Can't comment how easy it is to get to town as had a car (parking around the hotel is free and convenient). IIRC there's a metro not too far away or buses. That said I'd recommend renting a car to go to Marbella, Grenada or Gibraltar. The hotel is right by a large road that goes between the airport and Malaga with a Carrefour at the other side of said road. Other than that not much in the neighborhood except a Ibis Budget. I do recommend going to the nearby restaurant Trattoria Mamma Franca which is owned by Italians and serves great food.
Rooms aren't bad, service is good, breakfast sucks. Honestly one of the worst I've had in Europe - limited amount of choice and poor quality.
Wow, maybe I should plan to stay at the Doubletree instead of the HGI?