This section will attempt to explain the difference between the different types of boarding in Hotels. Half Board, Full Board, Bed and Breakfast or All inclusive
Self Catering (SC)
Want to eat breakfast at midday? Do the kids eat dinner at 5pm but you prefer to wait until they are in bed? Self catering offers you the flexibility to come and go as you please and to set your own holiday timetable.
No meals are included in the cost of a self catering holiday but you will be provided with basic kitchen facilities in your accommodation, such as a cooker, kettle and microwave.
This board basis is also perfect for those who have a pickier appetite or miss their home comforts while away. It also suits those with a small budget as you can buy food at supermarkets cheaply and cook for yourself.
You will find lots of ideas of places to eat HERE
Bed and Breakfast (B&B)
For those who like to start the day with a good hearty breakfast but don't want to be fixed to certain prearranged times for the rest of their meals, B&B is a great option.
Most hotels offer a buffet breakfast so you can pile your plate high to keep your energy up until lunch time - this is particularly good for couples and groups.
Half Board (HB)
Breakfast and dinner are both included in the price, meaning that any food or drink outside of meal times will cost you extra.
HB suits those who plan on venturing out during the day. Perhaps you want to book lots of daytime excursions to explore the local area or further afield?
This means you can fill up on breakfast before you leave, grab lunch when you're out, and come back knowing you won't have to worry about cooking dinner or finding somewhere to eat when you return as the hotel will have it covered.
Full Board (FB)
Full Board means that breakfast, lunch and evening meals are included in the price but any drinks or snacks outside of these meal times will cost you extra.
This package is perfect for those who are happy spending the day lounging by the pool at the hotel but don't want to be restricted to what the hotel has to offer in the evening - perfect if you prefer to experience the surrounding nightlife after dinner.
All Inclusive (AI)
This means all your meals and locally produced drinks - both soft and alcoholic - are included in the holiday price, sometimes there is a cut-off time in the evening, which will vary depending on the hotel, but it usually 11pm or midnight.
All Inclusive is fantastic for families as there's no need to worry about all those little extras in-between meal times adding up. Ice creams and snacks are sometimes included too.
As pretty much everything is included in the package price, this is the best type of board basis for those who do not plan to venture far from the hotel/resort they are staying in, or who don't want to worry about carrying cash around while on holiday. But, you've always got the opportunity to eat-out away from the resort if you choose to. You may also be entitled to water sports and other activities which you would usually expect to pay for.
Ultra All Inclusive - This will usually offer things over and above general all inclusive, possibly branded drinks instead of local spirits, a spa treatment (if the hotel has a spa)
Always read the hotels terms and conditions to see exactly what is included in any package as these do vary.
Understanding Spanish Hotel Star Ratings
Use this page to help you find your perfect accommodation
Join our Facebook Group
What board basis do you prefer and why? comment below.
When it comes to Holidays in Benidorm, popular questions on the group include "Where can I book my holiday?", or "I am looking for an apartment, what can you recommend?"
As we all know there are hundreds of hotels and apartments here in Benidorm in all different areas of the town, use this page to help you understand the different areas of Benidorm.
There will be accommodation to suite everyone, no matter what you are looking for..... but where do you start?
Benidorm Seriously are not travel agents ourselves but we do have some very good contacts that can help you find exactly what you are looking for at hopefully the right price.
Please read reviews of any accommodation BEFORE you book not afterwards, unless you are able to book now and pay later.
You will find all our members HOTEL And APARTMENT REVIEWS HERE, you can also use that page to help you find your perfect accommodation.
Not sure which area will suit you best? which hotels are situated in the New or Old town areas? want to be close to a beach? need accommodation that has disabled facilities/accepts group bookings/suitable for children etc? Use this webpage to help you find the perfect accommodation that will tick all the boxes so you get the perfect holiday.
Accommodation Search (benidormseriously.com)
Holidays in Benidorm - Booking with a Travel Consultant/agent
Contact some of our experienced Travel consultants, with your dates and requirements, there are there to help you get the best deal.
