Áurea Palacio de la Tinta revives the memory of one of Málaga’s most distinctive buildings, reinterpreting it through a contemporary lens. Its railway heritage, modernist architecture and Picasso’s artistic influence coexist within a hotel of strong and unique character.
This building, known as the Palacio de la Tinta, dates back to 1908. It was designed by architect Julio Aublin Calas, chief engineer of Railways and Public Works for the Andalusian Railway Company. It was inaugurated in 1908 and is one of the few examples of European modernism in Málaga.
The original purpose of the Palacio de la Tinta was to house the headquarters of the Andalusian Railway Company, which emerged from the Córdoba–Málaga line. However, years later the company went bankrupt and in 1941 it was incorporated into the newly formed Renfe.
The hotel’s name comes from the fact that, as the railway administrative headquarters, it received large quantities of ink every day to handwrite travellers’ tickets. The renowned poet of the Generation of ’27, Vicente Aleixandre, whose father worked as an engineer for the Andalusian Railway Company, described it as a “rather large” building, referring to its 10,500 square metres. Today it forms part of Málaga’s architectural heritage.
The interior design of Áurea Palacio de la Tinta, created by Jaime Beriestain, reinterprets the artistic essence of Pablo Picasso through a subtle and contemporary lens. Cubist inspiration is expressed through geometries, layered forms and a carefully curated colour palette, where warm tones coexist with soft blues and greens.
This influence runs harmoniously throughout the hotel: in the geometric marble flooring of the public areas, in the stained-glass windows that filter light through corridors and staircases, and in statement features such as the restaurant bar and the headboards in the rooms.
The rooms complete this vision with a warm and timeless design. Each one retains the distinctive character of the original palace structure, while sharing a consistent sense of calm, comfort and elegance, enhanced by noble materials, soft textures and carefully designed lighting.