Train. Recover. Repeat: Triathlon Preparation at TUI BLUE Makarska with Thomas Steger and Lisa-Maria Dornauer

What does it take to prepare for one of Croatia's most demanding triathlon races? For elite athletes Thomas Steger and Lisa-Maria Dornauer, the answer included the Adriatic Sea, the roads of the Makarska Riviera, and a base at TUI BLUE Makarska in Igrane. We sat down with this remarkable couple to talk training, recovery, dolphins, and why Croatia has moved to the top of their list for sport travel.

From the Pool to the Podium: Why Thomas and Lisa Chose TUI BLUE Makarska

Thomas Steger and Lisa-Maria Dornauer are no strangers to training camps across Europe. Before arriving on the Makarska Riviera, they had completed preparation blocks in Italy and Portugal. But Croatia, and TUI BLUE Makarska specifically, made an impression that neither of them expected.

When we asked what first drew them to the hotel, Thomas was direct: the training conditions around the property are simply excellent. The roads are well suited for cycling with a quality long climb available nearby, the running routes along the coast are outstanding, and the facilities back at the hotel, including the fitness room, sauna, and pool, provided everything needed for proper recovery after demanding sessions.

Lisa added something that any athlete who has experienced the Adriatic will understand immediately: there is nothing better than lying at the beach or by the pool after a hard training session. And if you are lucky, you might even spot a dolphin or two.

TUI BLUE Makarska as a Triathlon Training Base: What the Hotel Offers Athletes

For athletes considering TUI BLUE Makarska as a training camp base, the combination of facilities and setting is genuinely hard to match anywhere on the Croatian coast.

Training facilities at TUI BLUE Makarska

• Fitness room - well equipped for strength and conditioning work alongside endurance training
• Sauna - an essential recovery tool for athletes after long training days
• Swimming pool - available for lap swimming and active recovery 
• Direct Adriatic beach access - open water swimming in some of the cleanest sea water in Europe, right from the hotel
• Cycling roads - the Makarska Riviera and Biokovo mountain roads offer excellent terrain for all levels, from coastal flat routes to serious climbs
• Running routes - coastal paths and mountain trails provide varied options for both easy recovery runs and harder sessions

Thomas and Lisa also highlighted something that often gets overlooked when athletes choose a training camp base: the food. Recovery nutrition matters as much as the training itself, and at TUI BLUE Makarska, the kitchen delivered. Fresh, quality food prepared with local Dalmatian produce gave them exactly what their bodies needed after long days on the bike and in the water.

The Interview: Thomas Steger and Lisa-Maria Dornauer on TUI BLUE Makarska

You trained for the Split Triathlon while staying at TUI BLUE Makarska. How did the beachfront setting, adults-only focus, and active energy of the hotel support your preparation?

Thomas and Lisa explained that the training conditions around the hotel are perfect. The roads are ideal for cycling, including a beautiful long climb. Running was also very good here. For recovery, the food at the hotel was perfect. The sauna and gym were also great to have available.

Can you share how important mental calm and physical readiness are during a training camp, and how staying at a place like TUI BLUE Makarska contributes to that balance?

Their answer was simple and telling: there is nothing nicer than lying at the beach or by the pool after a good training session. The calm, adults-only environment at TUI BLUE Makarska gave them exactly the mental space elite athletes need between hard sessions. They were also lucky enough to spot some dolphins during their stay.

TUI BLUE hotels are known for wellness, movement, and relaxation. How does the brand's energy align with your needs as elite athletes preparing for high-stakes competitions?

TUI BLUE Makarska has a great fitness room, a nice sauna, and perfect food for recovery, as well as a pool for swimming, which requires booking a room with pool access. The combination of sport infrastructure and genuine comfort is exactly what professional athletes look for in a training camp hotel.

In your view, what makes Croatia a unique destination for triathlon training camps? And how do TUI BLUE hotels complement that experience?

Thomas and Lisa had trained in Italy and Portugal before, but the beaches in Croatia are simply much nicer. And the standard at TUI BLUE Makarska was notably higher than at four-star hotels they had stayed at in Italy and Portugal. That comparison speaks for itself.

