Where to Stay in Riga, Latvia

 

When deciding where to stay in Riga, it’s useful to note that the hotels in Riga come at a great value, presenting travelers with the pleasurable situation of getting a lot for a little. For example, Riga’s 5-star hotels can cost less than $200 a night. Because Riga is a large city, the following ‘where to stay’ options give preference to centrally located hotels; they also focus on hotel’s providing modern comforts, such as complimentary WiFi. The following list of ‘where to stay’ options is organized by star rating, beginning with 5-star hotels and ending with budget accommodations.

5-Star Hotels in Riga

Hotel Bergs
Located in Bergs Bazaar, a romantic and historic area with cobblestone streets and bustling shops and cafes, this designer boutique hotel is just a short walk from Riga’s Old Town. It features a mocha color theme and modern furnishings, and is decorated with African carvings, Latvian grand masters’ portraits, and contemporary art.

The hotel’s staff is efficient and professional, and its 38 suites are spacious and modern. Each comes with a functional kitchenette, bathroom with heated floor, separate sleeping and living areas, a pillow menu, and complimentary WiFi. Hotel amenities include a sauna, spa (with a complete selection of massages), fitness room, and the fine-dining Restaurant Bergs, which is open for lunch and dinner and serves international cuisine with a focus on continental cuisine. Breakfast is served daily for an additional charge of 20€; alternatively, numerous excellent cafes surround the hotel.

Grand Palace Hotel
This hotel is within 200 yards of the Dome Cathedral, Daugava River, and Riga Castle, and no request is too much for the capable staff; however, note that the spa and gym are on the smaller side for a 5-star hotel. The 56 rooms are furnished with old European-style furniture and decorated with a blue and beige theme. Each room comes with air conditioning, complimentary WiFi, an electronic concierge system, and a bathroom with heated floor.

In addition to its spa and gym, the hotel offers a bar; a den-like lounge replete with leather sofas; the fine-dining SUITE Restaurant, which serves a fusion of European and Asian cuisine in an Art Deco setting; and the SUITE Terrace, which serves drinks and a selection of food al fresco from May to September.

4-Star Hotels in Riga

Neiburgs Hotel
Exceptionally located within the Old Town of Riga, this apartment-style hotel is housed inside of an Art Nouveau building so beautiful that tourists tend to linger outside taking photos. The 55 modernly furnished rooms are large (the smallest is roughly 250 square feet), and each features an equipped kitchenette, free WiFi, and air conditioning.

For those interested in cooking in, this hotel offers a particularly good value. Hotel amenities include a spa, hamman, a small fitness room, and the Neiburgs Restaurant, which offers traditional Baltic cuisine with an international perspective.

Radisson Blu Elizabete Hotel
About a five to ten-minute walk from the Old Town, this hotel is ideal for those looking for modern furnishings and the reliable standards of the Radisson Blu brand. It offers 228 spotless guest rooms, including an exclusive Suite, three Junior Suites, and 18 Business Class Rooms, each with air conditioning, tea and coffee provisions, free WiFi, hairdryers, and minibars.

The hotel features a traditional Nordic sauna, a gym with views of Vermanes Park, the Bar C.U.T., and the Restaurant C.U.T., which serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner in a casual setting. A breakfast buffet with a good selection of items is offered daily.

Hotel Justus
This artistic hotel provides 45 rooms in the Old Town—just steps from the sights. Housed inside of an 18^th century building, the rooms feature exposed brickwork, antique and contemporary art works, and Art Deco touches. The rooms have anti-allergy duvets and pillows, free but spotty WiFi, air conditioning, safes, and minibars, and they are individually decorated, so ask to see a few to choose the one that fits your style.

In general, the hotel is quite quiet, but noise-sensitive sleepers may wish to request a room in the back of the hotel to be safe. A buffet breakfast with made-to-order eggs is offered daily, and the restaurant serves lunch and dinner Tuesday through Sunday. In addition, a small sauna is available for a small charge; it must be reserved.

3-Star Hotels in Riga

Clarion Collection Hotel Valdemars
This hotel, located about 15 minutes from the Old Town by foot, comes at a truly incredible value. Included in the room price are all-day fruit, tea, and coffee service, a large breakfast buffet, an afternoon snack, and a dinner buffet, which includes soup, salad, an entree, dessert, and a cheese platter.

The 83 rooms are well maintained and basic and come with free, but sometimes spotty, WiFi. The hotel’s amenities include a steam sauna, a Jacuzzi, and a small gym, with treadmill, weights, and a step-up machine.

Albert Hotel Riga
Using Albert Einstein as inspiration, this themed hotel is located about 15 minutes from the Old Town by foot and comes at a good value. It has 246 rooms, each with air conditioning, free WiFi, hairdryers, ironing boards, and minibars.

Amenities and services include a large buffet breakfast, which is served daily; 24-hour reception; The Albert Hotel Riga restaurant, which serves Mediterranean and Baltic dishes; and the Starge Lounge Bar, which offers a rooftop terrace with excellent views during the warmer months. For a good view of the city, request a room on a higher floor.

Hanza Hotel Riga
Offering a high-level of service for the cost, this hotel is a pleasant 15-minute walk (passing Riga’s Central Market) from the Old Town. The 80 rooms come with free WiFi, hair dryers, and bathrooms with heated floors.

A large buffet breakfast is served daily, and the hotel will pack a modest breakfast for guests leaving before 7am. Reception is 24 hours, and the Hanza Pub restaurant serves traditional Baltic fare daily for lunch and dinner.

Budget Accommodations in Riga

Hotel Edvards
A 3-star hotel, this family-run accommodation is just a ten-minute walk from the Old Town, and it was completely renovated in 2012. The 20 rooms have air conditioning, free WiFi, minibars, hairdryers, and bathrooms with heated floors.

The room price includes a small buffet breakfast with the option of having eggs made to order. The staff is efficient and particularly warm. Note that the rooms on the upper floors have balconies.

Friendly Fun Franks Backpackers Hostel
Offering a good party, this clean and exceptionally friendly hostel is located on the edge of the Old Town, and it is ideal for travelers looking to meet other travelers.

It offers complimentary WiFi, fully equipped kitchen facilities, and an array of extras, such as bicycle rentals, a 24-hour sports bar, a complimentary welcome beer, and a free walking tour of Riga. All rooms are dormitory style and overlook the Daugava River. There is no lock out time.

Written exclusively for EuropeUpClose.com