Luxury Lapland

[croon979]

Am looking to do a few days in Lapland next December pre-Xmas (3-5 days). Have just googled for ideas and not really sure where to start. We would like to splurge on a luxury beak although we have a 4 year old so it would need to be suitable for him and ideally close the action.

Also, we don’t ski. Would do other snow activities such as husky rides etc though. Therefore, it would need to be somewhere where skiing is not essential or the main focus. Assuming this won’t be a problem?

Anyone have any tips or companies that could offer what we are looking for?

Many thanks

I don't think there's that many luxury choices in Lapland. It's a major holiday destination for Finns and they don't usually want to pay for luxury. And it's already expensive for anyone else coming from abroad so there's very little demand for a true luxury break. I could be wrong though, this is only based on my own experience (I'm a Finn).

I would say your best bet is to stay in Rovaniemi, it's very compact, easy to get around and has some nice hotels with nice rooms including your own sauna. Both Santa Claus Village and Santa Park is close ( I think 8km away approx, easy to take the local bus or taxi. If you go with TUI they will include Santa Park in their itinerary.

Santa Claus village has a husky park as well as reindeer rides available, shopping and food. You can also book excursions through the local operator, Lapland Safaris.

Rovaniemi is very commercial and not far from the airport. I wouldn't call it luxury.
Activities Abroad specialise in family snow holidays in Lapland so check out their website. Ranua is a great option for kids, or Jeris.

Indigo89 OP asked for recommendations being near the action, not to stay somewhere remote and uncommercialised.

I really liked Rovaniemi, it's a normal Finnish small town, remote from big bright lights even though it has an airport. For the average Brit it's a winter wonderland and I think it's in a beautiful location, nestled in next to a small fell and river. It has a lot to offer

Other Lapland locations are all lovely, but very very tiny and very little if none choice in luxury accommodation. We went skiing in Saariselkä last year and stayed in the new Star Arctic Hotel. It was beautiful and luxury in Finnish terms but the location isn't great at all if you want to be near other amenities.

We went to Rovaniemi last year. It was lovely.

I'm not sure what your definition of luxury is.

Prices for last year might mean you could get a small room with three flights and activities and meals for about 2,500/2,800 UKP.

That's quite a lot for 4 nights.

There are 4 of us so it cost a bit more as we chose to have two (tiny) rooms.

Ps it was bloody amazing and would go again in a heart beat!

We went to Rovaniemi with Thomson - was around £400 each in 2012 for flights, accomodation, husky, reindeer and snowmobile rides, Santa Sport hotel, dinner with fireworks, elf and gingerbread workshops and more husky and reindeer rides, 3 nights. Was quite magical. Hotel wasn't luxury but had a lovely pool with spa type things in it and was children's playcentre (chargeable). They also had some log cabins across the road which looked lovely though preferred being being able to walk to pool through hotel plus only a few hours of light each day.

I don't know where they took us for first lot of reindeer, snowmobile, husky rides but that place was amazing and did great food which came with it. Think it was around an hour away by coach. The meal was amazing fireworks and santa arriving with reindeer. The next day was nice but place was a bit like a shopping centre.

Is it for the 4 year old? Canterbury do the best Santa breaks and cost a fortune. The accommodation is OK-go for a log cabin- but not luxury.

Levi is a great resort in Lapland. Sovereign used to do a break there where you would stay in a cabin and have your own elf as a guide who would meet you and take you on your excursions.

Thanks very much for the responses and recommendations! Checking them all out!