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Balaia Mar Hotel – Albufeira

The Balaia Mar Hotel is perfect for those who want to enjoy a quiet and relaxing holiday in the heart of the Algarve, Portugal.

This resort is set within the beautiful Algarve countryside however the beach and town of Albufeira are both within easy travelling distance. There are plenty of facilities and activities available on site for all age groups plus the Balaia Golf Village is only 200 metres away. People enjoy this resort because of its tranquillity and the fact that it has everything necessary for a relaxing holiday in Portugal.

Location

The Balaia Mar is located approximately 5km west of Albufeira in the Algarve countryside.

It is also less than 1km from the traditional seaside town of Praia da Oura and just 400 metres, or a five minute walk, from the Maria Luisa beach. The nearest airport is Faro and this is a 30km drive away. Although set outside the main towns, the Balaia Mar has good public transport services that run on a daily basis to Albufeira and the surrounding areas.

Hotel Facilities

The hotel offers a good range of facilities and activities to their guests, some of which are not commonly found in low cost Algarve resorts. These facilities include a 24 hour manned reception desk with information point, a currency exchange desk, a hotel safe for expensive belongings, laundry services and an on-call doctor. There is also a restaurant available and a sports bar that stays open well into the night. Other services that can be taken advantage of include a baby sitting service, bike and car hire and a free car park for rental cars.

Activities at the Balaia Mar in the Algarve include a good size swimming pool and attached children’s pool, water sports on the nearby Maria Luisa beach and the use of the tennis courts and golf facilities at the neighbouring Balaia Golf Village resort. If you prefer to relax however then there is a large sun terrace around the pool that offers plenty of sun loungers and umbrellas. The poolside restaurant serves snacks and drinks throughout the day.

Room Facilities

The rooms at the Balaia Mar, Albufeira range from studio apartments through to 2 double bedroom apartments complete with kitchenette and dining area.

Alternatively you can stay within the hotel itself where there are single and double rooms available. The apartments are self catering while the rooms in the hotel are booked on a bed & breakfast basis.

All of the apartments have a furnished living area, private bathroom, satellite TV, a private line telephone, air conditioning, a mini bar and a small kitchenette. The larger apartments also have a separate dining area and a terrace or balcony with table and chairs. Safety deposit boxes are available for hire for a small daily charge. Reviews of the rooms at the Balaia Mar mention their cleanliness and comfort, although some reviews say that the rooms were a little smaller than expected. There is a maid service as standard and the rooms are cleaned five times per week with fresh bed linen and towels being provided twice a week.

Bars and Restaurants

There are two restaurants at the Balaia Mar Hotel although they open at different times of the year. The smaller restaurant opens in the Algarve off-season and is available for breakfast and dinner. The larger restaurant however opens throughout the day in the summer season and offers a good range of food options for both eat-in and takeaway. This restaurant also doubles as the poolside snack bar.

The on-site sports bar opens daily throughout the year from 6pm to the early hours of the morning and sells a good range of drinks, including beer, traditional Algarve wine, spirits and soft drinks. The bar also has a number of giant screen TVs, pool tables and video games.

Overall Assessment

The Balaia Mar Hotel in the heart of the Algarve is described as being suitable for all guests however reviews mention that it is better suited to families with young children and older couples. There is very little in the way of evening entertainment which makes it the perfect place to relax with a loved one or family.

The facilities are good compared to some of the low cost Algarve resorts and the apartments are well furnished and equipped. This resort has the added bonus of a golf course and tennis court within a few hundred metres which adds further options to your relaxing Algarve holiday.