A Travel Agent/consultant offers the customer a range of holiday packages that have been put together by a tour operator. They do not, in theory, put together any of their own packages; they sell lots of different holidays put together by lots of different tour operators. They also know where to find early booking discounts and special fares, and which hotels are offering the best values, like upgrade options to suites and club level rooms or complimentary amenities.
The tour operator whose product they sell takes the responsibility for the holiday; the travel agent does not. And therefore the agent usually does not have an ATOL licence or any Bonding in place, but relies on the tour operator to cover this.
A Tour operator will only work with one company ie Tui....
Our Travel Consultants are:-
Looking to book Stag, hen or group accommodation?
Not all hotels and apartments accept group bookings, Check with the Agents
Stag and hen and 18 to 30 specialists. Owned by licensed JUST FK IT travel agents. Travel agency/Travel agency wholesaler license number CV-Mm1830-A Cheap top-quality holidays, stag hen and group party specialists. Cheap hotel and accommodation packages. hotels, transfers, Limousines, strippers, and so much more.
Mandy Ridley Travel Counsellor
Mandy has over 28 years' experience in the Travel Industry.
Christina Walker "I would like to thank Mandy Ridley Travel counsellor. for Booking my holiday I just told her what I wanted and where she done it all for me so no stress. she was very helpful and patient."
By booking your holiday with me, you will receive a top standard of service that you deserve without paying top prices. All holidays are fully ATOL and ABTA protected. I am available online seven days a week, so when the High Street is closed. I’m here to help you from the comfort of your own home, at a time convenient to you.
Lyndyloo Travel Agency can help you with all your Travel, family holidays, accommodation, and cruises,we specialise in Wedding accommodation and honeymoons. Lyndyloo Travel is a part of Lyndyloo in Spain Wedding Planning.
Charlie has lived in Spain for 9 years & has been fortunate to work with some of the most influential travel & cruise companies. Prior to his role as a holiday specialist; he worked onboard 5* Cruise Ships as an officer, completing 3 world cruises.
Holidays in Benidorm - Book Direct
Don Pancho hotel has 256 rooms, all with terrace and sea views. RESTAURANT The cozy restaurant of the Hotel Don Pancho offers the most recognized buffet in Benidorm. Our exquisite cuisine incorporates the best Mediterranean recipes as well as an innovative and creative international cuisine. Let yourself be surprised every night with our original Show Cooking!
Designed for adults (over 14 years old)
Completely renovated.
All rooms have Sea views and terrace.
Only 100 Meters from Levante Beach.
All about the Don Pancho Hotel
MedPlaya Hotels
Rio Park, Regente, Riudor, Agir Springs and Flamingo oasis
Flash Hotel - Designed for adults
A hotel designed for the enjoyment of adults, a guarantee of the tranquility you are looking for during your vacation.
Servigroup hotels - Book Direct.
Servigroup Pueblo Hotel - Located in a lively area close to the main nightlife
Hotel Servigroup Castilla The Hotel Servigroup Castilla is located 500 metres from Benidorm's Levante Beach, in a peaceful setting very close to the city centre.
Servigroup Rialto Hotel Located just 300 m. walk from Levante Beach.
Hotel Servigroup Calypso Located in the heart of Benidorm's new town, opposite the famous "Neptune's Bar" (Morgan Tavern) from the popular TV Series.
The Hotel Moli Boutique - Alfaz del Pi
The boutique Hotel Moli is the hidden gem of the Costa Blanca located in the heart of the quaint village of Alfaz Del Pi. This recently refurbished and modernised hotel has been designed to provide the ultimate in personalised service and accommodation.
Booking a Campsite
Booking an apartment with a Local Agent - Local agents are those that have businesses here in Benidorm itself, and therefore have a great knowledge of the local area.
Book your holiday apartment in Benidorm with THL Benidorm!
All amazing apartments, situated within walking distance to the beach and to the main strip.
Find various apartments available from Round Town Travel, a registered travel agency since 2008 - Registration number CV m-1246-a.
