Booking a TUI holiday used to be straightforward: choose a destination, find a hotel with a decent pool and check the star rating.Today, it’s rather more complicated. TUI has an ever-expanding line-up of hotels, brands and holiday concepts, each offering something slightly different – from waterslides and kids’ clubs to adults-only retreats, sports academies and luxury escapes.For holidaymakers, that choice can be a blessing – but it can also make knowing where to start surprisingly difficult. TUI caters for almost every type of traveller, whether you’re after kids’ clubs and activity programmes, local experiences, a luxurious getaway for two, or something more affordable.‘One of the biggest surprises for customers is how different our hotel concepts are from one another,’ Clair Raftery, from TUI’s Hailsham store, told the Daily Mail. She has been a retail adviser for 36 years.‘Each one has been designed around a specific type of holiday. The key is finding the one that best matches what you want from your time away.’Choosing the right one can make a real difference to your holiday. A family who wants waterslides and adventure from breakfast until bedtime will be happiest somewhere very different from a couple looking for a quiet pool, good food and a chance to switch off.When it comes to onsite entertainment, too, one size does not fit all.‘Depending on the concept, that can mean everything from professionally run kids’ clubs and sports academies to fitness classes, entertainment, watersports and activity programmes,’ explains Clair.‘Many of the experiences that would cost extra elsewhere are already built into the holiday.’The flipside is also true: if your idea of a perfect week is a sunbed, a paperback and a long lunch, there’s no point booking a hotel built around archery tournaments and foam parties. You’ll be subsidising everyone else’s fun while wishing they’d turn the music down.So how to know which TUI holiday is best for you? Here we break down each of the holiday giant’s brands and concepts, including a star rating equivalent for each. For holidaymakers, lots of choice can be a blessing – but it can also make knowing where to start surprisingly difficultHoliday Villages: Four and five starHoliday Villages are designed for families who want an endless roster of activities included, without ever needing to leave the resort.‘If you’re looking for a holiday where the kids will never be bored, Holiday Villages are always one of my first recommendations,’ says Brighton store manager Michelle Kirkham, who has been helping customers find their perfect getaways for 38 years.‘Every one is designed for families who like to pack plenty into their holiday. Guests can choose from more than 200 activities, alongside dedicated Football, Swim and Stage Academies, aerial adventure courses and, at selected resorts, onsite waterparks.’There are eight Holiday Villages across Spain, Greece, Cyprus, Turkey and Egypt. Kids’ clubs here, from toddlers to teens, take an academies and activity-led approach. There is also plenty for parents and children to do together.The resorts are large and lively, so they are unlikely to suit couples looking for peace and quiet. But for families who want a full programme of entertainment on their doorstep, Holiday Villages are hard to beat.The entertainment programme also had a total refresh recently, bringing in giant family pool parties, silent discos and sensory sessions for toddlers. Some parents throw themselves into all of it; others sign the children in and vanish to a sunbed.It’s time to book if: You have children between about three and 15 and you want them exhausted by 8pm.Look elsewhere if: You’re a couple. These are big, busy, family resorts and there’s no getting away from that. Holiday Villages are designed for families who want an endless roster of activities included, without ever needing to leave the resortTwo we would choose…Holiday Village Majorca, Cala MillorFor parents nervous about a first big family all-inclusive, this Majorca gem is a great place to start.It’s a short flight from the UK, the activity programme starts young and there’s even a Balanceability course teaching little ones to ride a bike.If it all gets too much, a free shuttle drops you at Cala Millor’s beach in ten minutes.Holiday Village Atlantica Rhodes, KolymbiaThe flagship property for this Tui concept, this resort best explains why families rebook year after year.There are eight pools, a waterpark with a lazy river, and rooms divided into Activity, Relax and Deluxe zones – so you can put yourself in the thick of it or a comfortable distance from it.Tui Blue: Four and five starSome of us travel for the hotel, others for the destination. Tui Blue is aimed at the latter group.This is by far the biggest of Tui’s concepts, with more than 100 hotels across over 20 countries, taking in not only Spain, Greece, Cyprus and Turkey, but stretching beyond Europe to Thailand, the Maldives and the Caribbean.There’s no single template; each hotel takes its character from where it is. Where some Tui Blues are adults-only and quiet, others are high-octane family properties with kids’ clubs (all run to UK standards).There are dedicated guides on hand for local knowledge, regional dishes alongside the international buffet, and a free activities programme that goes well beyond aqua aerobics.Language classes, cookery sessions, wine tastings, archery, darts and instructor-led fitness are all bookable through the Tui Blue app.Time to book if: You want a proper pool day but would also like to come home with an authentic