Lapland Hotels Riekonlinna

自助早餐的款式多樣化，有兩個做華夫餅的機，讓住客自己做華夫餅(waffle)吃。前台的服務員態度都非常友善，和樂意解答我們的問題，只有個別人員常叫我們去找酒店的旅行社報他們的旅行團！房間夠寬敞舒適，但室內的暖氣機壞咗，這幾天天氣很冷，接近零度，幸好酒店有移動式的暖風機可以供應給我們，問題就解決了！

少し古めの宿泊施設ではありましたが、アクティビティの受付も隣接しており、またスタッフの方は皆親切でした！

We’ve just returned from our 2 night trip to Saariselkä. I was nervous before hand, I thought it was going to be hyped up and not be as magical as everyone says. I was definitely wrong! We flew with Jet2, and for once, we weren’t delayed on either flight! The outgoing flight was fantastic - the crew were amazing, so engaging and getting the kids excited, sing alongs, activity books, hands down the best flight I’ve been on for interaction! Santas Lapland reps are everywhere when you get there. It’s as smooth an operation as you could get. You’re allocated a coach which remains the same during your stay so you know where you’re going. They tell you where and when to be everywhere you need to be. I was impressed by how little organising we had to be responsible for - we just had to be on time! The rep in Riekonlinna was fantastic and went to a lot of effort for us to sort out our husky ride out as we had an infant with us who couldn’t go on. She managed to get us 2 slots so we could take it in turns which we were so grateful for! The rangers at the activity centre were fabulous. Amazing with the kids, sing-alongs and unbelievable energy, they genuinely love their job! My 5 year old found the naughty elves hilarious! Nothing was too much for the staff, both santas Lapland staff and hotel and shop staff - everyone we came across was absolutely lovely, including other guests! In terms of the hotel and Saariselkä itself, we couldn’t have asked for more. An abundance of snow, the kids were in their element. Not quite snowball making snow but mountains of the stuff nonetheless! We managed to see the northern lights from the viewing room in the Riekonlinna on our second night which was amazing. The festive meal was all arranged and communicated well, lovely buffet spread to meet everyone’s preferences. The ONLY negative thing I have to comment on was the lack of variety for lunch at the activity centre but I also completely understand how chaotic it would be otherwise! But other than that, I have no negatives whatsoever, it was absolutely fantastic! Shout out to the ranger Nathan who entertained the kids spectacularly and somehow managed to remember our name on arriving at the coach to go home! If you’re questioning whether it’s worth it - it definitely is. It’s by far the most expensive holiday I’ve been on, but everything other than drinks at the hotel and souvenirs is included and it definitely is a once in a lifetime experience!

I noticed that hotel is answering in here that renovations are coming. I hope so, because they really need it. You can see that this was once a nice hotel but by now exceptations for place priced like this are higher and everything is quite worn out in here. Staff still seems to do their best, everyone was very friendly and the place is as clean as it can be. Yes there are some holes in the carpets and cracks in the furniture, but you can still spend couple of nights in here in a warm room with a good bed. Main complain is that our room had a sauna, that barely got warm despite turning the stove to the maximum. Guess they are ready to retire too. Perhaps after the renovation I could come back, but for now I suppose there are better options in the area.