Calling all Benidorm Experts.

Taffyscot

HI all,
We are thinking of going to Benidorm in December or maybe January. It is not a place we would go for a normal holiday in the Summer as it seems like Blackpool then. We have been to Cyprus and Portugal in December and January and they can be like ghost towns really dead. Everyone says there is always something to do in Benidorm..
We are in our 60s and not huge drinkers. We like a really nice meal and maybe a glass of wine. We like to go to pub quizzes and sit around for an hour or so for entertainment.
We like to go on bus trips and see some of the countryside, culture particularly Spanish old towns and the like.
Can anyone here recommend a great hotel to stay at? Clean, comfortable, not on a hill or far away from the rest of Benidorm. Most importantly nice food and atmosphere. Not the ones that the lads and lasses go to for stag parties and hen nights and not the all inclusive booze ups either.
Also can anyone recommend any trips or days out and with what companies to go with.
Lastly if you know Benidorm and you go regularly how do you book your holiday? Do you book the hotel and the flight, transfers seperately? Which site do you find the cheapest? Our kids want to treat us for Xmas but money is always tight so any recommendations at all would be appreciated.
Taffy

real1314

Have you ever been to/through benidorm? It's ... erm....breathtaking?

Last year we took a family holiday to Calpe which is about 30 miles north of benidorm. We had a hire car and thought we might go to Benidorm for a day trip. We also decided to go to the water park just to the north of benidorm, and luckily decided to go there first, before a day trip to benidorm itself. Lukily we got lost on the way to the water park and ended up going through the centre of benidorm. It put us right off going there for a day, I was gutted to have spent 30 mins driving though it due to getting lost; High rise buildings going back about a mile from the coast, fish,chips,pies and full english non stop, strip clubs and night clubs. That's half an hour I'll never get back.

Others like the place though, but it's really not my kind of place.

jscalow

I've been to Benidorm twice, neither my time my choice. It was okay, however I wouldn't recommend it. The place is massive and high rise, there is no charm but it is excellent value for money and people who like it go year after year and there is plenty to do- its a bit phoenix nights on a huge Spanish scale.
As it will be out of season when you plan to go it will be very different from high summer and there will be lots of activities geared to your tastes and it certainly wont be a ghost town either like many other resorts as it really does operate all year round.
Wherever you go I hope you have a great holiday- I'm off to Florida tommorrow and have just checked the weather- dreadful for the next 5 days, some you win....

sturll

I have known three separate people go and all have referred to it as Shittydorm.

No idea why - not been myself.

Louisa_Jane_2

My parents sound very much like yourselves and have had some lovely off season holidays in Benalmadena. They're away at the moment but as soon as they're back I'll ask them which hotel they stay at.

baby_bronagh

we've been quite a few times and people either love it or hate it!!If you decide to go I would recommend staying in the OLD TOWN part of Benidorm.
do a goggle search for old town benidorm for plenty of info.Research hotel choice before bookind (holidays uncovered/tripadvisor).The last few times we have booked with Globespan (because they'll do a package for any number of days.) and stayed in the Melia which is in the new town but after reading about money going missing from safes at that hotel we've opted for santa ponsa
If you go I hope you enjoy it

bb

villajoyosa_2

Hi ther, firstly let me say I lived near Benidorm for a few years and I'd never set foot in the place before the day I moved there. It is really a very lovely place to be through the winter months. The weather is generally very warm but it can get cold at night. In would avoid the new town although it is much nicer at this time of year. The old town in the place to be. The best hotel by far is the Queens in the old town. Probably the best food in any hotel there. The staff are lovely and put on a fabulous show every night of the week. In there guest book someone has wriiten that they travel on their own to the Queens but never feel alone. I think its about £150 for the week or there abouts. Its very old and not like a high rise at all.
Google Queens at Benidorm and it will come up.

Saint_Chris

i've booked for us girls a long weekend 1st weekend december

we got a good deal at the ocas/pelicanos hotel

much cheaper than us going blackpool for 3 nights like we usually do

villajoyosa_2

Hello again, if you want days out then there is a lot to go see. Villajoyosa is a real Spanish town about twenty minutes away. Fab little streets to wander around and the painted houses on the sea front are gorgeous. A lovely little restaurant to try is the El Guitara right on sea front in front of the painted houses. Also a place called Alfaz del pi which is behind Benidorm about ten minutes away. Lovely market on friday which is not at all touristy. Also there you will find the Casa del Cultura where they put on concerts shows and ballets. Also try Guadalest its a little village full of history up in the hills and the Fontas de S'algar waterfalls.
Don't let anyone tell you Benidorm is horrible because its really lovely especially in the winter months.
Have fun

whizzkid_3

i would highly recommend using tripadvisor.com to check out the hotels. we stayed at the best western victoria which was lovely and incredibly cheap at low season

Saint_Chris

Villajoyosa is a real Spanish town about twenty minutes away

hi can you get a bus from benidorm to here, wouldnt' mine a nice day out, when we go in december,

thanks