Balaia Mar Hotel

First of all check where you are actually staying! There are a number of hotels and apartments in the area called da balaia. The most usual entries which come up when you type in da balaia are for the club med complex. So we went expecting something completely different from what we actually got! That said we had a wonderful relaxing holiday. We were given 2 huge studios each with 2 en suite bedrooms, a large fully equipped kitchen, a lounge and huge balcony/terrace. The food was of a very good standard if lacking a little in variety... more

The hotel is nice and clean. Room was basic but with a very nice clean bathroom. The main things I wish I'd known before booking are; The pool is absolutely freezing cold all the time and takes a LOT of courage to jump in. The bar prices are expensive compared to the bars and restaurants nearby e.g. 3 euros per pint, a five minute walk to a nearby bar will get you 1 - 1.50 euros per pint. Because of this, the bars were empty most of the time. There are a few pool tables in the sports bar but it doesn't open until around 8pm most nights... more

Me and my boyfriend booked this hotel rather cheap as a treat after our exams at college and so expected at least one hitch, but it was a wonderful holiday. The area is nice and quiet, far away enough from the touristy area where egg and chips and english pubs ruin the feeling of being abroad. That being said, if you want to have a look round the shops the taxis are so cheap and take about 10 mins to get you to the main strip. The room was very clean and the air-conditioning was a necessity! The little fridge we had was very useful... more

Small but clean rooms, breafast without many options, good garden, good pool.