The Agir Springs Hotel by MedPlaya

The location suited us really well. It's just one street back from the seafront, close to everything, with a bus terminal 10 yards away and lots of buses stopping there. The old town's restaurants and shops are a 10-minute walk. We both enjoyed our stay, though our clean room could do with a few things being refreshed. We were happy with the breakfast selection on our B&B rate, but the hot food wasn't very hot.

The hotel is in a really good spot, and since it’s small, getting upstairs on foot was quicker than waiting for the painfully slow lift. We were on the second floor, but even walking up to the fifth for breakfast would have been faster. Breakfast was the big disappointment: it was cold nearly every day. When I mentioned it on day three, the chef came out, touched the dishes, then went back into the kitchen. The serving dishes felt warm, but the food didn’t. The omelette made to order was hot, so I’d stick with that. I can’t see how this merits four stars, three at most, and there are much better four-star hotels nearby. We won’t be back.

The beach is right across the road, and walking left from the entrance takes you to the new town. The hotel itself was a letdown after many trips to Benidorm, and my friends and I wouldn’t return. Reception staff were friendly, but the rooms felt shabby and the walls were so thin we heard furniture dragging and other guests making noise all night. The pool was tiny and freezing, despite being described as heated. The cocktails at the pool bar were very nice, at least. The lifts were slow and seemed close to breaking down. Breakfast was among the worst I’ve had at a hotel, with little choice and no atmosphere. There were also a few people lingering in the street outside who seemed out of place. This doesn’t feel like a four-star hotel.

The pool is on the small side and gets busier in the afternoon, so bear that in mind. Otherwise, I had no complaints. The hotel has lovely decor and clean rooms, and we even found a mug and a bottle of red wine left as a gift. It’s easy to reach both the old town and the strip from here. I’d happily stay again.