TUI BLUE Kalamota Island Resort

I am here at the moment, it is still peaceful as it was in 2019.The thing I would like to point out that if you have mobility issues, this might not be the best place to visit as there are numerous steps and slopes and all villas are at the back of hotel also up steps and slopes. You can request a lower villa ie 1 or 2 which we did but they gave us 6 which is a further climb. There are a few here at the moment struggling, I feel some folks don't read the info before booking. Food and drinks are good, staff are lovely, rooms are kept very clean, linen changed daily, the only down point is the property is in need of a face lift, which I have heard might happen next year. We have had a lovely chilled holiday. Thanks very much Denise and Ian

Lovely island, friendly staff and a great spot. Great views from the hotel and it’s a wonderfully peaceful place to unwind. We hiked all over the island through wonderful pathways and swan in tucked away spots. We also kayaked around the island while there and did day trips to busy Dubrovnik and Lokrum. As more recent views have said, the hotel is showing signs of needing an upgrade here and there. Our room was small and tired, the wardrobes were a pain to use and the mattress dipped from wear. We didn’t sleep that well. There is a tennis court but it’s in need of repair too and next to it is a disused second court going to ruin. Shame really. The pool is clean and welcoming and beach small and mainly quiet. The night entertainment was fairly poor I’d say and most of the musicians look terribly bored. There were a few good quizzes though. There were a few times where the sports guy played loud dated 18-30’s style music day after day to us around the pool and beach whether we liked it or not to the completely wrong audience. The hotel did listen when we mentioned it and it got quieter but we learned they only have one playlist! It completely didn’t fit the vibe. I think quieter times and more appropriate vibes are needed and a better playlist! The food was generally good with lots of choice and it kept us interested but the drinks included weren’t great. The culinarium also wasn’t up to much - while it was nice to have service and a change of scene, the food was average at best with the menu mainly consisting of burgers, pizzas and chicken nuggets! The above aside, we did have a lovely stay and thoroughly enjoyed the island. The honey tour was great worth attending and the guide gives you are lot more information about the island than expected. He was great. The staff were always friendly and most clearly enjoyed their job.

We enjoyed our holiday but this is a 3 star at best. The rooms are old and tired, very small unusable balcony. We did also have a balcony off our bathroom where you could sit on the toilet and watch everyone walking along the paths! Public areas clean, we never found our room cleaned well. Piles of sand in the shower, wardrobe falling apart, dirt in glasses, under bed had never been cleaned in months! Staff all wonderful, entertainment at night generally poor especially Saturday night. Food is good something for everyone but is repeated. The seating in the restaurant and entertainment area is very poor. The pool and beach are on top of each other there is a real lack of space. The island is beautiful and picturesque but this is not to review the island. Apparently the hotel is closing and being knocked down in November to build a new hotel which is set to take 4 years, no mean fete as new piers will need to be built for equipment. All I can say is it is much needed.

TUI BLUE Kalamota Island had plenty to offer: a lovely setting, friendly staff, clean facilities and an island that was a pleasure to explore. Our main reservations were the limited all-inclusive drinks selection and inconsistent restaurant service. Getting there was straightforward. We paid €50 for a taxi from Dubrovnik Airport to Gruž port and €5 per person each way for the ferry. The resort collected our luggage by golf cart on arrival, while we enjoyed an easy 10-minute walk to the hotel. Check-in was efficient, and our bags were delivered to our room. Our room was smaller than we’re accustomed to at North American resorts, but well appointed and functional for two people, with a very comfortable bed, a small balcony and a sliver of a sea view. The resort’s architecture fitted well with the island. Although the property and some loungers showed their age, everything was consistently clean, and ongoing maintenance was evident. Loungers were plentiful, with no need to reserve them. The pool was clean, and there was direct access to the sea from a sandy beach. The pool bar operated from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The towel-card system seemed inconsistently applied, and one morning we had to wait for fresh towels. Staff were friendly and helpful throughout, including offering suggestions for exploring the island. The bartenders did a great job, but the included drinks selection was disappointing. There was one draught beer, one house red, white and rosé, and basic spirits that we felt were of low quality. Included cocktails leaned towards retro favourites such as Tequila Sunrise and Blue Lagoon; a Negroni cost €11 extra. It felt as though more drinks attracted an additional charge than were included. The buffet food was good but became repetitive after a few days. Table service varied considerably: we regularly had to find water and glasses, sometimes collect cutlery, and occasionally get our own drinks from the bar. Staff remained pleasant, but we never knew what level of service to expect. The dining-room table layout also felt like a missed opportunity. Depending on where you sat, one or two people enjoyed the bay view while their companions faced the back of the restaurant. Where space allows, arranging tables so more guests can enjoy the outlook would be a welcome improvement. After all, we came for the sea view, not the toaster. The main buffet restaurant served all meals. A separate à la carte restaurant offered lunch and drinks at an additional charge, with one dinner included per stay. Dinner choices had to be pre-ordered through reception, and seating there was entirely outdoors—bring a sweater for cooler or windy evenings. Accessibility is a significant consideration. Based on the routes we encountered, I would not recommend the resort to anyone who has difficulty with stairs or steep slopes. Even Building 1, the nearest accommodation building to reception, involved a steep path and several sets of stairs. We did not find an easy, step-free route. For walkers, however, the island was a highlight, with paved paths and hiking trails leading to secluded beaches, a lighthouse and beautiful views. Independent dining options were limited: we found two restaurants nearby in Donje Čelo and two in Gornje Čelo, a 20–30-minute walk away, as well as Kalamota Beach House. The small market appeared geared mainly towards residents’ everyday needs rather than tourist supplies. Overall, we appreciated the setting, cleanliness, comfortable room and welcoming staff. A better included drinks selection and more consistent restaurant service would have made the stay considerably stronger.

A wonderful place for a vacation—peaceful, with excellent service. I recommend it.