Your stay — Costa del Sol
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The Property — Costa del Sol
The Costa del Sol is a no-fuss 3-star hotel in Hawalli with a functional lobby of marble floors, a small seating area and a 24-hour reception desk. Its USP is practical comfort at a fair price, appealing to budget-conscious travellers and short-stay business visitors who want a clean, air-conditioned room near the commercial strip without frills or pretension.
Chronicles of Hawalli
Kuwait City was founded in the early 18th century by the Bani Utbah tribe, who built a fortified settlement around a natural harbour. Its modern architectural evolution began after the 1940s oil boom, with skyscrapers like the Liberation Tower and Kuwait Towers defining the skyline. Hawalli, a densely populated suburb, grew rapidly in the 1970s as a retail and residential hub, now known for its malls, souks and multicultural community. Contemporary Kuwaiti identity balances deep-rooted Gulf traditions with a cosmopolitan lifestyle, seen in the mix of abaya shoppers and smartphone-toting youth on Hawalli's main streets. The city remains a regional commercial gateway, with a culture centred on family, hospitality and conspicuous consumption.
Best Time to Visit
Full Hawalli guide →Best months
November and March offer the most comfortable weather for outdoor activity (20-28°C), with lower humidity and manageable tourist numbers. December and February are also pleasant but slightly cooler at 14-20°C.
Peak / festival surge
Peak runs from December to February, driven by cooler temperatures and the Hala February shopping festival. Hotel prices rise 30-50% above off-season rates; booking well in advance is essential. Ramadan (shifts annually) also spikes demand for iftar-related travel.
Budget shoulder season
April and October are ideal shoulder months: daytime temperatures are warm but not punishing (28-35°C), hotel rates drop 20-40%, and crowds thin out. Avoid June-August for serious heat.
Weather & packing
Kuwait's summer afternoon sun is ferocious, and the air in June is furnace-dry with dust haze. Pack long-sleeved, light-coloured linen clothes, a wide-brimmed hat, and SPF50+ sunblock – and never leave your sunglasses behind.
Live City Briefing — Hawalli
- The long-awaited Kuwait Metro is scrapped indefinitely; public buses remain the only cheap transit option for connecting Hawalli to downtown Kuwait City.
- A new visa-free entry system for GCC nationals and 53 countries (including the UK, US and EU Schengen) started in early 2026, making short trips easier.
- Hawalli's Souk Al-Mubarakiya is undergoing a renovation of its traditional food stalls; expect some closure and improved facilities by late summer.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jun 2026Before you check in to Costa del Sol, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Ask for a room on a higher floor facing the street side; often quieter than courtyard rooms near service areas.
Rooms to avoid
Skip rooms near the lift or ice machine, as well as ground-floor rooms near the lobby entrance where foot traffic is loud.
Best views
Rooms on the front side usually have a street view; back rooms overlook less attractive rooftops or service yards.
Quietest floors
Top floors are typically quietest, with fewer footsteps above and less street noise.
🔊 Noise notes
Weekends can be noisier due to local family gatherings; ask for a room away from function rooms.
Insider tips
Book directly by phone rather than online; you can often request a specific floor or side during low season. Also, check for a discount if you pay in cash on arrival.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Costa del Sol
Free unlimited Wi-Fi throughout hotel, no login page, typical speed 15 Mbps down
One passenger lift serving all 5 floors; no stairs-only sections
Complimentary digital newsstand via PressReader on lobby tablet; no printed papers
Check-in from 14:00, early bag-drop available (free for same-day check-in); late check-out until 16:00 for KWD 10, subject to availability
Free luggage storage at front desk for guests checking in/out same day
Step-free access via main entrance ramp; lift to all floors; no grab rails in bathrooms or wheelchair-accessible rooms
Free on-site parking for up to 20 cars (first-come, first-served; no valet); nearest public car park is Hawalli Parking Garage (50 metres, KWD 1 per hour); no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: Mandatory 5% city tax on room rate (approx KWD 2.5–4 per night)
Deposit & card hold: Full advance payment required at booking; KWD 20 incidental hold on credit card at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Mosque: يحيى محمد الأيوب (156 m · ~2 min walk)
- Mosque: الإمام أبي حنيفة (618 m · ~8 min walk)
- Mosque: قصر الشعب (624 m · ~8 min walk)
- Mosque: قصر الشعب (627 m · ~8 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
مركز سلطان — 1.2 km · ~15 min walk
Shaab block 3 park — 984 m · ~12 min walk
مركز الشيخ عبدالله السالم الثقافي — 1.4 km · ~18 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 1.2 km · ~15 min walk
AlHajery Pharmacy — 1.5 km · ~19 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Kuwaiti Dinar, KWD
Change money at local exchange houses in malls for the best rates; avoid airport bureaux and hotels, which give poor rates.
Credit and debit cards are widely accepted; contactless and mobile pay work in most shops and restaurants, but carry cash for small stalls and taxis.
