Hotel Balaia Mar

This budget hotel can be a pleasant place to kick back for a few nights as it's within a reasonable walk of the ocean. Nestled amid blocks of privately owned vacation rentals that are managed by the Balaia Mar, there aren't a lot of bells and whistles here. Much of the action -- or, what little action there is -- centers on the hotel's pools and bar. The latter is a massive, old-school space with several pool tables and tons of oak tables and chairs to accommodate everyone. Of course, the pervasive smell of smoke might turn off some guests, and there's no entertainment, so the vibe is almost always subdued. Things are a little more lively around the pools, which have plenty of seating that's often filled with the hotel's primarily British tourists throughout much of the day. The hotel is best suited for guests who don't need much in the way of activity on their vacation, and for those who don't mind its slightly shabby style. Expect to see a mix of families and couples here, many of whom come from the U.K.

Situated a 10-minute walk from Praia Maria Luisa, the Balaia Mar Hotel has a location that pleases most of its previous guests. In fact, it may be the best thing about the hotel. There are a number of restaurants and bars lining the busy road out front -- and an Intermarche grocery store is less than a five-minute drive away (there's another simple grocery store just across the street from the hotel). Otherwise, the area is relatively subdued. Those looking for livelier goings on will need to make the three-minute drive to the strip of bars and restaurants in Santa Eulalia. For an even wilder party and a buzzing beach scene, Albufeira's old town is a 15-minute drive away, while it's a 25-minute drive into Vilamoura. The closest airport is near Faro and will take 35 minutes to reach by car. Those arriving and departing from Lisbon will need to budget around two hours and 25 minutes to reach their destination. 

While the rooms here are fine enough, there are some flaws that need addressing. The style, for one, is fairly dated, and includes old flat-box furniture, pale pastel wall art, and details like upholstered headboards or wood paneling in some rooms. On the bright side, the sleeping areas are clean, and beds are comfortable. Still, there's no overlooking signs of aging, like old mini-fridges (the first one we had didn't work at all), and sometimes snug floor plans. Standard features include electric kettles (but no coffee or tea), TVs (some small tube units), and air-conditioning. The latter come in the form of massive old units, though they work well. Wi-Fi is free and, when connected, works well. However, we had to sign in anytime our device went into sleep mode, which is frustrating. The electronic black-out metal grates help keep rooms dark into the morning for those who want it, and some rooms have spacious terraces. Bathrooms are large, tiled affairs with shower/tub combos, though again, we had issues -- the nozzle to switch from the bath faucet to the showerhead was stuck and required assistance to open. Additionally, we spotted some grimy tilework in the rooms we visited. The hotel was mostly quiet at night, though it was empty when we visited, so it's worth keeping in mind that walls are thin, so noise may be an issue. 

Given its budget status, it's no surprise that features here don't run deep, but even so, some of what's on offer is entirely underwhelming. The pools are -- at least -- a highlight, and the clean water, surplus of seating, and poolside service (in high season) keeps most guests happy throughout the day. There's also a free shuttle to the nearby beach, though it's only for all-inclusive guests. Additionally, guests on all-inclusive plans should know that the hours are restricted. In any case, the hotel's bar isn't exactly made for raucous partying, and the drab space has zero entertainment save for a few pool tables and TVs. The hotel's restaurant serves all three meals in high season and only breakfast in low season. The latter is a standard buffet with continental and hot options. Food in general gets mixed reviews. Parking is free, though portions of the lot are narrow and challenging to navigate. There's also free Wi-Fi, though guests will have to constantly sign in any time their device turns off.