We absolute LOVE Turkey and TUI Blue hotels our last trip was just exceptional. Nestled along Turkey’s picturesque Dalaman coast, TUI Blue Tropical, in Sarigerme, really does have it all for families. It’s an all-inclusive haven brimming with activities, dining options, and comfortable family rooms. I have put my favourite tips together from our trip to help you with yours, I hope you enjoy your stay as much as we did.
The best food
TUI Blue Tropical prides itself on a diverse culinary scene designed to cater to all age groups and our experience was that it really did this. I am vegetarian, Hubby is pescatarian, Noah eats all the meat and Isla is going through a transition of eating a vegetarian diet with a little bit of poultry. So, mealtimes are always a little worry for me. All inclusive is a great way of allowing the whole family to try something new and eat more of what you love. We stayed at the hotel for a 2 week all inclusive holiday and the food did not disappoint.
Main Buffet Restaurant
I will never forget my freshly made omelettes that I had every morning to start my day. The kids enjoyed their favourite finds too: Noah loved the traditional English breakfast on offer and Isla liked to get fresh fruit salads with the sweet treats in the kiddie’s corner. There are foods for every taste, fruits, cheeses, vegan, vegetarian, meats and the little treats like donuts and waffles.
In the evenings there are so many options to choose from too, we loved the themed nights where they focus on Italian, Chinese or Turkish dishes.
Themed night tip
Always make sure to check the front desk of the restaurant as they have appetisers or speciality drinks for you to try.
The main restaurant has such a variety of choice for both kids and grownups, ours dipped in both areas which was brilliant as they got the best of both worlds. There are always cold meats, so many colourful salads, cheeses, bread and around the buffet island there is a choice of meats, fishes, vegetarian and vegan dishes. Then, in the corner of the restaurant, there is the show cooking – where a chef will cook fresh dishes and this changes throughout the week.
We never struggled to get a table but enjoyed eating out on the balcony the best and so we would always enter the restaurant from the swimming pool restaurant. Another little tip there!
Children’s Buffet: There is a fabulous choice of food for the kiddies, it’s all the things they love. Breakfast and dinners have a wide choice of food that is just perfect, from plain pastas and plain meats. I really liked this idea as my kids would not eat some of the sauces in dishes when they were little. It is great they have the choice of both.
À La Carte Dining
For each stay you get an opportunity to visit 3 a la carte dining restaurants once and these must be booked. The 3 choices are:
À La Carte Dining Tip
Reservations for the à la carte restaurants can be made via the TUI BLUE App or head over to the lobby. Given their popularity, it’s advisable to book early in your stay.
- The Taverna: Traditional Turkish cuisine and some fab surprises. They did cater for vegetarian.
- Prima Cucina: Delight in classic Italian dishes that appeal to all ages. We loved the food in here and there was a good choice of our favourites.
- Spice: Explore Asian flavours and it was so delicious. Each dish came out looking really well designed and tasted as good as it looked.
Kids’ Club and Activities
Ensuring children are entertained is paramount at TUI BLUE Tropical, as our kids were over 12, we only used the teen hangout. There is a whole building (by the kids pool) for the kids club and it looked great and was very popular. Teen hangout was fun, Noah and Isla enjoyed playing board games and they did a few excursions around the resort too. There are activities on all day that you can do too, like football or pool exercise classes, you do not have to use the kids club.
- Kids’ Club (Ages 3-12): The resort offers a well-structured kids’ club where children can participate in various activities, from arts and crafts to interactive games.
- Teen Hangout: For older children, there’s a dedicated space equipped with games and activities, ensuring they have their own slice of fun. It is right by the ice cream and pancake area too.
- Baby Room: Families with infants will appreciate the baby room, equipped with essentials to cater to younger guests’ needs.
Kids’ club activities tip
Utilise the TUI BLUE App to check daily activity schedules and register your children for specific sessions.
Family-Friendly Rooms
Comfortable lodging is crucial for a restful family holiday, and I think most of the rooms at the hotel are Junior Suites. These are spacious rooms that are ideal for families, offering ample space and amenities to ensure a comfortable stay. From what I could gather there are 2 different types of rooms for families, one slightly larger with 2 separate bedrooms. We had a small suite which is essentially one large room on a split level. The kids slept on 2 single beds (that turn into sofas if you do not need them) and they had a TV which was nice as they watched cartoons. The lower level had a double bed, the balcony and a dressing table. It has a large wardrobe, which did fit all our clothes, and we got creative with the suitcase storage. The bathroom was perfect, the shower was fast and hot, and the cleaners did an absolutely amazing job – it was always clean and tidy for us.
Room Booking Tip
When booking, specify which room you would like (if you know) and you can check this by looking at the hotel layout map or the TUI Blue Tropical Facebook group has lots of tips too.
Exploring Beyond the Resort
While TUI Blue Tropical offers so many on-site activities, venturing out can enrich your holiday experience: especially when you are away for a 2-week break. We booked a few excursions that we found from the village, and we even booked a catamaran sunset excursion with a TUI hotel that was located further up the beach.
- Sarigerme Village: A 20-minute walk or a brief taxi ride brings you to this charming village. Here, families can explore local shops, dine at traditional eateries, and immerse themselves in the local culture. There are so many shops and tour companies. Another tip – don’t be put off by the intensity, everyone is really lovely but their sales tactic is to literally get in your face and ask you lots of questions.
- Dalyan River Excursion: Embark on a boat trip along the Dalyan River, where you can experience natural mud baths, believed to have rejuvenating properties, and spot the ancient Lycian rock tombs. This trip often includes a visit to Turtle Beach, renowned for its loggerhead turtle population. We did this when the kids were younger and it is the best trip we have ever done, highly recommend this.
- Watersports at Sarigerme Beach: For families seeking adventure, Sarigerme Beach offers activities like sailing, windsurfing, and boat trips. The beach’s unique location, where the Aegean meets the Mediterranean, provides ideal conditions for these sports and you can sometimes spot the sea turtles too.
Booking excursions tip
If you do not want to go into Sarigerme Village, engage with the resort’s excursion desk to discover and book family-friendly outings, ensuring a seamless experience.
TUI Blue Tropical had everything we needed, and more, the different themed entertainment nights and choices of food left a lasting impression on us. We loved watching the shows, the quizzes and the white party nights too. We made the most of the pool and the beach, we walked around Sarigerme and really loved the area.
Final tip
Join the TUI Blue Tropical Facebook group as you will find people leaving their inflatables, unused sunscreens etc outside of their rooms when they leave, and they post it on the group. Every morning there was a message, and the popular large unicorn gets passed around the families. We bought the large pizza, that became quite popular too, unfortunately it popped before we left!
I would love to know if you have used this post to help you on your holiday at TUI Blue Tropical, or if you have any tips of your own, add them in the comments.