Fincas Arena - Benidorm Apartment Rentals - With Fincas Arena you can find apartments in Benidorm to rent to spend a holiday without worries, with the guarantee of an agency specialized in holiday rentals with more than 30 years of experience.
Paraiso 10 Apartments (Marvill Holiday Apartments)
Popular holiday apartments looking to offer you a good value for money stay , with a friendly service to enjoy your holiday in Benidorm.
Vernons Rentals - Specialising on short and long stays and last-minute bookings. Registration Number EGVT-758-A
Offering an array of apartments in the Levante beach area of Benidorm, including may favourites such as Gemelos 2, Gemelos 4, Gemelos 22, Gemelos 26 and numerous beachfront apartments.
Tourist apartments located in the centre of Benidorm Old Town, a step away from the beach, bars and restaurants.
Golf Holidays in Benidorm - We are golfers catering for golfers we supply all you need for your golf break
Our Selection of Hotels in Benidorm has been hand picked by us based on our local knowledge of the area. We do not want our golfers turning up to a hotel in the middle of nowhere, or to a place that we wouldn’t stay ourselves. Our rates are also better than you can find on line. Try us for a quote for your next Golf Holiday to Benidorm. We can include airport transfers, Golf transfers and club hire to give you everything you need for your Benidorm Golf Holiday. We also have the only Golf Shop in Benidorm. We supply all your golf apparel and bookings from here. Call in to have a chat and ask us about courses in the area.
Registration number - VT-480484-A First floor 1 bedroom apartment for holiday rental, situated in the heart of the new town, close to Jokers and the Presidente Hotel
You will also find short term holiday rentals listed HERE
D.I.Y holidays - Where you book everything separately yourself, ie your flights, hotel/apartment and transfers.
Booking.com is one of the most popular and trusted and has 1,172 properties in Benidorm.
You can search for your perfect hotel or apartment on Booking.com HERE
Doing a DIY holiday you will also have to sort out your own flights..... you will find some tips on how to get cheap flights HERE
If you are doing a DIY holiday the other thing you have to consider is how you are getting yourself to and from the airport to your chosen accommodation. You will find all the information you need on that subject HERE.
The other important factor to think about is Insurance, please take out Travel Insurance as soon as you have booked your holiday to make sure you are covered for any cancellations etc.
Illegal Apartment rental - Did you give copies of your passport to the agent on check in and fill out a police form? If not then report then to the local police as it's a legal requirement. If you book any apartment or agency apartment they have to have a license number, if not it's illegal.
You must by law hand over your passport on arrival and this information is then submitted to the police within 24 hours. Don't book unless you have checked the company is in the Touristico approved agents list and the apartment has a registered number so it meets a minimum standard of safety and comfort if not there are massive fines for the owner.
Please read reviews of any accommodation BEFORE you book not afterwards.
You will find all our members HOTEL And APARTMENT REVIEWS HERE, you can also use that page to help you find your perfect accommodation for your holidays in Benidorm
British Passport validity - Check your passport is valid for travel before you book your trip and renew your passport if you do not have enough time left on it.
This page reflects the UK government’s understanding of current rules for people travelling on a full ‘British Citizen’ passport, for the most common types of travel.
If you are planning to travel to an EU country (except Ireland), or Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino or Vatican City, you must follow the Schengen area passport requirements.
Your passport must be:
Issued less than 10 years before the date you enter the country (check the ‘date of issue’)
As of May 26th, 2023, the HM Passport Office indicate that 254,316 holidaymakers do not conform to the post-Brexit rules for entering the EU, this is the total number of passport-holders with a valid expiration date of more than 10 years since the date of issue.
Travellers trying to go to the Schengen zone (this includes Spain) will be turned away at the boarding gates if their UK passport has been issued more than 10 years ago.
Since the UK left the EU, UK passports now cannot be more than 10 years old when used to travel to the EU.
This means you must check the date the passport was issued, as well as when it expires.
