Club Med da Balaia

Set above the red cliffs of the Algarve, Club Med da Balaia looks straight out over the Atlantic near Albufeira. The coast here runs to wide sand beaches framed by ochre rock, with a mild climate that holds from March through October. Rooms range from superior and deluxe categories to suites, each fitted with air conditioning, a kettle, a safe and a TV. The grounds hold a pitch-and-putt course, with access to nearby courses for a full round. An eco-Zen pool sits above the water. You can watch the Atlantic from a lounger there. Two restaurants and four bars cover meals and drinks through the day, part of the all-inclusive format Club Med runs across its resorts. It is a compact, self-contained stay. Days lean toward sport and sun: tennis courts, a flying trapeze rig, and children's clubs sit alongside the golf and the pool. The resort draws a steady mix of families and couples, given its position between Albufeira's beaches and the wider Algarve coast, and its all-inclusive pricing covers meals, drinks, sport instruction and children's activities from age four. Evenings run to live music and shows in the Club Med style. The setting, cliff over shore, gives most rooms and the pool deck a clear line to the water.