Benikaktus Hotel: My Honest Review After Staying: A Beachfront Hotel in Benidorm
By Javier Sobrino
Travel expert and founder
We stayed at the Hotel Benikaktus , a three-star hotel on the Benidorm beach front , right across from Levante Beach. In this article I’ll show you what it’s like inside, what its strong points are, where it falls short, whether it’s worth booking and what kind of traveller I’d recommend it for.
Because this hotel has a pretty clear value proposition: sea views, a beach right next door and a great location in Benidorm.
It’s not a modern hotel, it’s not a luxury hotel, and it doesn’t have huge facilities. But if what you’re looking for is a simple, well-located hotel with good views, it can make a lot of sense depending on the price and the time of year.
My quick verdict
We give it a 7.6 out of 10 . It’s not a hotel that’s going to blow you away in terms of design or facilities, but it does its job really well: you’re right in front of the sea, the room is larger than average for a three-star, and the buffet food is above its category , especially the homemade desserts.
It’s a sensible choice for couples and friends who want to be in Benidorm on full board without any hassle , and who plan to spend the day outside: seafront promenade, bars, beach, nightlife. If you find it at a good price in mid-season, it’s a no-brainer. In the middle of August, I’d only recommend it if location matters more to you than price.
Pros and Cons
The good
- Location: right on the Levante Beach front. You walk out of the hotel and the sand and promenade are right there. Hard to beat in Benidorm for the price.
- Sea views: the room has an enclosed glass terrace that’s one of the nicest features of the stay.
- Room size: slightly larger than usual for a three-star. It’s not huge, but you notice the extra space.
- Homemade desserts: according to the waiters, they make them in-house and you can tell. Better than what we’ve had at many four and even five-star hotels.
The bad
- Dated look and feel: decades-old structure and common areas. Don’t expect a designer or recently renovated hotel.
- Bed and pillows: they do the job, but could use a refresh. The bedspreads also feel like another era.
- Limited facilities: the semi-covered pool is fine, but there are no resort-style pool areas. This isn’t a hotel for spending the day indoors.
- Summer pricing: in peak season the price skyrockets and value for money drops significantly.
Did you know?
Look and feel & first impressions
The hotel has a very recognisable look, with the green and white colours that make it stand out from the street.
That said, it’s clearly an old hotel. It was probably built several decades ago and, although some things have been renovated over time, the overall structure and several common areas still feel dated. Don’t walk in expecting a modern, designer or recently refurbished hotel.
It’s more of a classic, old-school Benidorm beach hotel , with some updated areas and others that still have that 80s and 90s coastal hotel vibe. If that’s what you have in mind, it won’t bother you. If you’re expecting something modern, it’ll disappoint.
The room and bathroom
Room
The room has some clear positives.
For starters, it’s a bit bigger than average for a three-star hotel . It’s not enormous, but it does feel more spacious than other comparable hotels in the area.
On top of that, it has an enclosed glass terrace with sea views . That glass feature is one of the room’s nicest touches — if you like waking up to the Mediterranean, you’ll get that here without paying five-star prices.
Now, beyond the space and the views, the room doesn’t stand out that much. The beds are fine. The mattress, the bed frame and the pillows do the job, but I think they could use a refresh. The bedspreads also look somewhat dated and don’t give a particularly modern feel.
The room at a glance
It scores big on size and sea views from the glass enclosure, but loses points on looks and the bed . If your thing is falling asleep and waking up to the sea and you don’t mind retro decor, you’ll love it.
Bathroom
The bathroom is decent. It feels like it was renovated at some point, so it’s not as dated as other parts of the hotel .
But it’s not a bathroom that really stands out either. It’s a regular, functional bathroom, with everything you need for a complaint-free stay but no “wow” moments.
Food: breakfast, lunch and dinner
At this hotel we had breakfast, lunch and dinner, because they offer full board and also all-inclusive . And here I’ve got something positive to say: the food is surprisingly good for a three-star hotel .
