TUI Blue Adriatic Beach

The sea is beautiful, and the pool hot tub is just the right temperature. It's a quiet spot for a low-key holiday, with not much to do outside the hotel. Shops are about a six-minute walk down the road. There's entertainment every night, usually low-key, and the all-inclusive drinks selection is good, though some drinks cost extra. The cleaners make your bed every day.

The setting is what I'll remember most, especially the swifts flying around the hotel. The scenery is breathtaking, and we had a pleasant stay at TUI Blue Adriatic, though for us it felt more like a three-star experience. We were disappointed to miss out on the Culinarium because of staffing shortages. We had really looked forward to it, and in the low season there aren't many other restaurant options. The buffet was mixed: some meals were enjoyable, but the meat quality wasn't great. Service varied quite a bit. Some staff were genuinely excellent and went out of their way to help. At the bar, though, poor service and badly made drinks from some staff meant we tried to avoid ordering from them. When we asked about nearby amenities, some staff also failed to mention the Ribola shop, about a five-minute walk away. The hotel is very remote, with little to do nearby unless you have a vehicle, and parking is limited. We went just before the busy season, so many places were still closed. One person in our group has limited mobility and struggled with all the steps around the resort. More could be done to make it accessible for guests with mobility issues. The place has a lot of potential, but the guest experience could be improved.

The staff were great and very attentive, and I was very impressed by the short break overall. Flights from the UK to Split were quick, and I'll certainly explore more of the country. The property is over two hours from Split by transfer, though, and the route can be rough if you get motion sickness, depending on which way the driver goes. It's set on a hillside with a lot of stairs, and lifts don't reach every area. Entertainment was brief or nonexistent.

We had a spacious junior suite with great facilities and an incredible sea view. The hotel and all its areas were clean throughout, and the staff were friendly and helpful. We enjoyed the buffet choices at breakfast, lunch and dinner. The location is beautiful, between Split and Dubrovnik, and the sunset bar is a lovely place to watch the evening sky. The all-inclusive cocktails were fine during the day; in the evening we chose to pay extra for branded spirits. Beach day beds also cost extra, but we thought €70/€100 was worth it for daily use. A great adults-only hotel. We'll definitely come back, and I'd highly recommend it.