"After several years of holidaying in the UK, we decided to venture further afield and join some friends for a week in Benidorm.
Our family consisted of two adults, aged 37 and 39, an 11-year-old girl and a 7-year-old boy. We travelled with another family and friends, making up a group of 12, with ages ranging from 4 to 39.
We opted for Ultra All Inclusive, staying at Magic Natura from 22nd to 29th October 2026.
Here’s our experience, including the good, the bad and a few things I wish we’d known beforehand.
Location
Magic Natura is a few miles north of Benidorm’s main strip, approximately 10–15 minutes away by taxi.
Personally, I liked the location. You’re far enough away to avoid the noise of thousands of Brits having a fantastic time, but close enough to join the chaos whenever you fancy!
Taxi drivers were generally friendly, although fares varied considerably. We paid between €9 and €17 for exactly the same journey, with some drivers applying an additional €3 surcharge and others not.
Worth considering if you’re planning several trips into Benidorm.
Benidorm – Not What I Expected!
I’ll be honest, I was apprehensive about taking the children to Benidorm. Given its reputation for drunken Brits and questionable behaviour, I wasn’t sure what to expect.
Thankfully, my concerns were largely unfounded.
The kids had a fantastic time, particularly during our watersports day at the beach, where we enjoyed paddleboarding, the Flying Fish and the Crazy Sofa.
What surprised me most was how family-friendly Benidorm felt during the day. I’d expected considerably more visibly drunk people and stupid behaviour, but we encountered very little of it.
We didn’t take the children out beyond 8pm, so I can’t comment on the later evening atmosphere for families.
However, I did venture out with a group of adults for one evening to experience some of Benidorm’s famous (or infamous!) shows.
Well… what an experience!
I thoroughly enjoyed myself, although some of what I witnessed genuinely left me gobsmacked. I didn’t realise the human body could accommodate quite so much… equipment, shall we say. And following the infamous sticky show, I’ll never look at Star Wars quite the same way again!
That’s all I’ll say. If you know, you know!
Overall, Benidorm was a pleasant surprise. My advice to parents with similar reservations would be not to let its reputation put you off.
Booking and Value for Money
We booked through On the Beach, paying £1,720 for two adults and two children for seven nights, including Ultra All Inclusive.
Considering everything included, I thought this was reasonable.
However, pay attention to flight times!
Our outbound flight departed after 9pm on 22nd October, meaning we didn’t arrive until approximately 3am on the 23rd. We then left the resort at 6am on the 29th.
Effectively, we lost significant usable holiday time at both ends.
This isn’t Magic Natura’s fault, but it’s worth remembering when comparing package prices.
Arrival and Check-In
Our transfer from Alicante Airport was straightforward, with the coach waiting on arrival and the journey taking approximately an hour.
Reception staff were friendly, although checking in our group of 12 took over an hour.
At 3am, after travelling all evening, the last thing anyone wants is another hour of paperwork!
Much of the documentation could surely have been prepared beforehand.
Reception appeared consistently busy throughout our stay, although luggage storage was available for early arrivals.
Accommodation – Our Biggest Disappointment
We stayed in a two-bedroom lodge up the hill from reception.
From outside, it looked attractive, with a small wooden decking area. Unfortunately, the interior was considerably less impressive.
Sleeping Arrangements
The main room contained a sofa and two single beds pushed together to form a double.
Unfortunately, a wooden frame ran between the mattresses, making sleeping across the middle uncomfortable.
We also had single sheets and duvets but no proper duvet covers, meaning we had to improvise with the bedding.
Hardly ideal for a couple!
The television was awkwardly positioned, requiring you to turn your head whether sitting on the sofa or lying in bed. After giving myself neck ache, I gave up watching it!
Facilities included a vanity desk, fridge with drinks, microwave, kettle, cups, wardrobe space, under-bed storage and a safe.
Privacy was another issue. The door had a blackout curtain, but the window beside the bed only had a sheer curtain, allowing people outside to see in when the lights were on.
The children’s bedroom contained bunk beds and a small shelving unit. Basic but adequate, although its window faced another lodge just five feet away.
Bathrooms
Both bedrooms had their own bathroom, which was useful.
Unfortunately, they were tired and poorly maintained.
The main shower had a detached fitting, leaking pipe union and a door that wouldn’t close properly. Numerous old holes had also been filled around the shower.
And then there was the smell.
The toilet water absolutely stank!
Every flush produced an unpleasant smell that spread throughout the bathroom, remaining noticeable even with the door closed.
No amount of flushing improved it.
Considering the resort offers minibar top-ups, I’d rather they invested in toilet fresheners or investigated the cause!
Soundproofing and Housekeeping
The walls appeared to be constructed from a few sheets of wallpaper!
We could clearly hear neighbouring guests, while the internal walls offered little privacy between bedrooms.
On a positive note, I’ve read complaints about housekeeping, but personally, I had none. Our accommodation was cleaned twice, towels were replaced, and everything was fine.
