very indignant….and the bould Peggy saying “Ah ya can keep it, girl.  I don’t want your auld bread!!”  Peggy had picked up the bread sliced by Mrs. Frau as she thought the other wan would give it to her!  How wrong she was!!
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But other than fighting Mrs. Frau at breakfast that first year, we had a lovely, relaxing, quiet time both times we were there.  We walked the prom, had fresh sardines at the beachside restaurants, walked to the marina in Benalmadena and people-watched to beat the band!  So today’s blog covers both of those trips to Torremolinos……and neither of us got a terrible illness 😂

Above: Us in Torremolinos - Aug 2008

Hotel Riu Nautilus is a four-star adults-only accommodation with half-board options and a freshwater swimming pool. It is just steps from the beach in Torremolinos. The contemporary air-conditioned bedrooms are reasonably spacious. On our first trip there we booked a suite with a great balcony looking right onto the Torremolinos beach.  The second time our room was at the side facing the swimming pool.

The twin/queen varieties offer 25 square metres whilst the junior suites, with lounge areas and a king-size bed, measure 40 square metres. All rooms come with balconies, some with sea views. Guests can relax around the pool on the large solarium or in the hot tub. There is also a gym and steam room, as well as table-tennis facilities. 

Above: Us in Torremolinos 2013

The Hotel Riu Nautilus has a main buffet restaurant for breakfast and dinner and a small themed restaurant onsite. There is also a snack bar serving light meals for lunch. Themed evenings and evening entertainment are also on the agenda.
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The hotel is just off the main promenade and 800 metres from the marina in neighbouring Benalmadena. The Sealife Centre is about a 15-minute walk away whilst Aqualand is three kilometres north of the hotel.

Above: Us in Torremolinos 2013

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Bucket List Items Ticked Off in the above Blog 111
​Number 57 - Travel - 7 Continents

• Europe

Number 58 - Travel - 80 Countries

• Spain

​Number 59 - Travel - 80 Hotels

• Riu Nautilus, Torremolinos, Spain

​Number 60 - Travel - 80 Cities/Towns

• Torremolinos, Spain

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​Other Blog Posts
Blog 11 - Sydney, Australia
Blog 12 - Hong Kong, China
Blog 17 - Beijing, Xi'an & Shanghai, China
Blog 19 - California, USA
Blog 27 - Scotland
Blog 28 - Barbados
Blog 29 - Canada
Blog 30 - Alaska
Blog 31 - Everglades, Florida

Have you ever been to Torremolinos?  Tell me about your experience in the comments section below.
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