Lapland Hotel Bear´s Lodge — Hotel in Rovaniemi sub-region

A bit of a long review but hope it helps. |We have just returned from Winter Wonderland hotel holiday via TUI, with our 3 children 10, 8 and 5. This was our 2nd visit, with the 1st being when we got married there 9 years ago. We didn’t think this could top the last one. How wrong we were. It was simply mind blowing. ||We arrived at Birmingham airport and were greeted by TUI reps and elves who entertained the kids with magic and games. Which helped break up the time before the flight. ||On the plane we sang songs and were given an activity pack which helped keep the little ones occupied. We also had a mini English breakfast which was nice and filled a space. ||Upon landing we had to jump on a bendy bus to the terminal (which we were pleased with as it was -28c) and then through passport control (which took ages). After grabbing our cases and being directed to the coach, we stopped off at the clothing warehouse for people to get snow suits and other bits if they needed them but there wasn’t time to try them on. My wife was given a suit which was too big and we were able to exchange it at the hotel the next morning (only available for certain times). ||On the coach on the way to the hotel (all in all about 40 mins travel time), we sang more songs and got some info about the stay. Yes they talked about booking excursions but wasn’t too full on.||When we arrived at the hotel, which is in the middle of a stunning forest next to a beautiful lake, around 4pm for check in, we were greeted with a white landscape, primarily frozen snow and lake but still looked spectacular.||To note they brought all the cases up from the car park to the hotel door which was a nice touch. ||After checking in we grab our bags and went to our rooms (we had 2, one with 3 single beds and one with 2). The rooms are basic but warm and have tv, kettle and hair dryer and some of the best hotel showers I’ve ever used. ||We then got in our snow suits and when bum boarding on the hill down to the frozen lake. The kids loved it. The hotel provided the bum boards. ||Next was off to dinner. The hotel has 2 restaurants but both serve the same food, with the upstairs being a bit more private dining style and downstairs being more large tables and sharing. |We enjoyed the food which ranged from salad and pasta and meats to chips and nuggets, with nice simple desserts and plenty soft drinks. Our kids, who are usually very fussy, always managed to find something to eat. They also provide lactose free and a lot of gluten free options. And of course they have a couple of bars however the prices (across Lapland I think) we quite high. Also to not we soon reloaded to just wear what you want, no formal dress code.||As for entertainment the TUI team were genuinely awesome, really getting involved with the kids and making them laugh all the time (and most|Importantly trying to tire them out!). |In the afternoons and evenings there is always something going on from roasting marshmallows to sledging, hockey, kids snow mobiles on the lake, to dance alongs and activities in the evening. ||On the morning of our 1st full day, we woke up to fresh snow and quite a bit at that. We went down for breakfast as we had to be on the coach early for our Santa day. Firstly the breakfast has a good choice with eggs, bacon, sausages, potatoes, cereals, toast etc. and most importantly plenty of coffee! Again always found something to eat. ||We then headed off on the coach (15min journey to the Santa day) of course singing more songs! I won’t go into the activities too much as I don’t want to ruin the day however I will say it completely blew our minds and exceeded all our expectations. There is a stop mid way through to get warm and have a drink if you want and late lunch is provided back at the hotel at the end of the activities. |All in all the day / activities lasted around 4 1/2 hours. ||After the lunch we then spent most of the afternoon either bum boarding, roasting marshmallows or playing in the snow. ||I will add at this stage that I can not fault the Santa day or the TUI team, I don’t think it would have been anywhere near as magical without the fresh snow fall or the lake being frozen / safe to be on , so that is a big consideration. ||The evening meal was much the same good food, with more bum boarding and snow play after. We then went down to the evening entertainment where the kids went feral but had a great time. |Mid way the entertainment through however the rep advised us that we may be able to see the northern lights. We made our way down to the car park and managed to get some pictures of the aurora. ||The last full day / free day we spent at Santa Park. I’m only adding this to advise that if you want to go to anywhere in or around Rovaniemi such as Santa Park or Santa Clause Village etc not through TUI, it will be approx €90 to €110 taxi each way depending on number of people. You can book the taxis through the hotel reception and through the taxi drivers. ||There was then the Festive Finale which was a Christmas meal which again want bad, some cabaret and then earlier evening entertainment. ||The final day was travelling back very early with an hour trip to Santa Clause Village for some last minute shopping (not enough time to do / see everything) To note if you are the early bus like we were some shops weren’t open. ||Some final recommendations / advice|* Have a neck warmer / snood|* Tap water is safe to drink|* Take lip cream / Vaseline due to cold and room air is dry|* Take bottles of water for all activities|* Prices for the same things increase at SCV and airport|* Wear 2 pairs of thick socks. Especially for the kids as made a huge difference for them|* Also for the kids I’d recommend thermal base, track suit and then snow suit depending on the temperature |* Order taxis via reception for a fixed rate|* Download the My Aurora Forecast & Alerts|* Keep an eye on the many notice boards for announcements||I’d like to add that yes the TUI excursions are more expensive then if you do DIY however the TUI ones usually have transfers included and an elf / guide. ||Finally I wish to say a huge thank you to the TUI reps, entertainment team and elves, you guys are nuts!!!...

