We have just returned from our second stay at the Balaia Sol apartments and it was totally brilliant again.The apartments are big and airy,very clean and well equiped.The apartments are set in stunning gardens ,which are well maintained.It is all very peaceful and relaxing -perfect !!! The pool is chilly even on the hottest days but the area is lovely and you never have to fight for a sunbed.The staff are great-very helpful and chatty.Special thanks to Ana ,who changed our apartment without us having to ask-(too many stairs for me as I am on a walking stick).She was running up and down with keys,suitcases and a lovely free bottle of wine for us,she was brilliant.I would be happy to recommend the Balaia Sol to anyone and we plan to go back next year.We hired a car but it is only 6 euros for a taxi to Alburfeira Old Town or a good 20 minute hilly walk !!! They do run a shuttle bus from the apartments ,which is a great idea for just 2 euros.We ate at the pool bar every lunch time -not a huge menu but the food is excellent and a reasonable price with good service too.Try the Balaia Sol-I'm sure you will love it .

We booked this last minute after being let down elsewhere. I was very apprehensive given the price €60 for 4 nights, but absolutely delighted. Yes the rooms are small but very clean, yes the bar is a little overpriced compared to bars on the strip and yes anything extra costs extra. But hey €15 per night for a clean friendly room, it was ideal for a short break. Couldn't recommend it enough. Lovely quiet location really impressed.

Stayed here oct 15-22,2011.

Where to start. The property itself is quite cosy (small, but I'll come to that later). We had a studio apartment (as opposed to a one-bedroom) and were pleasantly suprised at how spacious it was having read other reviews with some saying 'tiny'. It certainly wasn't that. a large privated terrace added even more space so we were quite satisfied though the bathroom was indeed tiny. The only problem here is that you have two 'sofa beds' and even if you are grown child, you'll soon realise how small these are.

The pool was o.k but only that- the small gardens are very pretty. The only problem with the outside space is that if there even only two or three kids in the pool, the close proximity of the the rooms mean that the screaming might get to you - it did us.

One or two irritants that I have never encountered anywhere before (though in Europe this might be more common than Asia say) was that deposits were required for the t.v. and phone in the room. I can't quite work that one out. Staff were pleasant and the bar was an ok place for a drink.

All the beaches are a long,long walk. Though the 'strip' for eating/drinking is 15-20 mins away,its beach is a further 10 mins. The beach at Santa Eulalia is also 30 minutes walk and we walk fast! To get there, walk through Quinta da Balaia resort next door until you come to the main road (20 mins walk) and turn right and first left for the beach(another 10 mins). The beach at Albufiera old town is a good 45-50 min walk though the resort has fiv minibuses a day to take you there for 2 euros, and pick up later for a further 2). Last minibus is at 7 so if you want to stay for a later dinner in the town, a taxi back is about 5-6 euro.

All in all, a pleasant stay but I think unless you like walking a lot, having a car would be much more preferable.

I stayed in Balaia Sol for 1 week from 1st October 2011. I was dropped off at the roundabout as the coach couldn't get down the narrow road that leads to the complex - 2 minute walk. Check in was quick and painless. I was taken to my "chalet" and shown around it and it was explained about how to use the electricity. The accommodation was small but adequate for me. The only complaint that I had was that there were ants in the bathroom - but not for long. However relatives did turn up every day.

The pool area was grand, lots of free sunbeds and the snack bar area provided welcome relief from the 32 degree temperatures. Food was ok, but a little pricey - 6 euros for a small bowl of spaghetti bolognese, 5 euros for a cheeseburger. Beer was 3 euros a pint, comparable to prices around the strip.

It was a 15-20 minute walk to The Strip, though I always got a taxi back (less than 5 euros). Balaia Sol provides a shuttle service to the The Strip & Old Town but I didn't avail of this.

Overall I was happy enough with the Balaia Sol complex. It is small, peaceful and provides all you need for a relaxing holiday.