Review date: 11 March 2008 - A HotelStreet visitor from Glasgow wrote:-

Review title: "Good Times!"
Travel date: September 2007
Me and my family have been visiting the Vacanza apartments for six years now. We enjoy every stay and think the hospitality and resort is fantastic.

We love the massive pool provided and adore the fact its a couple of minutes away from the beach and the near by shops are amazing - got everything you need! Plus, the market is close. What more could you ask for? Adios.

Review date: 09 January 2008 - A HotelStreet visitor from Newcastle Upon Tyne wrote:-

Review title: "Vacanza"
Travel date: August 2007
I went to the Vacanza complex last year and I must say I had a great time. I was a bit worried when I heard about people getting broken in to, but it didn't happen when I was there. It was the best holiday I have ever been on and I am hoping to go back this year. Dom who runs the bar is amazing - we hope to see him again.

Review date: 03 May 2007 - A HotelStreet visitor from Glasgow wrote:-

Review title: "Better Than All The Rest"
Travel date: September 2006
For the past few years me and my family have been visiting Vacanza apartments and have found our stays to be fantastic.

Our last stay wasn't so good though as our arrival day was the day they were closing the pool for two weeks to rebuild it. This was the only thing we didn't enjoy about our stay. We were told we could have gone up to the new block 'Vacanza 2' but were never given a key for the gates.

The break ins have come as a shock to us as we have found Vacanza to be a safe and friendly place. The unfortunate people who were broken into were in the Monte Carlos block which is the opposite direction from Vacanza Apartments and the security are mostly always surrounding that block and the ones up the hill.

Benidorm is a fantastic place and we are all going back in September this year and staying in the Vacanza again. We enjoy the views you can see from the balconies and we like coming in at night and just sitting listening to the big hotel across from us blasting their Spanish music and partying it all night long.

The beach is fantastic and only a couple of minutes away. The big supermarket is right across from the apartments and is very handy.

The people who did not like their stay at Vacanza may disagree with my comments, but everyone's view is different.

Review date: 18 March 2007 - A HotelStreet visitor from West Midlands, England wrote:-

Review title: "Vacanza, A Fab Holiday 2005"
Travel date: October 2005
We stayed in the Vacanza and had a fab time. There are quite a lot of bad reviews about this place but we had a great time. The apartment was big enough for the six of us (two adults and four children) and was well laid out, with the usual washer, kettle, toaster, iron etc.

The main pool is plenty big enough for the site, with a smaller pool up some steps next to it. There was a poolside bar but it wasn't open and there wasn't any on site food, but there is a great supermarket approximately three minutes from the apartments.

You are near enough to the shops and local indoor market, plus the night life isn't really that far away. There is a bit of a hill to get up on your way back to the Vacanza, but you get used to it. All in all, I would definitely stay there again in the future without hesitation.

Review date: 05 September 2005 - A HotelStreet visitor from England wrote:-

Review title: "Vacanza Complex"
Travel date: August 2005
We have just got back from Vacanza in Benidorm. I will admit I was very scared about what I had let myself in for after reading all the reviews, but I had already booked so we had to go but we left a lot of valuable things at home like digital camera and camcorder because of all the break ins. I was quite stressed all week thinking we would get broken in to and we locked all our cases after unpacking as we had heard the cases would be used to pinch everything and being as we were on a late flight I was worried we would be left at the gate and not be able to get in. We were never given a code but there were a few of us on the coach so once the gate was opened, we just lodged a case against it to keep it open for everybody to get in. If you come at night, you have to book in at reception and be prepared to wait for security to notice you arrive and book you in as reception is locked at night. We were all waiting in the building next to reception as there was a desk in there. If it is in the day, just press the buzzer on the door and somebody should come.

Make sure you have two sets of keys as we heard somebody lost their 100 euro deposit as they only had one set and couldn't prove they was only given one set. If you don't pay the 100 euros, they just retain your passport but if there are any problems with room, you will have to pay before you can get it back. We had no problems with booking out and got our 100 euros back as soon as keys were dropped off. Others were waiting for the room to be checked before they could get their deposit back so it may have been because they did not book through a company such as First Choice or Thomson. You also need to pay ten euros for deposit for the key per week plus a five euros deposit which you get back when you hand back the key. If you book in at night, you just leave your passport at reception with security and you have 24 hours to leave the deposit and get the passport back and book in properly (usually in the morning) plus get a safe key

We enjoyed our stay. As far as all the other things reported in other reviews, I am afraid they do happen. We got to the apartment at 3 am and a young couple were in reception complaining and very angry as they had just got in after a night out and they had been broken in to and had their safe ripped off the wall and as they rightly said, why pay for a safe if it can be taken?? They were in the Monte Carlo block which is where you end up if you book through First Choice so BEWARE!!