The majority of people assume that an adult passport lasts 10 years. However, extra months might have been added to its expiry date if the previous passport was renewed before it fully expired.
Valid for at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave (check the ‘expiry date’)
You must check your passport meets these requirements before you travel. If your passport was issued before 1st October 2018, extra months may have been added to its expiry date.
Contact the embassy of the country you are visiting if you think that your passport does not meet both these requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.
Passports can be renewed for a cost of £82.50, or via a paper form at the Post Office for £93.
Meanwhile, the one-week fast-track service costs £155 for a basic adult passport, and £126 for a child passport.
Sign your passport - Following the departure from the EU, it is a requirement for all passports issued by HM Passport Office to be signed. Passports are now not valid until they have been signed.
There are exceptions to this rule: You’re aged 11 or under or you can’t sign because of a disability
In these instances, the passport will show ‘the holder is not required to sign’.
UK Emergency Travel Documents
UK ETDs are accepted for entry, airside transit and exit from Spain.
Spanish Residents ie those with TIE cards - If you are a British national living in Spain and having rights under the withdrawal agreement, the Embassy in Madrid have clarified that you can enter and exit Spain without any additional validity on your passport beyond the dates on which you are travelling. But for other travel, “normal third country rules apply, so you will need to have a passport that is valid for at least three months after the day you plan to leave the Schengen Area and is less than ten years old.”
Visas
Use this page to check you do not overstay your 90 days
You can travel to countries in the Schengen area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa. This applies if you travel as a tourist, to visit family or friends, to attend business meetings, cultural or sports events, or for short-term studies or training.
If you are travelling to Spain and other Schengen countries without a visa, make sure your whole visit is within the 90-day limit. Visits to Schengen countries within the previous 180 days before you travel count towards your 90 days.
The 26 Schengen countries are: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.
To stay longer, to work or study, for business travel or for other reasons, you will need to meet the Spanish government’s entry requirements. You should check with the Spanish consulate in the UK prior to travel regarding what type of visa and/or work permit you may need.
If you are travelling to Spain for work, read the guidance on visas and permits.
If you are unable to return to the UK before the expiry of your visa/permit or visa-free limit due to C-19 restrictions, you should contact your local immigration office (Extranjería) for advice. You can also call 060 from a Spanish phone line.
If you are visiting Spain and need to extend your visa-free stay for exceptional reasons, such as a medical emergency, you must apply to the immigration authorities (Extranjería) to do so.
If you stay in Spain with a residence permit or long-stay visa, this does not count towards your 90-day visa-free limit.
Entry Requirements into Spain from UK
Passport stamping
Check your passport is stamped if you enter or exit the Schengen area through Spain as a visitor.
Border guards will use passport stamps to check you’re complying with the 90-day visa-free limit for short stays in the Schengen area. If relevant entry or exit stamps are not in your passport, border guards will presume that you have overstayed your visa-free limit.
IF you did not receive a stamp when you should have - When you next enter Spain, you should show evidence of when and where you previously entered or exited the Schengen area and ask the border guards to add this date and location in your passport. Examples of acceptable evidence include boarding passes and tickets. If you wish you can also contact the Spanish Interior Ministry to confirm what evidence will be considered acceptable and/or to complain about your lack of passport stamp. http://www.interior.gob.es/contacto.
Residents of Spain - UK nationals who are resident should not have their passport stamped
You should proactively show your proof of residence - such as the ‘TIE’ (la tarjeta de identidad de extranjero) - as well as your valid passport at Spanish border control.
Additional documents required by tourists
UK nationals entering the Schengen zone as tourists may need to provide additional documents at the border. As well as a valid return or onward ticket, it is possible that travellers to Spain may also be asked to:
show you have enough money for your stay. More information is available from the Spanish Ministry of Interior (in Spanish).
show proof of accommodation for your stay, for example, a hotel booking confirmation, proof of address if visiting your own property (e.g. second home), or an invitation from your host or proof of their address if staying with a third party, friends or family. The Spanish government has clarified that the “carta de invitation” is one of the options available to prove that you have accommodation if staying with friends or family. More information is available from the Spanish Ministry of Interior.
