Urgent advice please, going to Benidorm!

[nitro_deluxe]

Is there a nudist beach? I'm sure Ronseal may approve.

[Wet'n'Dry]

Well I'm back and to be honest I won't be returning.

 

The Hotel was ok and set on the edge of benni, but only 400mtrs from the beach. Nice and quite and a great location.

 

On the few times we ventured out we spotted 1 pair of pickpockets, 1 shoplifter, and a group of 4 Romanian girls who 'specialised' in mugging single men. The girls (actually ugly fat women) were taken aside by the police, their victim was repatriated with his belongings and the girls were released!! We followed the girls to keep them in our sights only to find they were staying in the residential block next to our hotel!

We met a TV crew recording Benidorm ER who were interested in our views on 'Crime' and 'Unsafe Balconies' but we declined their offer. Of course there was a plefora of beggars but they were no problem, just ignore them.

 

No decent weather to report, only what I now realise what was a squall line around 4pm this afternoon that sent our plane plumetting more than a few times before an interesting landing back at Southend.

 

Thanks for all your input into this topic. I never found any culture, not even the vomit variety!!

[nitro_deluxe]

Did you get a tan

[Wet'n'Dry]

Did you get a tan

Sorry for the late reply. Yes I did get a tan. The temp was 28°c Sat to Thurs then it ramped up to 30°c for the remainder and beautiful blue skies throughout the whole week!

[nitro_deluxe]

A modicum of good fortune then?

Head for more Northern parts of Majorca next time...you won't be disappointed. Cala St.Vicenc for unspoilt scenery and the beach..Port Alcudia ditto, bit more choice re eateries, shops and suchlike, then Pollenca for more rugged scenery and great vistas - app 40min fom Palma, 5 Euro by coach each way, watch the scenery unfold..

Edited June 16, 2013 by triple_x1

[Cheshire Freeze]

Well I'm back and to be honest I won't be returning.

 

The Hotel was ok and set on the edge of benni, but only 400mtrs from the beach. Nice and quite and a great location.

 

On the few times we ventured out we spotted 1 pair of pickpockets, 1 shoplifter, and a group of 4 Romanian girls who 'specialised' in mugging single men. The girls (actually ugly fat women) were taken aside by the police, their victim was repatriated with his belongings and the girls were released!! We followed the girls to keep them in our sights only to find they were staying in the residential block next to our hotel!

We met a TV crew recording Benidorm ER who were interested in our views on 'Crime' and 'Unsafe Balconies' but we declined their offer. Of course there was a plefora of beggars but they were no problem, just ignore them.

 

No decent weather to report, only what I now realise what was a squall line around 4pm this afternoon that sent our plane plumetting more than a few times before an interesting landing back at Southend.

 

Thanks for all your input into this topic. I never found any culture, not even the vomit variety!!

 

Hate to say, told you so

[Summer Sun]

Visit somewhere like Malta a lovely Island with well know UK shops including Marks & Spencer, Debenhams, BHS and Next to name a few

[Lizzydrippin]

OMG. I'm travelling to Benidorm this Summer with young children and you're all frightening me to death. I've been told it's a great place for families in the Summer and that it's a must to visit the water parks. Always on the hunt for a bargain can anyone let me know how I can get my hands on some discount tickets (there must be some) prior to getting there?

[Wet'n'Dry]

OMG. I'm travelling to Benidorm this Summer with young children and you're all frightening me to death. I've been told it's a great place for families in the Summer and that it's a must to visit the water parks. Always on the hunt for a bargain can anyone let me know how I can get my hands on some discount tickets (there must be some) prior to getting there?

 

Sorry to put a downer on your forthcoming holiday Lizzy. Let me try to give you a few pointers I discovered in the last week.

 

True the resort is a great place for families and your hotel may provide all the kids want. The main Levante beach is very clean and stretches for about 1.5 miles. The water is clear and warm although there are rocks close to shore in the central part of the beach so stay at either end and you will be clear of them unless the kids like fishing for the mullet fry in the rock pools.

 

Old Benidorm is the better option for shopping as most of the shops are Spanish owned and prices are much more competetive. Back in the centre, the shops are mainly owned by Chinese people and you can expect to find rubbish and cheap tat so avoid if at all possible!

 

I never visited the water parks but I had a brochure for one and the price was 42 euros per adult and 35 per child per day, the Thomas Cook reps wanted another 10 euros on top of that and still we would have had to make our own way there!

 

Watch out for the so called mini cruises from Benidorm harbour. My wife and I went to Calpe which is 15 miles along the coast, we got there and it was closed. Siesta time and nothing to do but wait 3 hours for the return boat, a total waste of 45 euros and a whole day!!

 

Going into more detail ... you would be lucky to find a public toilet along the whole Levante beach. There are two, 1.5 miles apart and you have to pay to use them if you can find them. Beware the pea men and anyone carrying a clipboard, their only aim in life is to relieve you of as much cash as they can. Travelling as a family group you should not be harrassed by these undesirables, and there is a healthy police prescence, in cars, scooters and even seqways and they don't mess about.

