Don’t know about you, but I will take any excuse to make a mad dash for the warmth whenever possible. Flying off in search of sunshine, vitamin sea and hopefully, seven days of rest and relaxation. If that’s you too, then I might just have the perfect place for your next holiday.
But before leaping in with facts, figures and fancy adjectives, want to take a step back for a moment.
Have you ever come back from a week away, feeling you just didn’t get enough holiday to keep you happy? You headed off to the heat, filled your boots with seven days of super soar away sun, then got home only to find that a week hadn’t done the trick. Wasn’t enough. Well, if you have ever found yourself in that position, where a week didn’t quite scratch the itch, then I have a super soar away suggestion for you.
Take a ten day trip. That’s right. You heard me. Don’t stop at seven – treat yourself to ten top days of total relaxation. It’s the perfect way to seal in those holiday vibes. Honestly, those extra few days work wonders.
I know because that’s exactly what my companion and I did recently. Slipped off to the Portuguese sun for ten fab days at Tui Blue, Falesia. A tiptop hotel in a quiet part of the Algarve with enough bells, whistles and luxury to keep you smiling for weeks and weeks afterwards.
Getting there
We left from Bristol airport and within moments of clambering onboard, climbing above the clouds, we found ourselves drenched in wall to wall sunshine. Filling the cabin and filing our hearts. After a sweet two hour flight, we landed at Faro in Portugal.
Before even getting on our transfer to the hotel, we had shed winter coats and woolly hats, replacing them with shorts, flip flops and sunglasses. Hello, happiness!
Hotel
When you book a package, you never really know what you’re going to get, until you get there. Well, this hotel ticked every box one could possibly hope for. And more.
As soon as we stepped in the lobby we could tell it was a swanky, posh and distinctly upmarket place. As far as the eye could see, there were polished marble floors, ceiling height glass walls and stand-out stylish touches sprinkled amongst the seats, sofas and sculptures. There was also a TUI helpdesk, manned by friendly and helpful team members whenever we passed by. Which was indeed, very helpful.
Throughout the hotel, the stylish touches continued. With a spacious, sun dappled bar area, perfect for a quiet drink, overlooking a gigantic pool, perfect for a quick dip. Whilst everywhere we wandered, the grounds were immaculately manicured, as if every leaf, stone and blade of grass had been given individual attention.
Wouldn’t be surprised if they had been. Throughout our stay, the staff were flawless. Always on hand when required, helpful, friendly and masters of remembering faces, likes and dislikes. Made us feel like VIP’s from start to finish.
Room
Our room was a large, airy and sun soaked double. Well stocked with wardrobes, it also had a beautiful bathroom, enormous emperor sized, double bed and plenty of room to stretch out in, as well as not one, but two, big balconies.
Each of which caught the sun at different times of day. One overlooked the pool, whilst the other faced out to sea. Allowing us to choose sunshine or shade as the sun made it’s lazy way across the bright blue sky. Watching the sunset slowly over the clifftop trees was a particular highlight. Most marvellous.
Food & Drink
When it came to food and drink, the hotel offered different packages, but we went for the all inclusive. Which meant we got to visit their fab, buffet style restaurant up to three times a day.
The menu changes daily, so there is always plenty to tickle the tastebuds. Every meal featured a whole host of options; fish, meat, pasta, vegan. Whatever your favourite flavour, there was always something sure to tempt.
My particular faves were the full fry up breakfast and the occasional oven baked cheesecake, described as Portugals best. Must admit, I wouldn’t disagree. Was as tasty and fresh as a plateful of paradise.
Of course, one of the perils of buffet style cuisine, it allows you to eat as much, or as little, as you wish. Leaving you with the difficult task of knowing when to put the fork down. Not going to lie, there were times when I definitely overdid the main course. And the puddings. Sigh.
À La Carte
If you want to really push the boat out, there is always the, À La Carte Restaurant. We treated ourselves to a date night supper there and the food was fab, the mood was mellow and it really was the perfect way, to end a really perfect day. Thoroughly recommended.
Entertainment
In the evenings, the bar doubles up, either as a quiet spot to sip in peace or, by moving through to the lounge, becoming an entertainment hotspot.
We soon got into the habit of heading there for a couple of drinks after dinner, a pot of tea for my companion, a sip of something slightly more substantial for me. Turns out they don’t just make port wine out there, they also do a fine line in bottled beers.
Spa & Pool
A short clip along a corridor took us to the Spa & Pool, a peaceful part of the resort blessed with a spacious indoor pool, excellent sauna & steam room, along with a fully fitted gym.
The piece de resistance though, was the spa. My companion popped along for a massage one morning and returned looking radiant, feeling sublime and smelling, quite frankly, divine. She gave it a well deserved, ten out of ten.
Beach & Cliffs
The hotel sits on top of some very picturesque cliffs, a mixture of rich reds, soft oranges and warm yellow sandstones.
There are wooden steps down from the hotel, leading to the soft sandy beach, Praia de Falésia, which stretches out for miles in either direction. It’s the perfect place for a walk along the water’s edge, a spot of sunbathing or a swim in the sea.
Whatever floats your boogie board. To add to the charm, tripadvisor recently gave it an award for being, ‘Best of the Best Beaches – in the World.’ Which isn’t too bad for a beach just down the hill from your bedroom!
Local Attractions
Five minutes stroll along the road took us to the sleepy town of Olhos d’Aqua, which roughly translates as, ‘water eyes,’ referring to the fresh water springs which are revealed at low tide.
Down by the sea it was picture postcard pretty, with buckets of charm, several seaside cafe bars and a slipway for local fishermen to launch their boats. Well worth a visit. Or three.
Excursions
Would have been very easy to spend the whole of our stay in and around the hotel. But we fancied taking time out to explore the surrounding area, so booked a couple of day trips. Very glad we did. First excursion was, ‘The Best of the East.’
A coach that took us to three towns on the eastern side of the Algarve. A slower paced part of the coast, with more historic buildings, architectural eye candy and cutesy scenery, than a biscuit box at Christmas.
All of which meant we spent the day browsing boutiques on quaint cobbled alleyways, sipping coffees in sun soaked squares, or watching storks soaring overhead as they returned to their enormous rooftop nests. All very lovely indeed.
A few days later we went on a second trip, to the Saturday markets at the nearby town of Loulé, (pronounced Low-Lay). With stalls selling everything from fish, fruit and vegetables, to shoes and scarves. Was another grand day out.
One particularly sweet treat, was finding an entire square devoted to a chocolate market. Mmm.
Conclusion
If you are looking for a sunshine getaway, at any time of year, a quiet spot by the sea where you can relax in peace, whilst also being softly spoilt, from dawn till dusk. A place where you can also head out and explore nearby delights, then this might just be the place you’re looking for.
In their brochures, Tui Blue claim that on a holiday with them you will, ‘Live Happy.’ Must say, we definitely did. And then some. Ten days of toptastic, delicious, decadent, delight. Brilliant.
FAQ’s
Is Praia de Falesia really the Best Beach in the world?
Tripadvisor certainly think so. In 2024 it won Travelers’ Choice Award for, ‘Best of the Best Beaches – in the World.’
How much does it cost to stay at TUI Blue Falesia?
TUI offers ten night stays at the TUI Blue Falesia in Olhos D’agua, The Algarve, Portugal, from £631 per person on a bed and breakfast basis. Based on two people sharing a double room with balcony or terrace, departing from Bristol Airport and including transfers.
