‘We stay in Benidorm – it is not such as you anticipate however odor on one avenue is vile’

Many things spring to mind when we think about Benidorm – rowdy stag parties and beer bellies to ping pong balls firing out of Sticky Vicky’s you know what.

The legendary seaside resort is adored by Brits and each summer, more wild tales emerge from the party hotspot where you can get a pint and a fry-up for under a fiver.

But we spoke to three Brits who live in Benidorm to get a sense of what life is really like there – and whether its bonkers reputation is justified.

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Michelle Baker

Michelle Baker has been in Benidorm for 40 years after leaving Solihull and has raised five children there after marrying a Spaniard. She runs an informative Facebook page called Benidorm Forever and she speaks passionately about the town she believes has an unfair rep.

And giving a different perspective of the region, she told the Daily Star that there was something for everyone and that her young daughter loved the atmosphere of the strip.

But she said on the other side of Benidorm – in what she called the ‘Miami of Benidorm’ – there were spectacular buildings with apartments costing no less than €400,000.

Michelle, who recently flagged one crime visitors needed to be wary of, said: “When you go somewhere like New York, like Florida or Las Vegas, you kind of know what you are getting yourself in for and your expectations are high. But when people talk about Benidorm they are almost embarrassed to admit they are coming here.

“So when they get here and find it so fantastic they are like ‘oh right, that was better than I expected’. They get the Benidorm bug and they come back.”

And speaking further about misconceptions, she added: “I urge people to discover the other side of Benidorm, metaphorically and literally.

“Go to Poniente Beach, go to the old town, it is absolutely beautiful and people are discovering that for themselves. A lot of people who visit here are grown up like me and they don’t want the hurdy-gurdy kind of area and they are discovering the nicer areas.

“There are two beaches, the Levente Beach, essentially where the hotels and the nightlife are, and then the Poniente, which is much calmer and nicer, even though both are nice.”

However, she did concede that the smell in one part of the strip in the mornings was “offensive” and a “no man’s land”.

She was speaking about the army that wash away Brits’ boozy sins every day and describing an early morning walk, she said: “Unfortunately you smell it the next morning and I am always saying ‘for god’s sake, can you not put some fairly liquid in that jetwash because it stinks’.

“When you jetwash sick, and I know I am getting graphic now, but you spread it all over the place, then the heat bakes it and the acrid smell is just vile.

“But I am only talking about a section of 300 metres or less of pavement. It really is a no man’s land and I try to avoid that street like the plague. The bins have fallen and they probably have been sick in the bins as well, it is just a nasty, nasty street. In some parts of the strip the smell of vomit is quite offensive in the morning.”

Nigel Pope

Cornish man Nigel Pope, 62, calls himself the ‘King of Benidorm’ and he has lived there for seven years – after ditching Britain when his marriage collapsed.

He now shares Benidorm ‘virtual’ tours on TikTok and pours pints for tourists – but he also said there was more in Costa Blanca than meets the eye.

Speaking about hidden gems to the Daily Star, he said: “People should definitely go up to The Cross – the views are stunning. Visit the Balcón del Mediterráneo, it’s an amazing place. I love to go there if I am stressed as it calms me down.

“Then go on the trips to El Castell de Guadalest and Algar Waterfalls in Alicante. I love taking friends there, just 20 mins or so away and walking along the beachfront and sitting in the sun having an orange juice and people watching.”

However, he did say that British folk do have a bad reputation in some areas, saying they forget that alcohol is stronger and served in bigger amounts.

He explained how many tourists fly over to escape the bad weather and cost of living crisis before letting loose – but he said most people cause no trouble.

Nigel told us: “I always say to people, that you only hear about the few problems, but 99.9% of the good times, you never hear about that. When you come to Benidorm, you will find it one of the most friendliest places ever.”

Jade Benidorm

Essex lass Jade Benidorm (presumably not her real name) has called the holiday hotspot home for more than 10 years after moving over with her parents to ‘find herself‘.

She worked as a teacher back in Britain but she now gets paid to organise stag and hen parties while also being in the adult industry.

Giving us a sense of what living in Beni is like, she described it as “cheap and cheerful” before adding: “It’s a true fun party place, and so many people just keep coming back over and over. No matter what you’re wanting you will have it here.”

And as for what she would recommend for visitors, she said: “The nudist beaches are lovely natural places where people come to relax and get an all-over tan. They are very popular with all types of people, and I like to help people who would experience them by showing them on videos.

“I like to help people see how fantastic Benidorm is, and what it has to offer.”