Some hotels you walk into – and forget immediately. Others stay with you, long after the suitcase has been unpacked. Not because of the bed or the breakfast buffet, but because of a feeling. Because of the way light falls through the windows. Because of materials that feel warm beneath your fingers. Because of architecture that tells you exactly where in the world you are.
It’s precisely this interplay between design and destination that makes the difference between a good holiday and an unforgettable one. And this is exactly where TUI BLUE excels: modern décor inspired by the architecture and design traditions of each region. Not interchangeable hotel design, but hotels that make their surroundings tangible.
Some of these hotels carry the so-called Style Highlight – a special distinction for outstanding architecture, striking interiors and unique décor. But even without this label, there are hotels in the TUI BLUE portfolio that inspire architecturally.
We’re taking you on a journey to eleven of them – from Crete to Cambodia, from Santorini to the Caribbean. Sorted by what connects them: their design language.
Table of contents
Modern Minimalism and Quiet Luxury
There’s a form of luxury that doesn’t need to shout. That doesn’t work with gold trim and chandeliers, but with silence, light and space. Hotels that embrace reduction – and precisely because of this create an atmosphere where you immediately find peace.
TUI BLUE Insula Alba – White Minimalism in Crete
The name says it all: “Insula Alba” is Latin for “The White Island”. And indeed, this principle runs throughout the entire resort – bright surfaces, clean lines, an aesthetic committed to modern minimalism.
The TUI BLUE Insula Alba sits in the village of Analipsis on Crete’s north coast. 182 rooms and suites are spread across twelve low-rise buildings with a maximum of two storeys – making the resort feel less like a hotel complex and more like a small, sprawling village. Across 28,000 square metres stretches a landscape of pools, terraces and gardens, where water is the connecting element.
What makes the design special: each room and suite has its own theme, but all follow the same contemporary, minimalist island aesthetic. If you fancy, book one of the swim-up rooms with direct pool access or a suite with a private pool.
The Insula Alba is an adults-only hotel (16+) with five stars and the Style Highlight. It’s also certified as a Green & Fair Hotel according to GSTC criteria.
Good to know: The beach is about 200 metres away, Heraklion Airport around 20 kilometres.
TUI BLUE Villa Retreat Phu Quoc – Tropical Villa Retreat in Vietnam
Quite different in appearance, but related in principle: the TUI BLUE Villa Retreat Phu Quoc on Vietnam’s Phu Quoc Island. Here it’s not about the expanse of a resort, but about privacy and retreat.
The hotel consists of villas with private pools, nestled in lush tropical greenery in the south of the island. This description sums it up perfectly: “Wrapped in the lush greenery of southern Phu Quoc, this retreat feels like a world of its own.”
91 air-conditioned villas, each with a private pool – the concept focuses on quiet relaxation rather than entertainment. Morning waves lapping, views of turquoise water, the scent of tropical blooms. Plus yoga, wellness and cuisine that celebrates local flavours.
Good to know: The hotel is about 15 minutes’ drive from Sao Beach. Phu Quoc Airport is around 13 kilometres away. The hotel has only recently opened – an insider tip before everyone finds out about it.
Local Tradition Reimagined
The most exciting hotels in the world tell stories. Not about themselves, but about the place where they stand. They draw on local building traditions, use regional materials and create something that no international chain look can replace: a genuine feeling of “I’ve arrived.”
TUI BLUE The Passage – Koleh Boat Architecture on Koh Samui
The roofs of TUI BLUE The Passage are designed in the style of Koleh boats – traditional fishing boats from southern Thailand with steep, curved roofs.
The TUI BLUE The Passage sits on Laem Yai Beach on Koh Samui – a beach renowned for its spectacular sunsets. With just 50 villas and rooms, it’s a true boutique hotel: small, intimate, personal.
The design combines contemporary elegance with authentic Thai charm. The villas are nestled in tropical gardens, the interiors Thai-inspired – rain showers, walk-in wardrobes, private terraces. If you fancy, book a Plunge Pool Villa with its own pool or one of the exclusive Beachfront Pool Villas with direct beach access and sea views.
Plus a three-tier pool, a beach restaurant serving Thai and international cuisine, and the BLUE Spa.
Good to know: The transfer from Samui Airport takes about 35 minutes. The hotel carries the “Smaller Hotel” highlight – for those who prefer things more intimate. It’s certified as a sustainable hotel according to GSTC criteria.
