Anyone Here Familiar With Torremolinos, Spain?

When I was around 16 I went with my Spanish classes from high school on a whirlwind trip through Spain, France and Great Britain. The trip started out in Torremolinos, a resort town on the Spanish Riviera.

Being a 16-year-old from central Illinois, I found it fascinating. Apart from the fact that the beaches were topless, and apart from the overwhelming Spanishness of it, I remember it being a rather cosmopolitan little city in that lots of Europeans vacationed there. In fact, I eventually learned that many Europeans live there for the summer (or was it the winter?).

The bar scene was fantastic. Lots of bars to choose from, with lots of cheap liquor and scantily-clad Euro-babes dancing. And I never got carded!

We stayed in a cheapish hotel that was about 300 meters from the beach. Sadly, I don’t remember the name of it, but it had about 5 floors. Our room had a beautiful view of the city and of the beach, and next door was a lush garden. The hotel had a restaurant on the bottom floor. I remember getting a full three-course meal for 1280 pesetas (about $13 at 1986 exchange rates).

Anyway, since we have our share of Euro-Dopers here, I’m wondering if anyone has been there recently. Has it changed much from what I remember of it? Is it still popular? A quick Google search seems to indicate that there’s plenty of interest in accomodations there.

Do tell!

Weird coincidence: Two weeks ago tomorrow, on the first day of the Seattle International Film Festival, I saw a Spanish movie called Torremolinos 73. More info here. It’s cute and funny, but pretty light stuff ultimately. The director was there, and he said he’s lived between Spain and New York for a while, so he’s familiar with the U.S., and he briefly considered making the film here and calling it “Miami Beach 73.” That told everyone who wasn’t familiar with Torremolinos everything we needed to know about it, I think.

Anyway, if you’re curious, keep an eye on your local art house in case this title shows up. They just opened in the UK (the film was a smash in Spain) and are seeking U.S. distribution, so you may have a chance to see it.

Though I’ve never been to Miami Beach, from what I know of it based on TV and movies I’d say the only similarity between Miami and Torremolinos is that they’re both on the water. Torremolinos is more, uh, “low-rent” than Miami Beach.

Thanks for the heads-up on the movie. I’ll keep my eyes peeled.