Popular budget hotel with plenty of return guests
Close to numerous British bars and eateries (a con for some)
Large swimming pool with three sections
Buffet restaurant gets high marks; meal packages available
Three bars, including poolside and British pub
Most rooms open to furnished balconies
Kids' club and playground, and a game room with billiards table
Free Wi-Fi in lobby
Evening and poolside entertainment
Scooters available for hire
In-room Wi-Fi comes with a fee, and signal is slow in lobby
Most rooms are dated and some are tiny
Inadequate soundproofing between rooms
The MedPlaya Hotel Rio Park is a budget hotel catering primarily to British vacationers -- it's located in a largely British enclave to the east of Benidorm's center. The 456 rooms are basic and dated, but clean and the majority have balconies. Some rooms are tiny and bathrooms might do with a bit of upkeep. The hotel's buffet restaurant gets high marks from guests, and there are three bars on-site. There's a large pool with three sections -- for kids, free-form swimmers, and lap swimmers. Kid-friendly amenities, include an outdoor Kids' Park, with swings and seesaws and other colorful equipment. There's also a game room with a billiards table. For a budget option closer to the beach with a party vibe, travelers might want to check out Hotel Perla Residencia.
Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.
Scene
Large, unpretentious budget hotel that's hugely popular with British vacationers
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.
Location
Located east of central Benidorm in a largely British enclave that's a 10-minute walk to the beach
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.
Rooms
Basic rooms, some of which have been renovated; they include air conditioning, safes, and TVs with several British channels
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.
Features
Sun terrace with covered swimming pool, poolside bar, and splash pool
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.
