Discussion
So, the council in me really fancies a holiday in Benidorm. My family were regulars at holiday camps in the 60s & 70s and I have a longing to try Benidorm. Plus we love the TV series.
We are looking off season, probably March, and want the full inclusive with evening entertainment.
I understand that the hotels are very hit and miss. We really want some where that won't give us food poisoning or bed bugs.
So has anyone any recommendations? An indoor pool would be good.
We are looking off season, probably March, and want the full inclusive with evening entertainment.
I understand that the hotels are very hit and miss. We really want some where that won't give us food poisoning or bed bugs.
So has anyone any recommendations? An indoor pool would be good.
thole that it is.Both my Wife and I are also massive fans of the TV series Benidorm, and we went there for a day trip in March a couple of years ago.
The old town is nice enough, but not as nice as other places in Spain.
The biggest problem with going in March is that the whole place turns green to cater for a specific demographic. Our trip was on 17th March, which we didn't realise the significance of until we were there and it did dominate the overall experience. You couldn't move inside Morgan's tavern (Neptunes) and you really couldn't get any kind of Neptunes vibe from it at all. Also - you can't see the pool at the Solana from outside, which was also disappointing.
We won't be rushing back and we definitely wouldn't spend a week there.
The old town is nice enough, but not as nice as other places in Spain.
The biggest problem with going in March is that the whole place turns green to cater for a specific demographic. Our trip was on 17th March, which we didn't realise the significance of until we were there and it did dominate the overall experience. You couldn't move inside Morgan's tavern (Neptunes) and you really couldn't get any kind of Neptunes vibe from it at all. Also - you can't see the pool at the Solana from outside, which was also disappointing.
We won't be rushing back and we definitely wouldn't spend a week there.
Went in Jan and stayed in Hotel Gala Placidia, which was ok and had entertainment every night. It was cheap and fun.
Never been before and so was curious about the place. It's both the best and worst place you'll ever visit.
The seafront was lovely and its was surprisingly busy. I imagine it would be heaving in July, August, September.
I always go to places with an open mind and try and explore, and with that in mind, I thought it was ok. Better than expected.
Never been before and so was curious about the place. It's both the best and worst place you'll ever visit.
The seafront was lovely and its was surprisingly busy. I imagine it would be heaving in July, August, September.
I always go to places with an open mind and try and explore, and with that in mind, I thought it was ok. Better than expected.
I’ve been to Benidorm 3 times (don’t worry, the PH card is being returned as we speak) and not had a dud hotel yet. Admittedly only 1 stay was post-pandemic. If you stay away from Calle Girona you’ll avoid almost all the carnage and the rest of the place is very much like any other Spanish costas resort. Tips I’d give are to read the TripAdvisor reviews before you go as these will give a decent idea of what the hotel is like and ensure that you’re booked on an Express or private transfer from Alicante airport especially if you’re staying in Levante beach: the coach from the airport takes maybe 45 minutes on the motorway and inevitably they drop in Pontiente beach, then the old town, then Levante beach. This can easily take an hour + even with what appears to be a quiet coach. Express transfers are usually max 5 stops, some hotels will even throw one in free if you stay for a certain time. Private transfers aren’t that expensive if there’s 4 or 6 of you in a Tourneo minibus and there’s plenty of competition between operators. Up to you if you want a package or to DIY, probably best to price it up & see if you get a saving on a package. Any of Jet2, Tui, EasyJet, Ryanair and (I think!) BA/Vueling should be able to get you to Alicante from pretty much any regional airport.
Enjoy!
Enjoy!
I loved benidorm. Who'd of thought. Been all over the world from usa to Thailand and some weird places in between. Yet I actually loved benidorm. Watch some hotels, you'll never witness sun bed saving the same as those. Iv got some comedy videos of people running at 8am when the pool opened to gran a sunbed.
Plenty shows, good cheap drinks and great shops. Also a cracking food area if your eating out. It can be tacky as you like yet has some great upmarket stuff aswel. I'd go back in a heart beat.
Plenty shows, good cheap drinks and great shops. Also a cracking food area if your eating out. It can be tacky as you like yet has some great upmarket stuff aswel. I'd go back in a heart beat.
steveo3002 said:
Slow.Patrol said:
Retired.
Just fancy an easy week
don pancho or presidente Just fancy an easy week
or sol pelicanos for the true council experience
https://www.hoteldonpancho.es/en/
They were the same as you OP, it ticked the box of 'cheap winter sun' without it being overrun with feral chavs in vests and/or football tops.
PurpleTurtle said:
My retired parents who are well-travelled and usually stay in nice, upmarket, quiet hotels suddenly had the urge to go to Benidorm in their 70s, gawd knows why. However I can report that they stayed a the Don Pancho for two or three Christmases running and maintained that it was very good and thoroughly recommended it.
https://www.hoteldonpancho.es/en/
They were the same as you OP, it ticked the box of 'cheap winter sun' without it being overrun with feral chavs in vests and/or football tops.
Thank you. Exactly what we are looking for. https://www.hoteldonpancho.es/en/
They were the same as you OP, it ticked the box of 'cheap winter sun' without it being overrun with feral chavs in vests and/or football tops.
I don't like stinking hot, but just want to go somewhere a bit warmer in Feb/March (avoiding Paddy's day)
okgo said:
PurpleTurtle said:
They were the same as you OP, it ticked the box of 'cheap winter sun' without it being overrun with feral chavs in vests and/or football tops.
Isn’t that exactly why nobody normal goes to Benidorm ?My folks tell me it is just full of retirees having a nice time and not enduring UK cold and drizzle.
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