Bars & Restaurants

Restaurants:

Delicious, creative cuisine and impeccable table art. Our chefs pull out all the stops to ensure you have a fabulous and entertaining meal. This Resort has "Table Coup de Coeur" status, awarded to the Club Meds best restaurants. Our chef and his team offer top quality service, a memorable gastronomic experience and a feast for the eyes. For example:

• Table linen for the evening service
• Wine list (at extra cost) presented by a wine waiter.
• The Chef gives a gourmet cuisine demonstration 3 times a week.
• Happytiser every evening with a cookery demonstration at the bar
• Local culture including visit to local markets, tasting of regional produce, etc.

The Balaïa

Awarded "Table Coup de Coeur" status. View over the ocean and swimming pool from the terrace of this general buffet restaurant. Serves international cuisine from the buffet, for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Smoking is not permitted inside the restaurant. Parents can use the Baby Zone to prepare meals for their little ones. List of equipment :

• High chairs for babies
• Table(s) seat 2
• Table(s) seat 4
• Table(s) seat 8

The Vasco da Gama

Awarded "Table Coup de Coeur" status. A restaurant with a cosy lounge atmosphere to discover and share with partner or friends. Seafood menu. This restaurant welcomes you for a late lunch, on your return from an excursion or after a round of golf. Open certain evenings, booking compulsory, at Reception. Waiter service. This is a non-smoking area. List of equipment :

• Air-conditioning
• Table(s) seat 2
• Table(s) seat 4

BABY CORNER special service

An area devoted entirely to small children in the Balaia, the general buffet restaurant. This Baby Zone has savoury and sweet baby foods, but also proposes a buffet with starters, meats, fish, vegetables, purées, soups, and even cheese and desserts! Plus all the equipment necessary for preparing babies meals: microwave, bottle-warmer, mixer. Highchairs are also available. At the Baby Club Med, the G.O®s are totally in charge of lunch, but parents can share it with their children if they wish.

Bars:

Available all day and evening (during bar opening hours) in all the bars in the Resort (including the nightclub). Drinks included(served by the glass and in the bars only) : Water, fruit juices, sodas, hot drinks, cocktails with and without alcohol, local and/or international spirits, wines. Sweet and savoury snacks

Drinks not included Champagne, VSOP and XO spirits, bottled and canned drinks (available in certain Resorts from vending machines and/or the Club Med boutique®), certain super-premium brands and bottled wines proposed à la carte in some of our restaurants and bars.

The Amalia

Located inside the hotel, this cosy bar is the ideal place to meet up with friends and family at the end of your days activities, in the early evening. Opening hours may vary depending on the hours of the Falesia. Closed at certain dates.

The Falesia

Open all day and sometimes in the evening, this open air bar is near the pool, in the heart of the Resort. Opening hours may vary depending on the hours of the Amalia and on the weather.

Sports & Activities

Indulge in a selection of activities which will help you take proper care of yourself and relax. With sports such as those offered at Club Med Fitness, you will recharge your batteries and feel renewed.

Golf Included in your package

Benefit from team of qualified instructors, high-quality equipment, and the opportunity to provide you with the most prestigious courses in the world.

Golf (outside Club Med) Optional Extra*

The most spectacular courses in Europe less than an hour from the Resort, some of which are located on cliff-tops dominating the Atlantic Ocean.

And also ...

LEISURE / RELAXATION

Included in your package: Auditorium, Bridge, Club Med® evening entertainment, Night Bar, Petanque, Swimming pool, Table tennis

Optional Extra*: Wellness Centre

SPORTS Included in your package:

• Group lessons for all levels : Aquadynamic, Archery, Club Med Fitness, Golf, Tennis
• Free practice : Badminton, Cardio training room, Kayak, Mini golf, Mini Football, Volley ball

SPORTS Optional Extra*:

• Group lessons for all levels : Golf, Tennis

* at extra cost

Wellness Centre

Our superbly decorated Spa will provide you with incomparable, exquisite treatments. It comprises of numerous comfortable and spacious treatment rooms, some of them double rooms, with soft natural light, herbal tea & relaxation room. You will be offered a very wide range of services, including face and body skincare, relaxation baths, massages, Turkish bath, steam room treatment, slimming treatment, and special backcare treatments, all of which will satisfy your desire for serenity and your need to relax and rejuvenate your mind, body and soul. All your senses will be stimulated to leave you feeling renewed.

