TUI BLUE Insula Alba

TUI BLUE ADULTS ONLY 5 STAR did not live up to expectations or prove to be value for money. We had an early morning flight. All good and arrived in time for lunch, then to unpack and a little sunbathe before dinner. Coming back, we had a very late flight so paid for extended occupancy which was worth it and AI continued until we checked out so we had dinner before we left the hotel. We have visited most of the European TUI BLUE hotels and found them to be quite stylish but lacking in local flavour, rather bland and in most cases ‘style over substance’. Our biggest disappointment was that we mistakenly booked a Junior suite without fully appreciating that it was a two-story room with access to the bed via a very narrow metal spiral staircase. Whilst neither of us have mobility issues we felt very unsafe with the lack of space around the sides of the bed and the open access to the staircase. And the single handrail only started halfway up. We explained to reception and the Rep that we were very unhappy but accepted the error of room choice was our mistake but the hotel refused to ‘downgrade us’ although we were not asking for any refunds – we just wanted to feel comfortable safe and get a decent night’s sleep . As it was, we left lights on all night and only slept very lightly. We have written to TUI separately about this. PROS Claire the Rep in charge, is a very friendly, helpful and capable lady. We had no dealings with other Reps as we went to rest and to take part in activities. The Culinarian was the best Culinarian experience we have ever had , lovely service, great food and just a lovely evening. Nice comfortable sunbeds and seemingly just about enough to go around. Desserts in the buffet restaurant were excellent – homemade Florentines were delicious as were other items. The young barman, never did catch his name, in the Piano bar, was very good, polite, friendly and efficient. CONS TUI BLUE app is useless, it doesn’t even list both bars and you can’t see the menu on the one it does show anyway. We went to reception and they tried to access it on our phone and then gave us a paper menu. The Culinarian menu is not shown on the app either. Although you are told to book a table on the app it constantly says two days ahead are booked and you can’t book further in advance. Hotel is under the flight path into the airport at Heraklion. Junior suite only had one usable power socket – under the spiral staircase, we had to hang a bag up to avoid banging our heads when reaching back to it. The only other socket was lose in the wall so we were uncertain about using it. Very small scratchy bath towels. Nowhere to sit in front of a mirror to do hair or make-up. 2 chairs in the lower room were more like low boxes with little padding and high sides – we either had to sit with our arms tucked inside or with arms up high over the sides. There are no drawers or shelves for storage at all. The bathroom has 2 sinks – why – there is no room for two people to stand side by side and the mirror is in then centre anyway. There is no space anywhere for toilet bags etc. In the bathroom were two shampoo dispensers and two hair conditioner dispensers but no hand wash or hand and body lotion. The pool bar feels very cliquey, and, as we didn’t fit the profile we got ignored several times. The head barman Manos, clearly had his favourites and they got served first. And why is everyone expected to ‘hi five’ every time they go there! One day there was an impromptu and noisy water pistol fight – between 5 guests and a Rep. But of course, the hotels caters for a wide range of adults. The pool bar is where some evening entertainment takes place but with a very limited seating area. There is no outside dining area – other than a narrow terrace at the Culinarian but this by a road. Piano bar is not open until the evening so after lunch coffee must be taken at the pool bar or at your sunbed. Piano bar only had someone playing the piano once while we were there for a week. Otherwise, it was rather a soulless place. We usually took our past dinner drinks to the reception area – we wondered why there is not a bar in reception to save having to go back upstairs each time for a drink. The buffet restaurant needs to decide its policy on what the waiters will and will not do in terms of serving drinks. Some waiters will bring wine and water to the table but other only bring wine and tell guests to get their own water. It was a shame there were not more waiters from the local area. One thing that really concerned us was that each evening at around 9.00pm one of the seemingly more senior waiters, started gathering nearly empty wine bottles and decanting the leftovers into another bottle and eventually putting the top back on the bottle – presumably ready to serve again at the next meal. If this is a practise which goes on it would seem to be much better to do it in the kitchen and not do it in full view of guests who are still eating their meal. Generally used plates were not cleared away and we often placed used plates onto another table. There is no dress code for dinner so ‘anything goes’.

Overall, it was good. Me and my partner had 10 days here for my 30th birthday/ ended up being a baby moon too, the hotel is lovely, the staff are very friendly and accommodating and the rooms were nice. We upgraded to a shared swim up pool room and on the pictures it does look like you're booking the rooms with the walk over bridge, this isn't the case, it is a standard room with assigned sun loungers to that room and a big shared pool with the rest of the rooms, it was nice to not have to rush out and get a sun lounger for sure but the website can be deceiving on what you're booking. The food is good if you can eat most things but if you're limited it was a little tricky as there wasn't heaps of options and ended up being the same thing for lunch and dinner most days but it was all good food. If you're like us who like to go for walks and see local shops etc, its very limited, theres plenty of supermarkets, but a lot of the shops locally have shut down and been left. The local beach is a bit disappointing and we ended up getting a taxi to one about 30 mins drive and it was beautiful, but local one isn't great. Overall, it was a good holiday but would I say I felt like I was in a 5* hotel? Unfortunately no, was it worth the extra money? Unfortunately no again but having said that we did have a nice chilled out holiday but mainly due to not really having a choice of anything else to do. If you are looking for a place where you can fully just relax with not much else to do then its great for that, but anything else I wouldn't recommend, its very basic.

5th time at this wonderful hotel, and long may it continue. Just as always want to outline what a week at this hotel does for us both.. Its a true wind down from the pressures of work and there is no other place like it. The food continues to be extremely healthy and in addition there is the not so healthy option of cakes and sweets that are just to die for. The staff are just such beautiful people, the are the kindest people on earth and nothing is ever too much trouble. Eva and the welcome team must be commended, YOU REALLY MADE IT SPECIAL!! Nikos the maitre de is just the best and he runs his team like clockwork, tables and service puts our standard at home to shame THANKS GUYS!! Manos Phillip, Kostas Little Eva and all the bar staff are again just devoted to giving 10 star service and as always with a smile SO KIND!! The Culinarium is a complimentary night given to all guests and must be tried, it is an absolute gastronomic experience. Chef Kostas and his team are truly devoted and focused on taking you on an experience that will you will certainly enjoy WELL DONE!!!! We must not forget the waiters and waitresses and the guys that keep our fridges stocked with water and soft drinks throughout our holiday. Heres to all the waiting staff, the cooks who work so hard and if you get time talk to them, they really care about making sure we as guests ar having the greatest experience, and most of all enjoy their food. Ana Fitness - we miss you and keep shining young lady!! Renata our cleaner - you made it so special for us !! Antonis restaurant manager TAKE GOOD CARE!! If we forgot you we are so sorry, because you all deserve a commendation...

Had an absolute ball at this hotel . We went to celebrate a friends 60th birthday ( girls group of 5 all 60 plus ) . We had so much fun with the Tui reps and staff . Gemma & Sarah (entertainment) Ana ( fitness) were so lovely and brilliant at what they do . Food was amazing . We have one vegetarian who is so fussy but even she said she was spoilt for choice . Rooms were spotless . Bar service, couldn’t ask for better . If you want to chill or have fun then there’s something for everyone . Will defo be going back .

Our first experience of an all inclusive sun break. This hotel certainly lived up to its reputation. We had a swim up room sunshine until 14:00. Close to the main pool & bar. We have to commend the staff who looked after us so well, we can’t wait to return