Love Holidays vs TUI: which one actually saves families money?
Love Holidays is almost always cheaper on the sticker. TUI is almost always smoother on the trip. Here is when each one is the right choice for a UK family.
Love Holidays vs TUI: who takes each round
Cheapest price
Love Holidays
Best customer service
TUI
Best family hotels
TUI
Best for confidence
TUI
Best for experienced bookers
Love Holidays
Best deposit option
Love Holidays (£0 to £50)
Full comparison table
| Category | Love Holidays | TUI | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical price (family of 4, 7 nights Cyprus AI) | £2,180 | £2,540 | Love Holidays |
| Accommodation | Wide third party hotel range, all star ratings | Curated own brand and partner hotels | TUI |
| Food | Depends entirely on hotel | Reliable TUI standard across own brand | TUI |
| Activities (kids clubs) | Hotel led only | TUI kids clubs, on site reps, organised excursions | TUI |
| Travel | Third party flights, transfers extra on some packages | Own flights and transfers, smooth handover | TUI |
| Flexibility (changes) | Changes charged at admin fee plus difference | Free amendments up to 70 days on many bookings | TUI |
| Overall family value | Better cash savings if nothing goes wrong | Better total experience and safety net | Tie |
Which one wins for which family?
Best for young children
TUI
Reps in resort, kids clubs, family suites, a proper safety net if a child gets ill.
Best for teenagers
Love Holidays
More hotel choice in cool spots like Ibiza, Crete and the Costa del Sol at sharper prices.
Best budget option
Love Holidays
Often £300 to £500 cheaper on like for like seven night Mediterranean breaks.
Best premium option
TUI Sensatori or Holiday Village
Curated near five star family resorts that consistently deliver on the brochure.
Hidden costs most families miss
The extras that quietly add hundreds to the final bill.
Transfers (Love Holidays)
Often not included by default. Adds £60 to £120 for a family of four.
Seat selection (Love Holidays)
You're booking a third party flight, so seat fees vary by airline and can stack up.
Hold luggage
Always confirm bags are included. Many Love Holidays packages quote with one shared bag.
TUI single parent supplement
Some TUI hotels still charge a single parent loading. Worth flagging if you are travelling solo with kids.
TUI deposit lift
TUI raises deposits 8 to 10 weeks out, so a refundable cancellation gets pricey fast.
What we would actually book
If your family is comfortable booking online, you know what to look for on a hotel review page, and your trip is a fairly mainstream Mediterranean week, Love Holidays will almost always save you a meaningful amount of money.
If your family includes very young children, anyone with health needs, or you simply do not want to be the person sorting it out in resort, TUI's £200 to £400 premium is genuinely worth paying.
The mistake families make is defaulting to whichever brand they used last time. The right answer depends on the trip, the hotel and the dates. The savings report compares both for your specific family so you do not have to guess.
Frequently asked
Is Love Holidays cheaper than TUI?
Yes, usually by 10 to 20 percent on the same hotel. Love Holidays is an online travel agent that combines third party flights and hotels, which strips out a lot of TUI's package overhead.
Is Love Holidays ATOL protected?
Yes, Love Holidays is fully ATOL protected for package bookings. Always check your specific booking confirms ATOL coverage, especially flight only or hotel only.
Does Love Holidays have good customer service?
Honestly, mixed. The price is the draw. If anything goes wrong on a Love Holidays trip you are often left dealing with the hotel or airline directly. TUI has bricks and mortar shops and a 24 hour rep network.
Why is TUI more expensive?
TUI sells its own flights, owns or contracts entire hotels, sends reps to resort and runs the transfers. You pay for that infrastructure. For some families it is worth every penny.
Still unsure?
We'll compare your options properly and help you avoid overpaying. £19, one off, no commission, most reports the same day.