I wasn't ever going to post in this thread again, I got myself upset after reading reports on another forum and the information was brought over to this forum about people "dropping like flies" the last time I was there, when I know that they were not.
I was bang out of order being on the computer at 2 am in the morning when I was ill and far more ill than I realised, and I actually had a very serious chest infection that took me a month to recover from, so I will apologise to David the mod for that.......but I am posting this from the Regente and I have been here since the 15th March.
There is nobody dropping like flies, infact I haven't even heard of anyone being ill and with it being a small hotel, I would notice the lack of people in the resturaunt and concert room, plus I'm pretty certain someone would be saying something either in the lifts or around the Thomson desk.

Nope, everything has been fine since the 15th March, the food is hot, the place is clean and the staff still friendly, but I will mention that usually I sit at a table in the resturaunt facing the bread display and the number of people who do not use the tongs provided is disgusting, one chap picked up a bread roll and then decided that he didn't want that one, so the threw it back in the basket and picked up another one.

I have stayed here several times during the height of the "bug" and never had any problems, but it seems that some people have a "downer" on this hotel and they haven't even stayed here for a considerable length of time.

I'm not going to get myself upset again, you can either believe me or not, it makes no difference to me anymore.

Regards from Benidorm.

Sanji

Hi Sanji

I echo your sentiments entirely, so pleased someone is sticking up for this hotel.

Do you have any info on the AI option which starts in May?, I said I wouldn't book it for our trip this year but am having second thoughts. I phoned Thomson and they said it was 24hrs!! but I can't think that is correct.

Enjoy the rest of your holiday.

Hi had looked at the Regente tonight as Portland are doing it for the week beginning the 11 April for just over £300 each full board. I know that before I booked it I would look on here for a review, and after reading them I wouldnt hesitate to go to the Regente as I know that Sanjis reports are factual not that I am saying anyone elses are not as I dont want a war on my hands ha. Everyone is on here to provide each other with useful information and it is always such a help so thanks everyone

Deb

just got back from regente,another excellent stay ,thats 4 times in the last 6 month,if the bug was there.do people think that id be going back,i never seen or heard about anybody being poorly while i was there,food was excellent again ,but why oh why do people pick things up with there hands and then put them back down again,i would and have never had any hessitation of staying at the regente,keep up the good work

i think its some people have been bought up.the others dragged up.if i ever see anyone touching bread ect with there hands.you will know i am in the hotel.i shout it out loudly.use the tongs.these gels in some hotels are ok.but its your finger nails that need cleaning.thats where the gems can come from..plus the amount of times you see men have a wee.and don;t wash there hands after.what ever you do at home thats fine.but when in a hotel with others around you.think about it.ok were not all howard hughes.but its helps to be clean

Called in last week to enquire about the AI option starting May1st and was informed by reception times will be 10am until midnight.

I don't drink myself but hubby will enjoy his bacardi and cokes.

I wonder if Sue can wait till 10 am for her first snifter????

Best Regards - Taggy

I wonder if Sue can wait till 10 am for her first snifter

Hic!!! Are you implying that I have a drink problem Taggy?

5 weeks on Thursday and we'll be there.

Sue

most a/i hotels start from 10 am till midnight.infact all do really.only a few i know in ibiza start from 10.30 am.soon as breakfast has done.

SUE ALLEN wrote:

I wonder if Sue can wait till 10 am for her first snifter

Hic!!! Are you implying that I have a drink problem Taggy?

5 weeks on Thursday and we'll be there.

Sue :)

No Sue...I dont think you find drinking to be a problem at all!! Certainly be interesting to see what the AI is like at the Regente, i'm sure you'll have a great time, and looking forward to hearing your reports!!

Best Regards - Taggy

My only concern about A1 at the Regente is the following........
Firstly, it's not going to be everybody on A1, you can still book the other various board options and I can see this causing problems in the summer season for the people who are queuing at the bar to pay for a drink
I hope they have some sort of system with the queue for the A1 and another for the others.
If people start trying to compare it to the Flamingo Oasis and they've previously stayed in the Flamingo Oasis, then I fully expect that there will be some adverse reports.

