Avenida Alcoy, S/N, Benidorm, Spain | (618) 248-8274
Beachfront setting, 10 minutes' walk from Benidorm's Old Town
Most rooms open to balconies with at least partial sea views
Adult-only hotel that prohibits bachelor/bachelorette parties
Sea-view restaurant and bar with poolside terrace
Bed-and-breakfast, half-, and full-board rates available
Evening poolside entertainment
Free Wi-Fi throughout
Problem with sunbeds being reserved early
Poor soundproofing between rooms
Pool area on the small side
No spa or health facilities
Fee for parking
Rear-facing rooms have poor views
No in-room tea- and coffee-making facilities
Belying the swish, contemporary facade of the adult-only Sol Costablanca is a well-maintained, but dated mid-range hotel. Its main strength is an excellent seafront setting, with most of the property overlooking the sandy stretch of Levante Beach. Most of the 185 rooms open to balconies with sea views, though rear-facing rooms can be disappointing and lack in-room tea- and coffee-making facilities. The pool's small size and issue with guests reserving sunbeds early in the morning is largely offset by the proximity of the beach, though the lack of spa or health facilities is certainly a shortcoming. Overall, the Sol Costablanca falls short of its potential and the Hotel Cimbel just along the coast offers more modern rooms and more outside space for around the same rates.
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Scene
Mostly quiet adult-only hotel mixing dated and contemporary interiors
Although the Sol Costablanca dates back as far back as the 1950s, a facelift has given the hotel's glass-and-metal facade a genuinely 21st-century look. Stepping inside, however, the mood shifts, with ill-coordinated green patterned carpets and marble columns instantly dating the property. A TV lounge featuring rows of floral patterned armchairs atop the same green carpet looks straight out of the '70s, contrasting sharply with an elegant and stylish back-lit bar area. With only six floors, it does makes a refreshing change from the high-rise hotel typical of the area. The saving grace is that most of the property -- including the restaurant and pool terrace -- overlooks the beach. As an adult-only (over age 16) property, the atmosphere is relaxed and mature, attracting couples of all ages; a no bachelor/bachelorette party policy also cuts out some of the more boisterous elements often found in the area.
Location
Centrally located, within a five-minute walk of Levante Beach and Old Benidorm
The hotel has a prime location overlooking Levante Beach and its semi-pedestrianized seafront promenade lined with shops, restaurants, and bars. A neighboring bar inevitably produces some noise, as does the occasional group of passing high-spirited vacationers, though most guests agree it's not a major problem. Benidorm's Old Town, with its cobbled streets and numerous eateries, bars, and nightspots, is a pleasant 10-minute walk along the seafront. The nearest airport, on the outskirts of Alicante, is a 45-minute drive away. Parking is available for a fee.
Rooms
Cheerful but dated rooms, most with sea-view balconies
The hotel has 185 rooms, all of which are decorated in cheerful, though dated blues and white, with patterned carpets and old-fashioned wood furnishings. Glass doors slide open to furnished balconies, most with at least partial sea views (though rear views can be unattractive). Standard amenities include mini-fridges and 32-inch flat-screen TVs (with few English-language channels), but no tea- and coffee-making facilities and old-fashioned safes (for a fee). Bathrooms are clean and functional, with shower/tub combos, wall-mounted hose hairdryers, and basic toiletries. While well-soundproofed from outside noise, reports suggest rooms can be prone to noise from other guests.
Features
Limited sun loungers, poolside entertainment, and stylish bar
The hotel has a bright restaurant with windows that overlook the seafront walkway and the beach beyond. It serves buffet-style breakfast, lunch, and dinner, plus bed-and-breakfast and half- and full-board packages are available. The food, however, gets mixed reviews. A back-lit stone-effect bar introduces some style to otherwise quite dowdy interiors, and there's plenty of poolside seating for alfresco dining and drinks. The pool itself is small, plus there are frequent complaints of limited lounge chairs and guests throwing a towel on loungers early in the morning and then having them remain unoccupied for hours. However, the proximity of the beach means that many guests choose to rent chairs there instead. In the evening the hotel puts on poolside entertainment. There are no spa or gym facilities. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel.
