Tui Blue - The baby friendly resort!

As promised, we will start right where we have been focusing our own personal attention over the last few weeks. Dreaming of the very next holiday we will be able to book, and for us this one will need to be Baby friendly! Eeeekkk!

Whilst researching the best baby friendly destinations, we uncovered a whole new world of advice from friends and family both positive and negative. Of course with this being a large learning curve for us we didn't realise how much we would need to pack and travel with, what facilities we would need in each resort we stayed in and what support we may need whilst we are actually on what is now seeming the furthest thing away from a "holiday". 

Our fantasies of a dreamy beach destination, relaxing on a sun lounger, sun beaming down, rocking the baby in one arm, cocktail in other are a distant memory. Now what springs to mind is a rather tired couple, with an over spilling, large bag of baby bottles, nappies, muslins and let’s face it we have no idea what else yet, struggling to feed a crying baby (whilst keeping their sun hat on). Sat on the least popular sun lounger, the furthest away from the pool/beach trying to comfort a crying baby, apologetically looking at anyone who comes nearby for the awful racket, not to mention trying to monitor the baby’s temperature and keep it out of the sun. Doesn't sound quite so tempting does it?

Thankfully, it seems our prayers have been answered. We are not the only ones who want to pursue this madness and our friends at TUI have come up with the perfect solution. Let us introduce to you TUI Blue, a series of resorts with families (even new-born baby families), front of mind. We breathe a sigh of relief, holidays are not over, the dream of relaxing and enjoying some sunshine with the sand between our toes is no longer a distant memory. Below we have included all you need to know about TUI Blue, including a couple of our personally hand selected resorts that we will be booking up as soon as the baby arrives and the borders open.

TUI Blue - For Families

Welcome to your fabulous family holiday by the sea! TUI are focused on family from head to toe: Spacious rooms, family-friendly restaurants with dishes that appeal to everyone, childcare for all ages, baby and kids' pools, and a varied activities and entertainment programme for all ages. You always have your digital holiday planner with you with the BLUE App. The BLUE Guides are looking forward to making your holiday a unique family experience with great tips.

Childcare - Yes CHILDCARE even for babies!

Your kids will love the childcare and rave about their holidays! The TUI BLUE For Families hotels offer a care and entertainment programme that is suitable for kids of all ages - from babies to teenagers - and provides lots of fun. In different age groups, our well-qualified caregivers take care of your children in age-appropriate activities, six days a week. Parents with babies are particularly pleased with the always-open Baby Lounges, where you can change, feed, and play with the youngest family members in a peaceful environment. Parent-child programmes enhance your sense of family in shared activities such as playing and listening to music. If you want to spend a romantic evening without children, evening care is available at least three times a week. Your kids can have fun with a pizza party, for example, while you get some time to yourselves.

Experiences - No Bored Kids!

We make holidays even more fun with sports, entertainment, and games seven days a week. While the children are well looked after, you should take advantage of the Les Millsfitness classes for adults. Do your kids love sports? The TUI BLUE For Families hotels also offer sports activities for the whole family. The hotel mascots, who are very popular with kids, make surprise appearances over and over during the day and kick off the evening entertainment programme. Before the evening shows begin, our dedicated supervisors organise jogging rounds, game parties and volleyball tournaments, swimming lessons, as well as excursions and other entertaining activities. The exciting evening programme delights the whole family with musical numbers and magic shows, as well as theatre productions with pirates. A look at the BLUE App and you know what's on the agenda today. Last but not least: All hotels have special pools for children and some even have an on-site water slide park.

Cuisine - Choice for everyone!

The restaurants and cafés of the TUI BLUE For Families hotels are also all about families. They're designed to be pram and stroller-friendly, with tables large enough for big families, and areas where you can feed and care for your baby in peace. The children's buffet also makes picky eaters happy, and you as a parent can rest assured that the food is balanced and healthy. There is a guaranteed international and local range of delicious dishes for everyone. Food intolerances and allergies are no problem with TUI BLUE For Families. Depending on the hotel, there are other specialty restaurants and stylish cafes with freshly squeezed juices and masterful coffee specialties.

Design - Everything designed with families in mind, SPACE!

Family rooms, spacious suites with a separate living room, or apartments with a kitchenette – we have comfortable, family-friendly homes for families of all shapes and sizes. Air-conditioning, refrigerator, and blackout curtains are standard, no matter what room category you choose. Surprise your family with a special highlight: a swim-up room with direct pool access or even a private pool.

What about the long old list of things we will need to pack, carry and travel with?

Are you also a packing novice? Or just like us cannot face the idea of having to pay for excessive luggage and travel with everything you MIGHT need? These resorts all offer baby lounges, which come equipped with everything you need to feed and change your babies, the best bit is there are right next to the pool area so you don't have to walk far! Some resorts also offer baby equipment hire! You can hire all the equipment you'll need – from cots and pushchairs, to sterilisers and bottle warmers – and it'll be ready for you when you arrive, save all that hassle!

