British couple visits Benidorm more than 100 times, calls it a second home
Leicester duo credit value, safety and hospitality for decades-long Benidorm pilgrimage, with another trip planned this December
A British couple from Leicester has logged more than 100 trips to Benidorm, a destination they say feels like a second home. Roger, 75, and Sue Topp, 74, have spent 35 years traveling to the Spanish resort with holiday operator TUI, accumulating a total of 130 visits. In 2025 alone, the pair has already enjoyed seven breaks in Benidorm and are preparing for their eighth trip, departing from East Midlands Airport on December 23. Their first visit came in 1987, and since then they have kept returning, drawn by what they describe as friendly people, safety, and exceptional value for money.
Roger and Sue say the appeal is simple and enduring. "It's friendly, clean, safe, and the value is unbelievable. You can get a glass of wine for one to two euros and a full meal for less than you'd spend on a takeaway back home," Roger notes. The couple encourages others to ignore stereotypes about the resort, arguing that it offers something for every age and budget. They and their circle of fellow Benidorm regulars have helped shape what they describe as a welcoming, inclusive atmosphere that has kept them returning year after year.
The couple’s annual ritual goes beyond sun and sand. They have come to associate festive-season getaways with a particular hotel and a festive program that helps them escape the UK’s winter gloom. "The first time we tried Christmas over there, we were blown away," Roger says. At the Rio Park Hotel, they say, breakfast is followed by a traditional Christmas lunch, entertainment all day, and, for once, the chance to enjoy unlimited wine and beer without the usual social pressure of hosting or planning at home. The arrangement, they say, reduces stress and reinforces why they have kept returning to the same destination and the same operator over decades.
Image: British couple in Benidorm
The Topps’ long-running Benidorm story also includes a penchant for specific local haunts. They describe Puento De Oro as their favorite Chinese buffet, praising plates piled high and unlimited drinks for €19. For tapas, they head to Zodiac, a venue near the Rio Park Hotel that offers six plates of tapas and a bottle of wine for about €9. "The food is fresh, delicious, and amazing value. We go back time and time again because the quality is amazing and it's a great price," Sue adds. Such experiences reinforce their view that Benidorm remains an affordable, vibrant option for a wide range of travelers, particularly those seeking winter sun and dependable hospitality.
Their relationship with Benidorm stretches beyond a single trip or a single hotel. Over 35 years, the couple has developed a routine that mirrors a long-standing friendship with the city itself. They say the warmth of locals, the ease of access to affordable meals, and the compact, walkable center contribute to what they consider a consistently positive experience. They also note that the resort has evolved without losing the elements that first attracted them: safety, a strong sense of community, and a pace that suits travelers who prioritize leisure and comfort over high-octane nightlife.
Despite absorbing the occasional stereotype about crowded beaches or party-centric crowds, the Topps insist that Benidorm has grown into a destination that can accommodate families, retirees, and groups of friends alike. They emphasize that their own travels with TUI have helped cement a pattern of visits that includes multi-night stays during the winter months, with plans to continue into the foreseeable future. Their message to fellow travelers is pragmatic: explore the resort for what it offers today, not just what reputations often suggest, and judge Benidorm by your own experiences.
The couple’s ongoing itinerary—seven Benidorm trips in 2025 and at least one more on the calendar—underscores a broader trend among long-time travelers who find value in repeat visits to familiar destinations. In a climate where travel options multiply and competition for affordable sun reaches a fever pitch, their story illustrates how continuity, trusted partners, and local hospitality can convert a single holiday into a lifelong habit. They plan to keep returning, year after year, and continue sharing their experiences with friends and family who are curious about what Benidorm can offer beyond the stereotypes. For now, they will close out 2025 with one more trip, a chance to savor festive hospitality and the simple pleasures of a sun-soaked winter escape.