Phil & Jackie Stanley known as Mr and Mrs Suits are no strangers to Benidorm regulars and locals. although for some their flamboyant dress sense may appear strange. Their style of dress and choice of bright colours have certainly caught the eye, not just in Benidorm but throughout the UK as well since their appearance on Bargain Brits in the Sun. Always dressed immaculate and in matching colours, they are both big supporters of the Benidorm Cabaret circuit and well known to just about all of the entertainers. They have been members of Benidorm Seriously since day one and regular attendees at group meetings. So expect to run into them out and about around Benidorm. You will have no problem spotting them and both are always happy to pose for a quick snapshot.
Benidorms Tallest Buildings - Benidorm is famous for its tall buildings but - Did you know?
Benidorm has the most high-rise buildings per capita in the world?
Benidorm is the second city in the world with more skyscrapers per square metre? beaten only by New York!
Benidorm is the 2nd Spanish city with constructions of more than 150 meter? Madrid is the first and we even beat Barcelona.
Benidorm is the 3rd city in Europe with the highest concentration of tall buildings? 1st place goes to London and 2nd Milan.
And the top 10 of Benidorms Tallest Buildings are -
1 - Intempo - 192m, (height to tip 200m) - 52 floors
This is the tallest building in Benidorm and the tallest in Spain outside Madrid it is also one of the tallest in the world for a city of less than 100,000 inhabitants, and the tallest residential structure in Spain and is visible from six miles away and now dwarfs everything else in the area
Love it or hate it this is probably Benidorm´s most famous building but not necessarily for the right reasons - In 2005, a year before the start of building, developer Olga Urbana secured a €92m loan from the now-defunct savings bank Caixa Galicia. The company said In Tempo was “an unquestionable banner for the future”. It certainly was, but not in the way that the company or its lenders had hoped.
Work began on the Intempo building back in 2006 and has been hampered with lots of problems including the economic crisis back in 2008, there was also a publicity stunt that went horribly wrong when it was stated that the lifts did not go to the top floors as no lift shafts were installed this was totally incorrect information, but people still state this today. The developer behind Europe's tallest residential building attacked this "fake and insidious" press coverage of the project, that claimed the building had been built without elevators which went viral at the time. Rafael Ballesta, sales manager for the development actually described the media storm as "ridiculous" and said: "We are constructing the highest residential skyscraper in Europe so how is it possible to build without elevators?"
However poor planning did lead to unsafe working conditions for the builders, and a construction elevator collapsed hurting 13 construction workers, their injuries were made worse when ambulances were unable to gain access to the site because a proper road entrance had been overlooked in an attempt to save money.
The building consists of two parallel towers separated by a gap of 20 metres (66 ft) and connected by a cone-shaped structure between floors 38 and 44. Its frontal view, vaguely resembling the number 11 and the letter M, and is widely rumoured to commemorate the terrorist attacks of 11 March 2004 which took place in Madrid.
The Intempo building houses 256 apartments, distributed over the 45 floors, within the central cone are four two floor duplexes connected by an internal lift and one even has a jacuzzi on the balcony there are also 398 parking spaces and 133 storerooms.
Intempo was acquired at the end of last year (2017) by an affiliate of an SVP Global fund, the property developer behind the tower block, the company Olga Urbana now ceases to exist following its bankruptcy.
June 2021 - All major building work is now completed and the occupation licence should be granted by Benidorm Council some time in July, meaning the first apartments will be delivered in August.
40% of the properties have already been sold and are priced from 250,000 euros to more than one million. The pilot floors are located on the second, 22nd and 35th floors.
Previously number 1 until the construction of the Intempo. The Gran Bali is situated in the area of Cala de Benidorm.
The 4 star hotel, is actually a set of four buildings and was designed by architect Antonio Escario has 776 rooms (with capacity for up to 2,000 guests), 18 lifts, gardens and swimming pools.
This is Europe’s tallest hotel and was built between 1987-2002 the hotel opened in May 2002, there is a viewing platform that is open to residents and non residents for a small fee, once on the viewing platform you will have spectacular views right across to Calpe, the whole of Benidorm, La Cala and the surrounding area.
This is a residential building located in the Rincon de Loix area and until the construction of the Intempo was the tallest residential building in Benidorm, construction started in 2006 and was completed in 2008 and was designed by A. Rodriguez.