For all other entry requirements into Spain from the UK use this page
.
Duty Free allowances from Spain to UK
Arriving in Great Britain, England Wales or Scotland
If you’re travelling to Great Britain (England, Wales or Scotland) from outside the UK, your personal allowances mean you can bring in a certain amount of goods without paying tax or duty.
When you’re bringing in goods you must: - transport them yourself - use them yourself or give them away as a gift
If you go over your allowances you must declare all your goods and pay tax and duty on all the goods of the same type in that category.
You cannot combine allowances with other people to bring in more than your individual allowance.
Customs checks
If a customs officer thinks you may be bringing in goods to sell, they may stop you to make checks and ask:
How to Handle customs
The best way to get through customs is to be friendly and polite, answer any questions truthfully, if in doubt ask a customs officer for assistance. paying tax will always work out cheaper than getting caught for smuggling.
From January 2021, there will be changes to duty free shopping.
The UK has left the EU. The information below will be updated if there is any new information about the UK’s deal with the EU
Previously there were no limits on the value of goods you could bring in from European Union nations. From the start of 2021, the European Union will be treated the same as the rest of the world – which means that there are now restrictions.
Allowances mean you can bring in a certain amount of goods for your own use from outside the UK into Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) without paying duty or tax.
Tax FREE - Reclaim VAT from purchases in Spain
*One of the great things about post-Brexit travelling in Europe is that British travellers can now claim a VAT refund on purchases made in the EU! you can reclaim your VAT on clothes, gifts, items, electrical wares, etc, NOT flights, hotels, car hire. You simply need to fill in the Tax-Free form in the shops where you buy your purchases. Then, get the form validated at Customs within 3 months of the purchase date.
The refund process - on your return trip, remember to always carry:
- Your passport.
- Receipts or DIVA form for your purchases.
- The goods you purchased.
- Your boarding pass.
There are two ways to reclaim VAT after getting the form validated at Customs:
Through the Tax Free management body located where you are departing (a fee will be charged). The refund will be in euros, in cash, to your credit card, by cheque, or by bank transfer.
Directly through the shop where you made the purchases. They will refund the entire amount within 15 days by cheque, bank transfer, or to your credit card.
Also, remember that if your next destination is another country in the European Union, you will not be able to reclaim VAT in Spain, but in the last airport before leaving the EU.
Duty Free Allowances
Find out what stores are available at Alicante Airport
When you’re bringing in goods you must:
Transport them yourself
Use them yourself or give them away as a gift
You cannot combine allowances with other people to bring in more than your individual allowance. If you go over an allowance, you must make a declaration for all the goods in that category. Your goods could be seized if you do not declare them.
For alcohol
How much you can bring depends on the type of drink. You can bring in both:
Beer - 42 litres
The beer allowance of 42 litres will equate to three crates of 568ml (pint) cans. If passengers prefer to buy 330ml bottles of beer this would equate to five crates.
Wine (not sparkling) - 18 litres
You can also bring in either:
spirits and other liquors over 22% alcohol - 4 litres
fortified wine (for example port, sherry), sparkling wine and alcoholic drinks up to 22% alcohol - 9 litres
You can split this last allowance, for example you could bring 4.5 litres of fortified wine and 2 litres of spirits (both half of your allowance).
You will have to pay excise duty and VAT on alcohol you declare. You may also have to pay customs duty.
Tobacco allowance
Prices at the airport will be slightly cheaper, than the Tabacs in Spain, but stocks will often be limited and not all brands will be available. Find current prices for tobacco and cigarettes in SPAIN here.
You can bring in one from the following:
200 cigarettes
100 cigarillos
50 cigars
250g tobacco
200 sticks of tobacco for heating
You can split this allowance - for example you could bring in 100 cigarettes and 25 cigars (both half of your allowance).
