Lapland 2024

backwithabang

Hi all

Went to book Sunway today and they told me the hotel on the quote was gone and said artic zone hotel was available. So i paid the 900 euro deposit, have not agreed t and c yet. I have researched the artic zone hotel and the reviews say there is a nightclub open till 5am underneath and it is really noisy. I am thinking of cancelling and searching over the weekend for a better option.

Does anyone have experience with this hotel, part of me is saying surely its a different vibe at Xmas and it's all family santa trips so there won't be a 5am nightclub but I am also thinking if there is it would a nightmare and a wasted holiday

Anyone here have any experience

Uncle Pierre

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058370893/lapland-2024

Maybe not much help to you as have never actually heard of this hotel before, but FWIW, we did a Sunway trip to Lapland last year ourselves and found everything top-notch, so would expect that this hotel would be suitable for the family Santa visit type of trips too.

Strangely only seems to be 15 reviews on TripAdvisor, and that's where I see mention of a karaoke bar that opens until 5 a.m. However, that review dates from 2018.

On the other hand, almost 1,200 reviews on booking.com, with an average score of 8.1

backwithabang

I rang the hotel, they confirmed the karaoke bar and issues with sound,. Said if I am looking for a quiet spot it wouldn't be their hotel.

Got booked into the scandic so happy out, looking forward to the holiday

Uncle Pierre

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122681756#Comment_122681756

Have to say a karaoke bar until 5 a.m. wouldn't be my cup of tea either!

Glad you got sorted out to your satisfaction, though. It'll be a great trip.

Nigel Fairservice

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122681756#Comment_122681756

If it's the Scandic Rovaniemi City, I've stayed there. Nice hotel in a good central location.

Sami23

Attempting to do a diy trip to Lapland for 2 adults and 2 children for this December or January.

Kids are 8 and 10 now so feel this is out last guaranteed opportunity before someone lets something slip or the 10 year old cops it.

So basically just looking for recommendations/opinions on whether we should go to Rov or Levi and what are the must do activities to do while we are there. Hoping to go for 3 or 4 days.

Thanks

Uncle Pierre

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122865601#Comment_122865601

Five days on, so maybe you've made plans in the meantime, but for what it's worth….

We considered a DIY trip last year before booking with Sunway in the end. Our trip happened to be to Levi on the dates we wanted, and while it was all brilliant, I'd have to say Rovaniemi might be the better option if doing it the DIY way.

That's because all the attractions/trips around Levi were actually a good bit from the town - e.g. the Santa visit itself, the sleigh ride, snowmobiling, etc.

I'm talking bus journeys of maybe an hour or more each day. I wouldn't fancy having to arrange all that transport myself, particularly when renting a car to drive on snowy roads isn't really an option, unless you're far braver in that regard than I am!

On the other hand, the Santa Village at Rovaniemi is only a few minutes from the town, and I'm sure all the other activities would be on offer close by too.

For what it's worth, 8 and 10 are great ages for it. We've just the one young lad, and he was there for his 10th birthday in early December last year. He still absolutely 100% believes in Santa, after meeting the real one there. Only problem is how it's proving a hard act to follow this year, by sorting out one of the usual type of Santa visits somewhere closer to home!!

Sami23

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122885964#Comment_122885964

Thanks for the advice and yes we've made plans since and are going in early January to thank Santa for the presents.

We booked flights with Ryanair all in for €900 and have accommodation booked in Levi for 4 nights and will come back and stay in Rovaniemi for 1 night before coming home. We are going to hire a car so that should be fun !

We don't have any activities booked yet so that is our next task.

Uncle Pierre

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122890608#Comment_122890608

Okay. Turns out you are indeed braver with the car than I am! And I've heard January is a great time to go too.

One way you'll get hours of fun in Levi at next to no cost is on the sledding part of the ski slope that's in the centre of town. Normally I hate when people say 'you can't miss it', but you really can't miss this. There's a big sports shop at the bottom (which you can't miss either!), and sleds cost just about €15 each last year. However, there might be some available at your hotel - the usual thing is for people to just leave them behind at the end of their trip, for others to take and use instead.

Another small thing to know is that the snow is actually a bit different to what we get here, in that it's more powdery than wet. Doesn't really lend itself to making snowballs, and certainly doesn't lend itself to building a snowman. But still good fun to throw at each other.

Am sure you'll have a great time anyway. Enjoy it!

Sami23

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122890994#Comment_122890994

Thanks for the few tips Pierre

oinkely

visited both Rov and Levi in previous trips. Driving is fine, roads kept clear and the proper tires make for a fine experience. Give the car a warm up though a few minutes before you head out so it's not freezing in it. Watch out in heavy snow when leaving car parks or you might miss the exit and drive into a snow bank instead - not saying i did this, but when i did, the local people were really understanding of the dumbass tourist and were really helpful in pulling me out of it with a 4wd.

We did santa stuff and dog sledding in Rov in December, and then went back to levi for two weeks after christmas another year for the winter fun vibe. Cabin with sauna is a must, visit the ice hotel if you don't mind the hour drive from Levi. Reindeer place just outside Levi was really interesting, but sooooo frickin cold cause you are standing in the snow listening to the owner tell you about reindeer herding etc. Sledding on the front slops in great and kiddiland is in the woods to the left of the main slope and there's loads of sleds there and a dedicated sledding area. You can also use the kids/beginner ski lifts there without a pass, which is awesome if you are new and finding your feet. The walk around the frozen lake is also a must do - bring a sled to tow small kids along if they get tired. bring marshmallows / sausages to toast in a koti hut along the way. The fire will be lighting and they are so nice to pop into to get out of the cold for a while. If you bring a few thermos flasks and cups, stopping in a koti hut becomes a must - home made hot chocolate and a brunch bar and you have saved yourself the price of the flights in a few days over cafe/takeaway beverages for hungry kids ;-) There's a Koti hut at kiddiland, and there's a few of them dotted around the slopes aswell.