Hotel Avenida

While the Hotel Avenida dates from 1959, a 2016 renovation transformed the facade with steel and glass to a look far more like a 21st- century property. That's a blessing in a town that's packed with outdated budget crash pads. The small reception area, with its warm-wood panels, polished marble, and mirrored surfaces reflecting a hanging, cut-glass chandelier, is more traditional. Up a sweeping staircase, a bright lounge area, with cheerful reds and yellows complemented by colorful art and contemporary furniture shows another shift in tone. Two small elevators ferry guests to one of five floors, including a rooftop terrace with a pool, whirlpool, and views over the Mediterranean. It's not exactly a cutting-edge property, but in terms of Benidorm digs, it's one of the nicer ones that we've visited. Travelers span the spectrum, from couples to groups of friends traveling together to families, and skew older in the cooler months.

The hotel is located in the bustling center of Benidorm on Calle Gambo -- one of the city's main shopping streets. It's pedestrian-only but a block from nearest trafficked street, with numerous bars, restaurants, and shops a short walk away. The hotel is within walking distance of Benidorm's sandy beaches, with Levante Beach just two blocks away, and Poniente Beach a five-minute walk away. The scenic old town, which has a small stretch of sand and a headland cliff with superb sea views, is also about a five-minute walk away. Mundomar, a popular local aquarium, is a 15-minute drive outside of town, as is Aqualandia, a water park ideal for those traveling with kids. The nearest airport, on the outskirts of Alicante, is a 45-minute drive from the hotel.

All of Hotel Avenida's 156 rooms were renovated in 2016, and feel fresh and modern, with a vibrant blue-and-white color scheme, minimalist white furniture, and light wood laminate floors. Sea-themed photomurals of Benidorm and its surroundings adorn the walls behind the beds, giving the rooms some welcome personality. Amenities include mini-fridges, 32-inch flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, and free Wi-Fi, though rooms lack tea- and coffee-making facilities. Some rooms open to furnished balconies overlooking the street, which can be noisy, while a few feature sea views -- the best views are naturally from the higher-floor rooms. Not all bathrooms are of the same quality, though, and some have white-tile walls and beige-tile floors in lieu of marble in the more modern rooms. All have shower/tub combos and wall-mounted hairdryers as well as a decent amount of counter space.

The hotel's highlight is its rooftop terrace with a swimming pool -- it's narrow but long enough for laps, and it's heated in winter -- a whirlpool tub, and views over the Mediterranean. There's a second terrace area with more sun loungers as well. The spacious restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner buffets, with all-inclusive or breakfast-only packages available. The hotel bar offers live evening entertainment, which is geared to adults, not children. Health facilities include a gym with a limited range of weight-training and cardio equipment -- it's fine for a basic workout -- and a sauna. There are no specific kid-friendly amenities. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property. There is no on-site parking.