Da Balaia PORTUGAL

Very relaxing holiday - great staff made us all feel so welcome! Will be looking to book our holiday next year!

The hotel is a bit shabby in parts. The rooms are old fashioned and ours had a slight odour as though people had smoked in there. The beds are a bit hard. There are some cracked tiles and peeling paint and it’s not a super luxury experience. Saying that, it’s really special place and I love it! The spacious gardens and the sea views are heavenly. The food, although an AI buffet is fabulous, the bar drinks are good. The staff are friendly. It’s like a bit of a weird French cult and as a non French speaker I felt a bit on the periphery sometimes. They love a dance routine and if I was a) French and b) thirty years younger I’d definitely want a summer job there as they seem to have a lot of fun. The atmosphere is really nice, quite sophisticated, lots of well dressed people with a cool French vibe!

This was our second visit to Da Balaia, and it was even better the second time round. The weather was perfect, the food was delicious, and the entertainment was wonderful. Every day felt different. I do recommend joining in with the themed evenings as they were so entertaining.

We stayed in the Lisboa rooms, they are away from the main noise of the resort and very peaceful, especially on the 6th floor with no upstairs neighbours, super clean and comfortable. The air conditioning was bliss and our balcony was great for drying towels and swim clothes.

I can’t praise the food enough. The grilled sea bream was delicious, and the different specialty entrées and main courses each day were just mouth watering. Our entrées on the last night were fish tacos and they were so fresh I could have eaten about 10. There is something for everyone though, even if you just fancy some chips and a salad, it’s all there. The staff were always helpful and ready to clear your plates ready for your 3rd.. 4th.. sometimes 8th course. I just didn’t want to stop eating.

The beach was lovely, the sea was a little choppy at times depending on the wind, not always great for a swim, but there are plenty of reserved Club Med sun beds with shade for reading a book and unwinding. We had one day where the sea was like a lake, still and refreshing, absolute paradise.

Both pools are great depending on your mood. The main pool is more lively, with the bar close by. There is water aerobics around 12 and music playing and it’s great for a cool off. The staff also brought around snacks and drinks sometimes which was lovely, mini Portuguese natas and fresh made iced tea while you’re enjoying the sunshine. If you want peace and quiet the zen pool was the place to be. The fresh water pool was ice cold and very welcome in the heat. There are tonnes of sun beds to either soak up the sun or sit in the shade of the giant trees and read a book. There was also a bar there with fresh made fruit smoothies or soft drinks, they were yummy. There was also yoga classes on the grass there which I didn’t take part in but looked great.

The mini golf was also quite fun, my husband and I had a mini tournament, 18 holes and it was a good laugh.

We didn’t want to leave, it was the ultimate chill holiday. We didn’t even leave the resort for excursions as there was enough to do. We wish we booked longer, but c’est la vie. Everything is very French, as it’s Club Med, but that’s why we chose it, unlimited Ricard!

Excellent stay at Da Balia. The resort has changed since I last went and it is now so much better! Great choice of dining in the beautiful restaurant. Bar staff and Zen bar are brilliant.
Special thanks to Marine who looked after us from the moment we arrived. Shared some fun time with her, Sebastian and Tilly. Club was superbly managed by Gianni, the best sort of CDV. Very caring about the GM's, always happy to chat with an English family, you would see him everywhere. Kind and considerate. Just how a CDV should be.