TUI BLUE Riu Tikida Garden – Moroccan Garden Paradise in Marrakech
70,000 square metres of gardens. Palms, terracotta, the warm light of Morocco. The TUI BLUE Riu Tikida Garden in Marrakech isn’t a hotel you enter – it’s one you immerse yourself in.
The design follows Moorish-Moroccan style: terracotta tones meet turquoise and green, lined with hundreds of palms. In 2021, the hotel was completely renovated – modern design now meets Moroccan tradition.
The hotel carries the Style Highlight and offers four outdoor pools, the Tikida Spa and swim-up rooms.
Good to know: TUI BLUE Riu Tikida Garden is just three kilometres from the old town and the famous Medina. A free shuttle bus runs to the Palmeraie and city centre. Perfect for those wanting to combine design and culture.
TUI BLUE Scheherazade – Oriental Magic in Tunisia
Named after the legendary princess from One Thousand and One Nights – and the hotel lives up to its name.
The TUI BLUE Scheherazade in Sousse welcomes you with palm gardens, elegant rooms and a pool landscape right by the sea. “Palm-studded gardens and chic rooms – as good-looking as they come.”
What makes the hotel architecturally special: all rooms have sea views. Plus swim-up rooms with direct pool access, an authentic hammam in the spa area and a private beach with fine sand.
The Scheherazade is an adults-only hotel (16+) with all-inclusive board. On Tripadvisor it’s number 3 of the best hotels in Sousse with 4.6 out of 5 stars from over 3,000 reviews (as of May 2026).
Good to know: The beach is just 50 metres away, Sousse city centre 2.5 kilometres – perfect for a trip to the souk.
TUI BLUE Paro Taktsang – Bhutanese Heritage in the Himalayas
The newest hotel on this list – and perhaps the most extraordinary. The TUI BLUE Paro Taktsang opened in May 2026 and is the very first TUI hotel in the Kingdom of Bhutan.
The architecture is inspired by traditional Bhutanese design elements: whitewashed walls, wooden structures and delicate ornamentation, combined with modern comfort. Bhutan is world-renowned for its philosophy of Gross National Happiness – and precisely this attitude permeates the hotel: sustainable construction, cultural respect, local partnerships.
With just 34 junior suites and suites, it’s one of the most intimate hotels in the entire TUI BLUE portfolio. Facilities include a restaurant, two bars, a heated indoor pool, plus spa and fitness areas.
The hotel sits in the village of Shari in Paro, in close proximity to the legendary Tiger’s Nest Monastery, the Kyichu Lhakhang Temple and the Ugyen Pelri Thang Palace.
Good to know: The Paro Taktsang isn’t a classic beach hotel – it’s an experience for travellers seeking cultural depth and spirituality. A counterpoint to all other hotels on this list. And precisely why it belongs here.
Sustainable Design and Transformation
Some of the most exciting architectural projects emerge where old is transformed into new – or where new is sustainably conceived from the start. These two hotels show what the future of hotel architecture can look like.
TUI BLUE Angkor Grace – From Borey to Wellness Resort in Cambodia
The TUI BLUE Angkor Grace in Siem Reap has an origin story you’ll find in hardly any other hotel. Originally, the building was a half-finished Borey – a Cambodian residential development left incomplete after the 2008 financial crisis.
The architectural firm Bloom Architecture took on the conversion and transformed the failed property into a 5-star wellness resort – a project that made it onto the prestigious architecture platform ArchDaily.
The design language is fascinating: green corridors, inspired by the Siem Reap River, run through the complex. Trees were planted early so nature could grow with the architecture. The façade displays systematic metal lines gradually being overgrown by plants – a deliberate concept of “Slow Growth”.
Today, Angkor Grace houses 86 suites in five categories – from the One Bedroom King Suite (94 m²) through the Two Bedroom Suite and the Three Bedroom Duplex Suite (170 m², over two floors with garden views up to the rooftop) to the spectacular Four Bedroom Triplex Suite (253 m², spread across three floors with five bathrooms, a courtyard and a yoga terrace on the roof) and the Five Bedroom Family Suite (253 m² with five bedrooms, two living areas and a rooftop master bedroom). Each suite features a kitchen and balcony overlooking the tropical gardens.
