Sandos Monaco Beach Hotel & Spa

Part of a medium-sized hotel chain with properties in Mexico and Spain, the adults-only Sandos Monaco has a quiet vibe year-round. As at most hotels in Benidorm, there is daily entertainment and nightly shows, but the atmosphere here is mellower than at other all-inclusives, and bachelor and bachelorette parties are not allowed. The hotel is especially quiet in the off-peak season, when most guests here are middle-aged or older couples.  

The Monaco is housed in a 16-story skinny tower with glass balconies built at an angle, and generic interiors that are a tad more contemporary than at many other upper-middle-range hotels in town. Although not quite stylish or upscale, huge floor-to-ceiling windows make the lobby sunny and appealing, while chocolate-brown couches offer plenty of seating space. Dark green faux-marble finishes are a tad dated, but the overall feel is pleasant. Outside, the pool area is where the action takes place during the day. The deck is large and offers dozens of loungers, but the pool itself is smallish and gets lots of shade.

The hotel is located on a quiet side street a block from the main thoroughfare leading to Levante Beach, which is just a five-minute walk away. Playa de Poniente, a sandy two-mile beach, can also be reached on foot in about 15 minutes. This hotel is right between New and Old Towns, each with its own vibe and style. New Town, the heart of which is a five-minute walk away, is mostly popular with international visitors and is home to dozens of bars, clubs, shops, and restaurants; Old Town, the heart of which is about a 15-minute walk away, has a more local feel, and is less party-oriented yet still lively. The nearest airport is located in Alicante, about a 45-minute drive away. The hotel offers airport transfer services for a fee.

Guest rooms at the Sandos Monaco are clean and spacious, but decor is generic and a tad plain. Thin gray bedspreads flecked with white rectangles, simple dark-wood furniture, and beige tile floors give a bland backdrop. Tomato-red accent walls and chairs in swirl-print fabric attempt to add a little style. Bathrooms in tan-stone tile are a bit more elegant. They either have large walk-in showers or shower/tub combos, wall-mounted hairdryers, and heated towel racks. Standard amenities include flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi, but there are fees for use of safes and mini-fridges. Guests on the Select all-inclusive package get a few in-room extras -- including kettles, robes, and minibars stocked with water and sodas -- as well as access to a private lounge with free drinks and snacks throughout the day. 

Deluxe units are the standard category here, and Suites add separate living areas and jetted tubs in the bedrooms. All have large windows opening onto balconies furnished with two chairs and a small table, and most have panoramic city views. 

Sandos Monaco has a solid lineup of features for its pearl category. The pool is a nice spot for socializing or just relaxing, although it's a tad small for a hotel this size and it sits in the shade for several hours a day. There is daily entertainment, a whirlpool, and tons of loungers here, but those looking to sit quietly in the sun can get a sunbed on a separate deck a little away from the pool. A poolside bar with indoor and outdoor seating serves drinks, salads, and fast food during the day, and at night Metropole Bar offers live music and shows. The hotel has one restaurant only, serving a varied buffet for all three meals, but food here gets mixed reviews.

For a fee, guests have access to the spa, which is one of the most appealing spaces at the Sandos Monaco. It has a large hydrotherapy area, a sauna, massage cabins, and salon services, and the vibe is soothing and quiet. The fitness center is small but well-equipped, with several cardio and strength-training machines, and a flat-screen TV. The hotel also features a meeting room, a few computers in the lobby, and on-site parking (for a fee). Wi-Fi is free throughout.