Man who goes to Benidorm 5 times a year tries different Spanish resort – it backfires | Europe | Travel
Tourists take in a view of the coast of Benidorm (Image: JOSE JORDAN, AFP via Getty Images)
A British holidaymaker who “turned his back” on his cherished Benidorm to finally sample a different holiday spot immediately regretted it – and pledged to remain loyal to what he knows best from now on.
James O’Brien, a self-employed investment trader from Reading, makes the journey to the renowned Spanish resort five times a year. But this month, the 39-year-old ventured to Benalmadena, another Costa del Sol destination, to discover whether the grass was greener.
However, he subsequently went viral on Facebook after penning a post declaring that “if it’s not broke, don’t fix it”.
He described his holiday as “boring” and all he could think about throughout his disappointing trip was “wish we just went Benidorm” and “imagine if we was in Benidorm now”.
James outlined there was a shortage of entertainment, bars and atmosphere and that the stroll along the “depressing looking beach” was made worse by being adjacent to a busy road.
Brits often flock to Benidorm for the cheap prices and hot weather (Image: Getty)
Concluding his amusing post, he said: “Yes it’s January but if we were in Benidorm at least we would have had plenty of entertainment, nice walks, nice beaches, plenty to do/explore and could get a kebab at 3am. Just confirms how much we love Benidorm and how much it has to offer. We won’t be making this mistake again!”
After his post was shared across various Benidorm pages, James had a quick chat with us about why he adores the Costa Blanca resort and why he felt compelled to make the post.
He said: “I felt I had to write something as I turned my back on Benidorm for the first time in years and it backfired on me.
General views of the nightlife on ‘The Strip’ in Benidorm (Image: Sunday Mirror)
“I first visited Benidorm in 2015 and fell in love with the place. I have lived there and have been going back around five times per year ever since. I have been lucky enough to have visited various other places over the years but Benidorm just has something special that I have never found anywhere else, I just feel at home when I’m there.”
James remarked that the entertainment was “unbelievable” throughout both day and night, continuing all year round. He described the locals as welcoming, with everyone simply wanting to have a brilliant time.
Initially, he would visit solely for the strip, but with each return trip, he discovered just how expansive Benidorm truly was.
He now dedicates time to exploring the Old Town, which feels like a “different world” compared to the strip, where he admires the historic buildings whilst visiting wine bars and sampling tapas.
The seaside enthusiast explained that beyond the Old Town lies the Poniente area, boasting two magnificent beaches, before noting that the Rincon de Loix district provides family-oriented entertainment, accommodation and dining establishments.
An aerial view of a bustling coastal city with a dense collection of high-rise buildings along a beach (Image: Getty)
He continued: “I could keep going, the place is huge and has so much to offer and caters for all different tastes and ages, you really could have two or three different holidays in one as there is so much to do and experience.”
The destination James disliked, Benalmadena, sits approximately five hours from Benidorm on the outskirts of Malaga. The scenic seaside resort boasts theme parks, a marina, aquarium and numerous pubs and nightlife venues.
Yet this evidently, in James’s view at least, pales in comparison to Benidorm.
