First impressions
Arriving at the Sol Pelícanos Ocas, there’s one thing you notice straight away if you’ve ever watched the TV series Benidorm.
This is the place.
Or at least, this is the real-world version of it.
The outdoor areas instantly feel familiar, especially the pool area, which is where a lot of the show was filmed. But once you step inside, you quickly realise this is still a functioning hotel first, not just a filming location.
First impressions are solid. It’s busy, it’s lively, and it feels exactly like what you’d expect from a large Benidorm hotel.
The Benidorm connection
If you’re coming here because of the TV show, this is where expectations need to be managed slightly.
The pool area is the main attraction, and it does look very similar to what you see on screen. You can easily recognise parts of it, and that’s probably the highlight if you’re a fan of the show.
But it’s not a themed experience.
There’s no “Solana” branding, no references everywhere, and nothing trying to turn it into a full-on attraction. It’s just a real hotel that happened to be used for filming.
That’s not a bad thing, but it’s worth knowing before you book.
Location
The hotel is set slightly back from the beachfront, but still within easy walking distance.
You’re close to:
- Levante Beach
- bars and nightlife
- restaurants and shops
So it still works well as a base for Benidorm.
It’s not right on the front, but it’s close enough that it doesn’t feel inconvenient.
The room
The rooms are fairly simple and practical.
They’re clean, functional and do the job, but they’re not trying to compete with higher-end hotels.
You get:
- a basic but usable layout
- everything you need for a short stay
- a space that’s fine to come back to, but not somewhere you’ll spend loads of time
It’s very much in line with what you’d expect from a large, busy hotel in Benidorm.
The pool and atmosphere
This is where the hotel really stands out.
The pool area is big, busy and has a proper holiday atmosphere. It’s the kind of place where there’s always something going on, especially during the day.
If you’re looking for:
- a lively environment
- a social atmosphere
- something that feels like a classic Benidorm experience
this delivers.
If you’re looking for:
- quiet
- relaxing
- low-key
this probably isn’t the place.
What it’s actually like to stay here
This is a hotel that leans heavily into the typical Benidorm experience.
It’s busy, it’s energetic, and it’s built for volume. That means:
- lots of people
- plenty going on
- not much in the way of calm or privacy
But at the same time, it works.
Everything runs as you’d expect, and for what it is, it does a solid job.
Value for money
Pricing here is generally reasonable, especially compared to beachfront hotels.
You’re paying for:
- a well-known hotel
- strong facilities
- a lively atmosphere
It’s not luxury, but it’s not priced like luxury either.
For a typical Benidorm stay, it’s fairly in line with expectations.
Who this hotel is for
This hotel makes sense if:
- you’re a fan of the Benidorm TV series
- you want a lively, social hotel
- you’re travelling in a group or as a couple looking for atmosphere
It’s probably not the best fit if:
- you want a quiet or relaxing stay
- you’re looking for something more premium
- you want a smaller, boutique-style hotel
Pros and cons
Pros
- Famous TV filming location
- Large, lively pool area
- Good Benidorm atmosphere
- Solid value for money
Cons
- Rooms are basic
- Can be very busy
- Not a quiet or relaxing stay
- TV show expectations can be misleading
Final thoughts
The Sol Pelícanos Ocas is exactly what it looks like.
A big, busy Benidorm hotel with a bit of TV history attached to it.
If you’re coming for the Benidorm connection, you’ll recognise parts of it, especially around the pool, but it’s still very much a real hotel rather than a themed experience.
If you want something lively and reasonably priced in a good location, it works.
If you’re expecting something more polished or relaxed, you might want to look elsewhere.