Sol Pelicanos Ocas Benidorm — the real 'Solana' from ITV's Benidorm

For ten series and more than 70 episodes, Sol Pelicanos Ocas doubled as the fictional 'Solana Resort' in ITV's Benidorm — the sitcom created by Derren Litten that ran from 1 February 2007 to 2 May 2018 and made stars of characters like Madge, Mick, Janice, Sticky Vicky, Kenneth and the Oracle. The exterior of the main tower, the circular 'lake' pool, the swim-up bar and the interior lounges you'll walk through at check-in are all instantly recognisable from the show.

Filming took place around live guests each spring, and the hotel became so associated with the series that fans still travel from the UK, Ireland and Australia specifically to stay in 'the Solana'. If you were a fan of the show, you can walk the same poolside path as the Garvey family, sit at the swim-up bar where Mateo pulled pints, and take a photo in front of the same tower that opens every episode.

Sol Pelicanos Ocas is not a themed hotel and doesn't actively market the connection, but the layout is unchanged — you'll spot the filming locations instantly.

The hotel sits on Calle Gerona in the Rincón de Loix — the pedestrianised strip that most British and Irish visitors think of as 'Benidorm'. From the front door you're literally 30 seconds from Tikki Beach, Sinatra's, Robin Hood, Morgan Tavern and the rest of the tribute-act bars, and about a 5-minute walk down to Levante Beach.

Aqualandia, Mundomar and the cable car are a 10-minute walk uphill. The Old Town, tapas alleys and Poniente Beach are 20 minutes on the local L1/L2 bus or a €6–€8 taxi. For anyone whose Benidorm holiday centres around the English square and the beach, this is one of the two or three best-located 3-stars in the resort.

The resort is built around three outdoor pools set in mature palm gardens — including the circular lagoon-style pool you'll recognise from the show and a second pool with the thatched swim-up bar. All three are heated in the shoulder season and open year-round.

There is a large sun-lounger deck, hammocks, umbrellas and pool-side entertainment through the day. In the interior courtyard, the wooden 'Sol by Meliá' tiki bar is open evenings for cocktails before the shows in the main entertainment lounge.

Sol Pelicanos Ocas runs primarily as an all-inclusive with a large buffet restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, plus themed nights and live-cooking stations. Alcoholic and soft drinks are served through the day at the pool bars and the main lounge bar; snacks are available between meals.

Evenings are the classic Benidorm cabaret formula — kids' entertainment first, then adult tribute acts, resident singers and the occasional guest cabaret in the main show lounge. Because Calle Gerona is 30 seconds outside the front door, most guests do the hotel show for an hour, then head out to the strip for the headline tribute acts.

Rooms are laid out across the main tower and two secondary blocks (Pelicanos, Ocas and the newer refurbished wing). The refurbished rooms are modern and clean, with white and wood finishes, twin or double beds, walk-in showers, LED TV, safe, air-conditioning and a full private balcony. Sea-view rooms look out across Levante Beach and the Rincón de Loix skyline; pool-view rooms look down over the palm gardens and the lagoon pool.

It's honest 3-star accommodation — nobody would call it luxury, but for the location, the pools, the food and the Benidorm-fan pull, it consistently gets strong repeat-guest numbers.