Would you rather not have to study a floor plan just to find your room on holiday? Prefer a manageable property to a sprawling resort, fewer rooms to endless corridors? Then it’s worth taking a look at small hotels. Perhaps you’re seeking a base for your city break. Perhaps a seaside retreat where you’ll happily linger after breakfast.
Boutique hotels and small hotels speak to exactly this desire: more intimate accommodation, a more personal atmosphere, and somewhere that truly suits your journey. Our selection introduces you to eight exceptional TUI BLUE Hotels, from Lisbon via Koh Samui to Bhutan.
Table of contents
What Makes a Small Hotel Special?
What is a Boutique Hotel?
Boutique hotels are typically small hotels with fewer than 100 rooms, individual design and personal character. Their manageable size creates space for a cosier, more intimate atmosphere. It’s not just about room numbers, though – the hotel’s distinctive concept matters too.
Looking for exactly this holiday feeling? Then discover our selection of eight boutique hotels and small hotels: for a city break, relaxed beach days or an extraordinary long-haul journey. The TUI BLUE Rossio, TUI BLUE Maduzi Bangkok and TUI BLUE The Passage are boutique hotels. The remaining properties complement the selection as small city, adults-only or luxury hotels.
What makes them special goes beyond room numbers. Sometimes it’s the location in a historic quarter, sometimes a villa by the sea or a balcony overlooking karst mountains. The architecture also connects you with your destination: at TUI BLUE Paro Taktsang, for instance, the buildings and interiors embrace traditional Bhutanese forms.
What matters most is what you want from your holiday. Do you want to be out and about, returning each evening to a manageable hotel? Or are you seeking somewhere you’d happily spend an entire day? That’s how this selection is organised.
Well Supported: BLUE Guides and BLUE App
The smaller the property, the more personal your connection with your hosts. Our BLUE Guides know their region inside out and help you plan your holiday and excursions. You can reach them before your trip by email or through the free BLUE App. There you’ll also find hotel and area information, the daily programme and tips for places to visit.
Your Room, Your Choice: The Wish Room
At participating TUI BLUE Hotels, you can select your Wish Room yourself after booking. On the interactive hotel map, you’ll find the perfect room within your booked category: high up with a view, close to the pool or right next to your travel companions. Learn how it works in our guide Booking a Wish Room – Is It Worth It?.
Small Hotels for European City Breaks
TUI BLUE Rossio
Living right in the heart of Lisbon without getting lost in a large city hotel: that’s exactly what TUI BLUE Rossio is designed for. This boutique hotel with 30 rooms is being created in the central Baixa district. Opening is planned for spring 2027.
Baixa sits in the historic heart of the city. Rua Augusta, the Elevador de Santa Justa and Praça do Comércio are all nearby. Perfect for your first stroll: a few streets, a coffee break, onwards towards the river.
This suits you if you want to stay centrally and feel at home in a deliberately small property. All details about rooms and dining will be revealed when bookings open.
TUI BLUE Sevilla Suites
Mornings exploring Seville’s lanes, afternoons on the rooftop terrace: TUI BLUE Sevilla Suites combines 89 rooms with a rooftop terrace and infinity pool. The new-build sits peacefully in Vega del Rey, just about six kilometres from the city centre, and a shuttle service takes you into town. Opening is scheduled for November 2026.
You can choose between apartments and double rooms, with a restaurant on-site. The co-working areas make the hotel appealing for a workation too: work in the morning, tapas in the evening. And that rooftop pool? It’s your personal end-of-day sanctuary. Give yourself time there, with views across the city.
How to fill your days in the city is shown in our itinerary Seville in 4 Days. The BLUE Guides are happy to help with the finer details.
Which of These Two City Hotels Suits You?
Put TUI BLUE Rossio on your list if a very small boutique hotel in the historic centre matters to you. TUI BLUE Sevilla Suites fits if you want to combine apartments, co-working and a rooftop pool with a quieter location. Both properties open soon.
