We stayed in one of the apartments attached to the Saaga hotel for little more than the hotel room cost, on half board basis. The hotel is five minutes from the lifts and almost ski in in peak season. Off peak not all the pistes and lifts are open but it is gloriously quiet with perfect snow due to being so far north. The one bed apartment had two single beds, bunk beds and a sofa bed. A lounge come diner with small well equipped kitchen. The bathroom has a washing machine, shower and small sauna and a very helpful drying cabinet which can dry wet ski kit or a load of washing in a couple of hours. The apartment included bedding and towels but was not cleaned during the week which was fine by us. We booked with Crystal Ski which meant that use of the pool, spa and gym was included. Some operators dont include this in the price so check or you may have to pay for each entry. The pool is nice but a bit chilly, with excellent massage jets to relax ski weary muscles. The gym is small with a treadmill, an exercise bike, barbell station, dumbells, 8, 12 and 16kg kettlebell and a few fixed weight machines. The breakfast buffet included scrambled eggs, bacon, beans, hotdogs, pancakes, 2 cold meats, 3 cheeses, yoghurt, cereal, salad, fruit, freshly baked bread, rolls, croissants and cake. There...We stayed in one of the apartments attached to the Saaga hotel for little more than the hotel room cost, on half board basis. The hotel is five minutes from the lifts and almost ski in in peak season. Off peak not all the pistes and lifts are open but it is gloriously quiet with perfect snow due to being so far north.
The one bed apartment had two single beds, bunk beds and a sofa bed. A lounge come diner with small well equipped kitchen. The bathroom has a washing machine, shower and small sauna and a very helpful drying cabinet which can dry wet ski kit or a load of washing in a couple of hours.
The apartment included bedding and towels but was not cleaned during the week which was fine by us.
We booked with Crystal Ski which meant that use of the pool, spa and gym was included. Some operators dont include this in the price so check or you may have to pay for each entry. The pool is nice but a bit chilly, with excellent massage jets to relax ski weary muscles. The gym is small with a treadmill, an exercise bike, barbell station, dumbells, 8, 12 and 16kg kettlebell and a few fixed weight machines.
The breakfast buffet included scrambled eggs, bacon, beans, hotdogs, pancakes, 2 cold meats, 3 cheeses, yoghurt, cereal, salad, fruit, freshly baked bread, rolls, croissants and cake. There is also coffee and juice included.
The buffet dinner includes a salad bar which always had staple lettuce, tomato, cucumber, gherkins but also several mixed/dressed salads. These salads ranged from delicious couscous, coleslaw, rice salad, to random items such as beetroot and pineapple salad, red cabbage with grape and pear, lettuce with reindeer tartar. There was a soup every night, more fresh baked bread. The main course varied but always included some form of fish, usually salmon or trout, a meat dish such as beef or venison, some form or potatoes, vegetables and a childs option. The childs option ranged from pasta (bland) to fries (okay but soggy due to steaming in the hot dish) and some form of processed meat or fish (nuggets, breaded fish, meat sticks). Main course reminded us of old fashioned home cooked school dinners ( probably giving away our ages here!), usually satisfying but sometimes not so great.
Dessert option was small but included delicious home cooked cookies most nights, cake and a mouse or fruit fool plus fresh fruit. Squash, water and coffee are all free. Any other drinks are available at a cost.
There is not much on this side of the Yllas ski resort, a couple of bars and restaurants and a very small basic shop with very limited groceries, not enough to live off for a week. You can get the ski bus to the other village for supermarket but we didnt bother.
The hotel has it's own hire shop and each apartment has a ski locker in ski room on the ground floor, ask for the key at reception. The staff are all friendly.
The skiing is low key, slopes very quiet in January and great if you dont mind drag lifts. Confident skiers can take the gondola to the top and ski the red and black runs but otherwise be prepared for button and t bar lifts and tired legs!
If you want peace and a low key ski break without the crowds and without the noisy apres ski this is a good choice.More