La Estación Hotel

Situated above a bus station and a rundown shopping mall, La Estacion Hotel is clad in corrugated metal panels and concrete. Inside, the place is similarly characterless and largely dated, with green marble floors, honey-tone wood panels and tables, and brown-leather couches in the lobby. A few vending machines, blue signs indicating where facilities are located, and a rack of brochures completes the budget vacation hotel look. The low-ceilinged is also nondescript, with simple dark wood tables and chairs, but the vibe gets more cheery outside. A small pool is set in faux grass, and the surrounding terrace is partly shaded by two steel, sail-like structures. Views of Benidorm proper and the nearby mountains make for a pleasant setting, and the atmosphere here is largely relaxed. 

La Estacion Hotel is just off the highway that runs up the Spanish coast, on the outskirts of Benidorm. It's housed in the same building as the Benidorm bus station and a mostly deserted shopping mall, plus next to a supermarket. Travelers looking to visit Benidorm proper will have to walk (downhill) between 20 and 30 minutes to reach the town center, two beaches, and a variety of restaurants, bars, and shops. Those wanting to avoid an uphill walk back can take a 10- to 15-minute taxi ride. Expect a 50-minute drive to Alicante Airport.

Rooms are as dull and drab as the shared areas downstairs, featuring faux-wood floors, basic dark-wood furniture, and neutral-tone walls. Dated orange-and-brown-striped bedspreads, orange-cushioned chairs, and pieces of artwork add some personality. On the plus side, some rooms have pleasant views of Benidorm and the mountains. Additionally, bathrooms are modern, outfitted with beige limestone tiles, shower/tub combos, bidets, and hairdryers. Standard amenities include desks, flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, mini-fridges, and closets. Safes are provided but they require a fee. Junior Suites add separate, simple living rooms with sofa beds. Suites have two bedrooms and two bathrooms.

For a budget option, the La Estacion Hotel has a sufficient list of amenities. The simple restaurant serves an affordable buffet breakfast with hot fare such as eggs and bacon, and continental fare like cereal, yogurt, pastries, and fruit. Other meals are available here, though most guests dine off-site for lunch and dinner. A bar serves drinks and snacks throughout the day and into the evening. There is a small, well-equipped gym with a handful of cardio machines and free weights, as well as a sauna. Outside is a swimming pool in a faux-grass terrace lined with loungers. Much of the terrace is shaded by the building. A meeting room on-site can hold 75 people. There is free, secure underground parking for cars, as well as bike storage and a bike workshop. Free Wi-Fi is accessible throughout the hotel.