Balaia-Sol Apartments

I took my boyfriend here for a weekend as a birthday treat. As a weekend stay I can give it 10 out of 10, but i wouldnt stay here for my main holiday. It is in a lovely quiet spot, yet it is only a 20 minute walk from the main strip in albufeira (or a 5 euro taxi ride from the old town). It is clean and basic, but the drinks are expensive. The pool is small, but clean. All I can say is if you are looking for a quiet retreat and you do not enjoy big holiday complexes then you have found it here. There were kids in the pool every day we were there and they were having a fab time, but if i was to take my children i would choose somewhere busier.

On the plus side the staff were very friendly and helpful and the accommodation was clean.
On the negative side the complex is almost claustrophobic and very noisy during the day. The three studio apartments myself and my friends occupied were very small. The toilets are so small that the toilet seats act as a door stop, or if someone's on the throne they become the door stop. You can stretch your arms out and touch the walls on both sides. The shower cubicle, which has a curtain rather than a door, is about two foot square. I am small and struggled to remain within its confines. There was a line of dirt along the bottom of the cubicle, my only complaint regarding the cleanliness of the studio.
There are no drawers in the apartments and very little in the way of storage. The single beds, that double as seating, are no more than camp beds, though the mattresses are not too bad. Jamie Oliver would find it a challenge to cook breakfast on the two ring cooker, which sits on a tiny work top alongside the kettle and toaster.
Thomsons gave the complex three stars and based on other Thomson accommodation I have used I feel it is worth only two stars.
Any person with a large frame or mobility problems would struggle with the beds shower and toilet and the latter with the steps on the path leading in and out of the building, there are no ramps. Don't bring much in the way of clothes, we lived out of our suitcases.

Booked this holiday on the advice of the travel agent as a 3 star complex.
The complex was very very small the rooms were tiny and the rest of the facilities were no more than the pool bar.
The bar area was about 25ft x 10 ft which includes the bar ,kitchen , dining area and shop.
The location was in a field about 2km from the Strip so taxies and the complex bus were the mode of transport.
The confusing thing is that with the Sol name we expected a certain standard, however this is not part of the Sol group. Definitely not a 3 Star.

These apartments are situated on the outskirts of Albufeira in a very quiet area. They are not suitable for people with walking difficulties as the surrounding roads are currently under construction.
The complex was spotlessly clean and all the staff were very friendly.
The amenities consist of a medium sized swimming pool and a toddler pool, both with ice cold water.
The bar is a bit pricey and the choice of food is limited. The nearest supermarket is located on "the strip", about a 15 - 20 minute walk away. There is a minimarket in the Quinta Balaia complex just up the road to get your basic bread, milt & water - but not much else.
The walk to the nearest beach is up and down hills and takes about 30 minutes. It costs 15 Euros to hire sunbeds for the day on the beach.
A trip to the old town will cost 2 Euros per person on the minibus but only 3.9 Euros in a taxi for upto 4 people. Infact you can go anywhere in resort for 3.9 Euros in a taxi, which I thought was very reasonable.
In my opinion, these apartments are only suitable for people wanting a relaxing holiday away from bars and entertainment - it is not a place for teenagers or young children.
I personally wouldn't go back, but I couldn't fault the cleanliness.