Hi
I had the exact same dilemas as you a few months ago! We couldn't choose between Thomsons and Esprit for Saariselka as they both went to the Holiday Club (which we wanted) but vary in price by £1000+!
In the end I chose Thomsons for the following reasons:
- Date for 3 night trip was 3 days later - the later the better for snow guarantee!
-Esprit only give you one type A room for family of 4 whereas Thomsons don't count the sofa bed so you actually get 2 twin rooms (both have sofa bed) for the same family of 4! Lots of people with esprit commented on room size being small so i felt this addressed this issue!
- As thomsons only started with Saariselka last year, i found it hard to get reviews so i contacted several people directly through trip advisor and asked for details of their Thsomson experience. All said they went the same Santa resort as Esprit - just different day, and they do al the same activities inc huskies, snowmobiles, reindeers, lapish ceremony, ice fishing etc (even though some isnt mentioned in Thomson brochure). The activities last 10-15 long - same as Esprit and they got a snowmobile/sleigh ride on a search for santa lasting 15 mins plus a guaranteed 10 min private meeting with santa in his cabin.
- The gala meeting are set in the same hotels but in different rooms. One person told me she sat in on the esprit one for half hour by mistake and said its the exact same set up only Thomsons seemed livelier as they had kids up on the stage etc etc!
- Esprit use easyjet and i dont think they do anything special on the plane out (may be wrong) whereas Thomsons last year gave out activity bags and had party games etc on the flight.
So we go on the 16th Dec, 3 nights holiday club from Manchester for 2 adults and 2 kids (aged 5 and 7) for £2200 - over £1000 cheaper than esprit. (I chose B&B as you get lunch on activity day and gala meal included so didnt seem worth paying £250 for 2 evening meals - we could get more choice for less when we get there.
Ive never been so obviously only going of other peoples comparisons but the many people i contacted with Thomsons Saariselka all confirmed the above so i was happy to save the cash for trips!