 

Eating out is a bit difficult as most bars don't show their prices. The English bars DO show their prices so stick with them if you can.

 

The evening is where Benidorm comes alive, you can find entertainment on every corner but it's also when the pickpockets and muggers come out, the police are also well aware of this and increase their numbers, providing you stay in the main areas then you should not be at risk.

 

I hope you enjoy your holiday and that I have given a fairly comprehensive review of at least what I experienced. Of course your hotel/location may make a slight difference but generally that's how I see it!!

[nitro_deluxe]

Visit somewhere like Malta a lovely Island with well know UK shops including Marks & Spencer, Debenhams, BHS and Next to name a few

If only you would've said Woolies!!!! Erm, no offence to said retail outlets...great shops etc - but that's the last thing at the forefront of my mind when choosing a hol destination Erm, what's wrong with perhaps seeing another countries culture not least their choice of shops (opens big can of worms lol) I'm sure Malta's nice too!

[beverley111]

I´ve just read what "Old Git" has said and really think he´s off his rocker.....Calpe "Closed" rubbish...I´ve lived here for over twenty five years and never known a resort to "close" to tourists.  Every resort attracts the bad element of any nationality as people on holiday tend to leave their common sense behind and are surprised when they get ripped off or robbed. I always say to family when they come, what would you do in the UK in similar circumstances? and as far as Spanish restaurants not showing their prices, "poppycock" bars are a bit different but their prices are shown as by law along with their certificate to say they can trade. anyway, off my soap box.  I used to traipse around looking for the free or money off vouchers but now dont have the time. I Googled Benidorm Discounts and a web site popped up (sorry I dont remember its name) but I could request a voucher book to be sent in the post, which I did and was pleasantly surprised at how many places are offering discounts to tourists, not just the Theme Parks, which OLD GIT has misquoted the prices, they are not soooooo expensive as he says and this little book gives a discount as well. ´nough said, you will have a great time here, the activities for families and kids are fantastic, the Spanish people are lovely and not all money grabbing business men. Come and enjoy your holiday, and forget the gloom and doom comments. Beverley.

[Bristawl Si]

 

I´ve just read what "Old Git" has said and really think he´s off his rocker.....Calpe "Closed" rubbish...I´ve lived here for over twenty five years and never known a resort to "close" to tourists.  Every resort attracts the bad element of any nationality as people on holiday tend to leave their common sense behind and are surprised when they get ripped off or robbed. I always say to family when they come, what would you do in the UK in similar circumstances? and as far as Spanish restaurants not showing their prices, "poppycock" bars are a bit different but their prices are shown as by law along with their certificate to say they can trade. anyway, off my soap box.  I used to traipse around looking for the free or money off vouchers but now dont have the time. I Googled Benidorm Discounts and a web site popped up (sorry I dont remember its name) but I could request a voucher book to be sent in the post, which I did and was pleasantly surprised at how many places are offering discounts to tourists, not just the Theme Parks, which OLD GIT has misquoted the prices, they are not soooooo expensive as he says and this little book gives a discount as well. ´nough said, you will have a great time here, the activities for families and kids are fantastic, the Spanish people are lovely and not all money grabbing business men. Come and enjoy your holiday, and forget the gloom and doom comments. Beverley.

Totally agree with you Beverley.That "Wet n Dry" guy has picked on some of the issues and left out lots of positive stuff.Pickpockets and muggers are not on every corner - in fact that side of things is prob no worse than any city in the UK - a gross exaggeration by him.As for the toilets issue - you can go into any bar and restaurant on the promenade and the owners are usually accomodating for those wishing to need a visit to the loo.If Beni was that bad the Spanish wouldn't come themselves and they're in Beni in their thousands.Beni does what it says on the tin - he knew this before he came so why book it in the first place if it's not for you.We love it for what it is - when we came a few weeks ago for a long weekend we had a fab time - yes we're in our early 50s thinking we're still only 25 but we enjoy the lively nightlife....BUT if you don't want that then there's always the old town.The beach is fab, the promenade great and it's still v cheap compared to a lot of other Med resorts.Have fun Lizzy. Your family will be fine.

[UV-RAY]

This is so tempting to advertise my own travel business here, but for the fear of being banned Lol. There are some good posts here on the pros and cons of visiting Benidorm but like any destination if you look hard enough you'll find faults.

[Lizzydrippin]

Thank you so much Beverley. I really was getting quite concerned. Anyway, going to go on line and look for those discounts and plan my holiday before I leave. Give the kids something extra to look forward to.

[Rondetto]

My wife and I have been going to Benidorm for over 10 years. Best advice to anyone is to pick a hotel in the old town. We never see any trouble

there. It is quieter than the new town area and has better shopping. When we first went to Benidorm we were surprised at how clean the beach

and promenades are, we stayed in the new town but once we visited the old town area we knew that from then on we would book there.

Since then we have enjoyed our holidays twice a year in the old town. 

It depends on what you want and the age of the travellers, youngsters who want nightclubs and souvenir shops then the new town is for you,

middle aged, couples and anyone looking for a more peaceful holiday then stick to the old town.

[Radiating Dendrite]

Say hi to Madge!