Riviera Beachotel

Fully refurbished in mid-2011, the Riviera Beachotel is among the more stylish upper-mid-range properties in Benidorm. The entire property has a chic, contemporary design with a white and lime green color scheme, clean lines, and lots of attention to detail. Its quiet atmosphere and fresh feel is a nice departure from the many dated mid-range properties in town, and its small size (by Benidorm standards) makes for personalized service. 

The hotel is housed in a striking white building with yellow portholes down the front of the facade and balconies jutting out at angles. All-white decor with lime accents and smooth curved lines gives the lobby a chic and contemporary feel, and the mix of glass surfaces and LED lights adds a sexy touch. A winding staircase with metal railings leads to the lower level, which is where the restaurant and the gym are located. Most guests at this adult-only property are vacationing couples. 

The hotel is located on a busy street lined with high-rises along with several bars and cafes, most of which are geared towards British and German travelers. It's a five-minute walk from the beach and within a couple of blocks from the main nightlife area in the New Town. Those looking to explore the Old Town can walk there in about 20 minutes. The Benidorm bus station is a five-minute drive away, and the nearest airport -- located in Alicante -- can be reached by car in about 45 minutes.

The Riviera has 99 rooms, all contemporary, bright, and exterior-facing (although some look out over an adjacent hotel and can get noisy). Units are stylish yet functional, with laminate floors, beige wooden furniture, large headboards in darker wood shades, and chocolate-brown bedspreads. The white-and-lime scheme found throughout common spaces is also present in rooms, all of which have white walls and bright green chairs. Standard amenities include free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, minibars, air-conditioning, and safes (for a fee). Superior Rooms (aka Passion Rooms) offer nice perks such as hydromassage showers and king beds. Each of the hotel’s two Suites has two bedrooms, and both come with jetted tubs, electric kettles, and living areas with additional flat-screen TVs. Many rooms have furnished balconies, but Passion Rooms only have large portholes overlooking the street. Bathrooms are clean and modern, with beige walls and floors, walk-in shower, and white sinks set in built-in countertops.

The on-site Riviera Music Lounge is a sleek jazz bar that's popular among travelers and locals alike. It offers nightly shows in a sleek space with velvet couches, low lights, and a back-lit yellow bar. There's another bar by the entrance that also offers entertainment and has sidewalk seating. The pool is smallish and gets morning shade during the summer, but it has a whirlpool and lounge chairs and is heated in the winter. The hotel also has a buffet restaurant that gets consistently good reviews and a small fitness center with cardio and strength-training equipment. There is no spa on-site, but guests get special rates at a nearby wellness center. Parking is available for a fee at the hotel’s sister property located across the street, and Wi-Fi is free throughout.