Benidorm East by Pierre and Vacances

We arrived at the hotel on Sunday 2nd August. The entrance and reception area looked lovely initially, but unfortunately, the experience went downhill very quickly.

The reception staff were incredibly rude and unhelpful from the moment we arrived. We were told our room wouldn’t be ready until 4pm, which was fine, and we were checked in, had our passports taken and were given a card with our room number – 516.

We were told to leave our luggage in a separate luggage room outside, which we did before heading out for the afternoon. When we returned, the key card wouldn’t work. The woman on reception took the card from us, threw it into a box on the desk, shrugged her shoulders and simply said, “It’s dead.”

We explained that we needed access to our luggage and then our room, as we had already checked in and been given our room number. She looked at us as though this was somehow a surprise. After plenty of huffing and puffing, we were eventually given different cards and were able to collect our luggage and go to our room.

Initially, we thought the room looked quite nice, but closer inspection told a very different story.

The headboard was scratched, damaged and peeling. The balcony door was broken and wouldn’t lock, which is particularly concerning from a safety and security point of view. The floor was filthy and the room generally looked tired, worn and unkempt.

Then we looked at the bathroom, which was honestly disgusting. There was black mould all around the bath, tiles and various areas of the bathroom. We even found a dirty towel shoved underneath the sink.

I deliberately left the towel where it was to see whether housekeeping would remove it. It remained there for the entire five nights of our stay. That really says everything about the standard of cleaning. If a dirty towel sitting underneath the sink isn’t noticed or removed during five days, what else is actually being cleaned?

The wooden areas around the sink and bathroom door were swollen and falling apart from obvious water damage. Overall, the room looked extremely tired and in desperate need of refurbishment and proper maintenance.

I genuinely have no idea how this hotel is rated as 4-star. I have stayed in much nicer 3-star hotels.

The pool area was another disappointment. There were constant “sunbed wars”, with people queuing from around 9am despite the pool not even opening until 10am, just to secure a sunbed and parasol. It was chaotic and completely took away from what should have been a relaxing holiday.

Unfortunately, based on our experience, we would not stay here again. There are plenty of much nicer 3 and 4-star hotels where the rooms are cleaner, better maintained and the customer service is considerably better.

For us, this hotel simply did not live up to its 4-star rating.

First time ever writing a review,not one of your moan about everything type 😁.

Currently staying at Benidorm East and a very mixed bag to be honest.

Rooms are dated but kept clean which is the main thing you look for,the plastic chairs in the room have no place in a 4 star hotel though !!!.

fridges are showing signs of age with rust,as with the rest of the furnishings and decor.

I can't complain about the hill as I was aware when I booked ,but for reference it's really steep,as stated in other reviews It's easy to get a taxi back up for 5 Euros or the free shuttle until 20:30.

Breakfast is good with a wide variety all fresh and hot,typical buffet style fruit juices though as with most hotels.

Stayed at the Bristol last year which is really good but the smal shaded lpool made me look elsewhere.

So went for Benidorm East based on bigger pool with sun all day.

It's a nice pool but as with most pools in Benidorm not big enough for the amoumt of people and rooms at the hotel.

Usual stampede when the pool opens at 10 ,only 10 umbrellas for the whole pool so not ideal for those that need a it of shade.

Think this hotel is a good 18/30 option which is fine if your looking for that,and I have to bear in mind Iwe've come here peak season so lots of young groups is expected.

Definately caters for younger groups.

In summary :

Clean hotel Good Breakfast Decent pool

People playing loud music from their balconies and shouting from one balcony to another. Very basic rooms for the 4 star ratimg. Nowhere near enough umbrellas around pool Lifts too small for size of hotel and sweltering. Location not the best.

We gave it a go but but back to the Bistol it is next year.

5 out of 10 😬