Sol Costablanca

I was looking for a quality week in Benidorm. The alternative seemed to be the Mercure but I didn't like how the bathrooms were open to the bedroom, plus it is a bit further to the beach. Anyway, I have Melia gold though a credit card. You don't expect much from it. I had booked parking spaces beforehand. I arrived a couple of hours before checkin, strictly not able to have the room before 4pm. They don't tell you how to access the car park. You need an IR clicker to open the gates, and for some spaces you are supposed to drive along the beachfront road to get to the car park entrance. It would be nice if they told you this before.

Checkin and dealing with the front desk was usually a zoo. Only 2 staff usually on duty at the busiest times and there is the "priority checkin" notice but it makes no difference!

They will give you a beach towel and charge a euro to your room but you are expected to keep it for a few days. Most mornings they didn't have any to give out anyway as they were being cleaned, but were available later.

The pool opens at 10am, hence a big queue every morning of people with the their towels to stake their place at the relatively small pool deck at 10am prompt, then a rush in for breakfast. I never bothered with the pool as it was crowded and the beach is just over the road.

The breakfast spread was very good, although if you expected british-style sausages and bacon you'd be disappointed. There was always enough space and the staff kept tables cleared. Food choices were great though.

I had a room with a balcony view over the sea. It was kept spotless by cleaning service. I had requested 2 beds but got one bed made of two pushed together.

Air con worked well enough. Soft drinks in the fridge were complementary. Soundproofing was excellent although if you got a room over the pool there is music etc on late and I wouldn't have enjoyed it and would have asked to change.

Over 16s only, which was another reason to choose here.

So; choose here for a decent 4*, child free, if you want a quiet room, don't have one overlooking the pool, but the view from the beachside rooms is brilliant. And reserve car parking space in advance

Had a great stay at this hotel, which was right by the beachfront with family members. The staff were very welcoming and helpful, especially as we arrived in the early hours of the morning.

The rooms were very clean and comfortable, and the complimentary bottles of water and juices in the fridge were a lovely touch.

We opted for half board. The breakfast was fine, but unfortunately, we were disappointed with the dinner. The food was often cold, even when we were among the first guests in the restaurant, and we found the choice of dishes quite limited. We gave it a try for three days before deciding to eat out elsewhere.

Overall, we really enjoyed our stay and would happily return to this hotel. However, next time we would choose bed and breakfast rather than half board.