The Best Hotels in Riga, Latvia
Set your city-break sights on this underrated capital in Eastern Europe to stay in Old Town mansions, Art Nouveau addresses and upscale places to stay – all at an affordable price.
An urban forest of swirling spires and whipped-cream facades to rival Prague or Budapest, the underrated Latvian capital Riga is a riverside warren of historic architecture and little-heard stories to unfurl. Playing second fiddle to other eastern European capitals does mean that the living here is cheap, from grande dame hotels to pints in charming city taverns. With great nightlife, museums and minimal crowds, this is a laid-back city break where you don’t have to stress about booking things in advance – just go with the flow.
1. Grand Palace
Hotel
Far from becoming faded, this proud apricot Old Town mansion has been lavished with love and attention, as evidenced by its up-to-the-minute interiors: think rich peacock hues in the cocktail bar and angular, dark four-poster beds in rooms. There are still chandeliers and mounted taxidermy for a sense of occasion and the dining options are second to none. Pop into the glassy, palm-fringed Orangerie for a slap-up breakfast, or book a plush sofa nook in the Pils Bar and Restaurant for a gourmet dinner.
2. Hotel Justus
Boutique Hotel, Hotel
3. Neiburgs
Boutique Hotel
Ever stayed at a mindfulness-themed hotel? This family-run guesthouse could be your first. Large suites with living areas are styled like luxury apartments; an all-day bar and restaurant champions Latvian cuisine; and a cutting-edge urban spa refreshes you with saunas, steams and amber-infused massages. All this forward-thinking comes wrapped up in a glorious Art Nouveau building – a real find for architecture and design lovers.
4. Hotel Bergs
Hotel
5. Hotel Valdemars Riga
Hotel
6. AC Hotel by Marriott Riga
Chain Hotel
Marriott’s AC brand is smart, sharply designed and businesslike in nature, often with glossy monochrome design and great 24-hour facilities. Check into Riga’s outpost for a contemporary introduction to the city, retreating from cobbled alleys and rustic taverns to its cool, air-conditioned rooms with USB ports, flatscreen TVs and coffee machines. Work out in the top-spec gym, or lunch in the minimalist tapas lounge.
7. Old City Hotel
Hotel
8. St Peter’s Boutique Hotel
Boutique Hotel, Hotel
9. Gallery Park Hotel & Spa
Hotel
10. Dome Hotel
Boutique Hotel, Hotel
11. Sherlock Art Hotel
Boutique Hotel
A quirky, 17-room guesthouse inspired by the imagination of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, this city base mixes Victorian fireplaces and leather Chesterfields with polished wooden floors and modern shades of teal and charcoal. Close to the river in the Old Town, it attracts younger couples and friends looking for character and cosiness. There’s no breakfast or restaurant, but the kindly owners can arrange airport transfers and tours of the city.
12. Metropole Hotel by Semarah
Chain Hotel
Silky textures of lilac and gold flock wallpaper and gilt trim warm up the interiors of this smart, central hotel. With all rooms including breakfast, a minibar and plush seating areas, even its most affordable feel luxurious. An ample breakfast buffet fills you up with fresh fruit, cheeses, cold cuts and traditional Latvian pastries ahead of a day’s exploring, whilst you can head straight out on the town – the medieval St Peter’s church and the Central Market are both a few minutes’ walk away.
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