Ylläs Saaga Spa Hotel

Lapland/Finland, Santa Breaks in Yllas
4.5

4.5 Rating

We rate all of our accommodation based on their facilities, service level, character and customer feedback. Our ratings may vary from the official star rating.

Saaga Spa Hotel, Lounge & Fire

Saaga Spa Hotel, Entrance

Saaga Spa Hotel, Pool

Saaga Spa Hotel, Sauna

Saaga Spa Hotel, Standard Twin Room

Saaga Spa Hotel, Standard Twin Room

Lapland Hotels Saaga Superior Twin Bathroom

Saaga Spa Hotel, Superior Room Bathroom

Saaga Spa Hotel, Superior Twin Room

The Ylläs Saaga Hotel is a stylish and modern retreat set right beside the snowy Lappish fells – a perfect base for a magical Christmas holiday to meet Santa in Lapland. Located in the heart of Ylläsjärvi, just steps from the ski lifts, ski school, and equipment hire, it offers cosy, high-standard rooms, many with stunning views across the fell. Those looking for more space can also choose the Ylläs Saaga Apartments, which include self-catering facilities and the option to upgrade to half board, with meals served in the hotel.

The ultimate Santa Break – ski, explore & meet Santa in Ylläs

Set on the magical Ylläsjärvi side of the fell, the Ylläs Saaga Hotel offers the perfect base for a Christmas family holiday filled with festive cheer, snowy adventures, and the unforgettable chance to meet Santa in his true homeland. Just moments from the ski lifts, it’s an ideal spot for first-time skiers and families looking to try out gentle slopes in a peaceful, uncrowded setting.

With ski school, equipment hire, and beginner-friendly pistes right on your doorstep, it’s easy to mix Arctic activities with enchanting Santa experiences. Spend your days skiing through snow-covered landscapes, then enjoy husky rides, reindeer safaris, and magical encounters with Santa himself – all within reach of this cosy, slopeside hotel. It’s the ultimate festive escape for snow lovers and Santa seekers alike.

Festive spa & wellness for the whole family

After a day of snowy fun and festive excitement, there's no better place to unwind than the hotel’s cosy wellness centre. Whether you've spent the day skiing, dashing through the snow on a husky sled, or visiting Santa in his woodland hideaway, a little relaxation goes a long way. Warm up with a soothing sauna, enjoy a dip in the indoor pool, or relax tired muscles in the hot tub. Younger guests will love the children's splash pool, giving everyone a chance to recharge after a magical day. For a special treat, parents can indulge in a massage or spa treatment (payable locally).

Fireside comforts & festive family feasts

head to the inviting Fireplace Bar to warm up with a mug of hot chocolate or festive mulled wine. The cosy atmosphere is perfect for sharing stories from your day's adventures, whether it was your child’s first ski lesson or that unforgettable visit to Santa’s cabin. Come evening, gather for a delicious three-course buffet at the Biegga Restaurant, offering beautiful views of the snow-covered fells. For an extra special Christmas dining experience, treat the family to a meal at the Tsohka à la carte restaurant, where local Lappish ingredients and festive flavours shine. Guests enjoy a discount here – simply let reception know by 6pm the evening before. It’s the perfect way to end a magical day in the heart of Lapland.

Private meeting with Santa included for every family, with a gift for each child

Festive Feast - an evening for festive food, music & games included

Thermal suits & boots included (aged 3+ years)

Santa Breaks in Yllas

Ylläs is an idyllic unspoiled area of Lapland above the Arctic Circle. It encompasses three villages, Äkäslompolo, Ylläsrinne and Ylläsjärvi, each with marvellous scenery and high-quality cosy log cabins dotted around the woods. This resort really allows you to appreciate the true beauty of nature that Lapland has to offer - the landscape is dominated by vast forests, crystal-clear lakes (which are ideal for spotting the magical Northern Lights) , and rolling fells (their equivalent to mountains) making this resort a haven for nature lovers. The region also has a rich indigenous Samí heritage, and you'll have the chance to learn about Samí culture, traditions, and history during your stay. Our Ylläs Santa Break trips allow you to enjoy an unforgettable short break in December to get the whole family well and truly into the festive spirit in the run up to Christmas!