OUR PACKAGES

• Back Care package
• Cellulite Attack package
• Eastern gentleness package
• For Him package
• Marine Beauty package
• Prettiest Mum package
• Serenity for Two package
• Well-Being package

Back Care package

OPTIONAL EXTRA*

• Afternoon - 6 days
• Morning - 6 days

Every day, the combination of a massage bath to the back area followed by a mud application to prepare the muscles for massage will considerably relieve your painful spasms related to our sedentary lifestyle. On the programme: 18 treatments

• 6 Relaxing Whirlpool Baths (15')
• 6 Localised Applications of Relaxing Sea Mud (20')
• 6 Relaxing Back Massages (15’)

For your information: all our massages are provided without medical care and are not paramedicalised. They are aesthetic, non-therapeutic treatments for well-being. The term ”massage” may also be used to describe body sculpting based on different techniques and from varied origins by practitioners trained in approved centres or by beauticians.

Duration 6 days

Cellulite Attack package

OPTIONAL EXTRA*

• Afternoon - 6 days
• Morning - 6 days

The anti-cellulite body sea wrap is even more effective (it hydrates, tones and slims the so-called 'Bermuda' area) if skin is prepared in a bath enriched with essential oils and accompanied by daily sessions of massaging and rolling which break down and drain the puffy areas. On the programme: 18 treatments:

• 6 detoxifying whirlpool baths (15 mins)
• 6 anti-cellulite body sea wraps (50 mins)
• 6 endermology sessions (35 mins)

Duration 6 days

Eastern gentleness package

OPTIONAL EXTRA*

• Afternoon - 4 days
• Morning - 4 days

These recipes, inspired by traditional Maghreb skills, will give you unique first-hand experience of Eastern beauty secrets: essential oils, black soap, rassoul and shea are the wonderful ingredients in this package. On the programme: 6 treatments

• 1 Eastern scrub ritual (session in hammam to prepare skin followed by scrub with black soap then rassoul body wrap with hydration) (80 min)
• 2 aromatic baths (15 min)
• 1 rassoul body wrap (20 min)
• 1 Eastern massage (60 min)
• 1 hand or foot care with shea butter (60 min)
• And 1 kassa glove offered

For your information: all our massages are provided without medical care and not paramedicalised. They are non-therapeutic aesthetic treatments for well-being. The term ”massage” may also be used to describe body sculpting based on different techniques and from varied origins by practitioners trained in approved centres or by beauticians.

Duration 4 days

For him package

OPTIONAL EXTRA*

• Afternoon - 4 days
• Morning - 4 days

Discover this delicious cocktail with its wide array of techniques and treatments, a host of new experiences for face and body. The package contains 8 treatments

• 1 Moisturising Crystal Scrub with Oils and Flower Petals (30')
• 2 Revitalising Whirlpool Baths (15')
• 1 Remineralising Seaweed Body Wrap (20')
• 1 Specific Relaxing Marine Mud Application (20')
• 1 Facial for Him (60')
• 2 Harmonising Massages with Essential Oils (35')

Duration 4 days

Marine Beauty package

OPTIONAL EXTRA*

• Afternoon - 5 days
• Morning - 5 days

A combination of beauty treatments to clean, hydrate, tone, and relax your face and body, and to make you feel beautiful, thanks to the use of treatments enriched with marine active ingredients. On the programme: 10 treatments

• 3 multi-sensory Musical baths (15')
• 1 Gentle Marine Body treatment (50')
• 1 Body Wrap in Detoxifying Algae (20')
• 1 Body Satinising Treatment (30')
• 1 Leg Freshener Treatment (30')
• 1 Specific Face Treatment (80')
• 1 Hand Beauty Treatment (70')
• 1 Three-spice Foot Hydration Treatment (40')

For your information: all our massages are non-medical and non-paramedical They are well-being, beauty and non-therapeutic treatments. The term ”massage” may also be used to describe body sculpting based on different techniques and from varied origins by practitioners trained in approved centres or by beauticians.

Duration 5 days

Prettiest mum package

OPTIONAL EXTRA*

• Afternoon - 5 days
• Afternoon - 6 days
• Morning - 5 days
• Morning - 6 days

In addition to the pleasure of being pampered, practitioners concentrate on firming stretched areas of skin, on hydrating skin deep-down and on cleansing, treating and smoothing out the skin's features. On the programme: 12 treatments

• 1 Marine Body Scrub (30')
• 3 Local Body Wraps with Firming Algae (stomach, bust, arms or thighs) (20')
• 1 Freshness Treatment for the Legs (30')
• 2 Satin Body Treatments (30')
• 1 Prestige Facial (90')
• 1 Revitalizing Facial (50')
• 1 Hand Moisturizing Treatment with 3 Spices (40')
• 1 Foot Moisturizing Treatment with 3 Spices (40')
• 1 Trancoso Massage (60')

For your information: All our massages are provided without medical care and are not paramedicalised. They are aesthetic, non-therapeutic treatments for well-being. The term ”massage” may also be used to describe body sculpting based on different techniques and from varied origins by practitioners trained in approved centres or by beauticians.

