Couple love Benidorm so much they've been 25 times in just seven years

Mark and Karen Gregory used to visit various Spanish islands on holiday until they visited Benidorm for the first time in 2018 - and they have been hooked ever since

Meet the couple who love Benidorm so much that they have holidayed there 25 times, spending a whopping £6k annually on their trips. Mark and Karen Gregory, both 50, used to explore various Spanish islands until they discovered Benidorm in 2018.

The pair fell head over heels for the notoriously touristy destination and estimate they have splashed out £30k on visits. They are not big drinkers, but when they do fancy a tipple, they enjoy the budget booze - such as "pints for 80 cents" and "€2 for a bottle of cava".

They have their favourite spots which they frequent each time they visit - enjoying a pint at the Western Saloon, dinner at Country Ribs or Katmandu Curry House, cocktails at the Hotel California Bar. They even have a soft spot for the same Meat Loaf tribute act, often referred to as "Meatloaf Benidorm", at Jokers.

And they have no intention of changing their holiday destination - they have even contemplated relocating there one day. Mark, from Swansea, said: "We used to go to Majorca and The Canaries until we spotted a deal for a trip to Benidorm one day.

"We thought we'd try it for a week and we were so pleasantly surprised that my wife started looking for accommodation to go again as soon as we got home! The TV show is about typical Brits in the sun - what everyone thinks of - but that's only about 10 per cent of it. You do get your typical beer-bellied Brits but there is a much nicer, quieter side too.

"We mainly go outside of summer as it's much cheaper - but there's entertainment there all year round. People do have their own opinions of Benidorm and it is a bit of a 'Marmite' resort - but lots fall in love with it and we can see why."

The couple relish the year-round nightlife - especially the live music, tribute acts and drag shows. They have made 25 trips since late 2018 - excluding the travel-free pandemic period - having spent around £30k.

Mark stated: "We mainly stick to the winter but we've been in May a couple of times. In winter it's 30-40 per cent cheaper - not just to get there, but at the bars and restaurants. And even in winter there is so much to do - you never get bored."

The couple admit they tend to steer clear of the spots frequented by large stag dos and hen parties. Mark said: "You know the spots to avoid but occasionally we do see the groups staggering home at 6am. You do see some incredible things - people passed out on benches!"

However, they discover plenty of quieter locations to enjoy their evenings. Some of their favourite nights out have been to see a Pink Floyd tribute act, a Tom Jones tribute, a Meatloaf tribute, and a comedian named Tony Scott.

Mark mentioned they mostly stay in a self-catered flat which they visit several times a year, discounted due to their loyalty, to keep costs low so they can afford more visits. But they do not mind - as they said all the local produce is better quality for their home-cooked meals.

He said: "We do sometimes go for meals but Karen is coeliac so it's not that easy. But the supermarkets are better - there are so many gluten-free options for us."

The pair say since falling head over heels for Benidorm they have only taken one holiday elsewhere - when they ventured to Tenerife. However, they said it simply did not measure up - and have returned to Benidorm once more since.

Mark said: "There are times you think you might be 'Benidormed out' but you compare anywhere else to there and it's always better."

He explained they have no intentions of visiting other destinations and live modestly day-to-day to fund their £6k-per-year getaways. Mark added: "Whenever we go back there are new places that have opened, but we like the familiarity of it.

"Whenever you go to a new place it takes a few days to find your feet - whereas going here, it's like coming home. People do have their own opinions but I don't like it when people share derogatory views about it when they've never been.

"If you've never tried it, and you've just watched the TV show or read about it, don't just jump on the bandwagon. If people want to tar us with a certain brush because of where we holiday, that's fine - but we love it."

Mark and Karen's favourite:

- Bar - Western Saloon

- Restaurant - Country Ribs

- Meal - Curry from Katmandu Curry House

- Drinks - Cocktails at the Hotel California Bar

- Entertainment - Meatloaf tribute act