Balaia Plaza Hotel, run by Cheerfulway Hotels & Resorts, is a self-sufficient apartment complex on the Estrada de Santa Eulália, in the same general area of coast as the Alfagar resorts and Balaia Golf Village. It’s a smaller property than most of its neighbours – 76 apartments set among landscaped gardens with panoramic Atlantic views, about a 5-minute walk from the beach and 3 km from central Albufeira.
Every apartment has a full kitchen alongside air conditioning, a safe, a bath-and-shower bathroom, satellite and cable TV, and a wide balcony. It’s a 4-star property with check-in from 14:00 and check-out by 11:00 – one of the earlier check-in times on this stretch of coast, useful if your flight lands mid-morning.
Who fits
Couples and families who want a proper kitchen for at least some meals, without booking a 150-plus apartment mega-resort. Guests who’d rather have a quieter, smaller complex than the scale of Alfagar Village or Balaia Golf Village. Anyone comparing Cheerfulway’s other Algarve properties who wants to keep bookings under one group.
This isn’t for you if you want a big resort activity programme – the Alfagar or Balaia Golf Village properties nearby cover that better – or if a beachfront address matters more than a 5-minute walk.
Apartments and pools
The complex runs an indoor pool plus two outdoor pools split for adults and children, which covers cooler spring or autumn trips as well as peak summer. The on-site restaurant serves Portuguese and international dishes – useful for a lazy night in rather than the destination dinner of the week. Ask which building you’re assigned, since sea and garden views vary across the site.
Location and getting around
You’re about 3 km from central Albufeira and a 5-minute walk from the beach, on the same Estrada de Santa Eulália that hosts the Alfagar cluster and several other apartment resorts, so confirm your exact address before a taxi driver takes you to the wrong gate. Faro Airport is roughly 33 km away – see transfers or car hire for the drive in.
Compared with nearby hotels
Alfagar Alto da Colina or Alfagar Village for a bigger resort footprint on the same stretch of coast. Balaia Golf Village if golf and six pools matter more than a compact, quieter apartment complex. Grande Real Santa Eulália for a five-star beachfront option nearby.
Worth it?
A quiet win for a self-catering apartment week close to the beach without the scale of the bigger resorts on this stretch of coast. Confirm your exact building and view before you pay, since the site sits among several similarly addressed neighbours.
Quick FAQ
How far to the beach?
About a 5-minute walk.
Self-catering or full board?
Self-catering – every apartment has a full kitchen, with an on-site restaurant as a backup.
Is this part of the Alfagar group?
No – Balaia Plaza is run by Cheerfulway Hotels & Resorts, a separate group with a nearby address on the same road.