Toddlers at least 4 months old may be admitted to the Baby Club Med® baby minder centre (with surcharge) during your treatment time, subject to availability

Duration 6 days

Serenity for two package

OPTIONAL EXTRA*

• Afternoon - 3 days
• Morning - 3 days

For two people, in a duo treatment room. A privileged moment where you can relax and be pampered, together, from top to toe. A ritual and 4 treatments per person

• 1 Complete Scrub Ritual (90')
• 1 Specific Face Treatment (80')
• 1 Relaxing Foot Treatment (15')
• 1 Detox Seaweed Body Wrap or 1 Relaxing Specific Marine Mud Application (20')
• 1 Aromatic Massage (60')

Duration 3 days

Well-being package

OPTIONAL EXTRA*

• Afternoon - 4 days
• Afternoon - 6 days
• Morning - 4 days
• Morning - 6 days

Just lie back and let yourself be pampered! The treatments in this package will soak you in a warm and gentle environment that will leave your skin deeply grateful for weeks to come: baths to prepare your skin, wraps to allow soothing essential oils to penetrate and moisturise your skin deep down. 12 treatments

• 1 Gentle Marine Body Treatment (50')
• 4 Cocoon Baths (15')
• 3 Aromatic Body Wraps (seaweed and essential oils(20')
• 1 Relaxing Foot Massage (15')
• 1 Moisturising Body Sculpting (30')
• 1 Trancoso Massage (60')
• 1 Relaxing Face Sculpting (30')

Duration 6 days

Following the Resorts, you can book some of our SPA packages at the time of reservation.

* at extra cost

Children & Teens

Now toddlers have also got their own warm welcome. The Club Med Baby Welcome® has got everything covered, from childcare facilities in the rooms to special meals for children. During the day, whether at Baby Club Med®* or Petit Club Med®*, children have all the hugs and fun they need with their own special activities and play areas.

Baby Club Med® (from 4 to 23 months) OPTIONAL EXTRA*

Your babies can be entrusted to enthusiastic G.Os® in total safety after breakfast with the family, baby joins up with an individual welcome by an extpert G.Os® who takes the time to reassure the child after his/her parents leave. Stimulating activities, meals, rest, hugs: in total safety, the Baby Club Med® programme combines gentleness and respect for each child's biological rhythms. Educational activities, walks, a restorative siesta before outdoor games. And, of course, all the tempting treats of the afternoon snack. From 6.30 pm, the Baby Restaurant welcomes babies and their parents for a family dinner. For your information: nappies and baby milk are not provided at the Baby Club Med®.

Petit Club Med® (2 to 3 years) OPTIONAL EXTRA*

From 2 to 3 years, your little one is no longer a baby, but he/she still needs to be very closely Supervised. It’s the time for those first discoveries: the leisure of waking, walking and outdoor play, a full and balanced breakfast (especially designed for the needs of the young), a nap or quiet time, creative activities and of course, snack time, a true feast for those with a sweet tooth! The activities offered follow the natural progress of the children, divided into age groups. From 7.30 pm, after dinner with parents, children return to the Petit Club Med®. While parents have a peaceful dinner, the young ones finish their day with a calm evening. For your information: Nappies and baby milk are not provided at the Petit Club Med®.

Club Med Baby Welcome® (from 0 to 23 months) Included in your package

The little darlings feel right at home thanks to this service, included in your Package. Everything has been thought of as concerns the babies' comfort and the parents' well-being.

Baby Restaurant Included in your package

Adapted to the nutritional needs of children, the meals are created by a team of specialist chefs from the Baby Restaurant. At the Baby Restaurant, the G.O® takes on the entire responsibility of lunch but parents can share this time with their child(ren) if they wish.

Baby-corner Included in your package

This baby corner, located in the main restaurant of the Village, proposes suitable meals for children (sweet and savoury baby food with the utensils necessary for preparing meals).

