I'd heard stories of Benidorm, the stereotypes, and until this summer, I, like many, thought that this sunny town wasn't for me. That was until I stumbled upon the Mercure on a booking site and couldn't get it out of my mind. The photos were all true, the hotel is a hidden gem inside that crazy little town.
We decided that, bar our evening walks to the beach and one night for dinner, the pool would be our main focal point. It opened at 9am, and of course each day there was a queue of people ready to grab their poolside seats, but I can happily say that from the moment the pool boy allowed us in, people were tasteful, no pushing or shoving like we often see. The rule of not leaving your towel on the chair was in place, but only implemented on one day that we were there. Whilst I completely agree that hogging the loungers and swanning off for hours is unacceptable, I did wish that there were more signage in place or notes left, to tell people what had happened, as on a number of occasions the disgruntled returning pool-goer turned to me, the person on the closest chair, questioning why their items had been removed, as if I had personally taken them for myself. They would leave, another couple would do the same, have their items taken, and I would sit and wait for the hour that they returned, knowing that I would be questioned again. Luckily this only happened on one day as the rule was not enforced on subsequent days, much to many's annoyance. The pool itself was warm, music played from the surrounding speakers, and tanning here for hours seemed like minutes. Glorious.
The hotel itself is brand new. The decor is neutral with beige and greens filling the area. For a price, guests can rent a day bed and food could be ordered via the QR codes on all loungers with tables. We used this option throughout our stay, ordering chicken strips and chips daily, and a cocktail or two when parched. The hotel seemed clean, although I would urge a check of the bedding, as the spare bed in my room, and one of the beds in my mum and sister's room had stained sheets. Whilst stains are bound to occur, and I'm sure the sheets had been cleaned, it is still not what one wants to see.
I would say the food is where the hotel is being let down. We opted for the half board option, where drinks were not included bar tea and coffee with breakfast. Whilst I'm not a full vegetarian, the hot options if I were would be slim, if not none at all. One night I had a plate of chips only. There were salad and fruit plates, but if I'm honest, I would definitely recommend sticking to the bed and breakfast option and head out for dinner instead. However, food is so subjective, so always take views on food with a pinch of salt as it may be just right for you.
I found staff to be friendly throughout the stay also.
Overall, would I go back to the Mercure? Absolutely. A 5 minute walk from the beach, a stumble to supermarkets and shops, and the vibe of the hotel, pool etc., would bring me back in a heartbeat.
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