'I stayed at ITV's Benidorm hotel and it was like a prison with guests treated like peasants'

An upset traveller has claimed their stay at the famed Benidorm hotel, which is where the hit ITV comedy was filmed, was more like a 'prison' where guests were 'treated like peasants'.

Benidorm is known for its golden sand beaches, towering high-rise hotels and lively nightlife, and thousands of Brits flock to the vibrant Spanishcoastal city every year. The Mediterranean holiday destination gained even more popularity after it became the setting of the beloved ITV comedy sitcom 'Benidorm', which followed holidaymakers at the Solana all-inclusive resort.

The show aired impressively from 2007 to 2018, with iconic characters ranging from Madge Harvey to Mateo Castellanos, and has remained a staple in British TV. Those looking to experience it for themselves can book a stay at the Sol Pelicanos Ocas Hotel, where the show was filmed.

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The 3-star resort is situated just 300m from Levante Beach and features five swimming pools, evening entertainment shows (as you'd expect), a multi-adventure park and themed buffets to suit every holidaymaker's need. But for one guest, who stayed earlier this year, they sensationally dubbed it the 'worst hotel' they have ever stayed in.

The upset traveller posted a lengthy review on TripAdvisor in May this year following their stay at Sol Pelicanos Ocas. It sensationally read: "This is the worst hotel I have ever stayed in. Where do I start........

"Smoking area - no smoking anywhere apart from the designated naughty n. Boys and girls smoking area, blocking disabled wheelchairs and push chairs access. If you caught smoking or vaping around the pool area that's an instant €100 on spot fine.

"Hotel shop - they will sell you all these inflatables but you cannot bring it into the pool area or use it in pool.

"Sun loungers - if you leave your towel and possessions on the sun loungers for anything over 1 hour its a €75 fine. They will take you possessions and to have them back u have to to pay to get them back so do not leave possessions around the pool area.

"All inclusive - if you go all inclusive you will be treated like peasants. First of all is the bar, they will serve all the cash/card customers 1st so when its busy u will be ignored, your drinks will be different. I asked for a strawberry daiquiri and got a glass, poured from a carton with 1 lump of ice. Paying customers get the proper crush iced ones which they have a machine that makes it at the back.

"Swim up bar - the swim up bar that was featured on the Benidorm program, u will need cash to get drinks from there. If you are all inclusive you cannot get drinks from that bar. Cash and cards only."

The unhappy guest also mentioned a staff member they dubbed "Mrs Trunchball", who they claimed was "horrible" and took "balls off kids". The traveller added in the review: "All the Benidorm program fans please by pass this hotel or book just 1 night if you want to see the pool etc then move on."

He added a photo of the swimming pool to the review with the note, "Not worth your hard learnt cash." Before ending the review, exclaiming: "Some staff are very ruuuude and horrible. I will not come back here even if I was paid.

"This has ruined my holiday. It was like being in prison, full of stupid, useless unnecessary rules. They are still revelling from the Benidorm program and they will think they something that they are not.

"Food is ok but its almost the same everyday."

The Mirror has reached out to Sol Pelicanos Ocas for comment.

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