Restaurants often add a service charge; if not, round up or leave 10% for good service. Taxis: round up or spare change. Hotel staff: tip 1-2 KWD for porters/housekeeping.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A karak chai from a tea stall costs around 0.100 KWD; filter coffee at a cafeteria is 0.250-0.400 KWD.
A shawarma wrap or falafel sandwich from a street-side takeaway is about 0.500-0.750 KWD.
A main dish of machboos or grilled chicken at a modest local restaurant runs 1.500-2.500 KWD.
Hawalli has many cheap-eats pockets along Al-Muthanna Street and around the old souk area, selling shawarma, falafel, and fresh juices.
Sultan Center and Lulu Hypermarket are common budget supermarkets in Hawalli.
Affordable high-street chains like Centrepoint and Max are in local malls; the old souk has cheap fabrics and ready-made clothes.
The cheapest way around is city bus (KPTC) at 0.150 KWD per ride; a daily pass costs about 0.500 KWD. From the airport, take the regular bus (route 501/502) for 0.250 KWD or a shared minibus for around 1.000 KWD.
Eat at local cafeterias and shawarma joints rather than mall food courts. Use the bus instead of taxis. Buy bottled water and snacks from Lulu or Sultan Center, not convenience stores.
Emergency Contacts
Hawalli112 is the single emergency number for police, ambulance, and fire in Kuwait. For non-urgent police matters in Hawalli, dial 1800888. The Hawalli Police Station main line is +965 2483 0000. For Mubarak Al-Kabeer Hospital (nearest A&E), call +965 1802000.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Hawalli, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Costa del Sol
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 1.2 km · ~15 min walk — pharmacy · AlHajery Pharmacy — 1.5 km · ~19 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Kuwait International Airport Bus Stop (outside Arrivals) → Hawalli Bus Station (near Costa del Sol)
💡 Bus 13 runs along the main highway. Get off at 'Hawalli Bus Station' and walk 5 mins to the hotel. Buy a rechargeable KART card from the driver or a kiosk.
Hawalli Bus Station (near Costa del Sol) → Sharq (Kuwait City)
💡 Route 500 runs frequently into central Kuwait City. Sit on the left side for sea views. Have exact change or a KART card—no onboard card top-up.
Costa del Sol Hotel, Hawalli → Salmiya (e.g. Marina Mall)
💡 Agree the fare before getting in. Use Ride-hailing apps like Careem or Uber for standard pricing instead—especially if you don't speak Arabic.
Kuwait International Airport (KWI) → Costa del Sol Hotel, Hawalli
💡 Use the official airport taxi counter inside arrivals to avoid haggling. Pay in cash; drivers may not have change for large notes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Costa del Sol?
Ask for a room on a higher floor facing the street side; often quieter than courtyard rooms near service areas.
Which rooms should I avoid at Costa del Sol?
Skip rooms near the lift or ice machine, as well as ground-floor rooms near the lobby entrance where foot traffic is loud.
Is Costa del Sol noisy?
Weekends can be noisier due to local family gatherings; ask for a room away from function rooms.
Which rooms have the best views at Costa del Sol?
Rooms on the front side usually have a street view; back rooms overlook less attractive rooftops or service yards.
What are insider tips for staying at Costa del Sol?
Book directly by phone rather than online; you can often request a specific floor or side during low season. Also, check for a discount if you pay in cash on arrival.
What time is check-in at Costa del Sol?
Check-in at Costa del Sol is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Costa del Sol have Wi-Fi?
Free unlimited Wi-Fi throughout hotel, no login page, typical speed 15 Mbps down
Is there a city or tourist tax at Costa del Sol?
Mandatory 5% city tax on room rate (approx KWD 2.5–4 per night)
Where can I eat cheaply near Costa del Sol?
A shawarma wrap or falafel sandwich from a street-side takeaway is about 0.500-0.750 KWD.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Costa del Sol?
The cheapest way around is city bus (KPTC) at 0.150 KWD per ride; a daily pass costs about 0.500 KWD. From the airport, take the regular bus (route 501/502) for 0.250 KWD or a shared minibus for around 1.000 KWD.
When is the best time to visit Hawalli?
November and March offer the most comfortable weather for outdoor activity (20-28°C), with lower humidity and manageable tourist numbers. December and February are also pleasant but slightly cooler at 14-20°C.
Top Attractions in Hawalli
💡 Visit after sunset when the temperature drops and families gather. The park is quieter on weekday mornings.
💡 Allow 45 minutes. The staff are knowledgeable and speak English. No photography inside the main hall.
💡 No lifeguards or showers. Bring your own shade and water. Busiest on Fridays from late afternoon.
💡 The park's light show at dusk is impressive. Enter via Gate 2 for the best view of the illuminated gardens.
💡 Buy tickets online to skip queues. The dolphin show is included but arrives 15 minutes early for good seats.