A bit of a long review but hope it helps. |We have just returned from Winter Wonderland hotel holiday via TUI, with our 3 children 10, 8 and 5. This was our 2nd visit, with the 1st being when we got married there 9 years ago. We didn’t think this could top the last one. How wrong we were. It was simply mind blowing. ||We arrived at Birmingham airport and were greeted by TUI reps and elves who entertained the kids with magic and games. Which helped break up the time before the flight. ||On the plane we sang songs and were given an activity pack which helped keep the little ones occupied. We also had a mini English breakfast which was nice and filled a space. ||Upon landing we had to jump on a bendy bus to the terminal (which we were pleased with as it was -28c) and then through passport control (which took ages). After grabbing our cases and being directed to the coach, we stopped off at the clothing warehouse for people to get snow suits and other bits if they needed them but there wasn’t time to try them on. My wife was given a suit which was too big and we were able to exchange it at the hotel the next morning (only available for certain times). ||On the coach on the way to the hotel (all in all about 40 mins travel time), we sang more songs and got some info about the stay. Yes they talked about booking excursions but wasn’t too full on.||When we arrived at the hotel, which is in the middle of a stunning forest next to a beautiful lake, around 4pm for check in, we were greeted with a white landscape, primarily frozen snow and lake but still looked spectacular.||To note they brought all the cases up from the car park to the hotel door which was a nice touch. ||After checking in we grab our bags and went to our rooms (we had 2, one with 3 single beds and one with 2). The rooms are basic but warm and have tv, kettle and hair dryer and some of the best hotel showers I’ve ever used. ||We then got in our snow suits and when bum boarding on the hill down to the frozen lake. The kids loved it. The hotel provided the bum boards. ||Next was off to dinner. The hotel has 2 restaurants but both serve the same food, with the upstairs being a bit more private dining style and downstairs being more large tables and sharing. |We enjoyed the food which ranged from salad and pasta and meats to chips and nuggets, with nice simple desserts and plenty soft drinks. Our kids, who are usually very fussy, always managed to find something to eat. They also provide lactose free and a lot of gluten free options. And of course they have a couple of bars however the prices (across Lapland I think) we quite high. Also to not we soon reloaded to just wear what you want, no formal dress code.||As for entertainment the TUI team were genuinely awesome, really getting involved with the kids and making them laugh all the time (and most|Importantly trying to tire them out!). |In the afternoons and evenings there is always something going on from roasting marshmallows to sledging, hockey, kids snow mobiles on the lake, to dance alongs and activities in the evening. ||On the morning of our 1st full day, we woke up to fresh snow and quite a bit at that. We went down for breakfast as we had to be on the coach early for our Santa day. Firstly the breakfast has a good choice with eggs, bacon, sausages, potatoes, cereals, toast etc. and most importantly plenty of coffee! Again always found something to eat. ||We then headed off on the coach (15min journey to the Santa day) of course singing more songs! I won’t go into the activities too much as I don’t want to ruin the day however I will say it completely blew our minds and exceeded all our expectations. There is a stop mid way through to get warm and have a drink if you want and late lunch is provided back at the hotel at the end of the activities. |All in all the day / activities lasted around 4 1/2 hours. ||After the lunch we then spent most of the afternoon either bum boarding, roasting marshmallows or playing in the snow. ||I will add at this stage that I can not fault the Santa day or the TUI team, I don’t think it would have been anywhere near as magical without the fresh snow fall or the lake being frozen / safe to be on , so that is a big consideration. ||The evening meal was much the same good food, with more bum boarding and snow play after. We then went down to the evening entertainment where the kids went feral but had a great time. |Mid way the entertainment through however the rep advised us that we may be able to see the northern lights. We made our way down to the car park and managed to get some pictures of the aurora. ||The last full day / free day we spent at Santa Park. I’m only adding this to advise that if you want to go to anywhere in or around Rovaniemi such as Santa Park or Santa Clause Village etc not through TUI, it will be approx €90 to €110 taxi each way depending on number of people. You can book the taxis through the hotel reception and through the taxi drivers. ||There was then the Festive Finale which was a Christmas meal which again want bad, some cabaret and then earlier evening entertainment. ||The final day was travelling back very early with an hour trip to Santa Clause Village for some last minute shopping (not enough time to do / see everything) To note if you are the early bus like we were some shops weren’t open. ||Some final recommendations / advice|* Have a neck warmer / snood|* Tap water is safe to drink|* Take lip cream / Vaseline due to cold and room air is dry|* Take bottles of water for all activities|* Prices for the same things increase at SCV and airport|* Wear 2 pairs of thick socks. Especially for the kids as made a huge difference for them|* Also for the kids I’d recommend thermal base, track suit and then snow suit depending on the temperature |* Order taxis via reception for a fixed rate|* Download the My Aurora Forecast & Alerts|* Keep an eye on the many notice boards for announcements||I’d like to add that yes the TUI excursions are more expensive then if you do DIY however the TUI ones usually have transfers included and an elf / guide. ||Finally I wish to say a huge thank you to the TUI reps, entertainment team and elves, you guys are nuts!!!...