There isn't any comparison, they are two hotels playing on a different field with a different ball and the price should reflect that fact.
One consolation is that the manager of the Regente was the manager of the Flamingo Oasis and he knows all about All Inclusive, seeing as he got it all up and running when the FO was built.

When the manager of the Regente retired and I guess he had let a few things slide, the present manager made such a good job of the FO that he was brought over from the FO to sort things out, and despite all the problems with norovirus, he and the staff have worked dam hard to officially been awarded the 3rd star, which you don't get by just putting hair dryers in the bathroom or because of the location.(there are no hairdryers in the rooms by the way)

Several authorities are involved in rating a hotel and it wasn't just left to Thomson to say that in their opinion it's a 3 star.
For the staff, it means a bit more money in their wage packet, I bet some of you don't know that the wage structure is less/more, depending if they work in a 2/3/4 or 5* hotel.?

For the staff and the people experiencing all inclusive this summer at the Regente, I sincerely hope it all goes well, but if it continues after the summer season and becomes a permanent option, then it won't be for me any more, and I suspect a lot of other people who have been faithful to this small friendly hotel, and some for many years longer than I have been going there.

Sanji
edit for typo error

Got to be honest, AI isn't for me really, so in the long run if The Regente adopted that option only, then i would probably not stay there, but a lot would depend on the cost really too. Dont know if they are adopting the Photocard system like they have at the Flamingo Oasis, or the wristband system. Either way, with several differing board options, i would assume people on AI will always need to show some ID in the bar and pool area snack bar, as well as the small drinks order area in the restaurant. Will be interesting to see if the character of the hotel changes because of this, as it probably will affect the customer base of the Hotel. Time will tell i suppose!

Best Regards - Taggy

The Flamingo Benidorm has (or used to have) AI and HB options running together. It seemed to be fine when we stayed there.

Have been in a hotel with AI and HB before and it was a bit of a nightmare for those on AI at the bars. The staff would serve those paying first as they were more likely to tip.

I always make a point of tipping, even when I've been All inclusive. That way the staff get to know you and give you decent measures and good service.

At the Flamingo Oasis, I made sure that I always had plenty of small change at all times and popped a few coins in the jar each time I was served, the staff were always very grateful.

I'll be doing the same at the Regente.

Sue

The Regente is bookable with Portland as FB only for next winters season, unless of course they change it.

I think it will be a learning curb this summer and hope the character of the hotel stays the same.

I changed my booking to upgrade to AI on a whim and only hope I don't live to regret it. Hoping Sue gives a favourable report on her return.

Before the AI option started, The Regente always has changed over from Half Board to Full Board for the Winter Season! You could however usually manage to book it just for B&B if you wanted to, if you booked via an agent!

Best Regards - Taggy

It looks like Thomson and Portland have now assigned the Regente over to First Choice holidays.(a subsidiary of the same company I know)
I've tried to book for Xmas on both sites and although the hotel is still listed in their drop down menu, there is nothing coming up after October, chose which airport or date I put in.

However, go over to First Choice and Xmas is available with options and prices for full board and All Inclusive.

Full Board from £974 per person (based on Full Board, 2 Weeks, Doncaster Sheffield)
All Inclusive from £1089 per person (based on All Inclusive, 2 Weeks, Doncaster Sheffield)
Sat 19 Dec 2009
Doncaster Sheffield to Costa Blanca

Hotel Regente
in Benidorm, Costa Blanca
All Inclusive
2 weeks
2 Adults

Oh dear, what a pity.( I mean a pity for us) and those prices....someone is having a tin bath, xmas or no xmas.

Sanji

Looks like some more DIY delving on the cards again Sanji!! Certainly steep them prices arnt they!

Best Regards - Taggy