Baby feeding room Included in your package

Open 24 hours a day, it provides all the utensils necessary for preparing meals: mixer, steriliser (provided only on request), microwave, fridge, bottle warmer (systematically provided in the room for the G.Ms® who have reserved a Baby Club Med® or Club Med Baby Welcome® service) and additional products such as mineral water, fruit, full-fat and semi-skimmed long-life milk (baby formula milk not provided).

Playground Included in your package

The playgrounds, which are separate from the supervised children's facilities, are accessible to young children accompanied by their parents.

* at extra cost

Discovery

A stay at the Club Med is always the perfect opportunity to leave daily reality behind and experience the unknown. The excursion programme is given as an indication. For all the destinations it serves, the Club Med has drawn up aResponsible Tourismcharter to guarantee responsible practice towards the environment, both natural and cultural, and ethical participation towards local economic development. We kindly invite you to download the "Responsible Tourism in Portugal" charter. Please click here: Charte "Responsible tourism in Portugal"

Alte nature (1/2 day)

Recommended by our Excursions desk. Getaway aboard a 4x4 in search of the authentic Algarve. You'll visit an unexpected world where you'll discover the true face of the Algarve, with its olive, carob and cork oak trees. This half-day excursion includes the chance to taste local produce. For your information

• Cultural and sports excursion
• Transport by 4x4

Catamarn trip (Vital or Condor) (1/2 day)

You'll set sail from the beautiful Vilamoura Marina and follow the coast as far as Galé. You'll admire the unique rock formations and isolated bays, and swim in a magnificent environment. Can also be done as a full day's excursion. For information:

• Transport: 20 minute bus ride to Vilamoura Marina.

Cave visit (1/2 day)

This half day aboard a small fishing vessel is a perfect way to appreciate the beauty and variety of the caves hollowed out by the ocean between Armação de Pêra and Carvoeiro. You'll be amazed by the originality of the rock formations and the beautiful effects of light. From June, depending on weather conditions. For your information

• Transport by boat
• Journey time: 1 hour 45 minutes

Excursion to Faro (1/2 day)

Explore Faro, the capital of the Algarve. A guided tour of the historic city centre where you can admire the Arco da Vila and the 14th century cathedral followed by the museum of archeology. Free time for shopping in the pedestrian precinct. Stop off at the church of Carmo and visit the chapel. Pour information:

• Cultural excursion
• Transport by bus
• Takes 1 h 20 mins

Historic Algarve: Sagres & Lagos (1 day)

Recommended by our Excursions desk. Discover the far south-west of Europe. The cliffs of Ponta da Piedade, exposed to the full force of wind and sea. Lagos, with the Regional Museum and Church of St Anthony, the former slave market and the statue of Prince Henry the Navigator. Free time for a stroll through the shopping streets. Lunch in a typical restaurant. On to Sagres for a visit to the fishing port and the fortress, then to the mythical Cape St Vincent. For your information

• Cultural excursion
• Transport by bus
• Journey time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Lisbon (1 day)

Tailor-made programme to discover Lisbon at your own pace. Information and advice from the Excursions desk.

Loulé market (1/2 day)

Enjoy the largest market in the area, held every Saturday morning: alongside the lively and colourful food market, there are craft shops and a gypsy market with a host of items all at very low prices. Visit the town's historic centre (at your own pace, no guide). For your information

• Cultural excursion
• Transport by bus
• Journey time: 1 hour

  Seville (1 day)

  Tailor-made programme to discover Seville at your own pace. Information and advice from the Excursions desk.

  Traditional Algarve (1 day)

  Excursion proposed on request, à la carte. With a local guide and driver, discover the Algarve hinterland, its plant life (olive, almond, orange and cork oak trees) and enduring rural traditions. Lunch and a chance to sample local produce are included in this day of new experiences. For your information

  • Transport by 4x4

  Typical Algarve (1/2 day)

  Visit to the small fishing town of OLHÃO, then TAVIRA with its rich heritage: 4th-century Roman bridge, mediaeval remains, church of Nossa Senhora do Castelo. On the way back, you'll stop in Almancil to discover the church of São Lourenço with its magnificent azulejos (decorative tiles). For your information

  • Cultural excursion
  • Transport by bus
  • Journey time: 2 hours

  Zoomarine park

  Marine park with dolphin show, 20 minutes from the Club Med. Information from the Excursions desk.

