All You Need to Know About the Pool
at Lapland Hotels Hetta
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Pool & Beach (5)
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Pool review highlights
... helps show off the magnificence of the great outdoors. The pool is not heated (this wasn’t clear when booking with TUI)...
... the rooms very modern and clean and there is a swimming pool and sauna which we made good use of. The location of the...
... our kids love splashing about so we did try it. The swimming pool in the hotel was lovely albeit absolutely freezing. (not...
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Reviews that mention pool
Write a reviewWe traveled to Hetta as part of a TUI package. As first time visitors to Lapland we liked the organisation the package offered. Apprehensive to begin with when booking due to its remote location and scarce reviews; There was no need to worry. The location next to the frozen lake is stunning, a two hour transfer from The airport only adds to the anticipation and remote feeling. Great size family suite. Great food and a wonderful atmosphere. Yes it’s decor is dated in parts but this only helps show off the magnificence of the great outdoors. The pool is not heated (this wasn’t clear when booking with TUI) which was the only disappointment. We stayed over Christmas and it was truly magical. The activities offered by TUI were amazing. The taster sessions at the snow castle were fantastic. Don’t be drawn into other reviews about them being one of two minutes. Perhaps this is the case in more commercial areas however you had around 2.5 hours to explore the activities and try them as many times as you wanted. Reindeer sleigh rides, sledging, huskey sleigh rides, snowmobiles and the amazing snow castle. Travelling with a 5 and 7 year old we feel these sessions were timed just right. Any longer would mean grumpy cold children. We learnt the hard way after booking an entire afternoon huskey experience through Hetta Huskies. I found this an amazing experience however the little ones got very cold very quickly.
Searching for Santa in the snowy forest was a highlight. The TUI reps work hard as do the local elves.
Can’t wait to go back.
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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
3 Helpful votes
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We have just come back from a 3 night stay at the hotel hetta lapland with thomson.
wow wow wow what a magical place this is if you are looking for hustle and bustle this is not the place for you it is very remote and very traditional and very picturesque,the hotel itself is fantastic the food is great the rooms very modern and clean and there is a swimming pool and sauna which we made good use of.
The location of the hotel is sat back from a massive frozen lake which is a perfect viewing place for the northern stars which we saw on our last night absolutely magical!!
We went half board with thomson and taster sessions were included on the huskeys,reindeers and snowmobile and we had a visit to santa and went sledging quite often.
You can book full excursions with thomsons on all activities but we found with a little one the taster sessions were enough as it is extremely cold although i did book to go on my own on the snowmobile chasing the notthern stars trip one night and it was fantastic.
Upon boarding with thomspns at doncaster the plane was trimmed up and all the airline staff made a really effort during the flight to make it extra special singing christmas songs and quiz games.
Now last but not least all the magic could not have happend without the thomson reps from the moment they met us at kittila airport they made the whole trip for us extra special especially our daughter they are extremely helpful and the effort and time they put into entertaining the children is 1st class this included toasting marshmellows in the hotel and carol singing,arts and crafts activities,shows at night and on the final night xmas dinner,panto and fireworks on the lake!!!
A BIG SHOUTOUT TO RAINDEER RACHEL,ANGEL ABBIE,SNOWY CHEVAN,CHRISTMAS CRACKER KATIE AND NOT FORGETTING THE ELFS MERRY DANCER,SNOWBALL,TIPPY TOES.
The reps do really go above and beyond and are a credit to the company,merry xmas to you all xx
I could have wrote 20 pages on this trip it truly is a magical place like something you see on a film and me and my family have memories which will last us a lifetime.
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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
2 Helpful votes
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This review covers the whole TUI Santa holiday experience, based at Hotel Hetta.
As per the previous reviews we’ll start by covering the negatives - the rooms are slightly dated, someone could try harder to alert you to the Northern lights, and the Santa and Husky experiences could be improved.
BUT don’t get us wrong – these did not spoil the holiday and are just some things that would have made a fantastic trip perfect.
Flight
The magic starts at the airport with staff in Christmas hats. The plane was piloted by Santa who waves as you board. The stewards give the children little cardboard packs with colouring and games etc in and you are given a song sheet to help you join in with carols on the way. The food was delicious and plentiful.
On the way there was a colouring competition and the best Christmas jumper competition and the pilot reminded us that we were in Santa’s training ground so to look out for the big man himself. (We saw him glistening on the horizon).
As we neared Lapland the pilot made us aware that Rudolph was tired on his training run and that Santa had asked permission for them to land on our plane to rest. Which they did (the plane lowered slightly). This sort of thing helped make it magical.
Hotel
We stayed in a bungalow opposite the main hotel. The rooms are slightly dated, but warm, clean, and had everything you needed (hob, oven, microwave, kettle, fridge/freezer, pots, pans, cutlery etc). The beds were very comfy and towels were clean.
We realise no-one goes to Lapland in winter solely to swim, but our kids love splashing about so we did try it. The swimming pool in the hotel was lovely albeit absolutely freezing. (not just uncomfortable getting in type of cold), good for swimming a few lengths rather than splashing about with the kids. We didn’t stay in long but did make use of the sauna. The facilities were all good and clean and towels are provided.
The food was good. Hot and plentiful, and available when you needed it, and there was something for everyone. Traditionally cooked meat and fish, potato & veg dishes. Chips and nuggets, Salad and cold meats & cheese and lots of fresh bread. We very much enjoyed trying different things and found most of it delicious. Dessert was also lovely and tea selection & coffee was good. There was also a great choice at breakfast, with cereal, yogurt, fresh fruit, bacon, sausages, eggs, and cold meats and bread too. Compliments to the restaurant team.
