MedPlaya Hotel Rio Park

Even by the standards of Benidorm, the MedPlaya Hotel Rio Park is housed in a mostly characterless building with all the charm of a '70s hotel. While far from the tallest building, it is one of the largest, with three uniform towers connecting in a Y-shape. Inside, the modern lobby is colorful, with yellow, blue, and leather couches arranged in seating islands, and orange and yellow slatted ceilings with recessed lights. The restaurant's entrance walls are covered in photos of previous guests -- the "Hall of Fame" -- many of whom return year after year. Elevators have glass sides overlooking the pool terrace -- they can get busy at peak times. The hotel caters almost exclusively to British package tour vacationers -- it reportedly holds the record for having hosted more British tourists than any other hotel anywhere. The hotel draws mostly older couples, but with its kid-friendly amenities, plenty of families check in here too.

The hotel is located east of central Benidorm, surrounded by similar hotels and high-rises in a neighborhood typified by British pubs, cafes, and bars -- many sporting Union Flags and references to their British owners. The property is a 10-minute walk to Levante Beach and its seafront promenade lined with eateries, ice-cream parlors, and souvenir shops. Benidorm's more charming old town, with its numerous restaurants and bars, is about a 10-minute drive from the hotel. The closest airport, on the outskirts of Alicante, is a 45-minute drive away.

The decor in MedPlaya Hotel Rio Park's 456 rooms is mostly bright and cheerful, with yellow and blue fabrics, terrazzo-tile floors, and light-wood furniture. That being said, it's quite dated and dorm like in terms of quality, and the brass-framed pastel art doesn't add much in the way of appeal. Club Rooms, however, are more stylish, with wood floors and smart earth tones. Most rooms have sliding glass doors that open to balconies with plastic seating; some overlook the pool others but others have views of other buildings or the road. None have sea views. All rooms are air-conditioned, and come with safes, a mix of mounted flat-screen and tube-style TVs, with plenty of British channels. Wi-Fi is available for a fee. While some bathrooms feature marble tops, most are in tired white tile in need of regrouting. All include bidets, basic toiletries, and shower/tub combos. Single Rooms are tiny (some have bunk beds), and soundproofing between the rooms could be better.

A stand-out feature here is the food in the buffet restaurant, which serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Dishes are generally tailored to English tastes, and the restaurant gets crowded at peak times. Packages that include breakfast and half-board are available. Fast food and snacks are available at the colorful main bar, which also provides evening entertainment, while a poolside bar has table games. A British-style pub shows live sports. While there's only one swimming pool, it is divided into three sections (for kids, free-style swimming, and laps) and is large enough to rarely feel crowded. The surrounding sun terrace isn't particularly attractive, though there are plentiful loungers and parasols, as well as poolside entertainment and a separate decked terrace for smokers. Children are well catered for, with their own playground, a kids' club, and a nightly mini-disco. Wi-Fi is available free only in the lobby -- the signal is slow. Scooters are available for rent, and there's a shop selling sundries and beach gear on-site as well.