Welcome to Benidorm in August, traditionally the month when the Spanish from Madrid also descend on the resort! The golden sandy beaches, along with the fantastic weather are what attract millions here every summer – and this year is no exception. The popular Levante beach, in particular at the Rincon end, is completely ram packed with holidaymakers and multicoloured umbrellas are virtually touching one another on the sand.

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Have you ever stood on the beach - doesn't matter if it's the Levante or Poniente and wondered about that jugged jutting rock? It is one of the iconic landmarks here and simply called Benidorm Island, but some people refer to it as Peacock Island. Although it looks fairly close it is actually 4km away - and many people, especially after a drink or ten think they'll swim over... but quickly realise their mistake!

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The reality of the financial crisis continues... yet another tour operator has gone into voluntary bankruptcy. "Dias Libres" a Spanish company - part of "Dias de Ocio S.A" leaves many hotels on the Costa Blanca with outstanding debts amounting to nearly 3 million euros.

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An awful lot of money – tens of millions, is currently being invested in the resort, proving that astute business owners are confident Benidorm will continue to be a favourite holiday destination – which is all good news to us here.Two popular hotels are undergoing major refurbs and another is being built, in addition to alterations and improvements around the resort, by private businesses and the council.

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The show stopping picture in today´s Daily Mail “Wish you weren´t here” showing a packed Levante beach makes it sound as if they had just discovered something new. Im actually a little dubious that it´s a current picture, especially as this year’s pedaloes are white and orange and it is a library picture from Getty Images! However, this is nothing new to us who live here – the beaches, in particular Levante are packed like that every Summer.

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One of the main attractions to Benidorm are the stunning golden sandy beaches – and along with the fantastic weather, helps to keeps Benidorm at the top of the holiday destination list for the Brits. Unlike other holiday destinations, Benidorm is blessed with 5 separate sandy beaches, in addition to a number of hidden rocky coves – so there is something for everyone. Each beach has its own personality and attracts different people, but you can be assured that each one is meticulously maintained.

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Reminiscent of a scene from Wacky races or a Carry On film, a video uploaded to You Tube of the daily sunbed sprint at the Flamingo Oasis hotel here in Benidorm has caused much amusement worldwide. It has even made headlines in the daily papers – but rest assured, sadly this is not an isolated incidence, which only occurs there! The Brits even put the Germans to shame, historically renowned for bagging sunbed at the crack of dawn.

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Benidorm has just had the best August since 2007, with hotels reporting 94% occupancy. Traditionally, August is the month that domestic tourists flock to the resort, particularly the Madrileños, the term referred to of residents from Madrid. Spaniards made up 50% of visitors, with Brits in second position coming in at just under 33%.

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With the sun out, the beaches bustling and lack of beach police – who are not due to start until June, it is heaven for the illegal sellers, particularly on the busy Levante stretch. I spent a couple of hours on the promenade today, observing the comings and goings of these pedlars with sadly not much police presence. Up until 1pm there were at least a dozen but then there must be a shift change – which is probably known to these vendors as they suddenly all appeared. Some walk up and down between the sunbeds with coolbags, shouting Coca Cola, Fanta Limon, Cerveza. Aqua – but the ones that really concern me are those selling ‘cocktails’.

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Well Benidorm bashing week continues with a report published in today´s Daily Mail entitled “Benidorm Bedlam” – who is this Robert Hardman that wrote the article I wonder. What is it with the British press who seem to have an obsession with belittling both the resort and those that come here – obviously real news is light on the ground and the so called reporters and entourage fancy an away day somewhere hot – all on expenses obviously!

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This week’s coverage of a busy Benidorm beach didn´t stop at the National UK papers. Nick Dixon, News Correspondent for ITV´s Good Morning Britain flew over today and I spent Sunday afternoon with him along the Levante beachfront. He was here – his first time to the resort to report whether the current troubles in other parts of Europe have affected and encouraged more holiday makers here to Benidorm.

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A heatwave is coming – the peak of which will hit on Thursday with estimates of 37 degrees in Benidorm. Temperatures have already been recorded into the 30´s over the weekend and the warm winds from the Sahara have made this the hottest May ever recorded.

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Following the devastating terrorist attack on Barcelona, many Spanish towns and cities reassessed their own security precautions – and Benidorm was no exception. Sadly driving vehicles down pedestrianized routes appear to be a favoured method of extremists and in response large heavy planters were positioned at many busy areas around the resort, including The Square, which is particularly popular with the Brits. The Levante promenade has been a particular problem and the police have now requested that vehicular access is even further restricted, presenting a proposal to the town hall. Most holidaymakers are totally oblivious, thinking it is a pedestrianized road anyway and startled when beeped to move out of the way.

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The recent UK press coverage of 81 year old Freda’s ‘dream holiday to Benidorm’ being ruined because “the hotel was full of Spanish holidaymakers” wouldn’t look out of place in a scene from Fawlty Towers! But her remarks get even more absurd when she asks “why can’t the Spanish go somewhere else?” Rather embarrassingly, this story has also appeared in the Spanish papers and you can just imagine their reactions! It is adding fuel to the fire of Spaniards perceptions of Brits just wanting a little Britain in the sun. Choosing the correct side of Benidorm is very important as they differ vastly, as is picking the correct accommodation, as Freda and probably many others quickly realise!

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The Mayor of Benidorm, Toni Perez is proposing to authorize bars along Levante beach to sell drinks on the beach in an attempt to eradicate the illegal cocktail sellers. Since the beginning of June there have apparently been undercover police posing as holidaymakers in an attempt to catch the perpetrators in the act. But all they do is confiscate the drinks and issue a fine – which in reality both know will not be paid. As tempting as they look - do not buy them - ever. They are prepared in the most dirty unhygenic conditions, on the floor and in doorways.

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The new Mayor is certainly going all out to bring about improvements to the resort. Workmen and diggers have moved in along the Levante promenade and the 20 ramps along the entire length are being replaced with solid metal and concrete structures. The vibrant Levante beach is the most popular with visiting Brits, attracted by the miles of golden sand and safe play areas for children so important to keep in perfect condition.

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The newly refurbished Port Benidorm Hotel – previously the Dalmatas has undergone a multi million euro transformation and is stunning. It certainly couldn’t be better located – a mere stones throw to the sandy Levante beach and the nightlife of Benidorm... an ideal combination! Now a superior 4 star the first thing which strikes you is the modern open airy feel throughout.

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Summer is here and so is the annual competition between tourists to bag the best sunbathing spot! Many years ago, the Brits would ridicule the Germans in particular when on holiday over ‘towel gate’ – getting up at the crack of dawn to reserve their sun loungers with a towel around the hotel swimming pool. But it doesn’t just happen around the hotel pool… if you are ever up early then take a stroll down the Levante promenade and you’ll see the coveted front line already lined with chairs and parasols, with hardly any occupants to be seen!

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What is undoubtedly Benidorm's most popular bar, Tiki Beach on the Levante beachfront has been ordered to close by the Supreme Court – but presently remains open and as normal, heaving. Like a game of ping ping, the saga between residents of the Santa Margarita building, directly above the bar and the owners of Tiki Beach, Benisuisse SL has been ongoing since 2010.  It is certainly a mecca for the Brits, who flock there in their thousands, usually spilling out onto the road to enjoy a beer with a view to live music. It is on the 'must do' list for most and no holiday to Benidorm is complete without a trip there - for many it's their first port of call once unpacked!

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