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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:
0ddSock · 02/05/2023 00:21

I've just come back from there and it was carnage 🤣 but you'll find the places you like going that are not in the thick of it if that's not what you like.

Flowertight · 02/05/2023 00:23

Yeah Benidorm is a shithole. Went to Altea few years ago up the coast but a massive difference. Sounds like you have a friend problem rather than a holiday one

Flowertight · 02/05/2023 00:28

It’s not a stuck up post. It depends what you want from a holiday if you want somewhere nice with good food and good wine it’s probably not the place for you. If you want somewhere with loads of Brexit voting Brits then go for it

Itwasnaeme · 02/05/2023 00:39

Flowertight · 02/05/2023 00:28

It’s not a stuck up post. It depends what you want from a holiday if you want somewhere nice with good food and good wine it’s probably not the place for you. If you want somewhere with loads of Brexit voting Brits then go for it

This is pretty much the definition of a stuck up post Grin

FrenchandSaunders · 02/05/2023 07:10

I ended up staying in Benidorm a few years ago. I loved it. Like others have said the old town is fab, great tapas and wine. The beach is gorgeous and the people watching is very entertaining 🤣

FrenchandSaunders · 02/05/2023 07:11

How do you know they’re Brexit voters?

LlynTegid · 02/05/2023 07:13

You could cause confusion once you get there, by speaking Spanish in cafes and restaurants.

Wonnle · 02/05/2023 07:59

If you are that much against it don't go !

DonnaBanana · 02/05/2023 08:10

Sticky Vicky retired a few years ago

UthredofBattenberg · 02/05/2023 08:14

I thought that was a euphemism and you'd actually won the people's postcode lottery! 🤣

Ohhelpicantthinkofaname · 02/05/2023 08:17

Just embrace it! It’ll be fun.

MorrisZapp · 02/05/2023 08:17

Don't know about Benidorm but my sister went to Magaluf for a family holiday and absolutely loved it.

It'll be hot and they sell Spanish beer, how bad can it be?

FrenchandSaunders · 02/05/2023 08:19

I thought Sticky Vicky’s granddaughter has taken over … keep it in the family

Ohhelpicantthinkofaname · 02/05/2023 08:19

Flowertight · 02/05/2023 00:28

It’s not a stuck up post. It depends what you want from a holiday if you want somewhere nice with good food and good wine it’s probably not the place for you. If you want somewhere with loads of Brexit voting Brits then go for it

There’s so many bristish expats there and I doubt many of them would have been keen on brexit.

you just have to enjoy it for what it is, embrace it and have fun with your friends. No one expects it to be the height of culture, but it could be really good fun.

MrsToothyBitch · 02/05/2023 08:26

I've known people who've been and liked it- they did the old town and had days out so avoided the stereotypical brit abroad stuff. As long as you're in a decent hotel somewhere not too noisy, it's what you make of it. It wouldn't be my top choice either; but I'd be looking up stuff to do away from the strip.

Hope you have a nice time.Smile

BarbaraofSeville · 02/05/2023 08:28

Ohhelpicantthinkofaname · 02/05/2023 08:19

There’s so many bristish expats there and I doubt many of them would have been keen on brexit.

you just have to enjoy it for what it is, embrace it and have fun with your friends. No one expects it to be the height of culture, but it could be really good fun.

Show quote history

Au contraire.

In the run up to the Brexit vote BBC News did a few pieces on the (mainly) British Expats living (mainly) in Spain and there were a few who said on camera, with no sense of irony whatsoever that they planned to vote leave 'because there's too much immigration these days'. You couldn't make it up.

Choconut · 02/05/2023 08:57

Benidorm wasn't nearly as bad as I expected, I wouldn't go back in a hurry but I enjoyed being there. The old town, Altea, Guadalest all very lovely. Next time though organise it yourself and do a Palma de Mallorca/Port de Soller combo, it sounds much more up your street!

Ilovepugs2017 · 02/05/2023 23:04

I’m going for the first time on Thursday for my cousins hen do - my first trip abroad and not sure what to expect after reading some of these comments 😂🤭

userxx · 03/05/2023 14:06

Ilovepugs2017 · 02/05/2023 23:04

I’m going for the first time on Thursday for my cousins hen do - my first trip abroad and not sure what to expect after reading some of these comments 😂🤭

You'll have a fab time, stick to the Old Town, if you venture into the new town watch out for the pickpockets they are sneaky.

tatteddear · 03/05/2023 14:07

I'll shape with you Op. It who you go with bit where you go. Sun. Tapas. Friends. What's not to like??

FrownedUpon · 03/05/2023 14:17

Benidorm is horrible. There are so many nicer places in Spain to go. I wouldn’t be very happy if my friends did this, but I know they wouldn’t book it in the first place.

LadyJ2023 · 03/05/2023 14:25

Never thought I would say it but I've been once similar my brother booked it for a surprise and never in a million years would I personally have picked benidorm. Anyway what a surprise I thoroughly enjoyed the week and tbh plan on taking my own family one day to

Flamingogirl08 · 03/05/2023 14:29

Isn't it funny how different people react. I'd be bloody thrilled if my friend booked Benidorm.

Nice beach, sun and a fun girls weekend. Sign me up!

Maddy70 · 03/05/2023 14:40

The old town in beautiful.
It's not all sticky vicky

DeathstarDarling · 03/05/2023 15:08

I sympathise- in the eighties my bloke booked us on one of those super cheap 'you don't know your destination till the last minute' holidays and we ended up in Torremolinos. I was appalled at the idea, but we had a lovely time - its about heading off to the places you like; the older parts of town, surrounding villages, etc.
I have since been to lots of touristy places and often the horrid bits are packed close together and can be avoided. Drunk/shouty/partying tourists are lazy and tend to clump together in distinct zones that you can bypass . Head for old town/off the main drag every time and find the places full of Spaniards and hopefully it will be lovely.