Port Benidorm Hotel & Spa - Opening Week Review

The Benidorm Enthusiast

Context

Port Benidorm has just reopened following a major redevelopment and extension project. This review takes place within the first two days of opening. The reviewer notes upfront that "open" and "finished" are two very different things — new hotels almost always carry teething problems, and guest expectations tend to be very high. Comparable openings like Barcelo Beach and Villa España both drew mixed early reviews for the same reasons.

The stay was booked direct (not a package transfer), which resulted in a smooth check-in experience. Room rate: €150/night half board, discounted 40% from the opening offer.

Check-In & First Impressions

Reception area described as absolutely beautiful and stunning. Staff friendly, welcoming, and consistently helpful throughout the stay. The old lift system — where guests had to pre-select a floor and were assigned a specific lift — has been replaced with a standard call-and-take-the-first-one system. A noted improvement.

Room (Floor 12, Sky Tower — mid-range):

• Calming, relaxing color palette; feels new
• Twin beds, good-sized TV, desk area, mirror
• Mini fridge, kettle, tea and coffee, safe, iron and ironing board
• Bathroom: proper closing door (replacing the previous see-through partition, which drew consistent complaints), walk-in shower, toilet, good-sized sink area
• Balcony: full glass panels, fully transparent — not ideal for those uncomfortable with heights; offers sea and Levante Beach views to the left, partially obscured by a building directly ahead at this floor level
• Noise from inside the room with doors closed: none — not from the nearby entertainment strip or the ongoing building work

Pool & Outdoor Areas

The outdoor space has been significantly expanded. Two swimming pools now sit behind the main Port Benidorm buildings.

Pool 1 (behind the new tower): Smaller pool, primarily surrounded by sunbeds. Count: approximately 50 sunbeds and 25 daybeds. Daybeds reserved for Iconic room guests (top floors of the new tower).

Main Pool: Larger, extended further along toward the road. Estimated sunbed count: 200–250.

Combined capacity: Approximately 350 guests sunbathing simultaneously — considered sufficient even at full hotel capacity.

Also on the pool deck:

• Kids pool
• Large undercover bar with tables and chairs
• Outdoor entertainment stage
• Some unfinished areas visible — tile work being done poolside, workmen still present in some corridors, cranes visible in one corner. Not causing active disruption at the time of filming.

Gym & Spa

Small but smart, brand-new equipment. Also on this level:

Spa: Pool, sauna, hydro massage machines. €15 per person per hour. Open to non-residents as well as hotel guests.

La Terrasse — Rooftop Bar (Floor 19)

The rooftop bar from the original Port Benidorm building has been expanded and connects continuously through to the new tower. Changes include:

• Larger footprint overall
• New interior bar area with panoramic views in the new block
• Loungier furniture, more relaxed atmosphere
• Additional quiet lounging area one floor up with reading nooks and a TV room

Booking now required — previously open-access to non-residents, this is no longer the case. Limited external reservations available; book in advance.

Cocktail menu: Themed around a "passport" concept — cocktails inspired by countries around the world. Highlights tried during the visit included a Japan-inspired mocktail (yuzu, lime, ginger) served with an edible garnish and a straw, presented theatrically. Also tried: a Detox Emerald mocktail (cucumber, ginger, apple). Cocktails at €15 each. Full standard menu of beers, spirits, and cocktails also available.

Evening atmosphere: Music at a level that allows conversation while maintaining atmosphere. Reviewer spent approximately three hours at the bar. Described as absolutely superb.

Sunset views: Significantly more impressive than the daytime view — changing sky colors over Benidorm described as stunning.

Dining

Dinner (Buffet Restaurant)

Redecorated in keeping with the new tower's color scheme — soft lighting, beiges, oranges, browns. The restaurant sits in the original building section.

Capacity concern noted: With a full new tower added to the hotel, relying on one restaurant feels stretched. It was filling quickly during the reviewer's visit and the hotel was not yet at full capacity.

Food on offer:

• Salad bar with mixed prepared salads
• Cold meats, cheeses, and bread/crackers selection
• Two soups: buttercream and onion
• Hot dishes: seafood pasta, chicken in breadcrumbs, rice, swordfish, vegetables, meatballs, potatoes
• Chef station cooking on the plancha: pork and fish
• Additional options: pizza, two pasta types, onion rings, fish, turkey

Verdict: Good variety, main course quality described as lovely. Minor note that some dishes could have been slightly hotter, though heat lamps are available to warm plates. Overall thumbs up.

Note discovered post-dinner: A separate restaurant extension is being finished behind sliding doors, reserved exclusively for Iconic room guests, with its own terrace.

Breakfast (Buffet)

Significantly busier than dinner service — very few free tables observed, and the hotel was not at full capacity. A potential issue when fully booked.

Continental section: Bread, cheeses, cold meats, fresh fruit, cereals, pastries, orange juice, and detox waters. Limited pastry selection and juice variety noted.

English breakfast section: Sausages, tinned tomatoes, mushrooms, bacon (described as not looking its best), scrambled eggs (noted as fine), chorizo, beans, frankfurter sausages. Fresh fried eggs cooked to order at a dedicated station. Churros and waffles also available.

Verdict: Underwhelming for a brand-new hotel. Better hotel breakfasts available elsewhere in Benidorm. Won't leave guests hungry, but the cooked breakfast selection and continental variety both fell short of expectations.

What's Still Unfinished

• Two bars on the corner (opposite the Triangle Bar): reportedly one sports bar and one indoor lounge — targeted opening around June
• Extended restaurant section (behind sliding doors, for Iconic room guests)
• Floor 26 rooftop — accessed by taking the lift to 25 and walking up; appears to be a potential rooftop bar or exclusive restaurant for top-floor guests; not confirmed
• Minor finishing work throughout: grouting, painting, general cosmetic details still in progress
• External construction across the road: building work on a neighboring block was generating noise from around 8:30am — not from the Port Benidorm site itself, but audible from balconies and rooms

Overall Verdict

When fully complete, this is going to be an outstanding hotel. The design is beautiful — calming, luxurious, and immersive from the moment you walk in. Staff have been exceptional throughout.

Current state (two days post-opening): More finished than expected, but noticeable gaps remain. For the 40% opening discount at €150/night half board for two — dinner and breakfast included — the reviewer considers it good value. At full price (expected to be significantly higher), everything should be finished before booking.

Recommendation: Wait until approximately July 2026 for the best experience, once the remaining bars and restaurant spaces are complete.