Review Bonterra Resort. Two Tone Site.

 Strange how one camp site can have two distinct and different personalities depending on the time of the year.  In our opinion definitely a case of a split personality. In the Summer a real Spanish lively family resort. In the Autumn, Winter and Spring, the place for the "Snowbirds" or "Grey Wave." We have actually experienced both sides of the resort August, April and September and know which one we prefer!

Finally made it to Bonterra Resort this August. We had postponed our trip due to the new arrival our new Knaus Boxlife christened Pebble.

We had actually booked 26 nights from mid April but postponed until mid August. A relatively easy process, to change our booking and Bonterra were very easy to deal with, they just transferred our initial deposit to the new dates. Slightly more expensive in August but we were just pleased the booking could be moved as we knew the site would be very busy. Dealing with Brittany Ferries was a bit more painful, especially to the wallet.

We arrived on a very busy, hot Sunday afternoon. Booking in time on the resort is 5pm, so we thought we would probably have to wait as we arrived at 2pm. Luckily, we were quickly sorted out with no wait. We had an option of a few pitches and eventually settled on a serviced pitch at the top of the site "D8" As we had already paid a deposit we were told we could pay weekly until we left, which suited us fine. It also gave us a bit of flexibility on when we could leave.

We were soon settled in on a large shady pitch.

We actually managed to set up a proper camp with the sun awning out, it was very HOT.

The camp site was very busy with lots of Spanish families and quite noisy but not in an uncomfortable way. The only real bugbear was the road noise, from the main Autovia that ran above the site, in the mountains at the back. We hadn't noticed it too much the previous year. On reflection a pitch in the "B" or "C" row may have been better. 

Sadly for us the first week of the holiday passed slowly, as we both went down with a "flu" type bug, very much like the new Covid strain. Combined with the very hot weather, we had a miserable week really. Once we felt a bit better, we ventured out. The Spanish were very much out and about. The beaches, bars and restaurants were packed. We noticed most people went off to the beach late afternoon obviously when it was cooler. Interestingly the resort restaurant which had been packed earlier in the year was pretty much abandoned by the Spanish except for the odd ice cream. It appeared that the restaurants and bars in the town and beach were much more appealing. Even during the "Happy Hour" the bar was pretty much empty. Following on from the Spanish lead, we had a few meals out in the local restaurants and bars, some had obviously changed hands from the previous year, but the food and service was OK.

Happy Hour and  the resort bar was deserted! Not a jug of Sangria in sight. We didn't mind too much, at least we could get a table.

As the temperature continued to rise, we managed to make it up to the town and have a wander. Even managing a trip to the market where we bought the regulation elephant throw, to pin on the side of the sun awning. I think we need to buy a proper side for next year.

Another bit of excitement was the "glasses saga". Den bought new glasses before we left home, which were rather pricey. One afternoon, having a nap, the glasses just jumped off his nose and landed under his feet, where they subsequently got injured i.e.. trodden on. Just another "holiday stress" event. This for once ended happily. We found an optician in Benicassim, who spoke perfect English. We actually thought we would have to buy a new pair but she said if we left them with her she would see what she could do. 10 minutes later, we were sat in a bar when she phoned to say they were fixed. Absolutely no charge, we are happy to help she said, we were pretty taken aback.

 Brilliant service from Multiopticas and a big shout out to the kind delivery driver who helped us find the shop. It was a scorching afternoon and "google" was not being very helpful! Benicassim is only a small town but we managed to walk past the shop a number of times. It must have been the heat. All's well that ends well. Glasses fixed and back to normal.

  

As we began to feel better we ventured out a bit more.

A paddle on the beach.

A stroll  along the shore.

We could even have had a seat in the sea!

As August became September, suddenly a change. 1st September and within a day the Spanish had gone and the Brits, Dutch and Germans arrived.

Lots of campers looking for pitches and daily new arrivals. The "Happy Hour" got busier and queues for the washing machines became more intensive, bags on the machine hooks at dawn, became the norm. No kids running around the shower blocks, replaced by the "Mop the Shower", brigade. The restaurant gradually got busier in the evenings, while the beach front and bars became quieter. Now it was time for towels on the sun beds around the pool.

Time to move on for us. We had mostly enjoyed the mayhem of the Spanish resort but not sure we would go back in August. A lovely site for many people who return year after year and very conveniently placed for shopping. Nice walks along the sea front and a pretty beach bar which was great for morning coffee. Lovely for a beach holiday, or perhaps for a few days, so not completely ruled out yet!

We are not absolutely sold on a "Winter Sun" holiday but maybe June and mid August/September, France, Spain or Portugal could be the answer, or even back to Greece in September.  I expect we will make up our minds soon!