taste of the destination and a decent local bottle of wine.Look elsewhere if: You want the exact same experience wherever you book. This is Tui’s least consistent collection. A Blue in Croatia and a Blue in Thailand are totally different holidays. Language classes, cookery sessions, wine tastings, archery, darts and instructor-led fitness are all bookable through the Tui Blue appTwo we would choose… Tui Blue Palazzo del Mare, Marmari, KosThis is a quiet hotel in a relaxed part of the island, so bring a book rather than expectations of a big night out at this adults-only, five-star property. The pool runs to more than 160m, and around half the rooms are swim-up.Tui Blue Mai Khao Lak, ThailandAlthough it’s also a family resort with plenty for children to enjoy, this Tui Blue also has adults-only pools and spa areas, five restaurants and jungle grounds running back from the beach. Families and couples could book the same hotel and barely cross paths.Sensatori by Tui Blue: Five starThere’s a simple ethos to Tui’s most premium offering: the hotel shouldn’t just be a bed for the night, it should be the reason you booked.‘Sensatori by Tui Blue is the concept I suggest when customers tell me they want something a little more special,’ says Sheryl Wain, who has been in the business for 30 years and manages TUI’s Portsmouth store.‘There are eight five-star resorts across Majorca, Cyprus, Greece, Turkey and Egypt, and they strike a really clever balance between luxury and flexibility.‘Dedicated adults-only spaces sit alongside family-friendly areas, so they’re just as popular with couples as they are with families and multi-generational groups.’Expect stylish rooms, serious spa facilities, cabanas, pool waiter service and evening entertainment closer to West End production values than holiday-camp cabaret. Dining is a strength, with at least three speciality restaurants at every resort alongside the buffet, with 24-hour all-inclusive facilities at selected hotels.‘Families can expect professionally accredited kids’ clubs for babies through to teenagers, while adults can enjoy premium spas, stylish restaurants, swim-up rooms and sophisticated evening entertainment,’ says Sheryl. ‘It’s the sort of holiday where everyone gets exactly what they’re looking for.’‘Zoning’ within the property also makes these resorts perfect for multi-generational trips: grandparents find quiet, teenagers find a pool with music, small children are professionally entertained.The childcare, which rivals the likes of Club Med, is also a huge draw for young families. Kids aged three to 12 get up to four hours of free childcare a day, rising to six with a paid evening party. Chargeable sessions for under-threes are also available.Time to book if: You want a five-star getaway with the price locked in before you fly.Look elsewhere if: You’re after a small boutique bolthole for two. These are large, polished resorts, not secret spots. And while there are adults only areas, you’ll see plenty of young families around. There’s a simple ethos to Tui’s most premium offering: the hotel shouldn’t just be a bed for the night, it should be the reason you bookedTwo we would choose… TUI Blue Sensatori Biomar, Sa Coma, MajorcaSet on Majorca’s quieter east coast a short walk from Sa Coma’s beach, this is a family resort with a distinct 138-room adults-only wing that has its own pool, buffet and bars. There are five pools in total, including a heated river pool linking the swim-up rooms.TUI Blue Sensatori Coral Sea, Sharm El SheikhThe house reef is the reason to book this winter sun spot. You can snorkel over coral straight from the hotel, and there’s a PADI dive school on site, with Tiran Island and Ras Mohammed National Park close by.TUI Magic Life: Four and five starThis is the sociable one. It’s made for solo travellers, groups of friends, couples and families alike, with a programme designed to get people mixing rather than siloed on their sunbeds.There are around 15 four- and five-star beachside clubs across Turkey, Greece, Spain, Italy, Tunisia and Egypt, all built on an ultra all-inclusive model that runs around the clock. Buffets morning, noon and night, snacks and drinks in between, and at least two speciality restaurants serving local dishes and international standards, vegan options included.Activity-wise, there’s a complete A to Z, with archery at one end, Zumba at the other, and mountain biking, watersports, tournaments and a full slate of fitness classes in between.But what sets Magic Life apart is its social side. There’s a dedicated programme for single travellers, making this one of the very few mainstream package options where turning up alone doesn’t feel awkward, plus clubs for children and teenagers and a heavy diet of themed nights. Many hotels have their own stretch of beach.Time to book if: You’re travelling solo, or with friends, and you want your days full.Look elsewhere if: You’re hoping for a peaceful week by the sea. What sets Magic Life apart is its social side. There’s a programme for single travellers, making this one of the few package options where turning up alone doesn’t feel awkwardTwo we would choose… TUI Magic Life, Masmavi, Belek, TurkeyThis sprawling resort comprises nine pools, including a waterpark with five slides, six tennis courts, and a 24-hour bar called the Wunderbar, spread across 125,000 square metres split into three villages.TUI Magic Life Calabria, southern ItalyThe only Italian Magic Life is set on the Coast of the Gods with the beach reached through a pine forest and the cliff-top fishing village of Pizzo