Calling all Benidorm Experts.

villajoyosa_2

Saint_chris, you can get a bus for almost anywhere from the area known as Dove Park. If you wal through "the walking street" as it is known, through the old town you will see the park at the end on the left. Villajoyosa is gorgeous. Lovely beach and if you go on a friday there is a big street market on the sea front. You say that you are a group of girls, well if you want to shop grab a taxi to La Marina shopping centre. Its not far away from Benidorm maybe only five or ten minutes in a cab. It is an in door shopping centre with lovely shops, Zara Mango etc also a shop called Pull and Bear which I believe is owned by Zara. They have really nice clothes. Good shoe shops as well.

villajoyosa_2

Just had a thought, if you are a group of girls then give the Queens Hotel a try one night. Food is really fabulous cooked by proper chefs. The entertainment is excellent, its recently been featured on TV. Guy who owns the place does great drag act, very very naughty but so funny. Don't know what it is you like but I think the Talk of the Town in the new town has a Beetles tribute act. I didn't want to go but so glad I did. These guys are brilliant. There are two Spaniards an Israeli and an English man who must have studied the Beetles so hard. They really are fab, check out the John Lennon fellow, he even looks like the man.
Have fun

stephb34

Hi benidorm is fantastic, something for everyone, been going now for 15 years and my parents longer they go 5 x a year but do avoid the summer months when it is like blackpool (aren't most holiday resorts in these
months) unless you are in your twenties of course. I would advise staying at the sol pelicanos, ambassador or the rosamar all very good locations,the old town is a bit more spanish and not as much to do so you'd proabably have to walk or get a taxi to the new bit for your quizzes etc.There are loads of trips to do some even free and the market wednesdays and sundays is fantastic, and there is also an indoor market which is open all week but sundays if i remember right. I work for a large travel agents and if you pop into 1 they will advise you the cheapest way to go, if you are going begining of december or after new year you should pick up a cheapish package, although the low cost carriers do have cheap flights also which could be put together for you by your travel agent, which means you will be covered if the airline goes bust. Also anyone interested in euros the rate has risen this weekend, it could be a goodtime to buy as the rate tends to drop the nearer you get to a school holiday(half term end of october).
This is my first post so hope i've done it right, please note i havent mentioned which travel agents as i dont want you thinking i'm touting for business its i just wanted to let you know how fab beni is.:j

Taffyscot

Thanks all for your comments and suggestions. I really do appreciate them all. Stephb those hotels sol pelicanos, ambassador or the rosamar are all ones that I have been getting prices of and was leaning heavily towards rosamar. Then I saw several comments on hotel castilla and could not find one bad comment about that hotel unlike some of the others where there are some moaners for every one. Anyone know anything about the hotel castilla and the location of it? I have a really good rate quoted on the internet when I went into travel supermarket advertised on here. What do I do now? Do I phone up a travel agent and give them the quote and ask them what they can do to match it or what? Or do I just go with that site?
Thanks very much for all your personal comments about days out villa sounds like a lovely place and one that I would enjoy going to. Do you know of any quizzes anywhere there if you are a local? Just seem to find it keeps the old grey matter ticking over to go to a quiz or two.
thanks again folks and keep those comments coming.
Taffy

jaymac_2

There was a big fiesta in Benidorm last January, processions, tribute acts and free beer. Altea is close by and it's well worth a trip to the Tuesday market there.

stephb34

Hi glad to be of some help, i can find out where the castilla is but cant reply till thursday probably. Think its most likely to be in the old town or rincoln de loix dont think its on the main stretch. When reading peoples moans see if there is a common theme ie rubbish food if 60% say it then believe it if its just the odd 1 then they are usually whinging. The pelicanos is where benidorm is filmed now they do have fantastic food some cooked fresh b4 your eyes whilst waiting at every meal.
The quiz i saw was on the sea front in a small narrow pub think it had something to do with a boat in the name, they have at least 2 a week its situated up near the rincoln de loix end opposite end to the old town.
If you've got a price your happy with and dont fear booking on the net then do it or you could ring the travel agents tell them what you've found and can they match it or find something similar, cause the travel agent can also do you deals on parking at airport and euros if you book with them so could be worth asking.

sturll

Having just googled Benidorm im having second thoughts about my earlier comment. It actually looks somewhat more appealing

musemad

Watch out for pickpockets in benidorm
Having my wallet pinched was the only low spot on my holiday there in april this year
Even if the thief only got 38 euros or so it was upseting .

colmil

I've just come back from a six night break in Benidorm, I really think it does get a bad press becuse a lot of people only see the New Town part.

The Old Town is delightful and is really the heart of the place.

We went to Villajoyosa and frankly, we found it a total waste of time, we took a taxi there and caught the bus back an hour later, I wouldn't suggest anyone visit here.

Altea is lovely and quiet, with a nice promenade and some classy shops. Alpir also looks nice as we passed through on the bus, the best thing is the bus fare is only 1.2 euros for a forty minute ride.

I didn't know before a friend who lives there told us that the Spaniards celebrate the Four Kings, I think about 5th or 6th of January which is their equivilent of Christmas, worth looking up tourist infor for that one although I understand it is very busy then.

Best of luck.

yvonneem_2

I can agree with most comments although i must say Villajoyosa is a wonderful place if you want Spanish. It is nearly all Spanish with loads of Spanish culture if thats what you like where as Altea and Albir, although very nice, have a mix of English Spanish and lots of Norweigans. Depends what you are looking for really.
The old town does have little bars doing quiz and kareoke nights. You have to look up the side streets to find the places. Also I would suggest trying Queens in the old town. I have stayed there many times and it is very cosy with Wayne and Derek making you so very welcome. Its easy to book yourself and the bus from Alicante is hourly and only about 10 euros I think.