So we had a magical Lapland family adventure to meet Santa. Mum, Dad, grandma, 6 year old, and nearly 4 year old. On the TUI package 4 days, 3 nights. Up at 2.30am (early for kids) We flew from Doncaster to Kittila airport. Doncaster was fab, quiet and had everything we needed. The flight was good, we got an activity pack from the attendants with paper to draw pictures, the pilot judged the best for prizes. We played games and sang carols they gave us words too in the pack. It’s was fun and went quick around the meal etc. We took a few more activities and had a fairly chill flight which is amazing with our two boys. The only grumble is I booked seats like most others at extra cost but didn’t get a window for each child, I didn’t see this when booking. Don’t book near wings! I was a bit gutted as it happened both ways but they boys were happy still as we kept them busy. The worst part of our holiday was arrival. Suitcases took a while and went to the wrong carousel so with two tired kids that was hard work while elves wander round singing they aren’t actually helping you. Then you trail outside, get told to go the wrong way, then need to trek across a massive parking lot to reach a coach hold toddlers hands, and dragging suitcases, I...So we had a magical Lapland family adventure to meet Santa. Mum, Dad, grandma, 6 year old, and nearly 4 year old. On the TUI package 4 days, 3 nights. Up at 2.30am (early for kids) We flew from Doncaster to Kittila airport. Doncaster was fab, quiet and had everything we needed.
The flight was good, we got an activity pack from the attendants with paper to draw pictures, the pilot judged the best for prizes. We played games and sang carols they gave us words too in the pack. It’s was fun and went quick around the meal etc. We took a few more activities and had a fairly chill flight which is amazing with our two boys.
The only grumble is I booked seats like most others at extra cost but didn’t get a window for each child, I didn’t see this when booking. Don’t book near wings! I was a bit gutted as it happened both ways but they boys were happy still as we kept them busy.
The worst part of our holiday was arrival. Suitcases took a while and went to the wrong carousel so with two tired kids that was hard work while elves wander round singing they aren’t actually helping you. Then you trail outside, get told to go the wrong way, then need to trek across a massive parking lot to reach a coach hold toddlers hands, and dragging suitcases, I was exhausted by the time we dropped suitcases, however we still had our big coats and gloves but had to collect snow suits and snow boots, you go into a warehouse there, which you queue outside for if you aren’t first, stood in the snow make sure you have warm coats and boots to not slip already. You get in and get two bin liners between 5 to get 5 suits, hats and gloves etc if needed, we had our own, 5 snow boot sets and warm sock liners we wore as well as our own socks. I’m not gunna lie, it was awful, the kids were imploding, I was sweating we were carrying handbags, kids and coats and heavy bin liners, there’s no where to try things on, we stopped in the middle of these queues to try the kids boots. The hotel will have a change station but it’s limited, not that they explain that to you, no communication, I was not risking the kids not having fitting shoes.
We got all this to the coach, I was fuming and had 0% Christmas spirit and wanted to cry. The kids slept thank goodness for the 1hr 20min ish transfer.
As you drive they give itineraries, explain optional extra trips, they don’t hard sell, they invite you to seek them out for that at the hotel (not easy with kids wanting to play) you have to then pay, and to guarantee places sign up almost immediately. While driving you sign a consent form for all adults for taster sessions.
The itinerary also explains that all snow suits and boots are to be returned by 7pm the night before you leave. Our little boy got ill so we didn’t get out much in the end, if he’d been well we would have been out to watch fireworks after the gala dinner on the last night, everyone must stand there freezing. We also may have been out around breakfast. Small children without snow suits and boots outside, getting wet trousers is ridiculous, TUI should consider getting the person they rent from to make it 8.30am the day you travel!!
It was actually mild for us for Finland this time of year, -4 maybe at worst, we prepared for worse, had layers ready but didn’t need much under our suits when being active sledging etc. We had thermals for the kids and they were toasty. Hats, gloves and balaclavas are essential, deer stalker hats that chin clip are great for kids. Having spares is essential while others dry as you go out multiple times, putting on cold things is the worst. Drying cupboards in the room help, turn the dial on the wall opposite until they dry, keep checking. Also use the radiator in the bathroom above the loo, remember to close said loo so nothing falls in
You’re already checked in with keys given in pack on coach so you go to your room, ours was up some stairs and along long corridors, no lifts, we were out of puff but happy. I pulled my back which hurt all holiday so I couldn’t sledge but hey ho.