Small Hotels for a Thailand Journey
When Thailand is at its finest, read our article on the best time to visit Thailand.
TUI BLUE Maduzi Bangkok
After a day in Bangkok, a generous room is worth its weight in gold. TUI BLUE Maduzi Bangkok is a boutique hotel in the Sukhumvit district with 41 rooms. You’ll stay in a Grand Deluxe Room at 53 m², a Deluxe Junior Suite at 63 m² or a Grand Deluxe Suite at 79 m². So you’ll have plenty of space to settle in.
The location near BTS Asok and MRT Sukhumvit gets you quickly to the city’s highlights. And if you fancy a bit more space in the evening, the Grand Deluxe Suite with separate living room is your choice.
Breakfast, a restaurant, a bar and a pool complete the experience. After a long day’s sightseeing, the pool is the most refreshing treat. Use the hotel as a Bangkok stopover with enough time to truly arrive. Rather than filling every free hour with sightseeing, you can simply enjoy that spacious room.
Ideas for your time in the city can be found in our city guide 2 Days in Bangkok. What a stay at the hotel feels like is told by our colleague Neil in the travel report 48 Hours Bangkok: Temples, Cocktails & Skyline Magic. Here too, the BLUE Guides support you with tips and planning.
TUI BLUE The Passage
On Koh Samui, your journey continues by the sea. TUI BLUE The Passage sits on Laem Yai Beach and is a boutique hotel with 50 rooms and villas, a private beach and three outdoor pools.
You choose how you’d like to stay: cosy room, Garden Villa or Villa with pool access. Each category has its own character – pick your favourite villa.
Board basis is bed and breakfast, plus a restaurant and bar. After just about 35 to 40 minutes from the airport, you’re at the hotel and can arrive straight at the private beach.
For excursions around the island, the BLUE Guides help with planning, so between beach days you discover exactly the corners of Koh Samui that suit you.
First Bangkok, Then Koh Samui
First city, then beach: Begin at TUI BLUE Maduzi Bangkok and continue your journey at TUI BLUE The Passage. This combination pairs a small boutique hotel in the metropolis with a boutique hotel by the sea. Allow yourself a dedicated travel day for the transfer, and your beach holiday begins completely relaxed.
Small Adults-Only Hotels by the Mediterranean
TUI BLUE Lagoon Palace
Looking for a manageable adults-only hotel by the sea? TUI BLUE Lagoon Palace on Halkidiki has 92 rooms and welcomes guests aged 16 and over. The beach is just about 50 metres away.
The choice ranges from double rooms with garden or pool view to suites with private pool or whirlpool. And this is exactly where the extra is worthwhile: the private pool right by your suite is the ultimate luxury. From bed to your own water in the morning, completely peaceful. Treat yourself to this indulgence. More hotels with their own pool can be found in our article Hotel with Private Pool: Top 15 Hotel Rooms with Their Own Pool.
All inclusive, two restaurants and three bars make it easy to simply enjoy yourself. The cuisine combines Greek and international dishes, so you needn’t spend an evening wondering where to eat. What’s happening at the property during the day is conveniently shown in the BLUE App.
For excursions around Halkidiki, the BLUE Guides are your contacts. Which beaches are worth visiting is revealed in our article Top 8 Beaches on Halkidiki.
TUI BLUE Matta Village
A short walk through the pine forest, then the beach: TUI BLUE Matta Village sits near Budoni in Sardinia. You’ll stay in 92 rooms across two two-storey villas. The minimum age is 16 years, and board basis is all inclusive.
The beach is only about 60 metres away, and the path takes you through the fragrant pine forest. If you prefer convenience, use the shuttle service.
In two restaurants and two bars, Italian-Mediterranean and international dishes await you, along with barbecue evenings and themed nights. For regional recommendations, speak to the BLUE Guides: they’ll plan excursions with you and know Sardinia’s finest spots. This can be arranged before your trip by email or through the BLUE App.
