Ski-Inn AurinkoRinne

Very pleased with Aurinkorinne Apartments. Booked a studio through Crystal and found I was able to access the apartment from 12:35pm rather than wait until normal check in at 6pm. The apartment was very clean, spacious, well designed and well equipped. The key code entry was useful, saves remembering a key! There's a large drying cabinet as you walk in which is great for all your ski gear, plus plenty of hanging space. The kitchen has everything you could need, including a dishwasher which is beneath the oven. Cleaning liquids (including dishwasher gel), tea towels, cloths, even kitchen towel are all provided. There's also a QR code on the cabinets which you scan to access all the appliance instructions. Useful for the dishwasher as there's a lever attached to the tap which you have to turn to use it. The bathroom is large, the sauna is lovely and there's plenty of hot water. Shower gel and soap are also provided along with a hair dryer and plenty of toilet roll (a nice surprise compared to French apartments...) The main area of the room has the beds, which were very comfortable, a sofa, table and fireplace. The room was always warm without being too hot and there's extra bedding in the wardrobe. Even firewood, matches and firelighters are provided, though don't forget to open the damper above the fireplace before you light the fire, though you might need to stand on a chair. There are some English channels on the TV but not many. WiFi was very hit and miss on the first day but then stabilised and worked fine. Didn't hear much noise from adjoining apartments, though I was woken one morning by snow clearance at 5:30am which wasn't great. The apartments are a little way out of Ruka village which I liked. From Q block it took about 8 minutes at a brisk pace uphill to reach the gondola. Some of the apartments are closer to the slopes than others - Q block is probably the furthest and it was about 5 minute walk to the slopes, though the route is flat and easy. Only tricky bit is the snow covered steps to the apartment if you're on the first floor, but just take it easy and it's fine. Don't be tempted to ski along the road, they spread gravel on it to help with vehicle traction. If you're self-catering, I recommended going to the Sale supermarket just out of the village (by the roundabout off the main road) rather than the store in the village. It's much larger and cheaper, and only a few minutes further to walk. Overall I'd happily stay here again and if you're used to French ski apartments, these are a significant step up.

Absolutely brilliant apartments, clean and well equipped. As a family of 3 we stayed in a 2 bedroom apartment and it was plenty big enough. Drying cabinet was excellent and so was the sauna. We were in block c which was just at the bottom of the fist hill so an excellent location. To get to the village it was a walk up a small hill and then you could do the steps (70) up to the village, or take a longer gentle walk round. We will be back loved it x Hairdryer, towels included.