The culinary offering includes three restaurants: the Ahara Restaurant with organic cuisine, the Grace Café with local and international dishes, and the Gratitude Café, which combines fine dining with the concept of mindful eating.
The centrepiece is the Mahalaya Wellness & Spa with Japanese bathhouse, the Aum Yoga Center and a 33-metre organic pool for adults. Plus the Meru Fitness Center, a children’s pool, the Ponleu Kids Club with playground and even a pet-friendly concept. The hotel is also wheelchair accessible and features the Nagar Conference Hall (189 m², up to 200 people) – unusual for a wellness resort, but perfect for small events or retreats.
The hotel achieves very high ratings on review platforms.
Good to know: The hotel is minutes from Angkor Wat – one of humanity’s most famous structures and THE reason travellers come to Siem Reap.
TUI BLUE Curaçao – Sustainable New Build in the Caribbean
Brand new, ambitious and sustainably conceived from the start: The TUI BLUE Curaçao opened in 2026 and is one of the most exciting new openings in the TUI BLUE portfolio.
The hotel sits in the quiet bay of Groot Santa Martha on Curaçao’s west coast, overlooking Mount Christoffel and the turquoise Caribbean Sea. Designed by Shawn Zimmerman / Studio Disena, the 297 rooms are spread across several buildings, nestled in expansive green spaces.
The hotel carries the Style Highlight and consistently embraces sustainability as a design principle: solar energy, efficient water and waste management, and cuisine that focuses on fresh, regional ingredients.
The facilities: a large white private beach, several pools (including infinity pools), swim-up suites, six restaurants, three bars, a spa and a fitness centre. The all-inclusive concept includes buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner plus drinks. Plus a diverse programme with Evening Entertainment, Daily Activities, BLUEf!t and CYBEROBICS.
Good to know: The colourful capital Willemstad with its famous brightly painted houses is 35 kilometres away. Christoffel National Park is just 14 kilometres from the hotel.
Mediterranean Elegance
The Mediterranean has been an architectural muse for millennia. White façades, blue accents, natural materials, light-flooded spaces. These three hotels show how timeless Mediterranean design can be – and how differently it feels in Santorini, Andalusia and Menorca.
TUI BLUE Meltemi – Santorini Vibes in Perissa
“Drift into Summer Joy” – that’s the motto of TUI BLUE Meltemi on Santorini. The adults-only hotel sits right on the kilometre-long volcanic sand beach of Perissa – dark sand, turquoise water, behind it the dramatic backdrop of the caldera island.
The design: modern, luxurious and unmistakably Santorinian. Dove-white parasols, circular daybeds, three pools and architecture that captures the light of the Aegean. The Meltemi is spread across 19 buildings with just two storeys and 153 rooms – spacious, never overwhelming.
The room selection ranges from the Deluxe double room with whirlpool on the balcony to the suite with private pool or the swim-up room with terrace and whirlpool.
Adults only (16+), five stars, Style Highlight. Excellent reviews on the major platforms.
Good to know: Located on the edge of Perissa village centre, with restaurants and bars within walking distance. The ruins of Ancient Thira are reachable in 30 minutes on foot.
TUI BLUE Zahara Beach – Andalusian Refuge on the Costa de la Luz
One of Europe’s most beautiful beaches, a hotel conceived with sustainable raw materials, and an infinity rooftop terrace overlooking the Atlantic – the TUI BLUE Zahara Beach in Zahara de los Atunes is a place that makes it hard to leave.
The design evokes a desert oasis: a lagoon-like main pool, sand-coloured rooms with authentic wooden elements. Plus the Skybar on the rooftop terrace, where you can watch the day end with spectacular sunsets over the Atlantic.
The hotel has 143 rooms across five floors, carries the Style Highlight and is an adults-only hotel (16+). With tour operator TUI Deutschland it achieves a 95% approval rating from 595 reviews (as of May 2026).
Good to know: The unspoilt Playa Zahara de los Atunes with fine white sand and crystal-clear water is just 100 metres away. The area is a paradise for surfers and kitesurfers. You can reach the quiet village of Zahara de los Atunes in a ten-minute walk.
TUI BLUE Victoria Menorca – Mediterranean Essence in Menorca
The TUI BLUE Victoria Menorca has been completely renovated and now ranks among the most beautiful TUI BLUE hotels. The result: bright, open spaces where Mediterranean light takes centre stage.