  Excursions should be booked on the premises at the Discovery desk

Practical Information

CLUB MED DA BALAIA PRAIA MARIA LUISA 8200-854 ALBUFEIRA - PROVINCE DE FARO Telephone: (351) 289 510 500 Fax: (351) 289 587 179

GMT time difference : + 1 hour in summer. GMT time difference : 0 in winter

Transport package

If you choose a package with transport, the price is inclusive of the return air fare and transfer to and from the Resort.

Getting to the Resort

For customers who have not booked the transport package. Airport / Resort, transfer by bus. Transfer from Faro airport to the Resort takes around 45 minutes. * Price : Summer 2008 (prices given as an indication, subject to exchange rate): 10 Euros per person each way

Club Med car park(s)

Unmanned outdoor car park with 26 spaces at no extra cost, booking not required.

Faro airport

Airport 35 kms (22 miles) from the Resort. Flight time (for information only): Paris: 2 hours 30 min

Local transport

Optional Extra*

Car rental at the Resort (Hertz).

Foreign & Commonwealth Office Travel Advice

For UK citizens, the Foreign & Commonwealth Office produces up-to-date travel information to help you make informed decisions about travelling abroad. Please visit www.fco.gov.uk/knowbeforeyougo to find out more.

Payment options at the Resort

Currency: Euro

Club Med Pass® payment card. This card enables you to put on your account all purchases made anywhere within the Resort during your stay. The card will be issued against a 250 Euro deposit (pre-authorisation by Visa, Club Med Amex, Amex or Mastercard).

Credit cards accepted (for payments only) :

• American Express
• Eurocard
• Mastercard
• Visa

Other means of payment:

• Traveller's cheques in USD, GBP and EUR
• Cash (local currency)
• Bureau de change at Reception.

Cash point:

• Cash cannot be withdrawn in the Resort
• Cash point 15 minutes' walk from the Resort.

Hotel facilities and services

To make life easy during your stay, we propose a whole range of services:

• Beach towels
• Club Med Boutique®*
• Conference room(s)*
• Dry-cleaning*
• Internet* : 2 Internet access points (at extra cost). Wi-Fi access at no extra cost at Reception and in the reading room. Summer 2008 (given as an indication): Internet connection 1 Euro per 10 minutes Wifi Card on sale at Reception 10 Euros per day 50 Euros per week
• Laundry service*
• Luggage room : Lockers at your disposal near Reception.
• Nappy-changing table : In the toilets near the Amalia and Falesia bars.
• Photographer*
• Tumble-dryer*
• Washing machine*

Health formalities

Vaccinations and medical treatments. It is essential that you check the required procedure before your departure. Recommended vaccinations:

• Polio
• Tetanus
• Hepatitis A and B

The Resort has a resident nurse. Hospital (Faro) : Located 23km from the Village

Country information

• Official country name: Republic of Portugal
• Capital: Lisbon
• Land area: 91,980 km²
• Population: 10.5 million inhabitants
• Peoples and ethnic groups: 99% Portuguese, 1% Africans
• Languages: Portuguese
• Religions: 95% Catholic
• Political institutions: Republic, parliamentary régime
• President: Anibal Cavaco Silva
• Prime minister: Jose Socrates
• GDP: 194,439 million $US
• GDP per capita: 19,038 $US
• Annual growth rate: 2%
• Inflation: 51,5%
• Principal activities : textiles, tourism and agriculture
• Principal partners: Spain, Germany, France and United Kingdom
• Member of the European Union: yes

Village Information

"Feel renewed" Resort

“Feel renewed” Resort. Da Balaia stands on a deep-red cliff in southern Portugal overlooking a magnificent white sand beach. The Resort’s new look, courtesy of Didier Gomez, enhances the experience of total well-being. The restaurant’s vast windows flood the dining area with light, and the dining areas have appropriate atmospheres for dining with family or friends. Emphasis on relaxation and fun, with a dance floor and brand new lounge round the swimming pool. A perfect decor for the evening ambience.

Beach

200 yards of fine sand at the foot of a magnificent cliff. This public beach is equipped with deckchairs and parasols.

Parks & Gardens

Gardens of pine, cork oak, carob, palm and olive trees with vast lawns.

Highlights of the Da Balaia

AUTUMN - WINTER For holidays from
SPRING - SUMMER For holidays from 22/03/2008 to 02/11/2008

• Refurbished Resort in the heart of a 21-hectare site overlooking the sea
• Exotism, relaxation and well-being at Club Med Spa*
• Golf outside the Club Med: group classes and special courses* for all levels
• Children's club facilities* and dedicated areas for children from 4 months to 4 years