Just got back on Monday after an 11-day holiday A/I at the Regente.

We flew from Leeds and Bradford with Jet 2 and used the online check in service so we only had to drop bags. It was easy to do and so much quicker.
I was disappointed to see that Greggs has closed, as it was the only reasonable place to grab a snack, everywhere else in the airport is so expensive.

Arrived at Alicante 20 minutes early and David Gutteridge from Prestige tours was waiting for us, we had the whole mini bus for the 4 of us so plenty space.

We got to the Regente about 2pm and were allocated room 312 facing the pool. (We had requested a low pool facing room) It had 2 single beds and bunk beds, not masses of room but bigger that the Dalmatas last year, and spotlessly clean too.

We didn't bother unpacking straight away; we went for some lunch instead. They have hand was gel as you go into the dining room and most people were using it although there were a few that didn't. The food on the whole was really nice; it was always hot, fresh and plentiful. I did see a boy lick a serving spoon and was going to tell his parents but they spotted it too and made him give it to the waiter,( I hate stuff like that)

Breakfast was 8-10.30am Lunch 13.00-15.00 Dinner 19.00-21.30.

When you order snacks, it's waitress service; you order them from the tables around the pool area. They are served 10.30-12.00 and 15.00-17.30 although they did seem to finish around 17.00 for some reason. I do have a list of snacks but won't bore you with them unless anyone is interested then they can p.m.me.
Tea coffee and cakes were also available at the bar from 16.00-17.00
Late snacks from 21.30-11.30 can be ordered in the restaurant; again they are cooked fresh to order.

On all-inclusive you can order drinks from the pool bar or the main bar and there were no separate queue, we were all treated the same as the paying guests.

If you book half board then on arrival you can upgrade to A/I for €12 or €8 a day if you are full board. You can also buy international spirits at 50% of the normal price as well as things like bottles of cider and bacardi breezers. You can only upgrade for a minimum of 4 days and everyone in the party has to do it. If you do choose to upgrade just for 4 days then it has to be the last 4. This is been done on a trial basis and will be reviewed in October.

Had a day out in Altea, only €1.25 each way on the bus, found out this time that you pay for kids from the age of 5 (a question previously asked on H.T)

Went to several bars and found a new one on Calle Londre called Betty Boos owed by a guy called Richard, his wife is Spanish and is a dead ringer for Betty Boop!!
He not only offers free Wi Fi access but will also give you free use of his laptop.
My partner mislaid his phone one night so we rang it the next morning and Richard answered it saying that he had found it on the floor in the bar, we were very touched by his honesty.

Enjoyed seeing Deb and Her at the White Horse, and also Terry Foster the Hypnotist who was on at the U.K caberet bar, didn't really see any more acts this time except the ones in the hotel which were hit and miss depending on individual taste. The best we saw were an acrobatic pair called Havana, they were really good.
They have a parrot and a birds of prey show at the hotel but if you don't want to pay €10 for a frameless picture then tell them you don't want one taking because otherwise they just plonk them on your shoulder then ask for the money afterwards which can be embarrassing for some people.

The animation girl is called Estelle, she does the bingo and mini disco on an evening and various things through the day, and she's very friendly and comes around talking to individual guests. All the staff at this hotel go out of their way to make you feel welcome and most of them have been there for years, which says something.

We met some lovely people including some crazy girls from Barnsley who we are still in touch with via facebook. There were also 2 stag parties but they were very well behaved and didn't cause any bother, I really hope that now they are doing the A/I option that it doesn't spoil things.

I would recommend the Kebabish over the road next to the Union Jack, at €4. their kebabs were delicious for a late supper.

As for the "sickness bug" I only came across one person in 11 days who was ill for 2 days. I'm sure if it were rife like some people make out then we would have heard of a lot more. I wouldn't hesitate in staying at the Regente again, we thoroughly enjoyed our stay.

David picked us up at 10.45am as planned (Mr reliable) and we arrived at the airport about 50mins later.

Although we had checked in online, when I asked, I was advised that we still had to queue like everyone else although when we got to the front, the girl on the desk told us that we needn't have but there was nowhere else so I didn't quite get that bit.

Roll on September for my next holiday.

Sue