"Just back after a week at the Poseidon Playa and cant fault it for anything except possibly location. First thing though - i stayed there in November when it was definitely quieter so things like the restaurant and the lifts would be a lot busier in the peak season.
If you're getting a transfer from the airport, the bus will drop you off on the main road and its a 100m walk uphill to the hotel. The staff at reception are helpful but a bit formal rather than friendly. Not sure if that's a Spanish thing but didnt bother me. The safe (if you want it) is e2 a day plus e15 deposit which you get back on checking out. We went half board so you get breakfast (8-10.30) and youre choice of either lunch (1 -3.30) or dinner (7-9.30) which is very helpful in planning your day. The hotel is 17 storeys high and all rooms have a sea view as its basically 1 room deep. The rooms themselves are immaculate and very well appointed for the price and the cleaners are in every day doing a great job. you get the usual (TV/Fridge/Air Con and Safe) but no kettle so bring your own if you like a cuppa. Wifi is free, the password is your room number and your first name.
As other reviews mention, the hotel caters for a mostly spanish (and elderly when we were there) clientele but thats no big deal as all the staff speak english though they appreciate you making an effort at spanish. The entertainment especially in the evening does seem to have a spanish flavour to it but who goes to benidorm to stick around the hotel in the evenings (apart from elderly spanish people) so again no big deal.
Food in the restaurant is great - plenty of choices at every sitting and a carvery every dinner time. i was never stuck trying to find something to eat except once when there seemed to be a lot of fish dishes and not much meat but i found something to eat. Staff are very conscientious about stopping guests leaving the restaurant with food so dont do it (or at least stick it in your pocket and dont walk past them with it in your hand). Bottles of beer are e2.50 and carafes of wine e3.50 but theres a drinks package you can get where you pay e3.75 per night for a min of 4 nights and can have as many drinks as you want within reason so a couple of drinks and youre ahead. Ask at reception about it - they dont advertise it for some reason. Oh and theres free Prosecco at breakfast if you fancy a sparkling start to your day - never seen that at any other hotel ive stayed at!
The location of the hotel was the only reason it didnt get 5 stars. if you want a quiet break lying by the pool (or on the great beach directly opposite the hotel) and eating in the restaurant, then youve hit the jackpot here. if you fancy a bit of nightlife or even a pub to have a few drinks, its a bit of a yomp into the old town (20 mins) and even further to the new town where the strip is (30+ mins). The hotel is definitely located in the quiet part of town but thats no bad thing if its what you (and the elderly spanish guests again) want in a holiday. There are a couple of buses that will take you into town (bus stop is uphill from the hotel entrance, turn right at the second roundabout and 100m along the road). 2 buses will take you into town (7 and 10 i think). One takes you to the bus station at the top of the old town, the other to the casino basically one street down from the end of the strip in the new town. cant remember which is which. all bus trips into town seem to cost e1.60 though theres a card you can buy which halves that cost (ask around).
All public transport is very cheap, the tram to Alicante was e3.60 for a 90 minute journey while the tram in the other direction to Altea (c30 mins) was e1.60. Alicante is worth the visit (Castle/Old Town/Promenade and the City Market), not so sure about Altea - nice little area around the church on the hill but thats it and then youre headed home again. if you fancy a walk out of Benidorm, the walk to the cross is interesting and uphill and gives you good views of the resort. Bring a marker, its more spiritual than i realised and a lot of people write dedications on the base of the cross. The big market in Benidorm was rubbish - full of tourist tat, i wouldnt bother with it. Visit the old town and Tapas Alley on a friday/saturday night for a real flavour of spain as all the locals head out to dine and drink. Better than the new town any time! Had trouble finding a pub with a decent band in the new town which came as a bit of shock. Saw a couple of decent acts but everyone does an hour and then is replaced by someone awful. The whole strip area just felt a bit dodgy though i never really saw or experienced anything that unpleasant, even the drunks were well behaved.
Think thats eveything covered - as i said, the hotel couldnt be faulted in any way. its location is the only drawback but i assume thats why its so cheap. If you want a quiet holiday and to be around the spanish on hols, go for it!"
