Hotel in zona Saariselkä, Saariselkä

We travelled to Santas Saareslka Inn in November 2023, the opening weekend for Santas lapland (who we booked with). On arrival we were greeted by a very helpful rep. We were shown our rooms. As a family of 4 we had two interconnecting rooms. This meant we had two bathrooms too. The rooms were roomy enough and were very warm. There were drying cupboards to put snow suits and plenty of wardrobe space. There was also a kettle and fridge. Top tip- you only get paper cups so take own cups and spoons. There was plenty of room to put suitcases etc. The bathrooms were basic but has a shower (always hot) sink and toilet. The block we stayed in was straight across from the resturant area. You could go here for breakfast- lots of choice or to sit in the sofa area. The pub (where reception area was) was lovely. Very warm, great atmosphere and had board games you could play. Although I agree with previous reviews about rooms being basic and outdated, they had all we needed, were warm and were in a great location. We really didn't spend much time in the room as wanted to make the most of exploring.

We were lucky enough to win a week in the Holiday Club in a draw from Inghams Holidays! My lady gave way to a silver-tongued salesperson at an event and gave her email address never believing it would ever be her that wins. Then she nearly deleted the notification email as it was probably a scam. And so we were off to lands well north of the Arctic Circle in the middle of January. Neither of us were skiers so we weren’t sure what to expect. And we are both in our mid-70s so we weren’t going to take many risks. It's a three-hour coach trip from Kittila Airport to Saariselka including a 20-minute rest stop. The first stop in Saariselka was to get issued with heavy overalls, snow boots and mittens which are vital for temperatures of around -25c to -30c which was what we experienced. The hotel is in the centre of town and most places are walkable. Temperatures indoors were pleasant, not hot, but to go outside needed around 20 minutes to put on the kit to go outside. While we were there the sun rose about 11 am and set around 2.30 pm but there was another hour or two of reasonable light. The rooms were basic with twin beds easily pushed together and the continental individual duvets. Bathroom was fine. Lighting in the room was OK but could have been brighter. There’s a TV but the only English programmes were subtitled. The rooms aren’t serviced during the stay but we asked the rep and he organised the cleaners to change towels and empty bins mid-week. We had half-board so breakfast and dinner were buffet service and the food was filling and plentiful. My lady is vegetarian and the rep told the kitchen and they provided a fresh-cooked vegetarian dish for every dinner just for her which was easily added to with the salads and vegetables on the buffet. Dinner was usually soup with two main meat or fish courses plus plentiful bread, vegetables and salads. There was usually just one choice of sweet plus endless hot drinks and an adjacent bar. During the week we were there large numbers of French came and went plus some oriental parties. A couple of times we encountered a rather full house but the turnover of tables is quick and the food doesn’t seem to run out. There is a swimming pool which seems to be for play rather than swimming plus a sauna and a spa but we didn’t try them. There’s no gym. Inghams offered excursions such as husky driving, reindeer farm visits, skiddoos plus there is a regular public bus service to the ski lifts. We found it delightful to walk the signed trails in the hills – a walking pole is useful. The silence in the woods is wonderful. Everyone wants to see the Northern Lights but that is entirely by luck. During our week there were plenty of sightings but the quality was not good. Enough to show you have seen them but not enough to be thrilled. Plenty of green but no reds or blues. I never knew that the vague wisps of white cloud can be seen as green by taking a picture! Amazing. One lesson we learned, don

Il personale è gentile e buono in inglese, quindi non ho avuto alcuna difficoltà di comunicazione. Mi consiglio di comprare un bagno incluso e godere della sauna finlandese. Per i cibi, devi pagare per il buffet da pranzo, ma la qualità è davvero buona. Valeva ogni penny, non c'era nulla di scomodo, se dovessi scegliere una, non c'era nessuna acqua nel bagno, eccetto il sapone.

Hotel rooms are in desperate need of renovation. The furniture is old and dirty. Mini bar was empty. The beds uncomfortable and left me with backache. The sink in the bathroom full of cracks and shower head looks like it's out of the 50s and shower cubicle very small so not suitable for larger people. However, the bar and restaurant area was very nice, clean and welcoming. Staff were polite and helpful. We had breakfast and dinner. Breakfast options were good with a choice of cold and hot selections. Dinner was very nice. I had the salad options which had great variety and very tasty. The hot options were limited but my husband said they were nice. Overall an ok hotel for a quick overnight stay but not the best. Perfectly located for winter activities but this time of year not much going on. If you want luxury then go elsewhere as this is very basic and needs a refurb.

Just on way home (reluctantly) from our 2 centre holiday with Inghams. We stayed at the Gielas wing of Hotel Tunturini then onto Wilderness hotel Moutka This was a trip of a lifetime/tick off bucket list holiday. Everything was amazing the organised trips Huskies, Reindeers, Snowmobiles, Snowshoeing and Toboggans!! Our Inghams Rep MATT was FIRST CLASS even before we stepped foot on the plane, we were nearly pen pals ! But as I have never done this holiday lots to ask ! Nothing was too much trouble for him and when I finally met him at airport it was like saying hello to a friend. Matt went out of his way to make sure everyone in our group had the best experience of their life and there were lots of people returning again this year as everything was so well lead. The food in the Gielas we had was a set menu, everything delicious! Food at Wilderness a buffet style but again everything delicious and everyone catered for GF Vegetarian etc. First night we were so lucky to see the Northern Lights and again twice more! I had originally booked this holiday just to see the Northern Lights, but there was so many BRILLIANT things to do even if you aren’t lucky enough to see lights! You won’t leave disappointed I normally do DIY holidays, but so glad we chose Lesley at Travel Counsellors and she chose Inghams ! MATTwe are going to MISS YOU so much, but we will be back …,.