nearby. There’s also a Private Lodge area with its own pool and restaurant for over-16s.Robinson: Four and five starAsk a hundred British holidaymakers about Robinson and ninety-five will look blank. Ask in Germany and it’s a household name.These are club holidays, in the mould of Neilson or Mark Warner: one price covers the sport, the coaching and the kit, and the same guests come back year after year. They occupy premium beachfront sites and take sport far more seriously than a typical resort.Depending on the property, guests can choose from up to 64 sports, including golf, tennis, diving, watersports and fitness. Qualified instructors, decent kit and taster sessions mean you can try surfing or archery before committing to a week of it.Alongside that sits a wellness programme of group fitness, mind-and-body classes, personal training, spa treatments and nutrition-focused dining.Plus, the food is a highlight in its own right: gourmet buffets built on regional produce, live cooking, weekly gala nights and food festivals.Childcare is from toddlers upwards, and evenings bring live music, themed parties and properly produced entertainment.The wider Robinson portfolio runs to more than 25 clubs across 15 countries; around ten sit within TUI’s UK programme, including Spain, Portugal, Italy, Cyprus, Turkey, Morocco, Cape Verde, Thailand and the Maldives.**Time to book if: **You want to paddleboard before breakfast, take a spa slot after lunch and still be at a live show by nine.Look elsewhere if: You prefer a mostly British-feeling resort. Depending on the property, guests can choose from up to 64 sports, including golf, tennis, diving, watersports and fitnessTwo we would choose… Robinson, Sal, Cape VerdeThe main draw for this adults-only club is the wind: this stretch of Santa Maria beach is one of the world’s greatest kitesurfing and windsurfing spots, and the club has its own watersports station, running courses and hiring kit.Robinson Maldives, Gaafu Alifu AtollThis private island is in one of the southernmost atolls, with a house reef you can swim to straight off the beach, reached by an hour’s domestic flight from Malé and a 30-minute speedboat. Remote, adults-only, but livelier in the evenings than most Maldivian resorts.TUI Suneo: Three and four starTUI Suneo keeps things simple: comfortable hotels in sunny destinations at a more affordable price.Every hotel offers an all-inclusive option covering three meals a day, snacks and local drinks, with live cooking stations bringing theatre to the buffet.There are family-friendly facilities at some, adults-only areas at others, and light-touch entertainment up to six nights a week, including quizzes, live music and staff who’ll rope you into a game.All-inclusive at this price point means local-brand spirits rather than premium labels, and you won’t find a football academy or thermal spa. What you get instead is a clean, comfortable, sunny hotel at a price that leaves room for a few nights out.Time to book if: You’re watching the budget and would rather spend on excursions than suites.Look elsewhere if: You want the hotel itself to feel like an event. Every hotel offers an all-inclusive option covering three meals a day, snacks and local drinks, with live cooking stations bringing theatre to the buffetTwo we would choose… TUI Suneo Chrissi Amoudia, Anissaras, CreteDesigned like a Cretan village, with a big pool, a kids’ section with slides and a fountain, and a supermarket across the road. It’s just a 10-minute walk from the beach and close enough to Hersonissos for a night out without having to hear it from your room.TUI Suneo, Palm Beach Skanes, TunisiaNew as of last summer (2025), this property sits on a private stretch of sand with eight bars and eateries, a spa and a long activities list. It’s also a 20-minute taxi from Sousse’s souks, and Monastir airport is about two miles away.And two TUI collections to know about…SplashWorld and TUI Kids’ Club hotels are not full hotel brands; they’re non-TUI hotels grouped together because they happen to have one specific thing families look for.SPLASHWORLD: Three, four and five starA SplashWorld hotel comes with unlimited access to a waterpark, either onsite or less than a 15-minute walk away.It’s a label TU applies to any hotel that qualifies, which means there’s plenty of choice: three-star apartment complexes in Lanzarote through to five-star resorts in Mexico. Pick the hotel on its own merits, then, and use the badge to guarantee the waterpark.Before you book, be sure to check minimum height and age restrictions for the slides, particularly when siblings are different ages.Time to book if: Your kids measure a holiday purely in slides per day.Look elsewhere if: You have a baby, or older teens who’ve decided flumes are for children.TUI KIDS’ CLUB HOTEL: Three, four and five starThese are non-TUI hotels with TUI-run children’s clubs, offering the same English-speaking staff and UK-recognised childcare qualifications you’d get at any TUI hotel. For summer 2027, the collection includes 28 hotels across 16 destinations in Spain, Greece, Turkey and Cyprus.There are sessions for children aged three to six and seven to 12, based around sport, crafts and nature, plus Parent and Baby sessions. The programme is smaller than at TUI’s dedicated family resorts with little for teenagers, but worth checking out if you just want a few child-free hours in the week.Time to book if: You want a normal holiday with a reliable break from the kids.Look elsewhere if: You want all of your extras, including evening entertainment, TUI-branded.