Hotel Cimbel

On paper, the Cimbel offers a similar experience to many of the other upper-middle-range hotels in Benidorm. It is housed in a 13-story white tower with a spacious pool deck, a buffet restaurant, and simple rooms with generic decor. However, its location gives it an edge over many of its direct competitors. The hotel overlooks sandy Levante Beach, and some of its common spaces and rooms offer panoramic views of the Mediterranean. The hotel is also quieter than many of Benidorm’s properties, with evening live music but no full entertainment program translating to a lack of both pool games and loud thumping music -- a plus for most guests, but not for those seeking out Benidorm's party vibes. This mellower atmosphere draws mature European couples year round, but families have enough to keep everyone happy as well, with a kiddy pool and spacious rooms for up to four guests. Interiors are nothing to write home about, with generic furniture and a soft neutral palette, though everything is kept clean and tidy, and large windows let in lots of sunlight throughout. 

Hotel Cimbel is centrally located in Benidorm -- directly on sandy Levante Beach and its promenade, and a short stroll from both the old town and the nightlife area. The semi-pedestrianized seafront avenue is lined with restaurants, shops, and bars, and there are plenty more on the streets behind the hotel. While the area is busy day and night, noise generally isn’t an issue, as there aren’t many loud bars directly adjacent to the hotel. However, the party isn't far away, and bustling Calle Gerona -- where the bulk of the town's nightclubs are located -- is just two blocks north of the hotel. Benidorm’s Old Town, with its narrow cobbled streets and varied dining options, can be reached in a pleasant 10-minute walk along the promenade. The nearest airport is Alicante-Elche, located a 45-minute drive away. The Cimbel offers on-site parking for a daily fee.

The hotel has 161 clean, air-conditioned rooms spread over 13 floors. Decor is bland and a tad uninspired, though on the more modern side of things when compared with many of Benidorm's woefully dated mid-range and upper-middle-range options. Expect to see basic wooden furniture with clean lines, a combination of dark brown and lighter neutral tones, and details like blue accent walls and laminate floors that lend rooms a fresh feel. Still, the brown striped bedspreads can't help but look dated. Some updated rooms have padded headboards. Amenities are straightforward, and include free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, and minibars. Safes are only provided for a fee. All but Single and Double City View Rooms have balconies, and many offer striking and unobstructed sea views. The hotel is renovating about a dozen rooms a year, and new units feature fresh coats of paint and bathrooms with walk-in rainfall showers, heated towel racks, and upgraded hairdryers, so check ahead before booking. Non-renovated units, however, have tired, somewhat drab bathrooms with either small showers or shower/tub combos, faded blue floors, dirty grout, and dated counters and hairdryers.

Without a doubt, the biggest draw of staying here is the hotel's direct access to Levante Beach (albeit across the beachside promenade). The hotel has a pleasant medium-sized pool on a spacious deck overlooking the sea and the promenade as well. There are a couple dozen loungers on either side, along with plenty of tables, a kiddy pool, and an outdoor whirlpool around the corner from the main deck. The pool also has a bar, added after our visit. The restaurant has huge windows overlooking the pool deck, and serves a la carte options year round as well as buffet meals in the summer -- the food is well-liked by most previous guests. The hotel also features two meeting rooms, the largest of which can host up to 250 guests. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the property, and on-site parking is available for a fee.