How to Renovate Your Holiday Rental Apartment on the Costa del Sol
A practical guide for property owners on the Costa del Sol: which materials hold up, what guests actually want, and how to get a faster return on your renovation investment.
The Costa del Sol is one of the most active holiday rental markets in Europe. Málaga, Marbella, Benalmádena, Fuengirola, Torremolinos and Nerja are home to tens of thousands of registered tourist apartments, and competition for guests — and five-star reviews — has never been fiercer.
If you own a property in the area, a well-planned renovation is likely the highest-return investment you can make. A properly renovated apartment on the Costa del Sol can command 30–60% more per night than a dated equivalent in the same location. Airbnb and Booking algorithms favour higher-rated listings, and today's guests compare dozens of options before booking. A modern kitchen, spotless bathroom and new floors can be the difference between a 4.2 and a 4.8-star average.
This guide covers what actually works — in terms of materials, layout, and budget — for holiday rentals specifically.
What makes renovation for short-term rentals different
Holiday rental properties face a fundamentally different wear pattern than primary residences. Multiple tenant turnovers per month, frequent deep cleans with commercial products, dragged luggage, and guests who are less careful than owners — all of this adds up to significantly accelerated material deterioration.
The first principle of any holiday rental renovation: choose durability over cheapness. Low-cost materials that look fine in photos deteriorate within 2–3 seasons of intensive use, meaning you'll renovate again far sooner than you'd expect.
The 5 materials that perform best in Costa del Sol rentals
1. Large-format porcelain tile for floors
Porcelain tile is the dominant flooring choice for holiday rentals in the region — and for good reason. It's fully waterproof, withstands bleach and commercial cleaning products, resists scratching, and in large formats (60x120 cm or bigger) photographs beautifully on listing platforms.
Most popular colour palettes in the current market: light neutrals (off-white, pearl grey, warm sand) that maximise perceived brightness in photos; wood-effect porcelain for living areas and bedrooms when warmth is the goal; marble-effect for bathrooms and kitchens in mid-to-upper segment properties.
Avoid engineered hardwood or laminate in rental properties: frequent foot traffic, dragged suitcases and the coastal humidity of the Costa del Sol deteriorate them quickly.
2. Full-height tiling in bathrooms
In holiday rental bathrooms, tiling all the way to the ceiling makes practical sense: it eliminates the risk of damp patches at the top of walls, simplifies cleaning, and gives a more polished appearance. The most effective formats are 30x90 cm or 60x120 cm in a vertical orientation, which visually heightens the space.
Matte or satin finishes are more practical than gloss in high-use bathrooms: they disguise limescale and water marks far better between cleans.
3. Open-plan kitchens with quartz worktops
An open-plan kitchen makes spaces look larger in photographs — a decisive factor on Airbnb — and genuinely improves the guest experience. For worktops, engineered quartz (Silestone, Dekton) is the clear choice over granite or wood in a rental context: no sealing required, heat and stain resistant, and it holds up to years of intensive use without issue.
White or light-grey lacquered kitchen units photograph well, are easy to touch up, and work with virtually any floor tone.
4. Mid-to-high range single-lever taps
Budget taps fail quickly under daily guest use. Specifying branded fixtures with a 5-year guarantee may cost more upfront but avoids emergency maintenance calls between bookings. Chrome or matte black finishes work well in photography and clean easily.
5. Fixed glass shower screens
Hinged shower screens with multiple moving panels accumulate limescale, go out of alignment and are expensive to repair. A fixed tempered glass screen or a walk-in shower with a single fixed glass panel looks better, is far easier to clean, and is virtually indestructible.
Layout: what guests in 2026 are actually looking for
Double beds in every bedroom
Properties with double (or queen) beds in all bedrooms consistently outperform those with bunk beds or singles. If the renovation includes any joinery or structural work, it's worth planning room dimensions to accommodate a 150 or 160 cm bed comfortably.
A proper second bathroom
In two-bedroom-plus properties, having a full second bathroom (shower or bath + basin + WC) rather than just a toilet room can significantly increase the achievable nightly rate.
An equipped outdoor space
On the Costa del Sol, an outdoor space is a key booking driver. If the property has a terrace or balcony, investing in appropriate outdoor flooring (porcelain rated R11 anti-slip for exterior use), safe balustrades and weather-resistant outdoor furniture directly elevates the listing category.
Realistic renovation costs for holiday rentals
Typical ranges we work with for tourist apartments on the Costa del Sol:
| Type of intervention | Approximate cost | |---|---| | Partial renovation (bathrooms + floors) in 60 m² apartment | €15,000 – €25,000 | | Full renovation of 60 m² apartment (mid-range finishes) | €40,000 – €60,000 | | Full renovation of 80 m² apartment (mid-to-high finishes) | €55,000 – €80,000 | | Floor replacement only (no structural work) | €45 – €75/m² | | Full bathroom renovation | €5,000 – €9,000 per bathroom |
The return on investment calculation: An apartment moving from €90/night to €130/night at 70% occupancy generates over €10,000 in additional annual income. A partial renovation at €20,000 could pay back in under two years.
Common mistakes to avoid
Choosing cheap materials to save money: Low-cost finishes deteriorate quickly under the intensive use pattern of a holiday rental. In 3–4 seasons you'll be renovating again. Spending slightly more upfront is almost always justified.
Skimping on bathroom waterproofing: Leaks from bathrooms are the most common complaint in tourist apartments and the most expensive repair once finishes are in place. Proper waterproofing membrane before tiling is non-negotiable.
Ignoring lighting: Lighting has an enormous impact on listing photography and on guest perception. Wall-mounted bedside lights, under-cabinet lighting in kitchens, and warm lighting in bathrooms make the apartment look significantly more cared-for.
Neglecting the entrance: First impressions matter. A tired hallway or entrance door lowers the perceived quality immediately, regardless of how good the interior is.
How we work with holiday rental owners
At Dekorama, based in Benalmádena, we work regularly with holiday rental owners across the Costa del Sol who want to upgrade their properties to compete better in the current market. We offer:
- Free property visit to assess current condition and identify priorities
- Detailed quote with line-item breakdown — no surprises
- Bilingual showroom in Benalmádena where you can see and select materials in person
- Full project management: permits, materials procurement, trade coordination and quality control
- Realistic timelines designed to minimise vacant periods during the works
Whether you need a refresh or a complete overhaul, get in touch for a no-obligation quote.