Benidorm continues to change
Apr 2nd 2011, 9:41 am
#1
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Benidorm continues to change
But then ... what's this? A new hotel, the Villa Venecia, with five stars above its door. It is a boutique spa hotel, to boot, with spectacular views out to sea and to the wedge-shaped island that punctuates the Benidorm horizon – La Isla de los Periodistas
"We opened a year and a half ago," said employee Tito as he took me to the chill-out terrace, gym, massage room and Jacuzzi. "We get a lot of couples wanting to recharge their batteries." The head chef, Victor Conus Cervantes, from Barcelona, is aiming to get a Michelin star within the next couple of years. "That's the way Benidorm is going," said Tito.
As if by way of confirmation, later that day I had lunch with an old friend, Jorge, at Taita (Calle Primavera 8, +34 965 852 148), one of a new generation of high-class restaurants in the town. Others include El Mesón (Calle Gerona 5, +34 965 858 521), and Rias Baixas (Plaza del Torreó 3, +34 965 855 022), known for its excellent seafood.
"We opened a year and a half ago," said employee Tito as he took me to the chill-out terrace, gym, massage room and Jacuzzi. "We get a lot of couples wanting to recharge their batteries." The head chef, Victor Conus Cervantes, from Barcelona, is aiming to get a Michelin star within the next couple of years. "That's the way Benidorm is going," said Tito.
As if by way of confirmation, later that day I had lunch with an old friend, Jorge, at Taita (Calle Primavera 8, +34 965 852 148), one of a new generation of high-class restaurants in the town. Others include El Mesón (Calle Gerona 5, +34 965 858 521), and Rias Baixas (Plaza del Torreó 3, +34 965 855 022), known for its excellent seafood.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/201...y-new-alicante
Apr 2nd 2011, 10:39 am
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Re: Benidorm continues to change
Graham
Apr 2nd 2011, 12:17 pm
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Re: Benidorm continues to change
And me, read most. However looking him up again, I saw one I hadn't read, so ordered it a few hours ago. Not sure whether the article will be to CM's exacting standards, being the British press, but Webster has forgotten more about Spain than he knows!
Apr 2nd 2011, 1:00 pm
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Re: Benidorm continues to change
I must admit I've not read Jason Webster's books previously. May just try one out...
Apr 2nd 2011, 1:38 pm
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Re: Benidorm continues to change
Very difficult to dress up a turd.
Apr 2nd 2011, 1:55 pm
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Re: Benidorm continues to change
I believe Veronicas and associated scruffy areas are still standing despite moves to flatten them from as long ago as I can remember.
Yet not far on either side there have been some top notch 5 star developments which seem to be doing reasonably well also.
As for Jason Webster, I read a couple of his books or chronicles of his early days and contrasting experiences in Spain and found them very interesting, though as a writer I wouldn't rate him as exactly brilliant.
Apr 2nd 2011, 2:43 pm
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Re: Benidorm continues to change
Well it seems to work in Tenerife OK.
I believe Veronicas and associated scruffy areas are still standing despite moves to flatten them from as long ago as I can remember.
Yet not far on either side there have been some top notch 5 star developments which seem to be doing reasonably well also.
I believe Veronicas and associated scruffy areas are still standing despite moves to flatten them from as long ago as I can remember.
Yet not far on either side there have been some top notch 5 star developments which seem to be doing reasonably well also.
Graham
Apr 2nd 2011, 4:38 pm
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Re: Benidorm continues to change
Since that time they seem to have got their act together much more and made great strides in cleaning the place up and policing it as best they can, bearing in mind the number of visitors and dodgy characters that the place attracts.
Hopefully things will work out for them on the up-market scene, just as long as they don't get too greedy by overdeveloping, should business pick up again.
Apr 2nd 2011, 9:33 pm
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Re: Benidorm continues to change
Hi
I stayed in Benidorm for a week two weeks ago; really enjoyed my stay and found it clean although too British for my liking. But that is my personal taste, and I thought it was quite a reasonable place for the British holiday makers
Davexf (who lives in Chiclana, Costa de la Luz)
I stayed in Benidorm for a week two weeks ago; really enjoyed my stay and found it clean although too British for my liking. But that is my personal taste, and I thought it was quite a reasonable place for the British holiday makers
Davexf (who lives in Chiclana, Costa de la Luz)
Apr 3rd 2011, 9:27 am
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Re: Benidorm continues to change
Frankly it strikes me that there is a lot of snobbery as far as Benidorm is concerned. It has wonderful natural assets in its bay and beaches. More to the point as a casual but regular visitor ( 1 day about three or four times a year) it seems busy in all seasons and like Blackpool in the UK is the most successful resort in its home country. It is nowadays generally clean and well behaved and I see no reason why it will reinvent itself as it has in the past. It may not be where you want to spend your holidays but an all lot of people do holiday there and enjoy it.
Apr 3rd 2011, 9:36 am
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Re: Benidorm continues to change
I went there Friday night, stayed with friends who visit regularly. It seemed fairly busy to me.
We tend not to go down to the Brit End, but stay around the old town area and the area around the South beach. Theres been a lot of development of the beach walk over the last year and they are presently experimenting with shutting off another section for pedestrians
I wouldnt want to live there, but it's perfectly fine for short breaks and a night out sometimes
We tend not to go down to the Brit End, but stay around the old town area and the area around the South beach. Theres been a lot of development of the beach walk over the last year and they are presently experimenting with shutting off another section for pedestrians
I wouldnt want to live there, but it's perfectly fine for short breaks and a night out sometimes
Apr 3rd 2011, 9:49 am
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Re: Benidorm continues to change
Benidorm is more diverse than many people give it credit for. Popular with Brits and Spanish for holidays and caters for all ages. Plenty of shops, great beaches and loads of different entertainment to suit just about ever taste. We used to enjoy visits there both as day trips and staying in a hotel so that we could investigate the wider area. Like Mitz says though we would not want to live there, not for any reason other than I do not like busy places very much so can only take places such as Benidorm in small doses.
Rosemary
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Apr 3rd 2011, 7:48 pm
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Re: Benidorm continues to change
Benidorm is more diverse than many people give it credit for. Popular with Brits and Spanish for holidays and caters for all ages. Plenty of shops, great beaches and loads of different entertainment to suit just about ever taste. We used to enjoy visits there both as day trips and staying in a hotel so that we could investigate the wider area. Like Mitz says though we would not want to live there, not for any reason other than I do not like busy places very much so can only take places such as Benidorm in small doses.
Rosemary
Rosemary
I agree that Benidorm does cater well to various groups and that you can enjoy a very different experience, depending on the area you go to. I am beginning to prefer the Poniente / old town area. Less touts and a more gentle experience. Perhaps age is catching me up?
I think Benidorm will always do well but I would not open a bar there-too much competition!
Apr 3rd 2011, 9:17 pm
#14
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Re: Benidorm continues to change
Changing? In what way?
Oh, you mean Sticky Vicky has given up pulling things out of the box....
And stays home knitting tea cosies...
Oh, you mean Sticky Vicky has given up pulling things out of the box....
And stays home knitting tea cosies...
Apr 3rd 2011, 10:10 pm
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Re: Benidorm continues to change
Most tourist spots throughout the world have been building bigger,higher and more up-market accomodation for the past ten or twenty years, so Benidorm is no different to anywhere else in that respect.
As for Sticky Vicky, last I heard her daughter was carrying on where she left off, so no change their either.