Breakfast
Breakfast has enough variety. It’s not an amazing breakfast, but it’s decent: you’ve got cold cuts, breads, pastries, fruit and the usual buffet staples.
I might have missed a few things like crushed tomato to make yourself toast with ham, olive oil and tomato , but overall it’s good for this category. The Serrano ham, for instance, was pretty tasty.
Lunch and dinner
The rest of the food is more normal. You won’t find spectacular dishes, but you’ll find pretty decent quality for a three-star .
My feeling is that many older Benidorm hotels, since they can’t compete as much on looks, modernity or luxury, try to put a bit more effort into the food . And in this case, I think it shows.
The best part of the buffet: desserts
At breakfast, lunch and dinner alike, the pastries and desserts are the highlight of the buffet . According to the waiters, the desserts are homemade, and I honestly believe them. You can taste it in the flavour, the texture, and even the irregular cuts of the cakes that don’t look industrial at all. In fact, I liked them more than the desserts at some four and even five-star hotels we’ve stayed at.
Common areas and pool
The common areas are simple, because it’s not a big hotel .
It has a solarium , a semi-covered pool and a terrace where you can have a drink overlooking Levante Beach . And that’s its strongest feature: not so much the facilities themselves, but the setting. You’re having a drink, you glance up and the sea is right there. That’s a big plus.
The pool is fine, but it’s not a spectacular pool . It’s good enough for a dip, to relax and unwind for a while, but don’t come expecting a big resort-style pool complex.
In short: it’s a sun-and-beach hotel , designed for sleeping, having breakfast and heading out to enjoy Benidorm.
Check the price before you book
What kind of traveller is this hotel for?
This hotel is mainly designed for coming to enjoy Benidorm . You’ve got the seafront promenade nearby, bars, restaurants, nightlife and the beach right next door.
For that reason, I wouldn’t really recommend it for families with children looking for kids’ facilities, entertainment or activities inside the hotel. I see it more for:
- Couples who want to be very close to the beach on full board without overcomplicating things.
- Older travellers looking for a quiet, well-located hotel with a good breakfast facing the sea.
- Groups of friends heading to Benidorm for the atmosphere and who just need a clean, spacious room with views to crash in.
Price and when to book
Do we recommend it? Yes and no. It depends hugely on the price.
- In mid-season (May, June outside bank holidays, September or early October), you can find good prices , the weather is pleasant, it’s less crowded and you’ll enjoy the experience twice as much. This is where the Benikaktus really shines.
- In summer (July and August), prices skyrocket and the area gets packed. I’d only recommend it if you absolutely want to be in Benidorm in peak season and the Levante beachfront location is your top priority.
Scores and verdict
| Category | Score |
|---|---|
| Room (space + views) | 8 |
| Bed and pillows | 6.5 |
| Bathroom | 7 |
| Breakfast | 7 |
| Lunch and dinner | 7.5 |
| Facilities for adults | 7 |
| Pool | 7 |
| Beach and location | 8.5 |
Average score: 7.6 out of 10.
About kids' facilities
I’m not rating them because this isn’t a hotel designed for children . If you’re travelling with kids looking for entertainment, waterslides or kids’ facilities, I’d recommend choosing a different hotel. We’ve got plenty of honest reviews of family-friendly hotels in Benidorm on our blog and YouTube channel.
The Final Verdict
For whom do I recommend it?
Perfect For
- You're looking for a simple, well-located hotel right on the Levante Beach front, without paying four-star prices.
- You're travelling as a couple or with friends and want full board without any hassle, with the seafront promenade and Benidorm's atmosphere on your doorstep.
- You enjoy classic beach hotels and don't mind the dated look as long as the sea views are real.
- You find a good price in mid-season (May, September, early October). This is where it truly shines.
Skip It If
- You're looking for a modern, designer or recently renovated hotel . The structure and many areas feel dated.
- You're travelling with kids who need entertainment, a kids' club or children's facilities. This is not the hotel.
- You want resort-style facilities (big spa, multiple pools, waterslides). The common areas here are basic.
- You're booking in peak August without comparing prices. Value for money drops significantly in high season.