The bar was expensive, (€8-10 for a pint) but it is a hotel bar, in Lapland (which we found generally a bit expensive) and we weren’t too concerned about not drinking.
The hotel sits right on the edge of a frozen lake, with a few toboggan runs which the kids loved. There are sledges left in and around the hotel for you to borrow and return.
The transfer from the airport is 2 hours long but this was made enjoyable by the reps trying hard to entertain. We are still singing the crazy reindeer song.
The hotel is in a remote area and therefore not commercialised like other resorts and we loved this.
In the town about 15-20 minutes walk away from the hotel there is a supermarket with everything you need. There is also a burger restaurant (we didn’t try it so I can’t review). We took the sledges with us and towed the kids – which was enjoyable.
The Northern lights made an appearance, but we were unaware and like others have said – it would have been nice if the rep(s) or hotel had contacted us to make us aware, as this is something we very much would have liked to have seen. Maybe a group text message alert or something simple like that would work.
Activities
Upon arrival at the airport you are sent to a warehouse where they provide you with your snow gear. We received boots, onesie snow suit, lovely warm socks (to put over ours) and fleece gloves with a leather outer cover. (I wore glove liners under). We visited in December and would recommend you bring hats and face guards (as the freezing wind hurts) and obviously thermal layers.
The TUI team were good, and helped keep the kids entertained. The panto on the last night showed their hard work. Oh no it didn’t…. Oh yes it did! Well done girls.
The Huskies, reindeer pulled sleigh and snowmobile taster sessions were all brilliant experiences. And our children very much enjoyed these together with the sledging. We also enjoyed the hot berry juice and biscuits provided.
We paid extra for the huskies full experience and generally we were pleased (it was an amazing experience driving them) but due to the extreme cold (-26c + wind factor) we found that the children especially, got too cold to enjoy it and by the end we found we just wanted it to end so that we could all get warm. Extra blankets may have helped?
Another issue was it was done in the afternoon with a walk round the farm itself in daylight and then at sunset we found ourselves driving with little light and therefore found it very difficult to see the people in front (which you need to see so you don’t crash the dogs into them) or to view the magical scenery. The lit section at the very end was beautiful so maybe some lights on the course would improve this experience, or provide head torches or even do the driving first and visit the farm after. We did the taster session in the daylight and it was AMAZING.
Santa
The Santa visit was lovely but could easily be improved. He knew their names and asked some good questions and was assisted by a traditional looking elf and in a suitable log cabin.
As others have said – the bus shuttle to the cabin was naff and took away a bit of the magic. I’m sure one of the taster sessions could be put to more use (like a taster on the reindeers ending near the cabin maybe?) or, like someone else suggested a twinkle lit path for you to walk down,
We were then met by a TUI uniformed rep (rather than those dressed as elves) and again this could easily be rectified to add some magic.
And as for the snow globe (gift from Santa) having the TUI logo on – well that was pants and like someone else has said – our older child questioned this. They were confused as to why Santa would have TUI gifts. We made some silly story about him knowing we were on a TUI holiday but there was just no need for the logo to be there.
Summary
This break had the potential to be amazing and in parts was, however the minor points could significantly improve it. Having said that we had a wonderful time, the children loved it and we have some delightful memories to look back on.
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Room Tip: Bungalows across the road are spacious & fully equipped but are a bit dated.
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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
2 Helpful votes
Helpful
This was our first visit to Lapland and it won’t be the last. Hetta is 2 hours from the airport but is worth the journey as you feel like you are out in the real Lapland and we got to see the scenery and lovely very Houses with their twinkling lights. The hotel staff were friendly and welcoming, the rooms tastefully decorated with lots of reindeers and the log fire is fantastic. The food is excellent and lots of choice and there is a lovely little shop. The location of the hotel is stunning as it is on a frozen lake which gives a fantastic view of the magical snow covered area. There is tobogganing area which is great fun, lots of sledges to use and it is easy to walk to the little village. The pool and sauna were an added bonus. We really loved it here and will be back.
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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
1 Helpful vote
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For us this holiday was perfect. Like other reviews I agree the hotel was a little tired but the bungalow we had was clean and warm with plenty of space. TUI reps Reindeer Ree, Mistletoe Melissa and Bright Star Becka were brilliant with the children. They kept them entertained the whole time we were there, and the adults too. The food was plentiful and a good choice (even for a really fussy eater which I am). Hotel drinks are quite expensive but its to be expected I think. Hotel is 2 hours transfer from airport and it's worth the drive to experience a more traditional Lapland. Hotel Hetta is on a frozen lake which is beautiful. We were very lucky to see the Northern Lights on out first night which was amazing and to be honest an emotional experience which me and my husband will never forget. Taster sessions were just enough for us although you can book additional trips if you wish. Seeing Santa was lovely and although your taken to his grotto by mini bus it was a lovely personal experience with only one family going into the grotto at once. Santa knew our son's name and mentioned how his teacher had told him what a good boy he'd been at school. My son loved this as he loves school so genuinely thought his teacher had been in touch with Santa! We used the pool (which be warned is very cold!) and the sauna and enjoyed both. The supermarket is 20-30 mins walk from the hotel, take a sledge if you plan on shopping or have little children. Temperatures were -28 whilst we were there So take plenty of layers. This resort is very small, traditional and beautiful so if you prefer a more commercial place with bars, shops, fast food etc this isn't for you. Overall a magical unforgettable holiday with memories we will treasure forever.
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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
2 Helpful votes
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