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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Just found out I’m off to Benidorm.

76 replies

BeebleBums · 01/05/2023 19:58

Group of 5 friends going away for a long weekend holiday for the first time together, and stupidly since we all agreed on Spain I’d just left it to 2 of them to plan/book as they were happy to and are used to booking trips.
I don’t know much about Benidorm but what I do know has been enough to put me off ever visiting ever.
I’m now panicking as we go in 3 weeks, and I was expecting a few quiet nights in the sun with decent wine, a book, and tapas!
I’m so so stupid aren’t I!

OP posts:
Findyourneutralspace · 01/05/2023 19:59

I’ve never been to Benidorm but lots of people I know have enjoyed it. Just embrace it OP - it’s a holiday and it’s who you are with that will make or break it!

Oopsiedaisyy · 01/05/2023 20:00

Give in to it, it won't be your usual thing, but it could be fun

ThankmelaterOkay · 01/05/2023 20:01

Condolences.

Woahtherehoney · 01/05/2023 20:02

I know lots who have been to Benidorm who like you were really hesitant but ended up loving it. If you want it to be chilled then make it chilled. You don’t have to do all the clubbing/drinking things if you don’t want to.

YerAWizardHarry · 01/05/2023 20:02

The Old Town is actually very picturesque and quiet! Lots of lovely restaurants. You’ll be fine if you stay away from the strip

Clarich007 · 01/05/2023 20:03

At least it's only a long weekend if you don't like it. I went once and hated it, but the hotel was awful, it overlooked a car park, supermarket and a takeaway. Everything was wrong about the 14 days I was there.
But all my friends love it and go year after year. I hope you have a great time

ExhaustedPigwidgeon · 01/05/2023 20:03

As long as you’re in a decent hotel you’ll have fun. The beach is lovely and it’s buzzing there. Keep an open mind

DanceMonster · 01/05/2023 20:03

Benidorm has a lovely old town, and there will be sun and tapas! You don’t have to go and see Sticky Vicky or drink fish bowls in night clubs.

ExhaustedPigwidgeon · 01/05/2023 20:04

Oh and go to tapas alley

Mythicalcreatures · 01/05/2023 20:04

The old town in Benidorm is lovely, the beaches are great and clean. Altea is a pretty town near by to visit, enjoy

VeggieSalsa · 01/05/2023 20:04

Old town Benidorm and Levante beach area are lovely and although still bustling and touristy have more of a traditional Spain feel.

You can easily avoid the clubbing side if you want to.

RandomGeocache · 01/05/2023 20:05

At least it's just a weekend. I would not be impressed either.

userxx · 01/05/2023 20:05

Stick to the old town it's lovely. Head to tapas alley and you won't be disappointed, there are some lovely beach bars on the front, grab a cocktail and people watch.

restoflife · 01/05/2023 20:05

what hotel are you staying in? That will be the biggest impact on the holiday

rwalker · 01/05/2023 20:07

you’ll be fine the old town lovely it’s not all stag nights and shows with women firing ping pong balls out of there fanny

MojacaSunset · 01/05/2023 20:07

Go with an open mind and make the most of it, you might be surprised.
The old town is nice and you are not going to be there too long.

Next time don't leave others do the booking!

Rumplestrumpet · 01/05/2023 20:07

I think the people you're with will be much more important than Benidorm's reputation. If they're just interested in boozing then that might be a problem for you. But if you have similar interests then you can have a great time - benidorm is much more than shots in sleazy bars

5128gap · 01/05/2023 20:10

The sort of holiday you'll have is more down to the company than the location. I've friends who could make 5 days in the Hebrides into a non stop party, and others who would be in bed by 9 with a book in Ayia Napa. You know these women, it'll be their attitudes, behaviour and how they want to spend the time that will make it a quiet or rowdy break.

QueSyrahSyrah · 01/05/2023 20:11

I think it comes down to the purpose of the trip; are the others also keen for relaxing in the sun and some nice meals out and have picked Benidorm based on cost / flight availability? If so, then just do that and avoid the chaos of the nightlife.

If they're planning a wild weekend on the strip honestly I think I'd just not go, it's really not my scene.

Original poster
BeebleBums · 01/05/2023 20:24

I think that’s why I left them to it- we are all totally over the going out clubbing/heavy drinking scene and in all honesty I was the party animal of the group back in the day, so it didn’t even cross my mind that they’d choose Benidorm!
It’s great to hear there’s more to do and see than strip clubs and sticky Vicky.

OP posts:
BarbaraofSeville · 01/05/2023 20:25

userxx · 01/05/2023 20:05

Stick to the old town it's lovely. Head to tapas alley and you won't be disappointed, there are some lovely beach bars on the front, grab a cocktail and people watch.

This.

Plus surely if you're friends with these people you enjoy their company, that's what matters most?

the plane will be a nightmare though

JMSA · 01/05/2023 20:26

My brother has just returned from holiday there with his wife and toddler daughter. Their photos were lovely and it seems they had a wonderful time. I'm guessing they were in a quieter part though.
Keep an open mind! Smile

DanceMonster · 01/05/2023 20:29

BarbaraofSeville · 01/05/2023 20:25

This.

Plus surely if you're friends with these people you enjoy their company, that's what matters most?

the plane will be a nightmare though

Show quote history

Why would the flight be a nightmare? It’s likely to be the Alicante flight, and there are loads of lovely, quiet areas around there. We regularly fly into Alicante as it’s the nearest airport to where my in laws live, which is a pretty rural village in the Alicante region. The flight has never been ‘a nightmare’.

BarbaraofSeville · 01/05/2023 20:35

I was joking, but you've been lucky. We've been to the 'lovely quiet areas' of Spain many times and the flights have often been full of the stags and hens in their 'Dazza and Shazza on tour' shirts going to PDLA, Magaluf, Benidorm etc who've had a lot of booze with their Wetherspoons Breakfast by 8 am on a Friday morning.

Beebumble2 · 01/05/2023 20:38

Get the bus to Altea ( suggested upthread). It’s a lovely coastal town with a marina and beachfront restaurants. Climb up to the church for fantastic views and more lovely places for drinks or to eat

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