The village of Budoni lies about seven kilometres away, and from Olbia airport you’re at the hotel in roughly 40 minutes. Beach days, good food and excursions as you fancy: that’s what a Sardinian holiday looks like. More about the island and other properties can be found in our article All-Inclusive Hotels in Sardinia for Couples and Families.
Greece or Sardinia?
Take a closer look at TUI BLUE Lagoon Palace if suites with private pool or whirlpool appeal to you. TUI BLUE Matta Village is your property if you want to combine all inclusive with a short walk through the pine forest to the beach. Both properties welcome guests aged 16 and over and offer all inclusive.
Small Hotels for an Extraordinary Long-Haul Journey
TUI BLUE Yangshuo Xiangheli
Rivers, limestone peaks and a balcony for pausing in between: TUI BLUE Yangshuo Xiangheli sits in the karst landscape of Guangxi and offers views of the Yulong River and mountains. With 72 rooms, it’s one of the small luxury hotels in this selection.
You choose your room by the view: courtyard, city or mountain view are available. Breakfast, a restaurant and a bar are included, so after a day’s excursion you arrive back at the hotel comfortably.
For a China tour, it’s worth staying here more than one night. In the region, a cruise on the Li River, a bamboo raft trip on the Yulong River and an evening on West Street await you. The BLUE Guides help you plan these excursions and shape your days to your taste.
TUI BLUE Guilin Watermark Promenade
Karst peaks on one side, a scenic riverside promenade on the other: TUI BLUE Guilin Watermark Promenade sits directly on the water in Guangxi province. This 5-star hotel with 59 rooms blends Chinese style with Western comfort, pairing modern comfort with traditional Chinese culture.
After a day of hiking, a dip in the heated outdoor pool is just the thing, followed by authentic specialities at the hotel’s own restaurant. Spacious rooms and suites with their own kitchen make the property a practical choice for families too.
The hotel is an excellent base for both relaxation and exploring the region: the Li River, the Reed Flute Cave and the Longji rice terraces are all within easy reach. The BLUE Guides help you plan these excursions.
A Colleague’s Travel Report
Our TUI colleague Tom cycled around 500 miles across China just to visit this hotel. Read his personal account of the journey and his stay at TUI BLUE Guilin Watermark Promenade: From Smile Post to Reality: How Internal Comms Inspired My China Adventure. For more ideas on what to see nearby, check our destination guide to the sights of Guilin.
TUI BLUE Yangtze Shanghai
Art Deco elegance in the heart of Shanghai: TUI BLUE Yangtze Shanghai occupies a heritage building whose 1930s character has been carefully preserved, right down to carved detailing and stained-glass domed ceilings. With 103 rooms, it’s one of the larger properties in this selection, but still considerably more intimate than a typical big-city hotel.
Rooms range from Standard (31–37 m²) to Grand Rooms and Balcony rooms (38–47 m²), Executive rooms (50–55 m²) and suites of up to 95 m², with a Presidential Suite at 185 m² for those wanting the full Art Deco experience.
Dining includes the in-house Chinese restaurant serving Cantonese and local Shanghainese cuisine, plus a Japanese restaurant and tea house – a good reason to spend an evening in rather than out. A lobby lounge and event spaces with panoramic city views round out the property.
TUI BLUE Paro Taktsang
With 34 junior suites and suites, TUI BLUE Paro Taktsang is particularly intimate. The first TUI BLUE Hotel in Bhutan sits in Shari village near Paro, between river, rice terraces and mountains. Traditional Bhutanese architectural elements shape this small luxury hotel, which operates as an adults-only property.
After an excursion, a heated indoor pool, spa and fitness area await you. There’s also a restaurant and bar. You’ll enjoy half board with breakfast and choose between lunch and dinner.
For many travellers, the hike to Tiger’s Nest Monastery is an essential part of their stay. It perches at around 3,120 metres altitude. In the property, an excursion information desk helps you, and the BLUE Guides are also happy to support your planning. Everything you need to know about the hike, travel season and three days in Paro can be found in our article Visiting Tiger’s Nest in Bhutan: Tips for the Hike and Accommodation in Paro.