We were sold the Perfect, Magical, once in a lifetime holiday by the travel agent however...

We arrived around 11am - couldn't get into our room until 4pm.

No luggage rooms - had to leave bags outside in the snow.

No lifts to Upper floors - no assistance given by hotel staff to carry multiple suitcases upstairs - dangerous.

No organisation with Tui reps - people left to find their own way around the hotel complex

The hotel has no communal area and only 2 sets of comfy sofas which are in different parts of the hotel to share with over 200 families!

No free kids or adults sports activities. No gym, no pool, no computer rooms for the kids.

The few daytime rep led activities were very short (only around 10-20 mins) and comprised of making an off the shelf pre packaged craft house and building a snow creature outside the hotel door!

Unless you pay extra to do the excursions (at nearly £500 each excursion for a family of 2 adults and 2 children) then there is nothing to do at all and the nearest town is 30 mins I'm a taxi which they charge 50€ each way!

The bar is very very expensive. There eis one single draft beer (a local cheap lager) which they charge 7€ not for a pint by just 0.4L!!! A bottle of wine is on average €60 a bottle with the cheapest house wine €40!!! A small bottle of coke is €6! And the only place to get a drink is in the hotel. No free drinks other than at meal times where you have water or coffe/tea - that's it.

The food selection is unbelievably poor.

Breakfast is probably the only decent meal. Lunch is a basic bar snack selection, there is no restaurant as such. The choice is the same EVERY day. Nuggets & Chips, Burger, Salad or Chips... That's it. And it's about €40 for the privalage of that same rubbish EVERY day. The only way to get anything else to eat is to pay the €500 to go on an excursion on a coach to maybe eat something else!

Dinner - very limited food, especially for children. Considering its mainly children/families on a Lapland holiday, the meals are a very basic selection of food. 2 of the 4 nights the only thing suitable for the children was bread and butter and chips! Not healthy diet for a week!

The adults selection was very poor. 2 dishes to choose from only and served in slop buckets (see photos). The whole buffet selection barely made up a complete meal and once again, that was the only choice for dinner. It felt more like a camp feeding hall than a restaurant. No other options apart from what was put out in the warming tins. No seperate chargeable menu or Al a carte. Desert was very limited also. Again, only free drinks supplied were tap water and tea/coffee. Not even a squash for the children, you had to buy soft drinks at the bar for 6€ each!

The only good thing of the 'magical' holiday is its location for scenery (but the remoteness caused an issue as there were no facilities at the remote location (especially for children) and the excursions, however, EVERY excursion bar the santa trip and the taster session which lasted 3 mins each on day 1 was around €500 each! With the facilities on site so poor it forces you to book extra excursions to get away from the hotel and lack of facilities and atmosphere!

We feel that all the hotel and Tui are concerned about is keeping expenses to a minimum and charging extortionate prices for literally everything!

Do not book this hotel or with Tui. They cross the T's (for turnover) and for the I's for income and put U in the middle (with no facilities and forcing U to pay extra to be able to eat, drink and actually do anything magical!

We have spent a lot of money and will be looking for a refund upon our return and never to book with Tui again!

Hugely disappointed with the lack of service, activities entertainment and magical spirit promised and left massively out of pocket on an already over-priced and...