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LUXURY AND LEISURE IN BENIDORM: A CITY OF HIDDEN GEMS (Spain)
From cliffside natural parks to boutique hotels and fine dining, Benidorm’s local charm and upscale offerings redefine the coastal experience. |
Category: Europe - Spain - Industry economy
- Tourism
Article written by Asia Abadie on Tuesday 23 September 2025
 Photo credit © Asia Abadie / Journal des Palaces
From luxury resorts to fine dining spots, the money spent here stays in Benidorm, reinvested into the community and its people. It’s a side of the city that surprises first-time visitors: authentic, upscale, and proudly local.
Luxury stays in Benidorm: From coastal retreats to city escapes
In recent years, the upscale offerings in Benidorm have revealed another side to the city, beyond its beaches and lively nightlife. The town can cater to discerning travellers seeking luxury, wellness, and exclusivity. Guests can choose between staying in Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa, A Royal Hideaway Hotel, a tranquil oasis, or at Four Points by Sheraton Costa Blanca Resort by the Terra Mítica theme park. There is something for everyone.
Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa, A Royal Hideaway Hotel, feels like stepping into the White Lotus set – minus the drama – where the only sounds to interrupt your silent retreat are from the birds and the wind rustling through the leaves. Between the multiple infinity pools, the gardens, the spa and the various dining options, you might never want to leave again. I know I didn’t.
However, if you are looking for more of an athletic getaway trip, you will find your place among Meliá Villaitana’s golf course. While it recreates the charm of a Mediterranean village with its cobbled pathways and pastel façades, it is the view from its two 18-hole golf courses that will convince you. While you are choosing between a putter and a driver, you can see beyond the skyline of Benidorm and admire the sea.
Four Points by Sheraton Costa Blanca Resort
If you are a thrill seeker, the Four Points by Sheraton Costa Blanca Resort, right next to Terra Mítica, will be your haven. Your room includes daily passes to the park and the villas outside the hotel give you the private pools you might be looking for. And while the hotel is still going through a transformation, as it became a member of Sheraton earlier in the year, it remains open and better than ever.
Villa Venecia Boutique Hotel
Guests looking to stay in the centre of the city to enjoy night walks along the coast or try every single restaurant, also have a myriad of options to choose from.
Villa Venecia Boutique Hotel offers an intimate escape. It is at one of the highest points of the old town and offers panoramic views of the sea. From the restaurant as well as the spa, you can admire the sunset and watch those enjoying the sea, whether they are sailing, paragliding, paddling or kayaking.
With only a handful of rooms, its intimate scale and personalised service make it a sanctuary for those looking for exclusivity.
Barceló Benidorm Beach
If you are looking for a contemporary design, the Barceló Benidorm Beach delivers comfort right on the waterfront. Set on the seafront promenade, it offers stylish rooms with sea views, a rooftop pool and bar for sunset cocktails, and easy access to the city’s beaches, nightlife and old town. With its blend of sophistication and convenience, it’s a retreat for travellers who want to enjoy Benidorm’s vibrant energy without sacrificing comfort or elegance.
Primavera Park
Near Benidorm’s historic centre, Primavera Park blends modern urban living with a relaxed Mediterranean spirit. Its spacious suites, rooftop pool and panoramic terrace bar all offer some of the best views over the city and surrounding mountains. Just steps away from the old town’s lively streets, it is the perfect spot for those wanting to immerse themselves in Benidorm’s culture by day and return to a quieter environment by night.
Flavours of Benidorm: From local cuisine to vineyard experiences
Restaurant La Fava
A few steps away from the old town lies Restaurant La Fava, a delicate balance between tradition and innovation. The menus are guided by the season with locally sourced ingredients. The restaurant aims to elevate authentic local recipes by letting its imagination run freely.
Nestled in the hills outside Benidorm, Bodegas Masos offers a taste of the region’s winemaking heritage. Guests can explore the vineyards, tour the cellars, and enjoy tastings that highlight the region’s native grape varieties.
With their restaurant and their incoming boutique hotel, it is the perfect place to take a break from the city in the heart of the surrounding mountains to learn more about the region and experience the wine and food pairings the restaurant has to offer.
Discover Benidorm: Relaxation, adventure, and everything in between
Wellness and outdoor adventure are part of Benidorm’s appeal between the beach and the mountains, the city has a wide array of activities to offer.
Whether this is by beginning your mornings with yoga on the beach, where the sound of the waves sets the rhythm for a moment of calm before the city awakens, or letting the Mediterranean become the main stage with a private sailing trip with Rumbo Altea to hidden coves and turquoise waters. With a short boat ride, you can go to the island, L’Illa de Benidorm or on a snorkelling excursion in a protected marine reserve teeming with life.
For those who prefer land to sea, the trails of Serra Gelada Natural Park provide scenic views from the cliffs and a chance to experience the surrounding landscape.
Travellers looking for a different type of activity can visit Benidorm’s theme parks, including the rollercoasters at Terra Mítica, the water slides at Aqualandia, and the animals at Terra Natura.
Benidorm is often seen through the lens of its beaches and nightlife, but its upscale offerings reveal a very different side where hotels provide refined accommodations, while restaurants showcase the region’s culinary depth. Experiences are for every interest. Together, they highlight a Benidorm that is diverse, welcoming, and distinctly local - where luxury, culture, and leisure coexist in a way that surprises many first-time visitors.
 Photo credit © Asia Abadie / Journal des Palaces
 The Suite Deluxe Langkawi at Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa, A Royal Hideaway Hotel
Photo credit © Asia Abadie / Journal des Palaces
 The Thai Club swimming pool is reserved for guests of Suites and Deluxe Suites.
Photo credit © Asia Abadie / Journal des Palaces
 The Melia Villaitana recreates the charm of a Mediterranean village, with its cobbled streets and pastel facades
Photo credit © Asia Abadie / Journal des Palaces
 The Melia Villaintana golf courses offer views of the sea beyond the Benidorm skyline
Photo credit © Asia Abadie / Journal des Palaces
 Your room at the Four Points by Sheraton Costa Blanca Resort includes daily passes to the Terra Mítica park.
Photo credit © Asia Abadie / Journal des Palaces
 The Four Points by Sheraton Costa Blanca Resort team
Photo credit © Asia Abadie / Journal des Palaces
 The Four Points by Sheraton Costa Blanca Resort spa
Photo credit © Asia Abadie / Journal des Palaces
 Located close to Benidorm's historic centre, Primavera Park combines modern city life with a relaxed Mediterranean spirit.
Photo credit © Asia Abadie / Journal des Palaces
 Photo credit © Asia Abadie / Journal des Palaces
 Primavera Park's panoramic bar offers some of the best views of the city and surrounding mountains.
Photo credit © Asia Abadie / Journal des Palaces
 Just a stone's throw from the old town is the La Fava restaurant, which offers a delicate balance between tradition and innovation.
Photo credit © Asia Abadie / Journal des Palaces
 Photo credit © Asia Abadie / Journal des Palaces
 Photo credit © Asia Abadie / Journal des Palaces
 A private sailing trip with Rumbo Altea will take you to hidden coves and turquoise waters.
Photo credit © Asia Abadie / Journal des Palaces
 Photo credit © Asia Abadie / Journal des Palaces
 Photo credit © Asia Abadie / Journal des Palaces
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