As a couple who trains and travels together, how important is it to find a place that allows both intense focus and quality time together?

Having beautiful surroundings during a training camp makes a real difference. The memories they will take from this trip go beyond the sessions and the race. The setting, the sea, the people at the hotel, it all becomes part of the experience.

Looking back on your time at TUI BLUE Makarska, what moments left the biggest impression?

The dolphins. Climbing up to Sv. Jure on Biokovo. The food at the hotel. The friendly team. And the morning runs along the coast. A collection of moments that, taken together, describe a training camp that delivered on every level.

Would you recommend TUI BLUE Makarska to other active travellers or athletes preparing for races?

Without hesitation, to both athletes and holiday guests. In their own words: it is a super nice place to be. One of the most beautiful places and hotels they have ever experienced.

Beyond the Race: TUI BLUE Makarska for Active and Wellness Travellers

The story of Thomas and Lisa at TUI BLUE Makarska is not just a story for triathletes. It is a story for anyone who wants a holiday that moves. The Makarska Riviera has long been celebrated for its natural beauty, but the combination of clean Adriatic water, mountain terrain, coastal paths, and a world-class hotel like TUI BLUE Makarska makes this corner of Dalmatia one of the most compelling active holiday destinations in Europe.

Whether you are training for a specific race, looking for a hotel that supports a fitness-focused lifestyle, or simply someone who wants to swim in the sea every morning and feel genuinely well by the end of the week, TUI BLUE Makarska delivers. The adults-only environment ensures focus and calm. The flexible board options, Bed and Breakfast or Half Board, allow you to eat according to your training schedule rather than a fixed timetable. And the location in Igrane, a quiet village on the Makarska Riviera approximately 20 minutes from the town of Makarska, means you are always close to everything without being in the middle of it.

"The standard at TUI BLUE Makarska was way higher than at four-star hotels in Italy and Portugal. We would recommend it to both athletes and holiday people. It is one of the most beautiful places and hotels we have ever been."

Thomas Steger and Lisa-Maria Dornauer, professional triathletes

Frequently Asked Questions About TUI BLUE Makarska for Active Travellers

Is TUI BLUE Makarska suitable for triathlon training camps?

Yes. TUI BLUE Makarska offers a fitness room, sauna, swimming pool, direct beach access for open water swimming, and roads ideal for cycling and running. Elite triathletes Thomas Steger and Lisa-Maria Dornauer used it as their base for Split Triathlon preparation and highly recommend it.

What sports facilities does TUI BLUE Makarska have?

TUI BLUE Makarska has a fitness room, sauna, swimming pool, and direct access to the Adriatic Sea. The surrounding area offers excellent cycling roads including Biokovo climbs and coastal running routes.

Is TUI BLUE Makarska an adults-only hotel?

Yes, TUI BLUE Makarska is an exclusively adults-only hotel in Igrane on the Makarska Riviera, welcoming guests aged 16 and over. This makes it ideal for athletes and wellness travellers seeking a focused, peaceful environment.

Why do athletes choose Croatia for triathlon training camps?

Croatia offers exceptional training conditions including clean open water, varied terrain, a warm Mediterranean climate, and high-quality hotels like TUI BLUE Makarska that combine sport facilities with outstanding food and recovery options.

Plan Your Active Holiday or Training Camp at TUI BLUE Makarska

If Thomas and Lisa have inspired you to consider TUI BLUE Makarska for your next training camp or active holiday, the 2026 season is open for bookings. The hotel offers flexible Bed and Breakfast and Half Board options, a range of room categories including those with pool access, and direct beach access to the Adriatic from day one.

The summer season runs from late May through early October. As an adults-only property on one of the most beautiful stretches of the Croatian coast, availability fills quickly. Early booking through the official TUI platform is strongly recommended.

Train where the professionals train. Recover where the Adriatic begins. TUI BLUE Makarska, Igrane, Makarska Riviera.