The design philosophy: “The quintessential Mediterranean essence.” The rooms connect through their windows with the island – the light, the mountains, the intense blue of the Mediterranean. Every detail is carefully chosen, every space radiates calm.
The hotel sits right on the Santo Tomás beachfront promenade – just 70 metres to the beach, three more natural beaches within walking distance. On the roof: a rooftop pool with sea views. On the ground floor: suites with private pools.
250 rooms, eight floors, adults only (16+).
Good to know: Menorca is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve – the perfect island for those who appreciate nature and design equally.
What Makes a TUI BLUE Style Hotel Special?
Not every TUI BLUE hotel carries the “Style Highlight” label – it’s a special distinction. We describe it like this: “Impressive architecture, striking interiors and unique décor – these hotels truly excel across the board when it comes to design.”
In this article, the following hotels carry the Style Highlight:
- TUI BLUE Insula Alba (Crete)
- TUI BLUE Meltemi (Santorini)
- TUI BLUE Riu Tikida Garden (Marrakech)
- TUI BLUE Zahara Beach (Cádiz)
- TUI BLUE Victoria Menorca (Menorca)
- TUI BLUE Curaçao (Caribbean)
The other hotels in the article – The Passage, Villa Retreat Phu Quoc, Scheherazade, Angkor Grace and Paro Taktsang – are equally inspiring architecturally, but carry other highlights such as Smaller Hotel or Discovery. This shows: outstanding design at TUI BLUE isn’t an exclusive label, but a fundamental approach.
Architecture You Can Feel
A hotel with distinctive architecture changes how you feel on holiday. It’s not about ostentation or Instagram moments, but about atmosphere. About the feeling when you enter a space and immediately know: This is where I belong.
Whether it’s the white minimalism in Crete, the curved Koleh boat roofs on Koh Samui, the green corridors of Bloom Architecture in Cambodia or the Bhutanese tranquillity in the Himalayas – each of these hotels tells its own story. And each shows: the most beautiful journey begins where design meets holiday.
Fancy it? You’ll find all TUI BLUE Style hotels on the TUI BLUE website.
Questions and Answers About TUI BLUE Hotels with Distinctive Architecture
What is a design hotel?
A design hotel is distinguished by exceptional architecture, a thoughtfully conceived interior concept and a special atmosphere. Unlike standard hotels, the overall experience takes centre stage here – from the façade through the lobby to the room. Many design hotels combine local building traditions with modern comfort.
Which TUI BLUE hotels have distinctive architecture?
The most architecturally outstanding TUI BLUE hotels include TUI BLUE Insula Alba in Crete (minimalist design), TUI BLUE The Passage on Koh Samui (Koleh boat architecture), TUI BLUE Angkor Grace in Cambodia (Bloom Architecture) and TUI BLUE Curaçao (sustainable new build by Studio Disena). Hotels with the Style Highlight are particularly distinguished for their design.
What does the Style Highlight mean at TUI BLUE?
The Style Highlight is a special distinction for TUI BLUE hotels with outstanding architecture, striking interiors and unique décor. These hotels offer a genuine ‘wow factor’ in terms of design and combine modern design with local identity.
Are there sustainably built hotels at TUI BLUE?
Yes, several TUI BLUE hotels embrace sustainable design. TUI BLUE Curaçao was built with solar energy and efficient water management. TUI BLUE Zahara Beach is conceived using sustainable raw materials. TUI BLUE Paro Taktsang in Bhutan follows sustainable building principles in harmony with Bhutan’s environmental philosophy.
Which TUI BLUE hotel was designed by a renowned architect?
TUI BLUE Angkor Grace in Siem Reap, Cambodia, was redesigned by Bloom Architecture – a project even featured on the prestigious architecture platform ArchDaily. TUI BLUE Curaçao was designed by Shawn Zimmerman / Studio Disena.
Where can I find design hotels by the sea?
TUI BLUE offers design hotels by the sea in many destinations worldwide: in Crete and Santorini (Greece), in Cádiz and Menorca (Spain), in Sousse (Tunisia), on Koh Samui (Thailand), on Phu Quoc (Vietnam) and in Curaçao (Caribbean). All these hotels combine exceptional design with a prime waterfront location.