Wonderful location etc, spoilt by resorts penny pinching refusal to run gondola, which makes a huge difference to skiing in minus 25-30 deg. The slightest of winds gives them the excuse to close gondola, after chatting to locals it turns out it is all down to cost, also chair lift on other side of resort doesn't run till week 8! Either open a resort or don't! Only option is slow, freezing, long draglifts. Wouldn't return for this reason alone. Same goes for hotel, superb but again penny pinching spoils it, breakfast one morning was scrambled eggs with last nights veg, broccoli etc! Meatballs and potatoes, seems they like to recycle everything here! Most meals were same, leaving us guessing how they were going to reuse the last meal. It seems since they developed resort they are tryin to squeeze every last penny, even short bus trips are €6 never been to a ski resort and paid for local ski bus. most people I spoke to said they would not return for same reasons as above, what a shame! This resort will go bankrupt at this rate.

We went here for a week on a Half Board, exhursions included trip with Inghams travel.

Good: ski slopes at your doorstep, rooms are large, fridge in room, clean and comfy, bathroom good with AWESOME shower, heated floor and drying closet (great for a bit of clothes hand washing), staff are very welcoming, helpful and fluent english, free internet but only in reception/bar, private balcony off room, restaurant is big and easy to get food from buffet, FOOD WAS FINE! breakky has good range of cold options, hot breakky and usual european cheese/ meats things too, coffee is machine made but ok, dinner buffet was good, different menu each night with usual two meat options (beef or fish for eg) mixed vege (probably from frozen pack but who cares, it's vegies) potatoe bakes, french fries, salal bar, soup of the day, dessert bar with 3 options. All the stuff you need for a full belly! local bus from hotel door to get to shopping area 25 mins away so catch the bus, enjoy the scenery, grab some self catering stuff for your lunch and you're all set. Heaps of activity guides and schedules to choose from if you're bored. Gym, pool, spa and sauna all good, clean and accessible. tv in room with english stuff on every day, ski shops, bar/restaurants/ activity providers just across the car park (check opening times regularly as they may change) prices for food at german themed place is great (recommend the bratwurst, mash and kraut for a cheap lunch)

not so good: alcohol prices! YIKES! 5EU for a beer 330cl at the hotel and similar around the place ( GET YOUR OWN AT ALKO SHOP at shopping centre when you're there) broadband in room didn't work but WIFI throughout is on it's way they said, tv only 8 channels, beds are ok but could be more modern.

We are a family of 2 adults and 2 children (age 4 & 6). We spent 8 days over Christmas 2011 in the Yllas Saaga Spa Hotel with Inghams and thoroughly enjoyed it. The room was clean and just about big enough for us all and the hotel was very child friendly (loved the kids play area in reception, right next to the log fire and sofas - with free wifi). It's right on the ski slope with some great beginner slopes where we took the kids sledging and gave them their first introduction to skiing! I can recommend the creche at the bottom of the slope, as well as the outside play area which the kids loved. My only complaints would be that the pool was very cold which was a real shame, and also the food in the buffet left a lot to be desired. Rather reminiscent of school dinners. The hotel does have an À la cart restaurant which serves great food. We were half board though so rather resented paying twice for dinner, although after 3 nights we really needed a night off from the buffet! If I was going back I'd definitely only go b&b and fork out for the a la cart dinner each night (although the menu didn't change all week so it is bit limiting). There are no local restaurants open in the evening so you're stuck in the hotel. We didn't go for the food though and had been pre-warned by friends. The kids absolutely loved the Santa's secret hideaway excursion and my husband and I particularly enjoyed the mini-safari. Thankfully the 2 Father Christmas' we saw were very similar. I'm very glad we saw him twice as the first time the kids saw him they were completely dumbstruck and couldn't utter a word!!

We stayed in an apartment at the Yllas Saaga hotel from 18th - 26th December 2011 and had a very nice time. We were pleased with the standard of our one bed apartment and it was worth the extra money to have a living area and own sauna. We varied where we ate - a couple of nights in the buffet, the bistro and a la carte all at the hotel which were all nice. The buffet was as most hotel buffets are but pefectly ok, you do get what you pay for and the difference in the a la carte was noticable. We also ate at nearby pizza restarant and pub for a change of scenary.

We thoroughly enjoyed the skiing, I was a beginner and had lessons with the lovely Nico whilst my husband (an advanced skiier) tried out the more challenging slopes. Not all of the slopes were bashed as we were right at the start of the ski season and unfortunately they didn't open the gondola whilst we were there. However, there were enough slopes to keep me occupied and if you go at more peak season then you can get the gondola over to the other side of the resort which has more challenging slopes. This is an ideal resort for families or couples learning to ski, the slopes were very very quiet, you could do a whole lift without seeing another person, truly magical.

We did a few excursions including snowmobiling which was brilliant and husky driving which was equally good. Both experiences that you just won't get another chance to do. Other people we spoke to went to the ice village and to see Santa Claus and said it was worth while. We thought the excursions were reasonably priced for what you got.

We went with Inghams and along with Thompson they put on a joint Christmas dinner for all the guests which was cheesy but actually rather good. Crackers, turkey, a quiz and disco plus some bonus fireworks, was particularly good for the families.

We made plenty of use of the swimming pool which had some great jacuzzi and spa features, not what you normally get in a ski hotel.

The staff were all very nice and accomodating. I think the language was sometimes a bit of a barrier, only that we asked for a new lightbulb in our room three times and they never quite understood enough to get it done, but it didn't spoil the week. Just would be good if they could keep on top of their maintenance.

The hotel is not really walking distance to the supermarket (about 40 mins each way at a fast pace) so if you're going self catering then get a bus / taxi to do a big shop. There is a small shop at the hotel which is fine for basics but not a weeks shopping.

We were a bit worried that there wouldn't be any daylight as we were going at the darkest time, but it was fine. It started to get light at about 10am and went dark about 4pm with various degrees of twilight in between. However the sun rises and sun sets were stunning, and you didn't have to get up early to see them as you were already at the top of the ski slopes. We found the darkness quite relaxing and really slept well, everyhting is flood lit so it definitely didn't restrict us in any way.

Hope this helps. All in all we had a very magical week away. Yllas is a special place, with amazing sunsets, fabulous snow and a truly different ski experience. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Yllas Saaga to my friends.