415 and 417 next door to each other had lovely views and were the right side to see northern lights.
Rooms were basic but clean and comfortable. The previous guests had an old water bottle under a bed that had been missed but we just found it and binned it. Kids find everything.
Taster sessions you coach half hour to an idyllic scene, walk a lit trail, half group queue for helmets to snowmobile, little ones get in sleigh pulled by mobile, others ride their own, one drive and one passenger, swap half way around if wanted. Takes 5 min. Then husky sleigh pull takes 2 min round a circuit. Lovely, cold on the face, I wouldn’t want a longer ride and not for my littlies but some would enjoy the extended trips you can buy. We were happy with the taster. We then played in the snow, sat by fires, had hot berry juice and saw reindeer in the field. We didn’t get to see them close or let them but I didn’t mind that. Some people visiting other Lapland locations get to see them close but we didn’t. We were last to the coach, it wasn’t rushed but it wasn’t without a time limit either, that wasn’t really explained.
Food was lovely, only one option for adults and one for children but wholesome winter food like stew, curry or chicken with mash and veg. Children fish nuggets and chips, hamburger and chips or chicken nuggets and chips. Plenty of tomato sauce etc. The fresh bread and salad area is good. Breakfast is continental ham cheese, bread, toast station, cereal station etc. Full English sausage, bacon, egg and beans option. Fresh orange juice etc available at breakfast. Hot or cold berry juice available for lunch and tea, one snack and some coffee/ cake available most of the day. Bar does the wine and beer etc until 11pm. Hot chocolate is additional, standard €3, with cream and marshmallows €4.50.
Crafts, cookie decorating, inside and outside activities with the 6 elves there to entertain is good, kids are always busy. Sledge hill outside is fun, we took glow in the dark arm bands so we could tell who our kids were, hard to tell in the dim light and same suits. First night there you put your name up for a slider party, this is a high and medium ski slope to sledge down, careful with young ones to go with an adult.
We paid for the extra elf experience. No ice hotel or ice bar like previous reviews, just a 20 min drive to Santa’s village. See post office, Rudolph bedroom, Santa’s bedroom, Mrs Claus in the bakery, cookie decorating and elf school. Elf school is amazing, my boys were magically invested and it made it totally worth it. The children could drive mini snow mobiles, they both did it, 3 rings around as someone holds an attached rope, it was lovely. No refreshments given, hot berry juice outside but we didn’t stop to get any. 2 hours trip.
My littlest got a chest infection, came out of the blue, he wheezed and rapid breathed, it was scary. I was advised it was hard to get to medical help, €70 each way in a taxi. I was willing to do this but I thought it would be hard for him with a fever. I luckily took paracetamol and nurofen, I gave as per direction, sat in the shower room for steam, tried hot lemonade and hot apple juice and managed his symptoms, he still managed sledging, the elf trip and seeing Santa around lengthy naps. It worked. If he’d got any worse I’d have been in a taxi but it was fine. Pack careful for the children you take as the hotel is alone in the middle of no where in the idyllic national park. Reps are always there if you need them. Small shop has no extra clothes, gloves and hats I’d expect them to sell or medicine- would have been a good idea I’d have thought. They had nick nacks and ice creams, my little one wouldn’t eat but had ice lollies, life saver. They offered the chef to cook him anything but he was not hungry. He nibbled bread.
Evening entertainment with dancing, games, seeing Mr T and a panto is good, my two slept early, especially the first night, entertainment is 8.30/9pm but late for us.
You can put your name in a list at reception for northern lights wake up, up to midnight if they appear.
On the last night the clouds cleared, we got lucky and saw northern lights dancing, before gala dinner, everyone part way through showers in towels lol reps in corridors shouting, everyone running, it was fun really, it was beautiful. We went outside using the northern lights app on my iPhone ami got a few photos. We watched all night from our room while packing.
Last night is gala dinner with assigned seats, turkey dinner is lovely. Before dinner you sing and Santa walks past the window, you then go and see him while dinner is going. You’re asked to not open gifts until all children have been or keep it secret. It’s so cute and a lovely Santa visit. You are allowed to take you own photos, no other photo options. Doncaster flight 12.40 take off left the hotel at 9.15, airport was fine. All flights are same time so it’s busy and chairs are to be sort out but we were happy.
I would totally go back, it was wonderful but hard work. The boys loved the magic and it makes it totally worth it for us. X

More