We booked through Thomson via Portland Direct which is a sister company and we were in the Vacanza block with is only six floors high. We were on level four which was actually only on the second floor with a good pool view and had no problems in the 14 days but we still worried for two weeks that we would get broken in to. The safe in Vacanza is a solid iron one bolted down and two of us couldn't lift it so it was very secure. In Montecarlo, I don't think the problem is security doing break-ins, I think it is down to locals who live in the block as we were on balcony every night until late and security was walking around outside all night checking cars/pool and the outside of building.

The room was very clean but be prepared to brush/mop and put out rubbish. Bins are all the way down the street so we just put it in on our way out. Kitchen had auto washer, full fridge freezer, four ring gas hob (bring matches or lighter), pop up toaster, boil on the hob kettle and the usual cutlery/plates/pans and cups/glasses. We were in a two bed apartment and one room had en suite bathroom with bath/shower, toilet, bidet and sink and full size mirror with power point at the side. Then there was another separate bathroom with shower, sink and toilet and full size mirror with power point which was very useful with four kids and two adults getting up in the morning and all needing the bathroom.

The pool was huge, even the baby pool was big with a waterfall in the middle. The big pool was really good as it was shallow all the way around the edge which is good when you have a four year old as she fell in the pool last year in another complex and we had to jump in to get her out. Luckily she was close by. Vacanza pool gets deeper as you walk in and there is a lifeguard on duty all day (pool hours are 10 am until 7 pm) but don't expect him to watch your kids as I saw one little one struggle in the water (I'd say about three years) and even though a couple of grown men ripped his head off for not watching, I think the parents should have taken some blame for not watching the child in water.. At the end of the day, a child can drown in a small amount of water and this was the big pool not the baby pool. We stayed by the baby pool as it was quiet and our four year old could play in the pool as the big pool is down about ten steps away from the little pool which is also a good idea. The sun loungers are unlocked at 10 am (another good idea as it stops everybody putting out towels at 4 am). I found there were enough sun beds during our 14 days. If there wasn't, the pool had grass gardens around the pool so you could lay an inflatable on the ground or a towel to lay on. Be aware, no inflatables are allowed in the pool, not even rubber rings for little ones in the big pool. They will point you to the baby pool.

Also shoes are to be worn all the time when entering the buildings and no wet feet allowed. If too much noise is made and upsets the locals who live there, they will AND DO call in the police and they will remove you from the site, even though we heard a couple of rows at three and four in the morning. The TV in your room is Spanish channels only.

There is plenty to see and do and plenty of shops for clothes and shoes and very cheap. We started the week having afternoon snacks in the room as there were six of us but it was cheaper to eat out as it was costing just as much in the supermarket to get food in everyday. The Chinese restaurants have a happy menu with is starter, main course and desert with half a bottle of wine for 3.95 euros (about £2.50) so we had them for six and got the two youngest kids Fanta orange separately so we ended up with three bottles of wine with our three course meal for 24 euros.

Yorkshire Pride is another good place to eat, very reasonable prices and the plates are huge and homemade chips not frozen which most use. They are an English couple who run it and very friendly. Another English pub with meals is Queen Mary which you will see on your left as you walk down this huge hill everybody is on about, or mountain, or what it is described as, an incline. My four year old uses to run up it to beat us to the gates. If you come out of the front gates and turn right and then left down Londres Road, past Yorkshire Pride etc, at the bottom there is a supermarket on the opposite side and tobacco shops for all your booze and fags around the corner, or go to bottom of Londres Road and turn left and then just keep walking. There is a Burger King and a MacDonald's at the end of it and the beach is across the road (15 minutes from Vacanza). It could be less but we had four kids with us.

We did worry about break-ins which made it stressful but we did have a good time and would go back to Vacanza some time, but while the kids are young I would prefer something with night time entertainment and a kids' club as we had to go out every night and everyday to keep them entertained and it got a bit much for the four year old all the walking day and night which is why we used to have to get her to run up the street back to Vacanza to get her back so we didn't have to carry her. But I don't recommend Vacanza complex if you find walking a problem as I did hear a few people who found the walk up and down for two weeks a bit much. We didn't find it a problem. Overall we enjoyed our stay; you just need to be aware there are break-ins but mainly in the tall rise blocks not in the Vacanza block! Maid service came every four days and we tried to be in when they came. Hope you have a good stay! We enjoyed ours!

