Rio Park Benidorm

Rio Park's reputation is built on its entertainment. The hotel runs one of the biggest in-house animation teams in Benidorm, with a daytime programme around the pool (water aerobics, pool games, bingo, quizzes, dance lessons) and a full theatre-style show lounge that runs every single night of the season. Tribute acts, magic shows, comedy nights, the resident dance team and themed party nights all rotate through the schedule.

If you book Rio Park, you genuinely don't need to leave the hotel for a great evening — but you can also walk to the English square in around 10 minutes if you fancy a change of scene. That balance is why Rio Park sells out so reliably.

Rio Park sits one block back from the Levante seafront on Avenida Doctor Severo Ochoa. Cross the road, walk for two minutes through the residential street between the buildings, and you are on the promenade. Levante Beach is right there — long, flat, gently shelving sand with the full set of loungers, parasols, beach showers and lifeguard cover in season.

The English square (Calle Gerona) is around a 10-minute walk uphill. The Old Town is around a 15-minute walk along the promenade. The ALSA airport bus stops 5 minutes away. It is one of the most-walkable 3-star locations in Benidorm.

The Rio Park is a big hotel, and Med Playa has been refurbishing rooms in waves over the last few years. The newer-refurbished rooms are noticeably more modern — fresh bathrooms, updated furniture and proper black-out curtains — and they are worth asking for at check-in.

Standard rooms are twin or double with en-suite shower bathroom, air conditioning, flat-screen TV, in-room safe (extra), a small balcony and tiled floors. Side-sea-view rooms catch the bay between buildings; the top floors offer the best views.

Triple rooms and family rooms are available. For families with three or four, family rooms with two double beds usually work better than a double-plus-sofa-bed.

All-inclusive at the Rio Park is reliable 3-star buffet — generous portions, themed nights, a full continental and cooked breakfast, lighter lunch buffet plus snack bar at the pool, and themed evening buffets with live cooking stations on most nights. The Sunday roast is a regulars' favourite.

Local beers, wines, spirits, soft drinks and hot drinks are included from around 10am to midnight at the lounge bar and pool bar. Premium spirits, branded cocktails and bottled drinks tend to be small-supplement extras.

The Rio Park has a large outdoor pool with plenty of sun loungers, a separate kids' pool and a poolside snack bar that runs through the day. The terrace sits at the back of the hotel and catches the sun through the afternoon. There is no full spa, but a small gym is available on the lower floor.

Amenities are exactly what a busy 3-star all-inclusive needs: free Wi-Fi throughout, 24-hour reception with multilingual staff, lift access, a dedicated entertainment lounge with proper stage and lighting, daily housekeeping, lounge bar with terrace and luggage storage.

Rio Park is best for couples, friend groups and families who want a friendly, lively atmosphere, brilliant entertainment, easy access to both the beach and the English square, and don't need a designer 4-star or a quiet adults-only spa retreat. The Rio Park is the heart-of-Benidorm experience at a competitive 3-star price.

Quieter couples and over-60s who want a more sedate hotel often prefer the Marina Hotel on the seafront or a smaller property in the Old Town. Families with younger children who want a bigger pool complex tend to choose Sandos Benidorm Suites further up the hill.