Starting to sound like the ideal getaway? With these key selling points in mind let us introduce to you our two top picks for where we are planning to take with our little one ASAP!

TUI Blue Atlantica Aegean Blue - Kolymbia, Rhodes, Greece

Greece in September is still warm, probably hot compared to England’s unreliable weather, and with relatively low rainfall. Alongside a 4-hour flight we thought this could be a great option to consider.

WHAT'S KOLYMBIA LIKE?

One of the best things about east-coast Kolymbia, midway between lively Faliraki and ancient Lindos, is that it’s managed to remain a secret for so long. Even in the height of summer, there’s space to spread out along the Blue Flag beach. Leading away from the seafront is Eucalyptus Road, the main thoroughfare, where a handful of cafés, bars and restaurants stay open after sundown.

Why have we picked this resort? We actually stumbled across this resort for customers of ours who were looking for a great family friendly holiday with two young children (not babies). What appealed to us was its great location right on a blue flag beach, and although we love an all-inclusive, we also like the option of venturing out and wandering into a local town which for this resort was only 800 metres away. 

But if an all-inclusive package is still more your thing then this resort is great for that too, with multiple restaurants and flexible options including al a carte and buffet. All being well we will have the easiest baby, one which allows us the flexibility to dine al a carte, one where mum and dad can even enjoy a sundowner before dinner whilst he/she sleeps on in peaceful bliss. On the other hand, we might find we have a rather tricky (still adorable) baby who doesn't like quiet places, and insists on making their presence known in every location, and if this is the case a Buffett option is likely to be the most convenient option. In and out quickly, and back to the balcony to cry and sip on a gin and tonic.

We are of course planning to go as soon as we can with late September in mind, of course by this point our baby will be sleeping through the night and happily bottle/breast feeding to the adults convenience - keep dreaming?

TUI BLUE Atlantica Aegean Blue

The TUI BLUE For Families range specialises in top-drawer childcare, and this place – previously called the TUI FAMILY LIFE Atlantica Aegean Blue Resort – is a case in point. It’s got loads of kids’ clubs, a flume-filled waterpark, and a huge activity list.

There’s a focus on wellbeing at TUI BLUE For Families hotels. The Healthy Eating Challenge encourages youngsters to try new foods. There are professionally run swimming lessons. Plus, family wellbeing classes help you to relax while practising mindfulness.

The hotel’s right by the seafront – there’s a sandy stretch down some stairs on the edge of the grounds. Big sea-view pools and pushchair-friendly gardens mean there’s plenty of alternative sunbathing space, too.

Facilities

The talking point at this hotel is the waterpark, which features space bowls, slalom slides, and flumes you shoot along on a rubber ring.The pool scene also turns heads. The main pool’s a huge sea-view lagoon with water jets, which snakes its way beneath little wooden bridges.

Outdoor pool This figure of eight pool has a small palm tree island and a swim-up bar offering a range of drinks. You've also got views over the sea.

Baby lounge Ideal if you’ve got tots under 2, our air-conditioned lounges are close to the pool and open all day, every day. They’re stocked with microwaves and bottle warmers, as well as changing facilities.

FOOD AND DRINK? - YES THIS DESERVES CAPITALS.

There are four restaurants at this hotel. The go-to spot is the buffet restaurant, which comes with a section specifically for kids’ dishes. There are big tables designed for groups, plus quieter, adults-only areas.Ask Guest Relations about the Children’s Healthy Eating Challenge – little ones are given stickers to add to their lanyard for every new healthy dish they try.

Entertainment

Little ones are well catered for, thanks to the BabyClub* for tots’ playtime. There are also kids’ clubs for 3 to 11-year-olds and The Hangout for teens.In the early evening, there are games and shows dedicated to little ones – they feature our loveable TUI BLUE For Families mascot, Captain T the dog. Later, our resident show cast take to the stage.

As well as favourites like beach volleyball, there are activities like aerobics and aqua gym on offer. Little ones, meanwhile, can meet our mascot Captain T in a character parade, or pick up new skills at our Swim School*.Sign up for a LES MILLS™group fitness class and you can build your strength with CXWORX™, focus on flexibility with TONE™or unwind with a yoga-inspired session, like BODYBALANCE™.

There are parent and baby wellbeing sessions for under 3s, as well as family wellbeing sessions for all ages. They focus on mindfulness, using yoga poses, play and relaxation techniques.The hotel has a sauna. You can also book in for spa treatments* at the two sister hotels.

BabyClub Open six days a week for up to two 2-hour sessions a day, as well as some evenings. Fully trained TUI staff are on hand to look after your little ones, aged from 0 to 36 months, and there are toys from leading companies for them to play with.

Currently we can get direct flights from Gatwick, for 2 adults and 1 baby, in a standard room on All Inclusive board for only £2000!

