Sky Lounge Bar and Restaurant

Sky Lounge Bar and Restaurant crowns the 7th floor of Hotel Las Arenas Affiliated by Meliá, a few steps back from Santa Ana beach.

Most Benalmádena rooftops perch over the marina or a beach club. This one rises above a hotel, and that changes the whole feel.

I went up for a Friday sunset expecting a sleepy hotel bar. I found a polished terrace, a proper cocktail list, and prices that match the Meliá name.

This review covers the view from the 7th floor, the food and drink, the dress code, and how to get up there if you're not staying at the hotel.

Where Is Sky Lounge Bar in Benalmádena?

Sky Lounge sits on the 7th-floor roof terrace of Hotel Las Arenas Affiliated by Meliá, set back from Santa Ana beach in Benalmádena Costa. It's open to the public, not only hotel guests. Take the lift through the lobby to the top floor.

The roof splits into two levels. One is a sun deck with sunbeds, parasols, and chairs for daytime lounging. The other is the chill-out cocktail bar and dining area that runs into the evening.

Look out and you get the Costa del Sol coastline, the turrets of Castillo de Bil Bil below, and the Mediterranean past the marina. It ranks among the best rooftop bars in Benalmádena for that mix of height and sea view.

The Vibe

By day the terrace runs resort-casual. People drift up from the beach for a long lunch, kids in tow, drinks out on the sun deck.

After about 6pm the mood shifts. The lighting drops, the music settles into something loungey, and the dress code quietly tightens.

I sat on the chill-out side at dusk and watched the deck fill within twenty minutes once the sun started dropping. The sunbed crowd gave way to couples and groups ordering cocktails.

It's polished without being stiff. If you want something more relaxed and local, Almika down the coast is the easier-going option.

Menu & Prices

Sky Lounge operates as both restaurant and bar, with menus covering both full dining and cocktail sessions.

Restaurant: International cuisine with Mediterranean influences:

• Starters and salads: €12-18
• Main courses: €18-32
• Seafood specialties: €22-35
• Desserts: €8-12

The menu balances familiar international dishes with local ingredients, giving you options whether you want comfort food or regional flavors.

Bar & Cocktails:

• Signature cocktails: €12-16
• Classic cocktails: €10-14
• Wine by the glass: €6-12
• Premium spirits: €8-15
• Beer: €5-7
• Champagne and sparkling: €12-25

Drinks & Small Plates: If you're just here for cocktails, the bar menu offers:

• Tapas and small plates: €8-15
• Sharing platters: €16-24
• Bar snacks: €6-12

The View & Seating

From the 7th floor the view does most of the work. The Mediterranean fills the horizon, the marina and coastal development sit below, and the turrets of Castillo de Bil Bil poke up to one side.

The terrace faces west, so sunset is the main event. The sky turns orange over the water and the deck goes quiet for a few minutes while everyone watches.

After dark the coast lights up and the mood turns intimate.

Seating options:

• Restaurant tables for full dining experiences
• Lounge seating for cocktails and lighter fare
• Bar seating for solo visitors or cocktail focus
• Terrace tables with the best views (book these early)
• Mix of covered and open-air zones

Terrace tables with the best sea view go first. Ask for one when you book, or arrive by 7-8pm in summer to claim a spot before golden hour.

How to Make a Reservation

Book ahead for the restaurant, especially for weekend dinners, sunset slots, and groups of four or more. The best terrace tables go to people who reserve.

For the bar, walk-ins are usually fine for cocktails and small plates, though busy summer nights can mean a short wait.

Call +34 649 924 095 or book through the hotel's reservation system, and ask for terrace seating when you do. A quick call ahead beats turning up on a packed Friday and standing around.

Dress Code

Sky Lounge maintains smart-casual standards befitting an upscale hotel rooftop.

What works:

• Smart casual for evening (collared shirts, dresses, tailored trousers)
• Resort casual during daytime
• Well-kept footwear - avoid flip-flops after sunset
• Stylish without being formal

What doesn't work:

• Beach flip-flops in the evening
• Swimwear without proper cover-ups
• Very casual sportswear for dinner service
• Overly relaxed beach attire after dark

During lunch service the code relaxes, but evening dining expects more effort. Think "resort elegant" rather than formal.

Access & Getting There

Finding it: Sky Lounge sits atop Hotel Las Arenas Affiliated by Meliá on Avenida de las Palmeras in Benalmádena. Enter through the main hotel entrance and take the lift to the 7th floor.

The rooftop is open to non-hotel guests. Walk into the hotel lobby and ask for Sky Lounge Bar.

Getting there:

• From Benalmádena Costa beach: 5-10 minute walk
• From the marina: 10-15 minute walk
• From Benalmádena Pueblo: 10 minute drive

Parking:

• Hotel parking (confirm availability and fees with hotel)
• Public car parks in surrounding area
• Street parking limited
• Taxi/Uber: "Meliá hotel, Sky Lounge Bar, Benalmádena"

Public transport:

• Local buses along coastal routes
• Benalmádena-Arroyo de la Miel train station nearby
• Well-connected to Málaga, Fuengirola, and Torremolinos

Accessibility: Elevator access from hotel lobby makes the rooftop accessible for guests with mobility needs.

Photos of Sky Lounge Bar and Restaurant

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Location & Map

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Avenida de las Palmeras, 4, 29630 Benalmádena, Málaga

Our Verdict

Would I send you up here? Yes, with one caveat about price.

Sky Lounge does the polished hotel rooftop well. The 7th-floor view is genuinely good, the cocktails are properly made, and the service has that Meliá smoothness. You always know what you're getting.

What you pay for it is the hotel markup. This isn't where you go for a cheap caña and a plastic chair.

Best for: sunset cocktails, a romantic dinner with a sea view, business drinks, or marking an occasion somewhere a notch above the beach bars.

Skip if: you want a buzzy local spot, a budget night, or a barefoot beach-shack vibe. For a louder, younger scene, NIx Sky Bar up the coast runs DJs and a party crowd.

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Is Sky Lounge Bar open to non-hotel guests?

Yes. Sky Lounge is the 7th-floor rooftop of Hotel Las Arenas Affiliated by Meliá, and it welcomes non-hotel guests for both restaurant dining and bar service. Enter through the hotel lobby and take the lift to the top floor.

Do I need a reservation at Sky Lounge Bar?

Reservations are highly recommended for restaurant dining, especially for weekends and sunset times. The bar accepts walk-ins more easily, though busy periods may have waits.

Is Sky Lounge Bar a restaurant or a bar?

Both. Sky Lounge functions as a rooftop restaurant with full dining service and a cocktail bar with lighter fare. You can choose whether you want a full meal or just drinks and small plates.

What are the views like from Sky Lounge Bar?

The west-facing terrace looks over the Mediterranean, the marina, and the turrets of Castillo de Bil Bil. The orientation makes sunset over the water the main draw.

Is there a dress code at Sky Lounge Bar?

Smart casual is expected, particularly for evening dining. Daytime is more relaxed, but evening service expects collared shirts, dresses, and proper footwear rather than flip-flops.

Can children visit Sky Lounge Bar?

Yes, children are welcome, though the atmosphere is more adult-focused during evening hours.