Allow time to settle in before you set off on the hike: a dip in the indoor pool, an evening in the restaurant. Spring and autumn are considered classic travel seasons for culture and hiking in Paro.
China or Bhutan?
Choose TUI BLUE Yangshuo Xiangheli if you want to incorporate river landscapes and excursions into a China tour. TUI BLUE Paro Taktsang suits a Bhutan journey with monasteries, hiking and relaxation at the hotel. Both combine manageable size with an exceptional destination.
Which Small TUI BLUE Hotel Suits You?
- TUI BLUE Rossio: Boutique city break. For Lisbon right in the heart, from the announced opening in spring 2027.
- TUI BLUE Sevilla Suites: Rooftop pool. For Seville with a break on the rooftop terrace, scheduled for November 2026.
- TUI BLUE Maduzi Bangkok: Bangkok stopover. For generous rooms and suites in the metropolis.
- TUI BLUE The Passage: Beach hotel Thailand. For rooms or villas at the private beach.
- TUI BLUE Lagoon Palace: Adults-only Greece. For all inclusive from age 16, with private pool if desired.
- TUI BLUE Matta Village: All inclusive Sardinia. For adults from age 16 with a short walk to the beach.
- TUI BLUE Yangshuo Xiangheli: China tour. For a stay between river and karst mountains.
- TUI BLUE Paro Taktsang: Bhutan culture. For monasteries, hiking and relaxation in Paro.
Choose your journey first, then your room. City or beach, exploring independently or enjoying all inclusive: that’s how a list of small hotels becomes a selection that suits your holiday. The BLUE Guides and BLUE App accompany you from planning to departure.
Frequently Asked Questions About Small Hotels
What’s the Difference Between a Boutique Hotel and a Small Hotel?
A small hotel primarily describes size. With a boutique hotel, an individual concept, distinctive design and personal character are added. Both offer a cosy, more intimate atmosphere.
How Many Rooms Does a Typical Boutique Hotel Have?
Boutique hotels typically have fewer than 100 rooms. However, there’s no uniformly defined room limit. The hotel’s individual concept is also crucial.
Which Small TUI BLUE Hotels Are Adults-Only?
In this selection, TUI BLUE Lagoon Palace and TUI BLUE Matta Village are for guests aged 16 and over. TUI BLUE Paro Taktsang is also an adults-only hotel.
Which Small TUI BLUE Hotels Are on the Beach?
TUI BLUE The Passage sits on a private beach on Koh Samui. At TUI BLUE Lagoon Palace it’s only about 50 metres, at TUI BLUE Matta Village about 60 metres to the beach.
Which Small Hotels Are Suitable for a City Break?
For European city breaks, TUI BLUE Rossio in Lisbon and TUI BLUE Sevilla Suites are planned. Both open soon. For Bangkok, TUI BLUE Maduzi Bangkok offers small accommodation in Sukhumvit.
Can TUI BLUE Maduzi Bangkok and TUI BLUE The Passage Be Combined?
Yes, as a travel idea they fit together beautifully: first Bangkok with spacious rooms right in the city, then Koh Samui with beach and villas.
Which Small TUI BLUE Hotels Have a Private Pool?
At TUI BLUE Lagoon Palace there are suites with private pool or whirlpool, at TUI BLUE The Passage villas with pool. More hotels with their own pool can be found in our article Hotel with Private Pool: Top 15 Hotel Rooms with Their Own Pool.
Can I Select My Wish Room at a Small TUI BLUE Hotel?
At participating TUI BLUE Hotels, you can choose your Wish Room within your booked room category on the interactive hotel map. Whether your hotel participates can be seen on the Wish Room page.
What Does the BLUE App Offer Me on Holiday?
The free BLUE App is your personal holiday planner. You’ll find hotel and area information with tips for excursion destinations, the daily activity programme and contact with the BLUE Guides. At selected hotels, you can also book services or reserve a table at the à la carte restaurant.