Staying safe in Benidorm

You will no doubt have heard of muggings etc. that occur in Benidorm. I wanted to find out a little more about this, so on a recent visit began collecting evidence.

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.

Teletext Holidays Online

Teletext holidays is the ideal first place to begin your search for a cheap holiday since many smaller travel agents can be found on there. 30% savings on a similar package holiday to the same hotel can be obtained. 

I know Benidorm seems to be mentioned a lot,  this is because it is still popular with British Tourists.

A look for a 14 day holiday in Benidorm on an all inclusive package was being sort showed that the major travel companies where offering prices at around £700 while Hello Holidays on Teletext holidays came back with a price of £471, so with Benidorm transfers in would be still under £500 cheaper. So what would you get different for the price?

The only difference I can see is in that at Alicante airport you would not be met by a tour company representive so would have to find your own way to the shuttle bus. On the shuttle bus you would not be given information about your stay in the resort. At the resort you would not be given information as to the different excursions you could go on. The shuttle bus times are posted on a smaller board in the reception area.

Alicante to Benidorm transfers

For those that have booked a package holiday a word of caution, do check that the transfers are included in with the price.

No doubt some of you will be having car hire while over in Benidorm and then you will more than likely pick up the car at Alicante airport.

To the others however you need to search online for the best deals since the taxi fair is expensive. For those that are considering making your own holiday arrangements for the first time it can be a worrying time especially if there are several in the party. I have yet to hear of anyone that booked transfers that have had problems and again I know that there must be. Do keep your booking documents with you and a spare copy with another member as insurance against you losing them. In most cases they are not needed since the driver of the coach or mini-bus will have a manifesto with your name on it.

I have to say that the journey from Alicante to Benidorm can take some time depending upon the number of drop offs before you reach your hotel.

Do check online at a number of different companies to try and get the best deal or for added safety use the one recommended by the booking agent if not too much more than you found.

The UK dialling code is 0044, then you knock the leading zero off the STD code that you would normally use within the UK. However the reason this is a travelwise entry is that there are phone cards available in Benidorm that you enter a code and can speak to the UK at lower rates. The cards are 6 euro and seem to last an eternity when used in a public phone box. Should mention that the number to dial to Spain is 0034 and then you drop the 9 from the number.

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.

Travelwise Benidorm

Like any holiday resort not only are holidaymakers attracted to the area but also the criminal element, Benidorm is no exception.

You will notice a crowd around conmen with the old find the marble trick. Do not be tempted to try your lady luck since you will lose for sure. Those that do win are generaly those in on the con.

What do always find in crowds, pickpockets? Take extra care when you are in a crowd like if you visit the market or when watching Fiestas

Which Part of Benidorm to stay in?

If you have never been to Benidorm on the Costa Blanca in Spain and are considering a visit then you will be met will a bewildering choice of places to stay at. The location of these places withing Benidorm itself can make the difference to having a great to poor holiday.

Benidorm stretches some six kilometres from Levante beach in the east to Poniente beach in the west. Between the two of them is what is called the Old Town. Each area has a particular character and will thus suit different travellers staying in Benidorm.

The Levente Beach area is where most of the night life takes place, yet do not let this put you off staying in this area since some hotels are set far enough back so that you are unlikely to notice the late night revellers as they head home. Even hotels that are very close to the action does not automatically mean that your sleep will be disturbed. Careful choice of the specific hotel can make the difference. From the beach there is a slight flat area with hotels before a gentle incline begins to take you further inland. Most hotels in the Levante Beach area are within 15 minutes idle walking distance. With a lot of hotels in the Levante area are on the opposite side of a main road from the beach and this could be an important factor if you have young children eager to race to the beach. The promenade is not closed to traffic but there is only a handful of vehicles that pass by. The actual beach in the Levante area can get quite congested at season peaks hence the reason for over 5000 sunbeds.

The Old Town consists of narrow streets and shops and although quieter than the Levante area it is not dead since there are still many bars and clubs in the area. Some of the narrow streets are steep and thus more suited those without difficulty in walking.

Poniente Beach area is more subdued than the other areas mentioned above, thus making it more the place for those not intending venturing out at night, except for a quiet drink in a sea front bar so you can see the sun setting.

 Later I will be adding more entries with respect to holidays in Benidorm.

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.