Review date: 21 July 2005 - A HotelStreet visitor from Ireland wrote:-

Review title: "Not As Bad As You Had All Said!!"
Travel date: July 2005
We are a family of four and we had stayed in these apartments three years ago and had a fab time. Before leaving on this holiday I had read the reviews and was alarmed to say the least. I had spoken with my husband and at the point of becoming a neurotic maniac as far as the clothes and home comforts we shouldn't bring in case they were stolen, he had to put me back into my box and stop worrying not only myself but the kids as well (I wouldn't allow them to bring walkmans, jewellery etc).

We arrived at around 10.30pm, were given our keys, all was very efficient, unpacked and went out for dinner. The following two weeks were great. I would say if you want a quiet location don't stay here. Since our last visit when there were a lot of families, there seem to be a lot of groups and the groups invite their friends in from other locations. The security seems to be a miss as far as late nights are concerned, with windows open and walls and floors paper thin. It can be hard to ignore it, but we didn't let this phase us as such, there were a couple in our block that liked a late night slaging and singing match which was a bit much.

The pool is great for the kids, it's shallow enough for the small ones and deep enough for swimmers, the surround area of the pool will soon need attention, there's more gum stuck to the floor than Wrigleys make and is very slippery and the painted floor sticks to the lotion on your feet and legs!

Once last thing, you may think I have moaned a lot, I haven't. Ladies put away your boobs, these should only come out on the beach not in a confined space where children are, not everyone needs to see these things hanging around your middles!!

The holiday was great, the room, weather, bars, food, shopping, things to do in the area are great, I would recommend this as a family holiday, venture further a field than your doorstep for more Spanish culture.

Review date: 01 July 2005 - A HotelStreet visitor from Scotland wrote:-

Review title: "Great Time"
Travel date: June 2005
We are just home from Benidorm and had a great time. The apartments were clean and spacious. The only fault I had was there was only one mirror in the place and it was in the toilet.

We had most of our meals in a place called 'The Yorkshire Pride'. This is a lovely place and all the staff were very friendly. The food was lovely and there was plenty of it. There is a wee place over the road from it called 'Bradleys'. This was also a very nice place.

I had read a lot about the complex before we went and I admit I was a bit scared as to what we were going to find so it was a good surprise when we got there. It is on a hill but there are plenty of wee bars all the way up. We had great weather so this was a bit of a struggle to get to the top when it was very warm but I wouldn't be put off by that at all.

The rep at the apartments was very helpful and very friendly. His name is Paul, a lovely chap so please if you are going to the Vacanza in the near future, I'm sure you will have a good time.

Review date: 19 February 2007 - A HotelStreet visitor from Blackpool, Lancashire, England wrote:-

Review title: "Will Highly Recommend"
Travel date: April 2005
Have stayed here twice in both Vacanza and Monaco blocks. Have recommended it to many people and they have loved it. Ignore all of the bad reviews. I am coming back in 2007 with my parents whom have shied away from Spain for many years.

Review date: 23 June 2005 - A HotelStreet visitor from Manchester wrote:-

Review title: "Excellent Choice"
Travel date: August 2004
My husband, myself and two teenagers stayed here last year. We had a great time. No problems at all. We stayed in Monte Carlo block on the 17th floor. The view all over Benidorm was fantastic. We all loved the pool.

I think the only thing missing was evening entertainment, although it was only approximately ten minutes walk down to all the entertainment in town but it would have been nice to have some on the complex for the nights when felt too lazy to trail around, especially having to climb that hill back to the apartments late at night.

Having the supermarket right outside was really handy. We enjoyed it so much both the kids have pestered us to go back so in August we are off again to the same accommodation. (That says it must have been good - to please two teenagers - thats saying something)!!!

Review date: 28 March 2005 - A HotelStreet visitor from Chatham, Kent, England wrote:-

Review title: "I Would Only Ever Stay In Vacanza Apartments"
Travel date: September 2003
We stayed in the Vacanza Apartments in September 2003. What an excellant apartment it was with all the facilities like being at home. It was a very quite location with only five minutes walk from all the hustle and bustle.

What a brilliant place to spend a week. We didn't want to come home. As a well travelled couple, we were worried about going to Benidorm but the entertainment was brilliant, something going on in every bar you went in. I will definately return and stay in the Vacanza Apartments.