What's included in a Santa Break to Ylläs

Direct flights, transfers and accommodation for 3, 4 or 7 nights
An exclusive visit to Santa's Hideaway with magical workshops, gingerbread making, arts and crafts.
Private family meeting with Santa and a present for children
Festive Feast on your final evening
Thermal suits and warm boots for adults and children from 3 years
A range of optional activities available to add to your package
Inghams Destination Experts based in Ylläs, if you need any advice, tips or assistance while you're away

Santa's Wilderness Hideaway

Experience a truly magical Santa Break in Lapland this Christmas with a visit to Santa’s Hideaway included in your holiday. Nestled among the snow-covered forests of Ylläs - this intimate, enchanting location is perfect for a festive family adventure. Join Santa’s friendly elves in a magical workshop, where you can bake delicious gingerbread or get creative with some arts and crafts. Enjoy thrilling snow games, from tobogganing to exciting kick sled rides for the little ones. The highlight of your day? A snowmobile-drawn sleigh ride through the glistening forest, following the twinkling lights to meet Santa in his cosy log cabin. Share a heartwarming private family moment with Santa, and take home a special gift for the children!

Additional Arctic Activities

Your Lapland holiday wouldn't be complete without some exciting winter excursions. We have a range of activities available to pre-book which allow you to immerse yourself in the unique Lappish culture and traditions of the region. You can race across frozen lakes and snowy landscapes on a husky sleigh ride, cosy up under a blanket and enjoy a reindeer sleigh ride through the scenic forests or whizz your way through the fells on an exhilarating snowmobile safari. Aspiring skiers and boarders are also in luck as you can add on a 'Ski Taster' package with our four night stays, which include lift passes, equipment and lessons. Ylläs is a great ski resort offering pistes for all abilities, with some fantastic beginner slopes, small classes and friendly English-speaking ski instructors.

We recommend booking all additional activities with us whether before you go or with our Destination Expert in resort, so we can make sure they fit in around your included activities.

Where to stay in Ylläs

Ylläs is centred around a large fell and we have accommodation situated on both sides. The main village is Äkäslompolo where you will find the majority of our accommodation including log cabins like the Villa Armas Cabins and Ylläs Log Cabins, as well as cosy apartments like our Akäs Apartments. Throughout Äkäslompolo there are also a handful of shops, colourful local bars, restaurants and an excellent, large supermarket.

If you'd prefer to head further into the remote Lappish wilderness, we'd recommend staying in one of our Ylläsrinne cabins which are located in the area of Ylläsrinne, on the other side of the fell to Äkäslompolo. These cabins are traditional Finnish log cabins and offer unspoiled natural scenery that'll allow you to really experience a winter wonderland like no other.

Still got a question? See our Santa Break FAQs.

Things to Do

Rooms

No. of rooms: 120

No. of buildings: 1
No. of floors: 4

Reception

Check-in: 4pm
Check-out: 11am

Rooms

Standard Rooms sleep two to four people. These rooms have twin beds and an additional sofa-bed suitable for one adult or two children under 12 years old.

Single Room is sole occupancy of the standard twin room. No single supplement on all dates. These rooms are available on request, please give our Reservations team a call to book.

Superior Rooms sleep two to four people, these rooms have twin beds and an additional double sofa bed - best suited for one adult or two children under 12 years old. Superior rooms also include a small fridge and a kettle. These rooms are available on request, please give our Reservations team a call to book.

Bedroom facilities

Located in the main building
Views of the horizon or fells
Most rooms have a balcony or terrace (not guaranteed)
Shower
WC
Hairdryer
Bathrobes
TV
Drying closet
Free Wi-Fi
Most rooms have a balcony or terrace
Most rooms can take a cot

For apartment options in this area, check out the Yllas Saaga Apartments.

Accessibility

The Yllas Saaga Spa Hotel has some accessible rooms which may be suitable for wheelchair users or those with reduced mobility. Please give our Reservations team a call to discuss booking this hotel.

Lift accessible: Yes
Lift serves all floors: Yes
No. of steps into property: 4
Access ramp: Yes

Longitude: 24.254466
Latitude: 67.552160

Located at the base of the Ylläsjärvi Ski Resort
Slope side location
150 metres from the ski lifts and ski school

Facilities

Indoor pool with children's area, whirlpool, sauna and steam room included for hotel guests
Spa treatments (pay locally)
Fitness room (reservation required, pay locally)
Two restaurants: Biegga half-board buffet restaurant and à la carte restaurant Tsohka (pay locally)
Bistro Bar
Lounge
Free Wi-Fi
Fireplace bar
Lifts
Located next to the ski lifts, ski school and ski hire shop on the Ylläsjärvi side of the fell

Meals

The Ylläs Saaga Hotel is offered on half board. The breakfast is buffet style with a range of hot and cold options, served from 7am - 10am. Dinner is three courses with a choice of main, available from 6pm - 7.30pm.

Guests can receive a 30% discount for the à la carte restaurant. Please inform the reception by 6pm the day before. Please note that the à la carte restaurant is not guaranteed to be open all season.