TUI Blue Las Pitas - Bahia Feliz, Gran Canaria, Spain

With similar temperatures to Greece during September BUT only a couple of hours away, this destination is very appealing if we don't feel confident on a longer flight with a new born!

WHAT'S BAHIA FELIZ LIKE?

This modern, stylish town on Gran Canaria’s southern coast is petite enough that everything’s within easy strolling distance. There’s a pretty, pedestrianised village square lined with pavement cafés and restaurants, while parks and Moroccan-style buildings only add to the charm. From here it’s only a short hop to buzzy Playa del Ingles, 10 kilometres away.

Why have we picked out this resort? This was the original one we fell in love with, when we were still under false pretences that we would be able to easily stroll down a promenade and choose a different local restaurant every evening for dinner. This resort is still directly on the beach but is also only 20metres away from the local town of Bahia Feliz, a short walk along the promenade. The idea here would be we would go self-catering, get an apartment so we could have breakfast/lunch on our balcony but take a stroll each evening to the pretty village of Bahia Feliz.

The other key selling point for us was that this is a quiet small sister resort tucked away next door to the TUI Blue Orquidea, a much larger resort with even more facilities. In fact, by staying at this resort you get the peace and quiet of a small friendly family resort, but access to all the facilities, restaurants and entertainment of a larger buzzy resort. Ideal if you seek the choice and a balance between the two atmospheres!

TUI Blue - Las Pitas

The hotel serves up the complete family package, with children’s entertainment day and night and a couple of restaurants to choose from. The TUI BLUE Las Pitas – previously known as the TUI FAMILY LIFE Las Pitas – is tucked away in a quiet spot within the grounds of its sister property, the TUI BLUE Orquídea. A short walk gets you to its offering of splash pools, sports courts and restaurants. There’s a focus on wellbeing at TUI BLUE For Families hotels. The Healthy Eating Challenge encourages youngsters to try new foods. There are professionally run swimming lessons. Plus, family wellbeing classes help you to relax while practising mindfulness. Everything in these parts is done with little ones in mind, and all of the neighbours are family hotels, as well. Plus, you can get behind the wheel at a fun go-karting track* just down the road. While you're away, you'll have access to our 24-hour digital service, and a rep will visit regularly.

This hotel’s shoulder-to-shoulder with another TUI BLUE For Families hotel, the TUI BLUE Orquídea. You’ll find a host of extras here, like kids’ clubs, daytime activities and family shows. There’s also access to restaurants, a splash zone and three pools, plus a spa.

Facilities

The two curvy pools here are both lined with terraces dotted with loungers and palms. There’s a kids’ splash pool you can use at the neighbouring TUI BLUE Orquídea. The sister hotel’s also got three pools, including a quiet one for relaxing.

Baby lounge Ideal if you’ve got tots under 2, our air-conditioned lounges are close to the pool and open all day, every day. They’re stocked with microwaves and bottle warmers, as well as changing facilities.

Food and Drink

There are three restaurants at the neighbouring hotel – the TUI BLUE Orquídea. The go-to spot is the buffet restaurant, which comes with a section specifically for kids’ dishes. There are big tables designed for groups, plus quieter, adults-only areas.Ask Guest Relations about the Children’s Healthy Eating Challenge – little ones are given stickers to add to their lanyard for every new healthy dish they try.

Entertainment

Little ones are well catered for, thanks to the BabyClub* for tots’ playtime. There are also kids’ clubs for 3 to 11-year-olds and The Hangout for teens.In the early evening, there are games and shows dedicated to little ones – they feature our loveable TUI BLUE For Families mascot, Captain T the dog. Later, our resident show cast take to the stage.

TUI BLUE For Families mainstays, like character parades featuring Captain T and Swim School* lessons, are on the activities agenda. Across at the neighbouring TUI BLUE Orquídea, there’s also a multi-sports court for basketball or football.Sign up for a LES MILLS™ group fitness class and you can build your strength with CXWORX™, focus on flexibility with TONE™ or unwind with a yoga-inspired session, like BODYBALANCE™.

There are parent and baby wellbeing sessions for under 3s, as well as family wellbeing sessions for all ages. They focus on mindfulness, using yoga poses, play and relaxation techniques.If you fancy a spot of pampering, book yourself in to the spa* at the sister property. There are hydro-massage pools, saunas, whirlpools and steam baths. There’s a gym, too.

BabyClub Open six days a week for up to two 2-hour sessions a day, as well as some evenings. Fully trained TUI staff are on hand to look after your little ones, aged from 0 to 36 months, and there are toys from leading companies for them to play with.

Currently we can get direct flights from Gatwick, for 2 adults and 1 baby, in a self catered apartment for only £1,200!

Either of these resorts take your fancy? Want to have a chat about which TUI Blue might be right for you? Why not get in touch and let us take the hard work off your hands! Why not arrange a no obligation consultation call, just drop us an email to arrange a time to suit you!

James@tailormadeescapes.com