Our Holiday At TUI Family Life Islantilla


- This is not an AD. We paid for the holiday ourselves.


You may, or may not have noticed that I've been AWOL the past couple of weeks, hence the three Sunday Photo's in a row. The reason for that is that we've been on holiday and just got back this weekend. We spent 11 glorious nights in southern Spain and the weather has totally spoilt us, coming back to the dreary British weather has been torturous! I'm hoping that we get a real summer this year because I'm missing the sun so much already.


We stayed at a four-star hotel in Islantilla called TUI Family Life Islantilla. We paid for it all ourselves, so this isn't an ad by the way. It's a beautiful hotel, situated in a quiet, non-tourist area in Spain. It's so far south that TUI actually fly guests to Portugal/Faro airport rather than Spain/Malaga as it's nearer. It was a 2 and a half hour flight, then a 1-hour transfer to the hotel. All in all, with transfers to and from, and airport time we were traveling for a good 9 hours which is long enough with two little ones.


As mentioned previously the hotel was stunning, full of palm trees, bright flowers, and greenery. The grounds are maintained to a high standard and it really pays off. It has numerous pools, all with a different feel. We found a nice spot near a quieter pool that we favoured and tended to visit every day. Noah and Ava loved dipping into the shallow pool, then cuddling up on the sunbeds together to warm up, usually with an ice cream in hand. Sometimes Nick would take them back to the room for a break from the sun, or to the play park, or games room and I would have some time to myself. It was total bliss to lay beside the pool, with a book and Pina Colada in hand! It made me remember what holidays were like before children.

The hotel is right on the beach too which makes a nice change from being around the pool. The sand contains lots of shells so thankfully I packed suitable footwear so we didn't hurt our feet. The kids liked collecting the shells and making sand castles and I swam in the ocean a couple of times.


The entertainment team, TUI kids club staff, and reps were amazing during our stay and are a credit to the hotel. They were upbeat, friendly, approachable, yet professional. Noah has always suffered from separation anxiety yet he felt comfortable enough with them to attend their Kids Club on a few occasions and even made a friend or two. The hotels Captain T and Bamse mascots were very popular with all the children at the hotel and it was lovely to be able to buy teddies of them to take home with us, real souvenirs to remember the holiday by.

We've only been home for a couple of days and we are already longing for another holiday! I've been thinking of trying to book a last-minute deal during the summer holidays, perhaps find a bargain? Has anyone had any luck doing this before? I'd love to hear about it!


19 comments:

  1. It just looks so bright and sunny, I love really nice reps too and the entertainment for me always makes the holiday :)

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  2. We are not guaranteed dry sunny days in Britain. A variety of weather ( range :- dry, wet, windy, calm, hot, cold, etc) seems to have benefits for us, other animals, living things / nature, Enviroment. I love our lush green, green grass, green leafy trees, birds chirping in trees, etc, etc. Rain / water quenches our thirst, replenishes the earth, plants, wildlife, etc.

    Children love to jump in puddles, I love to see / experience their happiness. Birds bathe / shower in bird baths :- I love to see their self care, preening, etc. Their chirping and birdsong is just Wonderful.

    The planet Earth is Amazing with it's range of weather, living beings, nature, etc, etc. I long to learn and experience more. David Attenborough, etc have provided us with truly Wonderful information, tv programmes, books, etc about our Wonderful planet Earth.

    Rachel Craig

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  3. It looks really lovely, what a fab break for you all. Rubbish to come back to all this rain though!

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  4. I've been following your holiday over on instagram stories and it looked like a beautiful place to visit. The children seemed to love it there

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  5. Noah seems to have curls.

    Rachel Craig

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  6. "The entertainment team, TUI kids club staff and reps were amazing...". As these aspects / services can have a huge impact on the quality / overall experience from a holiday / family holiday :- Maybe you could consider elaborating your experience /s of each of these aspects which you highly recommend on this blog.

    Rachel Craig

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  7. Summer :- To many means sunshine. Please consider / think of those who are in employed work which includes working unsocial hours such as night shift, etc.

    Summer is also a season when we may be more active. I wonder if that may lead to increased risk of accidents. Trips to Accident and Emergency Department at the hospital. You may attend during the day, as accident occurred during the busy daytime. Staff in attendance may be required to work a variety of shifts, including unsocial hours.

    Summer sun and Summer activities :- Such as grass cutting can and do produce noise. How are the tired night shift workers to get to sleep during the day? Doctors and Nurses, etc need Rest and Sleep :- Just as every human does. Consider Sleep Hygiene for any friend, neighbour, acquaintance, Carer ( paid or unpaid). As their work and quality of work is essential. Quality of Sleep can impact on Health, Wellbeing, Work output and quality, etc.

    Be kind and considerate to all. Noise can be stressful. Noise can damage hearing :- Thus Health and Safety Rules, Regulations, Clothing, Tools ( Eardefenders, etc).

    Rachel Craig

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  8. Summer Holidays.

    Rachel Craig

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  9. Sunny Holidays.

    Rachel Craig

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  10. Looks like a fabulous time was had by all

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  11. I love reading your travel blogs, the photo's are stunning

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  12. Ava seems to be outgrowing her sunhat.

    Rachel Craig

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  13. looks so much fun, you all look like you had a blast

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  14. Looks amazing - wouldn't mind staying too

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  15. Monday 22nd July 2019 Weather Forecast :- Hot Weather is heading towards the UK ( United Kingdom).

    Rachel Craig

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  16. it sounds like you had a fantastic time.

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  17. Looks and sounds like you all had a wonderful time, and its not good when you come back to dreary weather here, i feel for you, as i feel and miss the sun to

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  18. Beautiful place, sounds like you had a great time

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  19. some excellent, practical advice here

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