The building is the shape of an arrowhead and can withstand winds of up to 40mph the building is a total of 59.901 square meters spread over 43 floors, it also has gardens, swimming pool, paddle tennis court, social club, gym, and children's areas.
4 - Neguri Gane - 145m, 39 floors
The construction of this residential building started in 1997 and was completed in 2002 and at that time was the tallest skyscraper in Benidorm, it only held this position for a short time until the Gran Bali was completed.
The building was completed in the brutalist style. It is named after the Neguri neighborhood of Getxo, in the Basque Country of Spain and the and name means Height of the winter city. There is a swimming pool situated on floor 26.
The Kronos Building, is again a residential building situated next to situated next to Neguri Gane This fabulous skyscraper with a height of 140 metres and 41 floors, has multiple communal areas, two swimming-pools, spa, gym and green zones and is one of the first tower blocks you see when entering Benidorm via the AP-7 motorway.
The fantastic large glass terraces make it easily recognizable by its flashes, due to the reflecting sunlight.
Benidorms tallest buildings
6 - Mirador del Mediterraneo - 135m 38 floors
This residential building is also located in the Rincon de Loix area and constructions started in 2003 and was completed in 2006. Its name Mirador del Mediterráneo emphasizes the spectacular views of Benidorm that can be seen from the building. This building has 35 floors (6 are used as garages and another three used as technical floors, with a total of 42 floors).
The building is made of concrete, although at first sight it does not look like it, and has twin towers joined from the foundations to the seventh floor (garages), from there the two towers are created these are joined by metal walkways. These walkways have a complex system of rollers that allow the rocking of the towers in case of large gusts of wind; the walkways can also be used as an evacuation system from one tower to another in case of fire.
The Don Jorge is a very modern looking building and is now used as Tourist Apartments and is linked to the Palm Beach Hotel where holiday makers can use all the hotel facilities.
It is located in the Rincon de Loix area on Calle Oslo, up quite a steep hill which means it has fantastic views from the higher floors.
The undulating roof of its attic which makes the design very different from the surrounding buildings is said to simulate a wave in the sea, some say that it is tilde used on the Spanish Ñ.
Another residential apartment block but also popular with tourists due to its location right on the Levante sea front.
The building was completed in 1985 and was designed by architect Carlos Gilardi and is a modern apartment block with plenty of garden space and common areas. Torre actually means tower in English.
Built in 1985, this was the tallest building until 2002.
A residential apartment block built in 1993. Comprising of two skyscrapers, called Costa Blanca 1 and Costa Blanca 2. The first is the highest with 116 meters of height, located in the area of Los Juzgados. It is characterized by a wide front and a very narrow side
Benidorms tallest Buildings
10 - Miragolf Playa 2 - 115m 33 floors
Residential apartments built in 2005. The residential complex which consists of the Miragolf Playa 2 towers of 115 meters and 33 floors and the Miragolf Playa 1 and Torre Pinar towers of 105 meters and 30 floors high
Other buildings that exceed 100m include - Gemelos 26, Torre de Obo, Sol de Poniente, Beni Beach, Playa Azul, Torre Pinar, Residencial Islamar and Las Terrazas de Benidorm, and just hitting the 100m is Gemelos 22.
Before getting a Tattoo in Benidorm or on any abroad holiday, have a read through the advice below
One of our most asked questions on the Benidorm Seriously Facebook group, refers to having a tattoo done whilst here in Benidorm, so here are some tips and safety guidelines.
The healing process takes about 4-6 weeks. Get your tattoo done towards the end of your holiday to give you time to enjoy the beach beforehand. Find a shop early in your trip and make an appointment for the day before you leave.
1. Choose a parlour that’s clean, reputable and has some talented artists working there. Not the first one you wander past just because your feet are aching and it’s getting too hot to be wandering around, do your homework and have a chat with the tattooist first before making an appointment. See below for some recommended places.
Needles should be new, unwrapped and opened in front of your eyes. Also, he/she should wear Latex-one-way-gloves at any time when using the machine on you. Everything should be disinfected.
Note - If you are in any doubt about the tattoo parlour you are visiting ask to see their licence, as Authorisation is issued by the individual City Councils.
