Benidorm remains a beloved holiday destination for countless Britons who descend upon the resort's golden shores to soak up the vibrant nightlife and budget-friendly prices.
The Spanish hotspot welcomes millions of visitors annually who anticipate having a brilliant time discovering the party atmosphere, but one holidaymaker has revealed his shocking ordeal.
Frank the Stag Man, renowned for organising countless stag and hen celebrations in Benidorm, posted a video on TikTok interviewing a British tourist who endured "not your normal night out in Benidorm."
The visitor, hailing from Scarborough, explained to Frank that he was by himself on the Benidorm Strip, a renowned nightlife hub crammed with bars, pubs and clubs, when he collapsed and had his possessions nicked, including his wallet and mobile.
The gentleman suspected that he had been drugged, revealing that he had been spiked previously so he recognised the sensation. Drink spiking constitutes a serious crime that involves administering drugs or alcohol to someone without their knowledge or consent, whether in their beverage or via injection.
The Scarborough tourist revealed that he came round on a park bench and two Spanish officers instructed him to move on, and he succeeded in returning to his accommodation at 8am after enquiring with locals for directions as he was completely disorientated.
He explained that his wallet, cards and cash were all pinched, along with his mobile, e-cigarette and even his spectacles. The holidaymaker suspects that the thieves targeted him because he was alone, stating "or they wouldn't have done it."
He theorises that they must have spotted him by himself in a bar and decided to spike his drink.
Elaborating on the alleged spiking incident, the tourist revealed that in previous instances when he had been spiked, his eyes swelled up - a symptom he noticed again during this episode.
Police.UK explains that the symptoms of drink spiking can vary depending on the substance used, but often resemble the effects of excessive alcohol consumption.
Frank, originally from Tottenham but now residing in the Spanish coastal town, asked the man what advice he would give to others planning a holiday in Benidorm.
The tourist's advice was clear: "Don't stay out on your own, never. Make sure you're out with your mates."
He confessed that the only reason he stayed out was because he wanted to continue the festivities while his friends were ready to call it a night, leaving him alone.
In the caption of his TikTok video, Frank issued a stark warning to tourists: "BE AWARE IN BENIDORM. THIS IS REAL and I hear it a lot."
The post has since gone viral, amassing 1.6 million views, 19,000 likes and over 1,000 comments. One user suggested: "On a holiday like that you go out with just your money for the night."
Another commented: "I've been hearing loads of these stories about Benidorm. It's gone so downhill lately."
One individual responded: "I'm going on my own in August as a solo traveller. I'll be bringing my drink to the toilet with me. Thanks for the heads up."
Despite the cautionary tale, other holidaymakers who have visited Benidorm shared their positive experiences.
One person penned: "I've went out in Benidorm myself loads of times with zero issues," while another added: "Benidorm is a great place."
A third joined in: "I've been going Benidorm for 40 years and never had any issues, there's good and bad everywhere."
