Santasport Hostel

There are lots of activities for kids, and most Uber and taxi drivers seem to know where to pick up and drop off tourists. The apartments are in a separate building from the main hotel, so walking between the two was a bit cold this winter, though it’s fine if you bundle up.

I had to cancel a much-anticipated holiday because the current conflict led to flight cancellations. My booking was marked non-refundable, but after we discussed the situation, the hotel issued a full refund. Nearby places I contacted wouldn’t do the same, so I really appreciated the empathy and compassion this hotel showed during a difficult time. Travel plans are stressful enough when something like this happens. The hotel’s decision to put guests’ well-being ahead of a cancellation fee made a real difference and built my trust in them. Their integrity and humanity have made them my first choice for future trips to the region. I recommend them wholeheartedly. They treat guests with respect and care, which can be hard to find.

The reception made a great first impression: check-in was easy, the room keys were ready, and the guy there gave fantastic service. The hotel’s location is good, not far from Rov center, and a taxi to Santa village costs a reasonable 20-30 euro. Our room was warm, the beds were comfy, and the sauna was a good extra. The carpets were clean but tatty, which you’d expect with snow boots coming in and out. The car park is well laid out, the swimming pool is really good, and bowling was enjoyable and well priced. I didn’t use the gym, but it looked incredible. The food was shocking. I didn’t expect much from an all-inclusive buffet, but there was little variety and the cold food was bad. In my opinion, the woman on the till needs to learn some manners and smile. The other cafe had much better service, though still not perfect. TUI reps seemed interested only in getting you to book excursions, and in my opinion TUI isn’t the best travel provider. An onsite shop would be a great addition. There’s plenty of space, and I think it would be well used and a goldmine for the business if stocked and priced well. The hotel is a solid four stars overall, but could easily be a five if they fixed the food and some of the staff. Hope you take both my positive and negative comments on board :)

The staff were amazing, helpful and caring, and the hotel has lots for families to do, from the spa and gym to bowling and other kids’ activities. You don’t need to leave to keep the kids entertained. Breakfast had plenty of gluten-free choices, and Uber made it easy to get to Santa’s village. My friend and I had a great stay, and I’ll definitely bring my family back. This should be a four-star hotel.