No of restaurants: 2

Board basis options available

Half Board

This property caters for the following special dietary requirements

Vegetarians

The hotel can cater to special dietary requirements including vegetarian, vegan, gluten free and dairy free meal on request. Please inform us of any dietary restrictions at the time of booking. Allergies and intolerances not listed above cannot be catered for. All allergies and intolerances, even if listed above, are subject to confirmation by the accommodation.

Excursions

Add even more magic to your 3, 4, or 7-night holiday! Along with your included visit to Santa, Festive Feast, and thermal clothing, you can personalise your Santa Break with exciting optional excursions and pre-bookable activities. We now allocate a date and time of day for any excursions booked. So, there's no more wondering when your activities will take place.

Combined 2km Husky & 1km Reindeer Safari (excludes Ylläsrinne)

An animal lover’s dream and a great value excursion that makes the most of your valuable holiday time. Meet some of Santa's reindeer deep in their silent forest hideaway. Learn about their way of life from colourful local Sámi herders and enjoy a romantic reindeer sleigh ride for 1km across the snowy landscape. Warm up in the Kota with hot berry juice and biscuits. Next it’s time to visit the huskies in their nearby cosy wilderness home. Learn about their way of life while huddled around a campfire inside a traditional Lappish Kota hut. Visit the huskies and enjoy a 2km dog-sled ride through the sparkling winter landscape.

Total excursion duration approx. 2½hrs.

Husky Safari (Ylläsrinne only)

Take a 5km husky safari through the beautiful snow covered woodland. You’ll have the chance to learn all about the dogs and how to drive the sleds yourself. A great experience for the whole family! Warm up after around the crackling fire with hot berry juice and biscuits.

Total excursion duration approx. 2½hrs

Snowmobile Safari

Experience an exhilarating 25km ride through beautiful scenery, snow-laden forests and frozen lakes. Snowmobiles are fun and easy to ride on your own or sharing with a passenger. Children either share with an adult (over 11 years and 140cm only) or are towed in a sleigh or pod behind the guide.

Total excursion duration approx 2½hrs.

Ski Taster Package

(For 4 & 7 night complete beginner guests only)
An opportunity for guests who have never skied before to try the wonderful world of skiing. Conditions are ideal for learning to ski with empty slopes and friendly English speaking instructors.

Ski tuition for 1½ hours
Skis & boots hire all day
Free use of beginner lifts all day

Please note:

Ski Taster Package is for guests 6yrs or older. Guests must make their own way to the ski resort for the Ski Taster on the local ski bus (payable locally). We act as at all times as the selling agent for the supplier of excursions and activities. Times and durations are approximate and may vary due to weather conditions. Ylläsrinne guests can book onto the ski taster locally.

Husky and Reindeer Safaris: Exclude Ylläsrinne guests. Times and distances are approximate and may vary due to weather conditions. Safari child age 4-12yrs. Children 0-3yrs free (transport must be pre-booked). In Ylläs customers will drive the husky sled themselves, where as in Levi customers will be driven.

Snowmobile Safaris: Times and distances are approximate and may vary due to weather conditions. Snowmobile Safari child age 4-10yrs and will be towed behind the guide in a sleigh or pod. Children must be aged 11 yrs or above and at least 140cm tall to ride as a passenger on a snowmobile. Snowmobile drivers must be 18yrs and bring a full, photographic driver's licence with them. Single riders who have purchased a sharing snowmobile may need to upgrade locally to a single driving snowmobile, if a sharing snowmobile is not available.

Unless stated otherwise, excursion days and time of day (morning, afternoon, or evening) are as shown on your invoice.
Exact excursion timings will be confirmed upon arrival in resort.
Some excursions may have flexible scheduling. Where this is the case, your invoice will state: "The actual time and day of your excursion will be confirmed locally and may differ from your invoice and voucher." Our resort team will then advise you on arrival.
Excursion days and times are subject to change. While we will do our best to provide advance notice, some adjustments may be necessary. Our Excursion Coordinator and Destination Experts will be available in the resort to assist with any changes.
Times and distances are approximate and may vary due to weather and other conditions. In extremely cold temperatures or bad weather conditions excursions may be cancelled at late notice.
Prices and supplements are correct at time of publishing but may vary up or down. Correct prices will be advised at the time of booking.
Travel insurance is a condition of booking with us, and you should ensure that your chosen policy covers the activities that you plan to take part in during your holiday. Your policy should provide cover for your own personal and medical expenses, however individual policies will not cover damage to snowmobiles or skidoos and a compulsory excess will be payable directly to the supplier of the snowmobile/skidoo excursion.

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Total price from

£6836

per person from £1709

Includes £50pp discount

30/11/2025 - 7 nights

4 adults

From Manchester Int.

Half Board

Yllas Saaga Spa Hotel

Santa Breaks in Yllas

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