Avenida Filipinas 12, Benidorm, Spain | (251) 219-4428
Within walking distance of the beach and restaurants
Rooms have flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and balconies
Outdoor heated pool with a full-service bar
Live music and shows featured in the evenings
Buffet restaurant serves international cuisine
Full or half-board meal options offered in room rates
Outdoor game room and playground
Free Wi-Fi throughout
Business center (for a fee)
Dated decor in some areas of the hotel
Complaints of bothersome noise and large crowds
Rooms lack coffee/tea facilities, and mini-fridges are extra
Pool bar closes and AC not in use out of season
Food gets mixed reviews
Mobility scooters not allowed inside hotel
The 283-room Hotel Helios Benidorm is a mid-range property in central Benidorm, just a six-minute walk from the beach. Families are attracted by its outdoor pool with a poolside bar, plus the property has a buffet restaurant and an outdoor game room, while wheelchair-accessible areas and rooms bring in mature couples. Rooms are basic with flat-screen TVs, patios, and air-conditioning during the summer months. Some have mini-fridges that can be used for a fee, but they lack coffee- and tea-making facilities. Two or three meals are included in room rates, a convenience for most vacationing travelers, though the food gets mixed reviews. Travelers seeking a hotel closer to the beach may want to check the prices at Hotel Magic Fenicia, which also has a kids' pool.
Scene
Basic hotel with resort features catering to families and those with mobility issues
Hotel Helios Benidorm is a basic three-pearl property that attracts older couples and families on vacation. It’s a basic white building complemented by palm trees in the front and a green lawn dotted with tropical plants around the pool area. Rentable mobile scooters line the walkway to the hotel (but are not allowed inside), hinting to its commitment to a senior crowd and those with disabilities. Once inside, guests are greeted by a modern lobby with glossy marble floors and a low ceiling held up by white and yellow pillars here and there. A number of white and blonde wood loveseats and chairs are clustered around streamlined coffee tables, while potted plants add a dose of green. The festive yellow and white color scheme also appears in the brightly lit buffet restaurant which has a number of large buffet lines to help with crowds -- but it's often packed anyway. The wooden tables and chairs are a bit dated, as are the salmon and tan-colored chairs in the bar area.
Location
A short walk to the beach, restaurants, and bars; within driving distance of attractions
The hotel is a six-minute walk to Levante Beach, which might be ideal for tourists who want to be away from the hustle and bustle of the beach, but still be able to easily access it. The area surrounding the property is filled with bars and restaurants, plus there's a small market that’s open a few times a week. For families with kids, Aqualandia, a waterpark, and Mundomar, a marine animal park, are about a five-minute drive away, while Terra Mitica, an amusement park, is a 15-minute drive. The closest bus stop is a nine-minute walk away, while the tram stop is a 17-minute walk from the hotel. Alicante Airport is about a 40-minute drive away.
Rooms
Contemporary rooms with flat-screen TVs, balconies, and AC; some with mini-fridges for a fee
Guest rooms at this hotel include 18 Single Rooms and 265 Double Rooms. While furnishings are modern, the decor is simple with white linens, dark wooden floors, dark tan accent walls, blond-wood furniture, and mauve accents like bed runners and curtains. Single Rooms are somewhat cramped, while Double Rooms offer more space. All rooms include flat-screen TVs, desks, free Wi-Fi, balconies, and in some rooms, mini-fridges that can be used for a fee. Air-conditioning is only available in the summer months, and there are no coffee- and tea-making facilities provided. Some complaints about bothersome noise from other rooms have been made. Bathrooms are also quite basic with brown tiles, large sinks (with some storage space), and shower/tub combos or walk-in showers. Toiletries and hairdryers are provided. There are a number of wheelchair-accessible rooms, though they're only available for booking on certain days and fill up fast.
Features
Pool with poolside bar, game room, playground, live entertainment, buffet restaurant, and a business center
Hotel Helios Benidorm’s biggest draw is its fairly large outdoor pool that's surrounded by a spacious sundeck lined with comfy loungers and umbrellas. The pool is heated, and past guests report that lifeguards diligently allow everyone a turn at the loungers. There's also a poolside bar with shaded seating, but note that it's open seasonally.In addition to the pool, the property caters to families with kid-friendly features such as an outdoor game room with air hockey, pool, and ping-pong, and a small playground for young children. There’s also family entertainment every evening. Dining options include an on-site buffet restaurant that serves three meals a day. Guests can choose from full-board room rates that include three meals a day, or a half-board option of breakfast and dinner. Food quality gets mixed reviews, however. Room service is available for limited hours. Other amenities include a business center with two public computers that can be accessed for a fee, and there's even a hairdresser on-site. Free Wi-Fi and parking (for a fee) are provided. There’s no fitness center on-site. The hotel offers mobile scooters for those with mobility issues for a weekly fee.