You will have to pay excise duty, VAT and customs duty on tobacco you declare
Alcohol and tobacco allowances if you’re under 17
There are no duty-free allowances for tobacco or alcohol if you’re under 17. You can bring alcohol and tobacco to the UK for your own use but you’ll have to pay duty or tax on them when you get to customs.
Allowance for other goods
You can bring in other goods worth up to £390 (or up to £270 if you arrive by private plane or boat).
If you go over your allowance you pay tax and duty on the total value of the goods, not just the value above the allowance.
You may have to pay import VAT and customs duty if you exceed your allowance.
Import VAT
You may have to pay import VAT on the total value of the goods plus duty. You pay this at the current UK VAT rate.
Rates
Product | Duty rate |
---|---|
Cigarettes | The higher of: 16.5% of retail price plus £244.78 per 1,000 cigarettes or £320.90 per 1,000 cigarettes |
Cigars | £305.32 per kg |
Hand-rolling tobacco | £271.40 per kg |
Tobacco for heating | £251.60 per kg |
Other smoking tobacco and chewing tobacco | £134.24 per kg |
Declaring goods made or produced in the EU
You do not need to pay any tax or duties on personal goods you bring into Great Britain as long as they are within your personal allowances.
If the goods are over your allowances you will need to:
When you declare your goods you need to declare each item you bought. When you declare your items, you may not need to pay customs duty on items where all the following are true:
If these are true, you can claim a zero rate of customs duty for each item. You must:
The level of evidence you need depends on the total value of all the items you claim these rates for.
If the total value is less than £1,000
If the total value of all the items you declare is less than £1,000 the evidence for each item can be:
A Border Force officer might ask to see this evidence. If you are unable to show this, you will have to pay any customs duty you owe.
If the total value is more than £1,000
If the total value of all the items you declare is over £1,000, you can claim a zero rate of customs duty if you can prove each item was grown or made in the EU.
This proof could be an invoice or document from the person or business you bought the items from which includes the:
The ‘statement on origin’ is formal wording from the person or business you bought the items from which confirms:
You could also prove that you know how the items were made in the EU by using documents or records which show the item meets the rules of origin. The ‘importer’s knowledge’ section of the proof of origin guide) explains how you do this. This applies if you bring in (import) these items for either personal or commercial use.
A Border Force officer might ask to see this evidence. If you are unable to show this, you will have to pay any customs duty you owe.
The rules and your allowances for Northern Ireland depend on whether you’re travelling from the European Union (EU) or another country.
Travelling from an EU country
You do not need to declare or pay tax or duty on any goods you bring into Northern Ireland from the EU as long as you:
transport them yourself
will use them yourself or give them away as a gift
have paid tax and duty in the country where you bought them
Customs checks
If a customs officer thinks you may be bringing in goods to sell, they may check your goods and ask questions to find out if the goods are for personal use.
Although there are no limits to the alcohol and tobacco you can bring in from EU countries, you’re more likely to be asked questions if you have more than the following amounts.
Type of goods | Amount |
---|---|
Cigarettes | 800 |
Cigars | 200 |
Cigarillos | 400 |
Tobacco | 1kg |
Sticks of tobacco for electronic heated tobacco devices | 800 |
Beer | 110 litres |
Wine | 90 litres |
Spirits | 10 litres |
Fortified wine (for example sherry, port) | 20 litres |
Keep up to date with other travel news by checking out this section of the website.
ENTRY into the EU
Bringing meat and dairy products into the EU
You cannot take the following with you into the EU:
Meat or products containing meat. Milk or dairy products
There are some exceptions, for example certain amounts of powdered infant milk, infant food, or pet food required for medical reasons.
Check the rules about taking meat and milk products into the EU on the European Commission website.
Bringing fruits, vegetables, plants and plant products into the EU
You cannot take the following into the EU unless you pay to have them inspected before you leave and get a ‘phytosanitary certificate’:
Fresh fruit (apart from bananas, coconuts, dates, pineapples and durians). Vegetables. Plants. Plant products
Check the rules about taking fruit, vegetables and other plants or plant products into the EU on the European Commission website.