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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Lapland

82 replies

LuckyAmy1986 · 22/08/2017 17:08

Yes IABU posting this hear but no one answered on Travel!
Just looking for any tips from people who have been. We are thinking of booking through Espirit/Santa's Lapland and staying at the Holiday Club Saarielska. Has anyone got any experience of this company or the hotel? Or does anyone have any good or bad experiences of other tour operators or hotels that I should look into or avoid? Thanks!

OP posts:
Thread gallery
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LittleMousewithcloggson · 22/08/2017 19:48

FOOD option

LittleMousewithcloggson · 22/08/2017 19:50

We weren't there for Christmas Day but there was entertainment in the hotel. There is also a small water park in the holiday club hotel. All my kids wanted to do is toboggan though!

AlphaBites · 22/08/2017 19:54

I'm going on a Thompson day trip with my 8yr old DD from Gatwick, yes it will be a long day but all the reviews I read, even on here, all were raving about it and I figure that we will be tired so will hopefully sleep a bit on the plane on the way back.

I'm really looking forward to it as DD has no clue and I'm not telling her until the morning we go 😀

LittleMousewithcloggson · 22/08/2017 19:55

Here's some photos if you're interested

Lapland
Lapland
Lapland
LittleMousewithcloggson · 22/08/2017 19:56

Hotel snowflake apartment

Lapland
Lapland
Lapland
LittleMousewithcloggson · 22/08/2017 19:57

Reindeer sleigh ride and start of santa adventure

Lapland
Lapland
MistyMeena · 22/08/2017 20:07

We went with Santa's Lapland and it was amazing, so well organised and completely magical. We went for the basic accommodation which was indeed pretty basic but absolutely fine for 2 nights, lovely and warm, clean and had our own little sauna!

Expensive but worth every penny for a one-off trip.

olivesnutsandcheese · 22/08/2017 20:29

I used to work for Esprit, and would really rate the program there. We only recruited fab people. It was considered a bit of a privelege to work there. I want to do it with my DC now

Original poster
LuckyAmy1986 · 23/08/2017 07:22

Do they all kind of do the same thing though? Like is the Thomsons trip just the same as Espirit but cheaper? I don't mind paying more but not if I am not getting more IYSWIM

OP posts:
Mamabear14 · 23/08/2017 07:38

I think for 4 nights it was about £900 each for me and 2DC. The excursions were more. Probably about £150 each one. Food and drinks were included (alcohol was just beer or wine, spirits you paid for and they were expensive!)
There was a gala dinner on the last night which was Christmas dinner basically and that's when the kids met Santa.
Your taster day was included as well. Ours had snowmobile, huskies, reindeer and a kids snowmobile they could drive.

RueDeDay · 23/08/2017 07:42

Watching with interest as I'd love to do this with DD next year! Would 8, nearly 9 be a good age do you think?

Youcantscaremeihavechildren · 23/08/2017 07:59

We want to do this but just not sure we can afford it...have looked at doing it independently too like spirit. Found this blog that describes how one family did it:

mindthebaby.ie/2016/12/20/our-diy-trip-to-lapland/

Original poster
LuckyAmy1986 · 23/08/2017 13:56

It is really expensive, will definitely be a once in a lifetime trip for us, which is why I want to get it right! I have thought about doing it independently but I would want to the kids to feel included in it all if that makes sense

OP posts:
LittleMousewithcloggson · 23/08/2017 19:31

It cost us £1800 for 4 of us in an apartment, self catering, flights from London. 4 days, 3 nights

LittleMousewithcloggson · 23/08/2017 19:34

Actually I lie - it was £2300 but we had been given a £500 gift voucher by my parents so it only cost US £1800!

Misty9 · 23/08/2017 19:38

I'd really like to do this but am concerned it'd be too cold for young dc (3 and 6)?? The oldest is a sensitive soul and struggles at the best of times... just how cold is it? And do they provide clothing?

WreckTangled · 23/08/2017 19:44

Misty I would wait another two years.

LittleMouse did you book independently? If so who through? And did you find it easy to get from and to the airport? I'll easily do things myself in America and Europe etc but I've never been anywhere snowy Hmm so package seems easier...

We're looking at going next year so hoping to start getting quotes soon!

user1471530109 · 23/08/2017 20:20

I keep going back to the booking page for this!

It's approx £2400 to go this year for me and the two dc. But one isn't yet 5. Will it be wasted this year?

But an even bigger 'concern' is its a 3 night trip leaving Christmas eve (with Thomson). I'd want a bit of reassurance that Christmas day would not be a disaster. I'm assuming they don't do excursions etc on Christmas day? Had anyone been there in the big day?

Its just me and the kids and tbh, Christmas has been a bit crap since their dad left three years ago. So I'm not worried about being away at Christmas. More the panic everywhere would be closed and shut up like it is here!

user1471530109 · 23/08/2017 20:21

It's nearly £1000 more with Esprit btw.Is Thomson's just not as good? I'm assuming I'd be able to book an excursion whilst at the hotel to go and see the northern lights...now that's my treat rather than the dc

WreckTangled · 23/08/2017 20:25

User I would try to wait until next year. As others have said it's so cold. I would get quoted from Santa Claus trips and also Canterbury travel as they both do free/half price child options and seem to include more than others.

user1471530109 · 23/08/2017 20:31

Thanks Wreck,
Problem is, I can only go during school holidays (I'm a teacher) and it's similar problems with dates next year. The quote from Esprit was £3000+. That's without any excursions. The thonsons one was also half board.

Has anyone been with Thomson's? And with Esprit? Massive difference?

I do agree with next year being better for youngest. She is teeny tiny for her age too so the cold would be a major issue....I'm impatient! Grin

WreckTangled · 23/08/2017 20:37

I'm term time only too so I feel your pain. I was also considering going Christmas Eve but need to check the Christmas Day schedule. I noticed that Canterbury travel do free child (might be half price?) up to age 11 whereas most others only do it up to 5. Canterbury travel said their 2018 prices will be released on the 15th October and Santa Claus trips said the end of September (they're more of an agent where they look through different companies for you and find you the cheapest quote) I would definitely email them both before you decide.

I've looked at espirit and inghams and they both seem much more than the others.

sonjadog · 23/08/2017 20:42

User14, do check that everything is running as normal over the Christmas period. I would imagine that as this is such a tourist attraction it will, but in general everything is closed 24-26 December at least. It isn´t like the UK where shops and services are only closed for minimal time.

Islacornx · 23/08/2017 21:05

This has made me want to go SO bad Shock it looks amazing!
What do people think is the best ages to take children there?

user1471530109 · 23/08/2017 21:10

Santa village is open Christmas day....!!! I might have to give Thomson a call tomorrow.

Anyone been with them?
And will I regret going this year with an almost 5 year old (5 in Feb). I'm suddenly stupidly excited about spending a stupid amount of money