Copy of "Village Square" outside the main reception

"Luxurious and Exclusive" is not a phrase normally associated with Benidorm and that isn´t meant in a derogatory sense by any means. I love the place and am normally there almost every day reporting or interviewing about something or someone.

Benidorm is a favourite for many Brits who come back year after year for their anual holiday in the sun. The resort caters for every taste and pocket - families, couples, stag & hen parties... in fact just about every angle is covered apart from the top end, or so I thought. Those that want the sun but also something more stylish and elegant would normally opt for Marbella on the Costa del Sol, but have I got news for you.

A "standard" King size room!

Tucked away virtually infront of the Terra Mitica theme park you will find the "Melia Villaitana" resort - I  drive past it virtually every time I go into Benidorm but had never actually been in, so decided it was high time I introduced myself to the manager and took a peak around. I am sure that many of you that go to either Terra Mitica or Terra Natura pass it and admire the "village" not realizing that it is actually a hotel.

To look at the resort you would never imagine that it was a hotel complex as it has been designed to look like a Mediterranean village. Its 25 individual buildings, all painted a multitude of colours like in Villa Joyosa and unique architecture replicate typical squares and historic features of the Valencian Comunidad - as an example,  the blue domed roof you can see is a copy of the church in Altea. The reception area is a replica of Villena Town Hall with its domed and pillared courtyard complete with a fountain in the middle!

One of the 2 lake pools

The Melia group took the hotel over at the beginning of the year, adding to their portfolio of 18 hotels across Spain - there is also a Melia in Alicante but nothing like this one in Benidorm.

The hotel has a total of 455 rooms which are divided up into 2 categories - 356 are 4 star and 99 are 5 star and they offer 7 different types of room  to cater for everyone including standard king size rooms, family rooms and a variety of suites. You would imagine that you would be charged a kings ransom to stay here but prices start at 100 euros Bed & Breakfast for 2 in peak Summer months - which is amazing value considering the luxurious, serene surroundings.

One of the many terraces with amazing views of Benidorm

The complex offers 10 different restaurants ranging from a Tapas type bar, Italian trattoria, Barbecue restaurant and full a la Carte dining... something for everyone in fact!
One of the main attractions are the two 18 hole golf courses which are designed by Nicklaus Design  - one is par 72 whilst the other a par 62. This was evident as I stood in the reception area and many groups arrived to check in with golf bags in tow. Although not a golfer myself, I could certainly admire the breathtaking views from the green (I was going to say pitch but thats the wrong sport I think!)

Man made beach complete with sand and palm trees

There are two lake pools as well as an outdoor heated pool and a separate children´s pool ... and for those with children and worried about not being across the road from the beach don´t worry! Can you believe that they even have an artificial man made beach complete with sand and palm tress - so that the children can still build sand castles and bury dad in the sand... they really have thought of everything!

Whilst the children are safely offloaded at the Kids club, dad can be busy playing a round of golf and mums can enjoy relaxing and being pampered at the Spa & Wellness Centre - or for the more active you can try out the paddle or tennis courts (personally I fall into the first category!)

Private reception hall laid out for event

There is even a massive Convention centre which can accomodate 600 people and an additional 17 separate meeting rooms - many companies hold corporate events here... I certainly wouldn´t mind attending one in these surroundings.
 It is also a popular wedding venue and has a separate private nightclub at its disposal.
Underneath the blue domed copula is a reception hall which is often used for weddings, musical recitals etc as it has amazing acoustics due to the height. It is reached by a sweeping "Gone with the Wind" style staircase - you can certainly make an entrance!

The moto "Everything is Possible" is certainly fitting at this resort - luxurious surroundings yet you can be in the heart of Benidorm nightlife in less than 10 minutes by taxi. For those in particular that wouldn´t normally associate Benidorm with top end opulence and plump for the likes of Marbella or Dubai I would suggest you give it a shot ... being only just over a 2 hour flight away and with a huge choice of airlines serving Alicante I bet you´ll be back time after time!