Have you ever wanted to close your eyes and wake up in your dream destination, cocktail in hand, listening to that soft ripple of water from your hotel pool! Of course you have. My dream destination is Thailand but the arduous 16 hour flight kind of puts me off. What if I told you, a three hour flight from Dublin, you could be lounging by the pool in an Asian-inspired five star hotel!
Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa sits above Benidorm on the Costa Blanca, around a 40–60 minute transfer from Alicante Airport, depending on the traffic. Every detail has been thought through – from the elegant Asian-inspired décor and high-beamed reception to the lush landscaped gardens and tranquil atmosphere. It’s a destination hotel, where relaxation begins the moment you arrive.
There are seven gorgeous pools to choose from, each with its own personality. There’s a family pool, an area for the younger children and peaceful adults-only hideaway, perfect for an afternoon snooze. My favourite has to be the Faces of Angkor pool, where giant stone Buddhas adorn the pool area, surrounded by lush tropical greenery. It felt like stumbling upon a secret garden somewhere far away from the beachfront of Benidorm.
The pools and restaurants all have distinct Asian names including: The Island, Koh Samui, Palapa, Lombocci, Udaipur. It feels like you have gone on an international journey without ever leaving the grounds. And for those who like a bit of activity, there’s a tucked-away sports zone with tennis, padel, volleyball, plus supervised kids’ clubs which ensures parents can ‘really’ enjoy this destination hotel.
Spanning over 10,000 square metres, the resort is full of hidden nooks and crannies. Whether you’re a couple seeking calm, a solo traveller craving tranquillity or a family looking for a gentle balance of fun and relaxation – Asia Gardens caters for all types of guests.
The rooms continue the Asian theme – Balinese-style deluxe suites with carved wood and soft bespoke linens, family-friendly superior suites and whirlpool suites. Or if you’re in the mood to splurge, the presidential suite is pure indulgence. It’s easy to see why the resort has been voted Best Hotel in Spain three times by the World Travel Awards and most recently, Best Conference Hotel in Europe.
If you feel like exploring the surrounding cities, Benidorm makes the perfect base: Madrid is 474 km away, Valencia 130 km, Barcelona 498 km and Alicante just 46 km down the coast. Alicante is Spain’s fifth-busiest airport, offering excellent connectivity. Most hotels in Benidorm are locally owned, giving the city a personal touch. Benidorm welcomes nearly three million visitors annually, with a mix of nationalities – traditionally Swedish and Norwegian and increasingly English, Irish and Spanish travellers.
When I think of Benidorm, I had visions of abundant high rise buildings and a party town of boozy tourists but I was pleasantly surprised at what else Benidorm offers. And yes there are high-rise resorts along the beach front, but they are strategically placed so they are not in front of each other, always offering sunrise views or balmy sunset sights. Behind the tall buildings and away from the beach area there are many activities, beautiful hotels, adventure parks and mountains galore for the active holiday makers and for families. If hiking, electric biking, walking and stunning view points is your kind of holiday, you will be spoiled for choice in Benidorm.
Benidorm consists of two main beaches – Playa de Levante (the busier side) and Playa de Poniente. Depending on what you are looking for on your holiday, either beach is beautiful. The Levante beach area is a people watcher’s paradise with many bars and restaurants along the beachfront and up the many side streets. They are adorned with shops full of local handmade clothes, bags and ‘I Love Benidorm’ merchandise. The area is a hive of fun with karaoke bars and pub singers with their patrons singing along enjoying their beers or cocktails. The beach has plenty of space and sun worshippers happily move their loungers in the direction of the sun for the last trickle of sunrays before they fold up their chairs and head up to the bars and restaurants.
If you like an even quieter beach, you can easily find two along the hilltop walk to the infamous Cross of Benidorm – the beaches are called Tio Ximo and Almadraba. The water is crystal clear and less inhabited but you may see a nudist or two on one of them!
There is a stunning hilltop walking trail, offering panoramic views of the city, up to see the infamous La Creu de Benidorm (the Cross of Benidorm) This was initiated in 1961. It stands on top of the Sierra Gelada National Park and can be a tough walk uphill from the old town but worth it for the views. My advice would be to go early before it gets to hot and wear comfy walking shoes and bring plenty of water. The story behind the cross began with ‘bikinis’ – when bikinis were first allowed, the Church objected, sparking a clash between Mayor Pedro Zaragoza and the Bishop of Orihuela and the Cross became a lasting symbol of that moment. There is also a tougher hike down a pathway near the cross with cliff views which can take roughly 4.5 hours (one way).
Benidorm relies on tourism and you will find many returning guests who visit all year round as the climate is favourable most of the year. The resort town has recently been awarded with the prestigious title of ‘European Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism 2025’. Benidorm’s mayor, Toni Pérez said that, “This green and blue vision of Benidorm that we once envisioned aligns perfectly with what an increasingly competitive tourism sector demands today – where sustainability sets the tone and where Benidorm has so much to offer the world.”
Sustainability is a big part of Benidorm’s tourism footprint. With many regions protected including the Sierra Gelada National Park. They have also implemented smart water and energy management systems with water consumption been cut by about 18% despite tourism growth, also many of their public buildings now use solar energy. They have also expanded their pedestrian areas and the city itself is easy to walk around and also suitable for less mobile tourists. Cycling is popular here with over 130 km of cycling lanes, expanded pedestrian zones and they are pushing for fewer cars in the busy tourist areas.
There are many people whizzing by you on the beach front and hill walks and I experienced my first electric bike ride (Tao Bike Hire) Anxious at first, I easily got the hang of it after a few trials and thoroughly enjoyed my bike ride up the hills and back. I nearly got confident enough to go hands free (I didn’t) It is a great way to explore the city. You can also opt for a jeep safari experience (Marco Polo Expeditions) and go off the beaten track to some incredible viewpoints, where you will see Benidorm from a different perspective. The coast line is not as tourist populated as you think, with many areas waiting to be explored.
Dining is always great in Spain and Benidorm has many restaurants offering local and international food. I highly recommend taking a stroll to the Old Town and go to Tapas Alley for the atmosphere and of course the delicious food; we ate at La Taperia. Another, quieter family restaurant is on La Poniente beach called Ulia. Other restaurants we visited were the stunning beachfront D-Vora (the best sangria I have road tested) and also Exotica at the Primavera Park hotel (they also have a gorgeous rooftop bar called Selvático with stunning sunset views over the city).
There’s nothing quite like waking up to the sun and blue skies and winter sun is the medicine we all need before the colder months find us wrapping woollies around us for a few months, instead of sun coverups. Benidorm is a short flight and a destination balancing tourism with environmental care. From cycling along the promenade to hiking protected hills, local wine tasting (the Mendoza Winery is a must) or visiting their quieter beaches, your holiday can be fun and sustainable.
As our local guide, Sergio explains to us, “There is a type of Benidorm for everyone. There are no factories here, only factories of fun. People coming here find what they are looking for.”
Yvonne was a guest of Visit Benidorm.
Travel Facts
Flights from Dublin to Alicante with Ryanair, approx. – €120 return
Asia Gardens Hotel rooms start at €289 per night
Tao Bike hire in Benidorm – €15 for two hours/ €30 for the day
Marco Polo expeditions start from €51 pp for a half-day excursion
Published in the Irish Daily Mail on 6/12/2025