Overall, the lodge was functional but desperately needed refurbishment. The uncomfortable beds, bathroom condition, unpleasant smell and poor soundproofing made it our biggest disappointment.
Resort Layout
I liked the resort layout, with accommodation spread between reception and a substantial hill overlooking the main facilities.
The pools, restaurants, bars and social areas were easy to find, with good signage and plenty of seating.
However, the hill is worth considering for anyone with mobility difficulties, pushchairs or younger children. It’s a decent climb after a long day!
Food and Restaurants
Main Buffet
The buffet was what I’d expect from an all-inclusive family resort.
There was reasonable variety, and we could generally find something to eat.
Was it exceptional? No.
Was it terrible? Also no.
It was perfectly acceptable for what it was.
Don’t expect Michelin-star dining. It’s a standard buffet catering for hundreds of guests.
Queues varied, although we only had to queue outside once.
Nothing particularly impressed me, but I didn’t have major complaints either.
Italian Restaurant
As part of Ultra All Inclusive, we visited the Italian restaurant above the buffet.
Unfortunately, it was disappointing.
The food was comparable to Wetherspoons back home. Edible, but nothing special.
More disappointing was the service. One waiter was impatient, arrogant, blunt and unnecessarily rude.
Thankfully, the waitress working alongside him was friendly and helpful.
Maüi Beachfront Restaurant
We also visited Maüi on the beachfront.
Again, disappointing.
The all-inclusive menu was limited, with certain items, including burgers, requiring additional payment.
Given its location and competition from nearby restaurants, I’d expected better.
The food wasn’t particularly impressive, although staff were friendly.
We were restricted to two drinks with our meal. My first was a glass of red wine containing approximately two average-sized gulps! I opted for a cocktail afterwards.
Overall, the buffet was acceptable, but the alternative restaurants didn’t offer the improvement I’d expected from Ultra All Inclusive.
You won’t go hungry, but don’t expect exceptional dining.
Drinks and Ultra All Inclusive
The drinks were fairly standard, comparable to Wetherspoons.
Beer was okay but quite flat, wines were drinkable, and cocktails were acceptable.
One pleasant surprise was the availability of recognisable brands, including Cruzcampo, Smirnoff, Disaronno and Malibu.
I mainly drank cocktails, generally combinations of spirits, syrups and fizzy drinks.
Consistency wasn’t a priority, though!
A strawberry daiquiri might be made using strawberry slush by one bartender and lemonade by another.
They were fine, and bar queues were generally manageable.
Swimming Pools
Magic Natura has several pools, including toddler areas, children’s slides, a jacuzzi-style pool and larger general swimming pools.
Lifeguards supervised the areas, which was reassuring.
The variety was good, although the water was absolutely freezing!
Admittedly, we visited in October, but getting in certainly required determination.
Sunbeds were readily available, and the pools never felt overcrowded.
No 6am towel-on-a-sunbed Olympics, thankfully!
Drinks and snacks were easily accessible, with minimal queues.
Aqua Natura Water Park – Excellent!
This was probably our favourite part of the resort.
We spent two full days here and thoroughly enjoyed it.
There was an excellent variety of pools, slides and activities for different ages.
The park also featured mermaid and sea lion swimming experiences, although the latter was closed during both visits.
Staff were friendly, facilities were clean, and all-inclusive food and drinks were available.
Queues were short during our October visit.
Additional Charges
Sunbeds cost €8, which didn’t bother me too much given that admission was included.
However, a balcony overlooking the main pool offered five seats for €195 per day!
Yes, €195 for five seats!
Nobody used it during either of our visits. I can’t say I’m surprised!
Rubber Rings – Don’t Make Our Mistake!
We paid over €30 for rubber rings, believing they were needed for the slides.
As it turned out, the slides had their own rings available!
We used ours once.
The only benefit was bypassing queues for shared rings, which might be worthwhile in summer but certainly wasn’t during our visit.
My advice: Check whether you need to hire rings before paying!
Despite these extras, Aqua Natura was fantastic and one of the biggest highlights of our holiday.
Terra Natura Wildlife Park
Another excellent attraction.
Terra Natura is a substantial zoo with a wide variety of animals across a large area.
Many enclosures were impressively sized, and the animals appeared healthy and well cared for.
There was plenty to explore, including excellent climbing equipment, toddler play areas and refreshments.
One disappointment was the dirty viewing windows around some animals, particularly the crocodiles and tigers.
Although we had Ultra All Inclusive, I couldn’t find anywhere within the zoo to use our package for refreshments, so we paid separately.
Prices were reasonable, broadly comparable to UK attractions.
Overall, Terra Natura was fantastic and a proper day out in its own right.
Entertainment and Activities
There appeared to be a reasonable entertainment programme, with regular evening shows and children’s activities.
We only attended the Michael Jackson tribute.
He was alright!