Where to get a tattoo in Benidorm, click on the links below for more info
2. One of the most important things is choosing a design that you know you’re going to love seeing every single day for the rest of your life.
A good artist will find the time to answer your questions and to talk about your ideas.
Check the spelling and grammar and speak up if you spot a mistake, it’s your body that will have to bear that misplaced apostrophe or spelling error forever. If you’re getting something written in a foreign language, make sure it says what you think it says. Also, respect the culture of the country where the tattoo originates from. make sure it’s placed the right way up.
Have a look at plenty of the tattoo artists previous work.
3. Price. When you’re on your holidays you may be on a budget or at least looking to get a deal so that you can have more money for booze. But when deciding on a tattoo that will be on your body for life– price shouldn’t be an issue. If it’s a large piece you’re planning, obviously that’s not going to be cheap. If you have a copy of the art work get a couple of quotes and book with the tattooist that you feel most comfortable with. Remember cheapest is not always best!
4. Don’t even think about doing this drunk or off your face on who knows what. A reputable tattooist won’t even let you in their shop in this state. Alcohol is a blood thinner as is coffee too much of either in your blood stream and you may start to bleed very quickly (and maybe a lot), which then effects the colour of your tattoo. In addition it effects your blood circulation and could make the process a lot more painful.
5. Eat a full meal to make sure your blood sugar levels are fine, have a shower (hygiene works both ways) and depending on how long you’re going to be sat in the tattooist chair take something to distract you such as your iPod and headphones.
6. Aftercare - Wash it properly, put the anti-bacterial crème given by your artist and follow his/her instruction. Protect your tattoo from sand, dirt, dust, salt-and chlorine water.
Don´t scratch it so much it bleeds.
Leave the clingfilm wrap on for as long as you’ve been told, only touch it with clean hands,
Stay out of the sun, avoid swimming and when it’s healed always try to keep it moisturised and covered in high factor sun cream on future holidays.
The regional laws differ in Spain but in Benidorm you must be over 18.
Can you get a tattoo while you have a sunburn?
When you have a sunburn, your epidermis gets red, painful, and in some cases, blisters. This could also penetrate down to the dermis which is where your tattoo will be. Your body is already trying to heal your sunburned skin, so more damage will only mean trouble for a fresh tattoo. So the answer is NO, try to avoid getting sunburnt.
Can you travel after getting a tattoo?
The general rule is it is fine to get a tattoo shortly before flying, however one thing to remember is you will be in some discomfort on the plane. You will also want to ensure you are not allergic to the ink, as the last thing you want to do is land the plane early due to you becoming severely ill. What to do and where to go if you need medical assistance.
How long after getting a tattoo can I go in the sun?
Keep out of the sun altogether until the tattoo has completely healed. After the tattoo has completely scabbed and peeled, you should then be able to start applying sunscreen to the area and expose the tattoo to the sun. It's recommended to wait at least 3-4 weeks.
How long until you can swim with a tattoo?
Think of the tattoo as an open wound at risk of infection. Don't go swimming or immerse your new tattoo in water until every bit of scab and dry skin has fallen off. This can take as long as four weeks. There is a big difference between getting your tattoo wet (during a normal shower) and entirely submerging or soaking your fresh wound in water. It is OK to get a new tattoo wet; – you just can't soak it. Fully submerging your tattoo for any extended period of time into a body of water like a hot tub or bath in a bath will often cause serious damage.
Share you experiences of your holiday tattoo in comments below.
Hair and Beauty is a popular subject in Benidorm and we are often asked where can I find a Hairdresser? or where can I get beauty treatments? etc and of course Benidorm has something for everyone including those all important beauty treatments from having a wonderful new hair cut to having full Botox and other facial treatments and of course plenty of places to get a full manicure and pedicure and even qualified make up artists to give you that special sparkly look for Fiesta events or just a night out on the town.
Here you will find some of the most popular places as recommended by our members. Not sure where they are located, click on the links on the poll below and it will bring up more detailed information on each business, including a fully interactive map and also offer you the opportunity to contact the business direct if you have more questions on any individual treatment and of course you can book your appointment.
Feel free to add votes for your own favourites to help other members
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Children in Bars, Spanish Law. We are always being asked about children in bars here in Benidorm are they allowed?
