This article is for those who haven’t yet discovered the world of camping resorts. Family vacations outdoors with premium services and facilities. Welcome to your next holiday!
Index
🥇What is a resort?
Let’s start by explaining what a resort is. The word resort is not included as such in the dictionary of the RAE (Royal Spanish Academy). Some definitions of resort speak of “accommodation that offers additional services beyond the normal average of establishments of the same type”.
Therefore, we can say that a resort in the camping world is one that offers some additional service or unusual facilities, which add value or a combination of them, such as wellness and spa, animation with mini club, themed pools, daycare, private beach, exclusive services or extra comfort on the plot, for example. Although always associated with vacation “hotel resort”, camping resorts exist and, why not say it, they have nothing to envy a hotel.
💍 Is the camping resort luxury: true?
The word luxury is applied to objects, services or facilities that go beyond what is necessary and that involve excessive spending of time or money. Also as a display of wealth, from some object of great value to “not having to do anything”. It is a very subjective term.
If we only stick to this, any form of vacation could be considered luxury, although after working so hard it is a necessary good. Simplifying, we could say that vacations in a camping resort are vacations of certain luxury, as they offer something beyond a standard stay, with facilities that offer a plus, animation with large teams of animators and high-quality facilities.
🏡 Is a camping resort only one that has bungalows?
The bungalow is a type of accommodation, just like the plot. Normally, in Mediterranean resorts, we will find the themed bungalow or set in the Caribbean, Polynesia, Africa or other exotic environments that suggest paradisiacal and distant destinations to take us out of the routine. Bungalows are also often found under the name of Villas.
As for the plots, they are usually larger plots, with additional services, sea views, close to the beach or with a private pool area. You can go to this type of establishment with a motorhome, caravan, camping or by renting a bungalow.
Additionally, we will clarify what a Bungalow Park is. A bungalow park is a campsite that only has bungalow-type accommodations, cabins or mobile homes. It simply mentions the specialty, which does not confer having additional services, having Polynesian or Caribbean environments, Spa or exclusive features. You can be a Bungalow Park and not be a resort, although it is common for them to go hand in hand.
⚖ What advantages does a bungalow in a resort have over a hotel room?
The term resort is more linked to the services offered than to the specialization of a type of accommodation. We can enjoy the same additional services on a plot or in a mobile home, cabin or similar. It should be taken into account that a pre-set cabin or bungalow offers a series of advantages that, combined with premium details, make it the most in-demand option.
Some advantages of a camping bungalow are:
- Travel convenience. You can arrive by plane or road, but don’t have to bring a caravan or motorhome. This can also mean savings on fuel.
- Space and privacy. For families of a certain size, bungalows offer a home-like space. Separate bedrooms, full bathrooms… A motorhome, with some exceptions, can’t have the dimensions of a cabin or the layout of a house. A hotel room is just that, a room.
- Cleaning and maintenance. Although most are equipped with kitchens, many campsites offer meal plans such as “with breakfast”, “half board” or “full board”, which is very useful for families who want to control their vacation expenses. They also change sheets and towels.
- A bungalow is an independent construction, in a natural and horizontal environment.
- The best of an apartment, the best of a hotel and in the middle of nature.
- Large refrigerators and design for more than just sleeping.
🏞 Where are camping resorts located in Spain?
The premium campsites that offer extra comfort in a distinctive holiday environment, the camping resorts, are usually found on the Levantine and Mediterranean coast. From Catalonia (Tarragona, Cambrils, Salou) to Alicante (Benidorm, Guardamar, Crevillente, Pilar de la Horadada…). The oldest camping resorts were born in Catalonia and the most prestigious Spanish ones (awarded by European specialists) are found between Catalonia and the Valencian Community. At this point, we recommend reading the list of the best resort-type campsites in Spain. Highlighting our own, we feature La Marina Camping Resort and Marjal Resorts.
As a heads up, we inform you that in 2020 the Marjal campsites will change their name to Alannia campsites. They will change their website, their Booking profile, Tripadvisor and others, but will continue to offer the same family experience in the south of Alicante, in Guardamar and Crevillente. You will also find Alannia in Tarragona, in Els Prats.
This is logically due to the fact that the majority of the population consumed “Sun and Beach” and therefore the Mediterranean destinations have developed around this model. Holidays evolved and establishments with them, offering families, couples or friends traveling a more complete plan for coastal vacations.
💶 What is the price of a stay in a camping resort?
This type of camping is in high demand, especially during the summer season. The campsites in the Valencian Community, unlike other areas, are open all year round. The pool services or animation are adjusted to the time of year, as well as their price.
“The camping resort closest to the beach is more expensive (in general) for equal services.”
If we think about going to a resort-type camping in Salou or Cambrils in summer, we will have to be willing to pay a price that in many cases is considered high and in other cases can be economical for the services offered.
The prices for families in resort and bungalow or premium plots, for 2 adults and 2 children for 7 days in July, are approximately as follows:
- Plot: normally from about 60 euros per day to just over 80 euros per day. In 2020, the plot price of some camping resorts will reach up to 170 euros per day in the beachfront for a family of 4 or 5 members.
- Bungalows: from about 170 euros per day up to 400 euros daily, depending on the type of accommodation, size, area, proximity to the beach, private pool, etc.
As a tip, you should always compare prices on different websites, such as Booking or the official camping website. We always guarantee the best price on our website, but you might find surprises on others. The Booking or Expedia websites are good for reading reviews, indeed. They are real reviews from customers who have stayed at the resort.
When evaluating the price of a camping resort, you should consider the price per person per day and the services included: breakfast or half board, children’s or adult entertainment, swimming pools, sports facilities, and recreational activities…
The proximity of Spanish camping resorts means that the journey is relatively short and therefore cheaper than flying to another destination (generally). Although the surroundings might suggest we’re in Africa, Tahiti, or the Caribbean, we’re actually in Spain, a tourism powerhouse that many people wish to visit.
✅ Finally, should I go to a camping resort?
As a final conclusion, this is the question to ask yourself. A resort is itself the travel destination, the place where you’ll spend most of your leisure time. Whether in the lake pool or in your resort bungalow. You should consider if this is what you’re looking for or a combination of unique accommodation along with a destination that offers a unique set of holiday experiences. You’ll certainly have a team of entertainers, themed pools with slides, and wellness-oriented products.
We, at Camping Armanello, offer a set of additional services to our camping area, glamping and bungalows. From our experience, the holiday destination is our city, which offers one of the largest water parks in Europe (Aqualandia).
Additionally, here you’ll find wine tastings at wineries, theme parks like Terra Mítica or Terra Natura, beaches, coves, hiking, bicycle routes, snorkeling, sea trek, scuba diving, water cable-skiing, parasailing… We offer a combination of a naturally modern establishment with the necessary services for relaxation. We’ll tell you what to do in Benidorm and the surrounding area. Relax and enjoy with us, that Slow Life, and when you get tired, go out and have fun in the city.
Whether you choose this option or something more modest but unique, we hope we’ve helped you understand what a camping resort is and that you enjoy the camping world, which in all its magnitude is a unique and addictive experience. We recommend visiting our post about the best campsites in Spain.