It wasn’t quite a performance that would have you questioning whether Michael Jackson had secretly returned from the dead, but it was entertaining enough.
We didn’t use many other activities, as the zoo, water park, pools and Benidorm kept us busy.
Staff and Customer Service
This is somewhere Magic Natura deserves praise.
With one exception, staff were consistently friendly, polite and helpful.
Benidorm attracts visitors from all walks of life, and I can only imagine some of the situations staff deal with!
Despite this, almost everyone was cheerful and accommodating.
Particular praise goes to the ladies at the buffet entrance, who were always welcoming, helpful and full of energy.
Bar staff, cleaners, lifeguards and reception staff were also generally excellent.
Apart from the waiter in the Italian restaurant, I have very few complaints.
Cleanliness – Absolutely Excellent!
One thing that genuinely surprised me was how clean the communal areas were.
Every evening, after the pools closed, staff thoroughly cleaned and disinfected everything.
Sun loungers, tables, floors, surrounding areas and the main square were all meticulously maintained.
Communal toilets were consistently clean, and the overall standard was excellent.
I genuinely couldn’t fault it.
The buffet restaurant was another example.
I was amazed by the amount of food ending up on the floor, particularly around tables with young children.
I’ve got kids myself. I know they drop food and occasionally treat the floor like an extension of their dinner plate!
What surprised me was how many parents made absolutely no attempt to clean up after them.
Personally, I’ve always tried to pick up whatever mess my children make.
Credit to the restaurant staff, though. They were incredibly quick to clear tables and clean floors.
They worked exceptionally hard and deserve recognition.
The tired condition of our accommodation was more of a maintenance issue than a reflection of the cleaners.
Facilities and Extras
Wi-Fi: Included, with reasonable speeds, although it frequently disconnected devices.
Shops: One main shop and various vendors stocked everyday essentials, including nappies, sanitary products, food and drinks.
Laundry: Washing and drying cost €7, including detergent and softener. I thought this was a little steep.
An ironing board was available, and I overheard someone mentioning a €20 deposit for an iron, although I can’t confirm that.
I was disappointed that accommodation didn’t include an iron. I hate wearing creased clothes, particularly after they’ve spent hours in a suitcase!
I eventually bought a cheap travel iron in town.
A small complaint, perhaps, but something I think should be available as standard.
Is Ultra All Inclusive Worth It?
A difficult question.
We had plenty of food and drink, recognisable alcohol brands, alternative restaurants and access to two excellent parks.
Considering the cost of feeding and entertaining a family of four, there’s certainly value in that.
However, I don’t think “Ultra” necessarily translated into an ultra-premium experience.
The buffet was average, alternative restaurants disappointing, and various additional charges remained.
The €8 sunbeds, paid rubber rings and restrictions at Maüi are worth knowing about.
For me, the real value came from convenience and access to the water park and zoo.
If you’re planning to make full use of those attractions, there’s a strong argument for the package.
If you’re expecting exceptional food, premium cocktails and luxury accommodation, you’ll probably be disappointed.
Final Verdict – Would We Return?
Magic Natura has some genuinely excellent attractions and facilities, but also obvious areas requiring improvement.
Our highlights were Aqua Natura, Terra Natura, our family watersports day in Benidorm, the friendly staff and exceptional communal cleanliness.
The water park was fantastic, and the wildlife park offered plenty to see and do.
Benidorm itself was a pleasant surprise. I’d arrived with reservations about taking the children, but we found it far more family-friendly during the day than expected.
Staff deserve considerable recognition for their friendliness and hard work.
Unfortunately, the accommodation was our biggest disappointment.
It felt tired, poorly maintained and lacking basic comforts. The uncomfortable beds, unpleasant bathroom smell, thin walls and general condition detracted from the experience.
Food could also be better, particularly in the alternative restaurants.
So, would I recommend Magic Natura?
Yes, particularly for families wanting an activity-packed holiday without expecting luxury accommodation or outstanding dining.
If your priority is keeping the children entertained, enjoying the water park, exploring the zoo and having food and drinks readily available, there’s plenty to enjoy.
If you’re looking for beautifully maintained rooms, excellent food and a genuinely premium all-inclusive experience, I’d suggest carefully reviewing the accommodation before booking.
Would I return?
I wouldn’t rule it out, particularly at the right price, but I’d want improvements to the accommodation before being particularly enthusiastic.
Ultimately, we paid £1,720 for a family of four, and considering everything included, I don’t think that was unreasonable.
Magic Natura has the potential to be an excellent family resort. In many respects, it already is.
It just needs to bring the accommodation and dining standards up to the same level as its attractions, staff and communal facilities.
Overall: A good family holiday destination with excellent attractions, friendly staff and plenty to entertain the children, but let down by tired accommodation and average food - but on the whole, it was value for money with all things considered.
Hopefully, this helps anyone considering booking. Our experience was during the final week of October, so queues, pool temperatures and activity availability may differ during the busier summer months."
