rated the Balaia Golf Village as follows:| Cleanliness |  | | Location |  | | Staff | | | Food |  | |
| Entertainment |  |
| said: Just come back from ten days at Balaia Golf Village. Very good – 9/10. We were initially allocated an apartment that was right by the road facing an unfinished building across the road, so we approached Reception to ask if we could move to another unit. We were initially offered a smaller unit in the centre of the complex, but we rejected that after viewing as it was clearly a smokers unit. (Sorry if that sounds arrogant, but non-smokers will sympathise with me). Asked again at Reception and this time they gave us the keys to an apartment beside the golf course. Result! Lovely superior apartment with air con (although we never turned on the air con actually, as the windows and patio doors aired it perfectly). All the pools were clean and inviting, but we preferred the one behind the restaurant as there was a bar there – for drinks and snacks. Didn’t have main meals there so can’t comment on that. Only a couple of negatives – (1) the ‘health club’ – don’t get your hopes up. It’s no more than an underground bunker with half a dozen items for exercise, so 20 mins worth. And I was amazed to be told that to use the indoor pool I had to buy a swimming cap for 2 EUR. I don’t take money to the gym, so couldn’t comply, so didn’t use it. But as there are umpteen pools on the complex, it’s no loss. (2) The pool attendant at the main pool (by the Restaurant) closes the heated pool without warning and for no apparent reason. I challenged him, pointing out the pools were – according to the notice - open until 8pm. He was abusive and told me to “go back to your pool”. He also shuts your sun umbrellas and takes away your lounger cushions if you leave your loungers for any more than 10 minutes! Annoying chap. But neither of these should or will spoil your holiday, just an irritation.
Tips – the onsite supermarket is expensive, although handy being so close. If you want to save money and have the time, it’s worth taking the walk or bus up to Oura to go to the Eco-Marche supermarket by OuraPraia Hotel. It’s a large supermarket and far cheaper. While there, book your trips at the Booking Shop next door. We went on a half day excursion through BGV and paid 19 EUR a head. I found out later I could have booked the same trips at Booking Shop for 7 EUR! (There’s another Booking Shop on the Strip at Oura.) While you’re down that end, you can also pick up a full English breakfast for 2 EUR and a large beer for 1 EUR. There’s savings to be had!
Beaches – all three within walking distance from BGV are good. Oura tends to get busy with them all coming from Clube Praia D’Oura but has a good walk-up bar and the only one that has takeaway facilities. Maria Louisa is the nearest, a bit more basic, but still has a beach cafe. And Santa Eulalia has a chic feel to it, with sports cars parked onsite.
It was our first trip to the Algarve since 1993, and our first with the kids. We all loved it, and will go back regularly. Goodbye Canaries, hello Algarve!
|
Watch This Hotel
Sunny Says there
are 34 visitors online