In plain English children are allowed in bars but only when accompanied by a sensible adult. However the local police have the right to consider the environment harmful to children which could result in a significant fine for the bar concerned, not to mention a potential arrest for the responsible adult. This is the reason many bars opt to disallow children completely, whilst other bars use periodic discretion, depending on the individual circumstances on the night which here in Benidorm could just mean the type of clientele in at the time, just how busy the venue is or the type show on stage. A heavy police presence in the area will often result in the bars choosing the safe option on that night.
FOR A LIST OF PLACES SUITABLE FOR FAMILIES CLICK HERE
Children in Bars, Spanish Law - This is what the Spanish Law says.....
Spanish law defines anyone under 18 to be a minor. Any unaccompanied minors that come to the attention of the Spanish authorities (for whatever reason, but particularly in connection with criminal incidents or when in hospital) are judged to be vulnerable and may be taken into a minors centre until a parent or guardian can be found.
You must provide photographic ID (your passport) if requested by a police officer. This includes the Guardia Civil and national, regional and local police forces. The police have the right to hold you at a police station until your identity is confirmed. Ignoring direct requests or challenging a police officer may be viewed as ‘disobedience’, which is a criminal offence.
The legal drinking age in Spain is 18 years old
You can drink alcohol at a restaurant if you’re with older people....The law applies to the restaurant as well but you can do it as long as you are supervised by older people. The waiters cannot intervene if you mum ordered it and then gave it to you but be sure to don’t overdo it and take advantage of it. The restaurant could be fined.
Those under the age of 16 may purchase beer or wine if accompanied by parents - If children under the age of 16 who wants to try the wines in Spain, then a parent or an older person would proxy the person under 16 to buy alcoholic beverage. The law does state that it is illegal for minors to buy alcoholic beverages but the law does not make any reference about drinking inside homes.
Any establishment selling or serving alcohol to minors under the age of 18 will be fined - According to the law selling or serving alcohol to minors under the age of 18 will be fined with a minimum penalty of 30,000 Euros and a maximum penalty of 600,000 Euros.
It’s okay to let minors have a taste - As we all know, Spain is famous for its high-quality wine production so it wouldn’t hurt to let minors just to have a sip, so they would know what it tastes like. The law is about buying or selling any alcoholic beverages to minors but if the parent is the one who gave it, it is an exemption but just a minimal amount enough for minors to taste.
Usually, bartenders and sales people are not really concerned - We are not suggesting it is totally okay to drink alcoholic beverages if you are a minor but if you look older than your age, bartenders usually won’t ask for your age or your identification card. But you still have to be careful. Better safe than sorry.
There is another law that does not allow stores to sell drinks after 10:00pm - Well, if there is a law about minors being forbidden to buy alcoholic beverage, then there is also a law that forbids stores to sell drinks after 10:00pm to avoid “botellion”. It is a Spanish phenomenon where there is a street party with lots of noisy drunken people, disturbing neighbours, and damaging public places.
Children in Bars, Spanish Law
Legal alcohol drinking age in Spain is a federal law - In Spain, every state or region should follow the law about the legal drinking age of 18 years old. No exemption.
For 18 years old below, it is prohibited to buy but not prohibited to drink - Note that the legal drinking age only prohibits 18 years old and under to buy alcoholic beverage but they are not prohibited to drink it. Therefore, it is perfectly okay to drink alcohol if you are below 18 years of age in Spain, only if you are not the one who bought it and if you consume it indoors.
Night Clubs, Bars: The law expressly prohibits the entry of persons under 18 years in nightclubs and similar establishments at night time, including theatres, night cinemas, television shows, etc.
Children can come if accompanied by their parents or legal guardians demonstrating that they are full, under his/her responsibility, as long as the establishment's activities do not cause harm in their physical, psychological and moral.
FOR A LIST OF PLACES SUITABLE FOR FAMILIES CLICK HERE
Harmful Places: Spanish law does not allow children and young people under 18 years being in these kind of places. If parents or legal guardians will allow children (or even accompany them) this can be seen as committing a crime and they may lose guardianship.
Examples of dangerous places covered by Spanish law can include: places where drugs are distributed or consumed, areas with pornographic or violent performances, problem areas with high crime, prostitution areas, places with high health risk, gambling places, etc.
Places for gambling: Spanish Law do not allow this for people under 18 years.