5* hotel in tacky resort - recommendations!

[Curiousparentt]

Me and DH both grew up going on tacky package holidays - 3* hotels in Magaluf/Ayia Napa/Kos. Resorts where the streets were full of tacky souvenir shops, restaurants serving ‘English’ food etc. We have such fond memories of these holidays (probably because we were only kids at the time)!

These days, we tend to stick to Dubai (Jumeirah Madinat resort), Sani, Maxx Royal in Turkey and a few other hotels in South East Asia.

We both really fancy a holiday like what we had growing up - but I think that it will ruin the memories we have of the places we visited as kids as the perception of these resorts these days is terrible.

Can anyone recommend some resorts/areas/hotels that are 5*, but also fit the description above? I just want to walk around tacky shops in the evenings and relive my childhood holidays (whilst having a bit of luxury at my hotel!) without the place being a complete dive. I want somewhere clean with a nice beach.

So far I have considered Ibiza, Marbella, Palma Nova and Benidorm.

Don Pancho in Benidorm if you want to be in the midst of the new town, Asia Gardens if you don’t mind being out of it and going down into the old town / new town.

Europe Villa Cortes in Playa de las Americas, Tenerife. Or the Iberostar Selections (Anthelia/Sabila), Hotel Vincci Selección La Plantación del Sur, or Iberostar Grand Salome in Costa Adeje.

Bohemia Suites in Playa del Ingles, Gran Canaria.

Thank you! I’ll check these out.

I forgot to add - we will be travelling with young toddler DC. So unfortunately the Benidorm recommendation is out as I’ve just seen it’s adults only! Looks lovely though.

Paphos, Cyprus? Almyra/Annabelle are lovely

Antalya might fit the bill.

www.tui.co.uk/destinations/europe/spain/costa-blanca/benidorm/hotels/hotel-sol-pelicanosocas.html

Ah lots of my recs are adults only, sorry. I’ll have a think of some more non adult only options!

Domes Lakes Algarve in Vilamoura. The hotel is really really lovely, and the marina has about 7 Irish bars, arcades, karaoke places with some
nice restaurants dotted in too.

Loads of kids about too

St Regis Mardavall in Son Caliu (next to Palma Nova): €1300 per night, right by the sea but only on rocks. You have to mix with the hoi polloi to get on the sandy beaches.

We did a last minute cheap holiday and stayed in Magaluf at the Melia Calvia Beach. It's right at the end of the beach so was quiet. Only 4 stars though. I'd go again.

Palma Nova has massively upped it's game, there are amazing restaurants and bars now. Even Magaluf has glossy beach bars on the front. You might not feel so nostalgic there. Es Cana in Ibiza is still very British, not sure of hotels though.

Last summer we were at the Occidental Cala Vinyes which is the next resort along the coast from Magaluf, about a 20 minute walk, families and people of all ages. The Globales Cala Vinyes was across the way but adults only.

Fuengirola- we stayed there last year. You can also go into Torremolinos by train (my DP worked there in his 20's so it was a chance to go back in time).

Both resorts are very Brits abroad. Lots of bars, restaurants etc.

Wouldn't say the hotel we stayed in was 5 star though.

We actually loved it.

Flamingo Oasis in Benidorm - it's 4 star but we love it. Top few floors are adults only with adults only rooftop pool and chilled self-serve bar area. We loved it pre-kids!

Villamoura is a great shout. Lots of lovely hotels as it’s golf destination but plenty of tack by the harbour!

Definitely marmaris in turkey

Higueron Hilton Malaga - half way between Fuengirola and Benalmadena or La Zambra by Hyatt is in Mijas just above Fuengirola. Or Vincci Selección Aleysa in Torremolinos.

Domes Lake Algarve, Vilamoura or Epic Sana Algarve is along the coast but also great

I love Palma Nova and the beaches are great for kids, but i don't have a recommendation

I love an Irish bar on holiday.
How about Olympic Lagoon near Aya Napa. Lovely hotel within walking distance of Aya Napa. When we went with DC I dragged them on a nostalgia tour.

Possibly not quicte the right kind of tacky, but Gran Melia Don Pepe in Marbella.

I think if you want tacky in the Costa del Sol then you don't want Marbella, it won't be tacky enough, you want Torremolinos or Fuengirola

Marmaris

Benalmadena

@Curiousparentt Did you manage to find somewhere that fits the bill?

This hotel https://www.lagoresortmenorca.com/en/?gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAouezQG-Vc4pZLuzZ5FhpktP0FxED&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIuaW0gqWaiAMVlptQBh2qgBSBEAAYAiAAEgItO_D_BwE

Cala’n Bosch, Menorca