Benidorm ...my idea of actual hell

[sallyohh]

I can't think of anything worse than going to Benidorm.
I go on holiday to have a relaxing holiday away from normal day to day life.
My friend has just gone and every night is just drunken Brit's dancing to sweet Caroline drinking cheap alcohol.
Am I alone in this? I'm only 32 but this is just my idea of hell.

That poster was being facetious OP, I don't think she meant it.

I thought I'd hate Benidorm but actually really enjoyed it. You don't have to go drinking. We went to the hotel bar most nights rather than out to the strip, although I loved going for a walk at night to the beach.

Wouldn’t that be more for the older end of the market, than the young crowds? I can see this army of 70 plus year olds sat there swaying away with their mobile phones in the air...

You'd be surprised, my 15 year old and the 11 year old completely surprised me on holiday in the "family pub quiz" guess the song round, Sweet Caroline from only a few words and a quick blast of tune.
Me-"how the heck did you know that?" thinking it was an old lady song only my parents like

Turns out it's apparently some sporting anthem thang. Rugby, I think?
They're sport mad. Anyways, the kidz nowadays love Sweet Caroline lol.

Oh but you are feeling superior to your friend aren’t you OP? There’s a lot of snobbery in your posts. “Tacky”, hmm. You’re judging her for liking a place that’s so common!

People In Liking Different Things shocker!!!!

I’m sure you do things that your friend/other people won’t get.

Benidorm bars and British pubs aren’t my cup of tea either, but it’s a short cheap flight; there are really lovely towns nearby; the old town is nice; and the beach is gorgeous.

@YesitsJacqueline but it's benidorm not Alicante they are very very different places that's the point

Benidorm has a lovely old town with good restaurants and bars. YABU to dismiss the whole place out if hand but DNBU to not want to do a 18-30 brits abroad holiday if that's not your thing

I've never fancied it mainly because I don't like high rise blocks but some of the posts on here have made me think I might enjoy a holiday there.

The high rise buildings are quite impressive/ quirky in a way as long as you go with an open mind. Benidorm isn't paradise but I suspect most people who diss it have never actually been. I wouldn't go for more than a week, I wouldn't go every year but I would go back. It is noticeably livelier at the weekend than midweek we noticed. There is also practically no litter it's really clean. We were the old town end.

There are lots of things to do - there is a national park that you can walk through, public transport meaning you can visit other places. Sometime mentioned Terra Natura, we went to Mundomar instead and it was a great day out. But for people who like really quiet resorts it won't work but there's stuff to do/ visit that doesn't involve getting pissed. Benidorm island is shit though don't go there .

We went in May half term, it may be different in peak season I don't know.

You are NBU about the behaviour but perhaps BU about the whole of Benidorm if posters are saying that it's possible to have a quieter holiday.

On holiday a few years ago, DH and I mistakenly ended up on a very touristy coach trip. It was full of people singing loudly on the coach and heading to the nearest bar as soon as they got off the coach. DH said it was his idea of hell. This was in Italy!

I can think of worse holiday destinations though like Malta, that really is the definition of a total shithole.

You have stayed in Gozo?

Not my bag either. I wouldn't spare too much time thinking about it though

Bimgy we are staying in Benidorm but plan a day out to alicante
I should have explained myself better , its possible to stay somewhere but not stay " in resort" all the time.

Dh just got back, this morning. Said it was one if his best holidays ever. He had pre-conceived ideas, which is was partly - Madge on her mobility scooter, but it was also lovely, great food, fabulous beaches.

@Teateaandmoretea the high rise buildings aren't nice... with all the laundry hanging over the balcony. As for terra mitica yes that is good fun as is aqua land however I prefer staying away from benidorm and then you can get a bus to the parks. From calpe or somewhere a lot nicer and more residential

Has anyone been to Cyprus? Considering there instead of Spanish holiday next year, any recommendations?

Ah, right @VerbeenaBeeks, I had no idea. Thanks. Every day is a school day 🙂.

I’ve never been to Benidorm. I like the sound of the Old Town, but that’s my kind of thing. I might go one day.

Op, why don’t you give Benidorm a chance, say, stay just outside of the resort and go in for the day?

YABU though. It’s like giving a review on something you haven’t bought.

Not my kind of holiday, though if people for whom it is are going there, then there are spaces in hotels in places I want to go to that they have not taken (or pushed prices up).

Don't go then OP?

Of course you were making value judgements, it is disingenuous to suggest otherwise and your posts are there for all to see. So what's the point of the thread, if not to snear? Merely to list things your friend likes and you don't.

Okay. My oldest friend from school likes :

Eggs
Tea
VW Golfs
Led Zeppelin
Center Parcs
Pale shades for wallpaint
Listening to Radio 5 live in the car.

I don't.

Luckily no one makes me buy, eat drink or do any of those things.

YABU
If you don't like it don't go. You sound like a miserable got anyway tbh so reckon your friends would have more fun without you.
Oh and sorry for not agreeing with you but you did post it on a AIBU thread so try to graciously accept other people's opinions or don't post!

Oh and ironically I am a psychologist, earn a decent wage so go about 4 holidays a year including going to Benidorm with a group of old school friends very year for the last 6 years. All these wanna be pretentious snobs making judgements about the holidaymakers who choose to have fun in Benidorm need to get a grip. Lol

Bimgy85

We are in Cyprus at present, it is still very hot and the sea water temperature very pleasant. The food is great as well. I would highly recommend giving it a go, but the best beaches are in the East of the island.

As far as Benidorm goes, we took the kids when they were younger and found loads to do. There is a coastal railway which runs for a few miles, so we did this a few times, visiting smaller coastal towns. The kids loved it, going by train was a great novelty then.

I loved going to Benidorm. Lovely 4* hotel, sandy beach, and Mundomar. No complaints here.

Never been to Benidorm, have heard about the lively night life which isn't for me and have also heard about the Old Town being a lovely family holiday with lots to do and beautiful beaches/scenery.

Based on a balanced view I personally wouldn't write it off as a potential destination.

Not sure what you’re wanting from this thread.
Everyone’s got different ways of enjoying themselves and relaxing. A drinking and karaoke filled Benidorm break would not be my cup of tea, but maybe the kind of people that like that kind of holiday would find my choices weird and boring ?
Doesn’t make me better than them or visa versa.

I think though tbh that the more holidays you go on/ the better off you are maybe the easier it is just take Benidorm for what it is. Otoh if you'd saved up to go for 5 years for a foreign holiday you may see it differently. It's hardly somewhere to go for the holiday of a lifetime .......