Apt 724

If you are considering renting Apartment 724 at Balaia Golf Village you might find it worthwhile to read the frequently asked questions (FAQs) listed below.

What does the rental charge cover?

Does the apartment have air-conditioning?

What is the level of equipment in the apartment?

How far is it to the nearest beach?

How far is it to the different amenities on site?

What are the nearest towns?

What about shopping other than for groceries?

What about golf courses?

What about eating out?

Does the apartment have any other useful features?

Could I manage without a car?

What does the rental charge cover?
The weekly cost covers everything for up to 4 people and includes mid-week cleaning, mid-week change of towels, weekly change of bed linen. There are no additional charges. If you require items such as a cot or a welcome food pack, these can be provided for a small charge. We normally require a deposit of 20% with booking, balance due six weeks before departure.

Does the apartment have air-conditioning?
A minority of the apartments on the more space-out part of the development have air conditioning; we have not yet found it necessary to install this, as our apartment is at the end of the block, has a large terrace and there is nearly always movement in the air. All windows have lockable shutters. Apartments with air conditioning charge a higher rental.

What is the level of equipment in the apartment?
The apartment has everything you would need: washing machine, tumble drier iron+board, fridge, freezer, dishwasher, toaster, juice extractor, micro-wave, gas-fired barbecue, oven, hob, coffee maker, clothes airer, garden furniture (including large dining table), a full range of crockery and cutlery, pots and pans, etc. There is also a hair drier, small hi-fi and satellite TV with English-language and foreign channels. There is a large awning over the smaller terrace.

How far is it to the nearest beach?
The nearest beach is about 5 minutes walk from the front of the development or about 15 minutes from the apartment, Santa Eulalia beach and Olhos da Agua (a beautiful little beach, are somewhat further and with a young(?) family probably best reached by car (Santa Eulalia is about 20 minutes walk from the apartment). There are many other lovely and well known beaches within a 10-15 mile range. All of theses beaches are predominantly sandy and sheltered by the typical orange Algarve cliffs.

How far is it to the different amenities on site?
The nearest pool complex (3 pools, including one for small children, is about 100 metres from the door ; neither of the other pools is deeper than about 5 -6 foot–there is no through traffic and a good footpath to this).There are 4 other pool complexes of various sizes about 5-10 minutes walk away. There is also a small indoor pool which we have never had to use and a fitness suite. All the pools have loungers and parasols, and two or three have refreshment / snack facilities available.

The reception area, tennis courts (4) restaurant and small supermarket are about 10 minutes walk away, all close to the main entrance; there is a larger supermarket with a very good range of bread, fruit, veg and meat about one kilometre from the entrance to the development.

The putting green, driving range and pitching practice area are directly in front of the apartment (there is a clear view from the apartment for 250 metres up the driving range); the golf clubhouse (with daily snack and midweek evening restaurant facilities) is 100 metres away; the courtesy shuttle bus to Albufeira leaves from here several times a day.

There is a private medical clinic just by the entrance; the nearest pharmacy is in Olhos de Agua, about 2 minutes by car from the development.

What are the nearest towns?
The apartment is about 3 minutes by car from Oura which merges into Albufeira; in the other direction (east) it is about 12-15 minutes drive to Vilamoura; Olhos d'Agua is almost on the doorstep.

What about shopping other than for groceries?
There is a major shopping centre a few miles to the west: The Algarve Shopping Centre and another in Faro. Around Albufeira there are numerous smaller shops and a couple of large shoe outlets.

What about golf courses?
The flat is within 25-30 minutes drive of all the main courses on the Algarve (some are only 10 minutes away). Residents on Balaia can obtain a discount to most of these courses.

What about eating out?
A wide range of restaurants is available within 2-3 minutes drive of the development (or by the courtesy bus to Albufeira). In the apartment there is a folder of general information with a list of some of the ones we have tried and enjoyed. The cost is reasonable: it is quite possible to get a 3-course menu of tasty food from around 12 Euros. You can of course pay a lot more, but it is not necessary to.

Does the apartment have any other useful features?
The apartment faces south and west, so you will have the full sun on the terrace from about 10:30; the awning shields the terrace and dining table from the sun in the heat of the day. One of the special attractions of our apartment is that you have no one above you or to one side.

Could I manage without a car?
While it would be quite possible to manage without a car, using the courtesy bus or a public bus (stops near the entrance for travel in both directions), we feel that car hire for all or part of the time gives greater flexibility.