Mentioned about cheap holidays on school run and one the mums asked what I could get for October/November for family which would be two adults and two children (between 2 and 11).

So my initial search begins as per the normal with teletext holidays and the cheapest is at the Vistamar apartments for £379 which would include the school holiday. There is a big jump to £531 for the Fiesta Hotel and upwards for other hotels. On top of these prices may well be the transfers and also carriage on the aeroplane. Note that the all inclusive deal at the Vistamar will be at the nearby Flamingo Benidorm hotel.

I better start adding some additional details for all the hotels found in Benidorm since many people have never been.

Looking for cheaper holidays I have joined up with Magic Costa Blanca where you can book your hotel direct from them (see the banner below).

Magic Cristal Park

Magic Fenica

Magic Rock Gardens

Magic Ville Benidorm

Magic Villa del Mar

Magic Villa Luz

Ville Venecia

Hotel Ambassador

Looking for somewhere to stay in Benidorm?

The Hotel Ambassador Playa is actually made up of two parts, Playa I and Playa II. There are seperate receptions for each part with access to both being on Calle Gerona. Playa I and Playa II are linked on the ground floor so that you can enjoy the facilities of both. That being said there is no through route in the early hours of the morning.

The dining room is in the basement with stair and lift access. Like all reviews on most hotels the lifts are busy at meal times. Both sides have their own routes into the dining room. Meals are not five star dining but unless you are really fussy you will not starve to death since the food is pallatable and varied.

The rooms are what you would typically expect to find in a typical Spanish hotel with ensuite bathroom etc. The rooms are cleaned daily with bedding changed I believe on a weekly basis. There are rooms that face onto the pool and others that overlook a road and inland from the sea. Some travel companies charge you more for the pool view rooms since the rates the hotel charge are based on the room location.

There is a entertainment area in both parts, one of these is used for acts while the other is generally for those wishing to dance the old fashioned way.

Location wise the hotel is great since it is within easy reach of the sea although you do need to navigate across a busy wide road. Across the road is John and Jopeph's which regulars to Benidorm will be aware of. The hotel is also in rolling distance to many of the more famous night spots too. Valetines, Morgans, Talk of The Coast and not too far from the square where you will find Cafe Benidorm. Sinatras, etc etc.

Benidorm, Spain's Blackpool??

Some people have compared Benidorm to being very much like Lancashire's Blackpool. Many people have been put off visiting Benidorm because of this.

 So what do they both have in common?

• Both Blackpool are on the coast.
• Both have sandy beaches.

What does Benidorm have that Blackpool does not have.

• Weather, and not just because it is in Spain. Benidorm is located in a south bay and thus even in winter you can get milder weather.
• There is no tide to mention so the beach is always accessible.

What does Blackpool have that Benidorm does not.

• Trams run along the front at Blackpool from Star Gate in the south to Fleetwood in the north.
• Blackpool Tower which was modelled on the Eiffel Tower in Paris.