Port Benidorm

Stayed here a couple of weeks ago on an "All inclusive deal" First the good points. Excellent location. Excellent comfort and cleanliness. Kettle and fridge in room although tea bags etc not replenished. Safe in room which was reasonably priced. Entertainment ok. All drinks were available until 11.00 including any cocktail as was bottled water. Never had to queue long even though staff rushed off their feet. Drinks served in glasses apart from pool area which were plastic. Lifts no problem never waited long and we ere on 17th floor. Overall Excellent staff who always had a smile even though they worked very hard. Paco in restaurant was a bit over the top for me and upset my granddaughter when she didnt like the touchy feel approach. He should keep it professional. Food -Breakfast usual variety with fried eggs and omelette cooked fresh. I did ask if a could have a poached eggs but told not available. Lunch and dinner. Yes there is a full selection of cold meats, salads, breads and good selection of cakes, cheese and biscuits were good. Soups Good. HOT FOOD This is where they need a new catering manager/Chef Roast Beef on a roll (never had that before) tasted like kebab meat. All other grilled meat cooked within an inch of its life. Spare Ribs chopped up in blocks. Duck was dry, bones still in and chopped up to look more like Road Kill! Salmon, chicken, and stews all had bones in. Port Benidorm is a lovely hotel and a few alterations to chefs and food could achieve its 4* rating. If you go to this hotel you will enjoy it be go bed and breakfast and then you can try the many bars and restaurants in he area. Finally I would like to ask Management why we felt like 2nd class citizens when getting food from the pool bar. I did ask for freshly cooked burger but was refused and told it was management decision. Clients who were paying got freshly cooked burgers, chips etc., but all inclusive had to have food which was warm and soggy under heaters for hours on end. No we did not pay at the bar as we had already paid being "All Inclusive"

Our first visit to Benidorm and a lucky find in the Port Benidorm. Hotel was refurbished in 2016 and what a fantastic job they've done. Very bright and clean, outside seating area and roomy reception area. Check-in was pretty good for us although we were right up the front of the queue - it being only 10.30am, our room wasn't ready but our cases were held in a day room - we got changed and went by the pool. Really good layout with plenty of sunbeds, open seating area with retractable roof and bar (buffet food is here for all inclusive guests. WARNING - THERE IS A DISTINCT LACK OF UMBRELLAS - IF YOU WANT ONE, QUEUE WELL BEFORE THE DOORS OPEN AT 9AM SHARP (there are two entry points to the pool) Water was a tad cold getting in - one really good feature was the long ramp leading into the pool for those who would have difficulty using the ladders to get in and out. A lot of elderly people used this - not sure if wheelchairs would be allowed though). Take your own towels or buy them when you get there - the hotel DOES supply them at a cost of 2euros per towel per day plus deposit. TV has English channels (channel 62 upwards) and radio stations. Our room had a large balcony, small fridge, kettle and tea/coffee, room safe (charged by the day) - we were half board so bought water and milk from the supermarket 50 yds down the road. Food was buffet style with live cooking stations for fresher food - the standard was pretty good we thought - more positives than negatives. One thing we weren't told about at check-in (others too) was that you had to show your room key card holder to be seated - it has all your booking info printed on it). If you're half board, there wont be any free water in the evening. Staff very attentive - TOO attentive on times as your plate disappears when you haven't finished with it! LIFTS - your room key allows you access to your floor only - you don't need it for the public areas. Show your key card and you will be allocated lift A,B,C or D. Can often be a long wait so take the stairs if you are able (not if you're on the 18th floor though!) If you have an early flight on your last day, tell reception the day before and they'll book you in to the restaurant for a continental breakfast. All in all we had a great time - loved the hotel, most of the staff were smiley and welcoming, location was great with bars and entertainment all around or within easy walking distance (check out the Rock and Roll House)