Hotels in Riga

Riga offers hotels and hostels for every taste and any size bank account. From the suite with its own jacuzzi to the dingiest backpackers hovel, this city has something for everyone. The Latvian capital boasts several four-star hotels but also cosy medium range ones. Backpackers do not despair: there are several very cheap roach motels in the heart of the Old Town (for a few days or a few hours!), two youth hostels and some Bed and Breakfast services. Prices range from US$1,168 for the Radisson presidential suite to just US$5 at the Arena. Riga's top hotels are also the most expensive in the Baltics and there is a need for cheaper and better beds.

Name

Adress

Information

Eurolink
Aspazijas bulv. 22, 3rd floor of Hotel Riga, tel. (+371) 722 05 31, fax (+371) 721 63 00, 

email

Although the four star hotel is located on the third floor of Hotel Riga, it has a style and flavour of its own. Rooms are spacious and tastefully decorated with cable-TV and minibar. Ask for a room with a view of the opera house and its surrounding gardens. The hotel has two conference rooms and one even boasts an adjoining sauna and shower. The quaint restaurant in the lobby offers great Scandinavian fare and a more than fair view of St. Peter's Church.

Hotel de Rome
Kalku 28, tel. (+371) 708 76 00, fax (+371) 708 76 06, 

email 

One of Riga's premier hotels, the Hotel De Rome has a spacious and comfortable lobby where one can relax and enjoy a coffee or cocktail while discussing business or simply waiting for a friend. The hallways of each floor are decorated in a different style often featuring antique furniture and paintings from local artists. All rooms, both smoking and non-smoking, are elegant and include everything one expects from a top hotel and a few extras, such as satellite TV.
Konventa Seta
Kaleju 9/11, tel. 708 75 01, fax 708 75 15. 

Located in the centre of Old Riga, the 'convent yard' transports one to the city's ancient days of splendour. The colourful buildings of the former Convent of the Holy Spirit date back to the 13th century. Singles are small, but quaint and some even include original oak beams as an added touch of antiquity. Luxury suites are spacious and supply excellent views of the surrounding historic buildings. No stay at this hotel would be complete without a visit to the basement museum which displays its evolution throughout the ages.

Man-Tess
Teatra 6, tel. (+371) 721 60 56/721 02 25, fax (+371) 782 12 49.

Housed in a restored 18th century building in the center of Old Riga, the hotel is a quiet place to escape for travellers who love luxury. Each room is decorated in a different style, so guests can choose from authentic antique to modern d‚cor. The lobby displays a little bit of everything in grand fashion. Don't step into the goldfish pond on the way to the elevator. If you have the money and a significant other make this your cozy weekend hideaway!

Metropole
Aspazijas bulv. 36/38, tel. (+371) 722 54 11, fax (+371) 721 61 40, email 

International business class hotel located at the south-west edge of Old Riga in an historic, turn of the century building. The lobby and its surrounding bar and restaurant are completely Western in style and a great place to meet with a friend or a client. Single rooms are small, but include the standard writing desk, cable TV and mini-bar. Doubles are more spacious and even offer a trouser press. What bathrooms lack in size they more than make up for in modernity. It appears to be a favourite among German travellers.

Nams 99
Stabu 99, tel. (+371) 731 07 62, fax (+371) 731 32 04, 

email 

A bit out of the centre, this stylish new hotel housed in a beautiful Jugendstil building offers extremely spacious, elegantly decorated apartments for familes and businessmen planning to stay for more than a few days. All apartments include all possible amenities in grand style. Four singles will soon be available on the top floor.

Radisson-SAS Daugava
Kugu 24, tel. (+371) 706 11 11, fax (+371) 706 11 00, 

email 

Completely Western in all respects, the Radisson outshines its competition in quality and service. No matter which room you choose, a single or a suite, you are guaranteed plush accommodations with TV, mini-bar and two phone lines for computer access. Guests can step out onto their private balcony and gaze across the river at the beautiful panoramic view of Old Riga.

Park Hotel Ridzene
Reimersa 1, tel. 732 44 33, fax 728 21 00, email 

Once a hotel for the Soviet elite, the Ridzene has been completely renovated and is now the most modern hotel in Riga. All rooms include climate control, satellite TV, a trouser press, minibar, hairdryer, safe, and Internet connection. They also offer an upmarket restaurant and underground parking, free of charge for guests.

Vecriga

Gleznotaju 12/14, tel. 721 65 24, fax 721 45 61, 

email 

Located in a remodelled 18th century building, the Old Riga offers spacious doubles with satellite TV, refrigerator and modern bathroom. Modern living in an antique atmosphere. Summer courtyard beer garden. 

Brigita

Saulkalnes 11, tel. 762 30 00, fax 762 31 90. 

Clean, spacious and modern, this hotel has a refrigerator, satellite TV and phone in every room. A sauna, bar and a café are also available. A little out of the centre, take trolleybus N°19 from the station.

Karavella
Katrinas dambis 27, tel. (+371) 732 31 30/732 31 30, fax (+371) 783 01 87. 

Hotel with a nautical theme not far from the Riga harbor. Rooms on the 12th floor are completely modern and include spacious interiors, mini-bar and satellite TV. All other floors provide clean, but less modern rooms for a cheaper price. Pay the extra few bucks for the added comfort. Take tram N°5 or 9 to the Petersalas stop.

Kaspars
Mukupurva 19, tel. (+371-2) 42 42 69, fax (+371-2) 42 47 55. 
A long way out of the center, this secluded hotel provides clean, comfortable rooms with TV. Difficult to get to by public transportation. Sauna, fireplace and small pool available.
Laine
Skolas 11, tel. 728 88 16/728 98 23, fax 728 76 58, 

email 

Located in a quiet courtyard on the second floor, the Laine provides friendly service and lives up to its claim to make guests 'feel at home'. Singles are simple, but spacious and include TV, refrigerator and bath. Luxury rooms display modern décor and unique tile work in the bathrooms. Cheaper singles and doubles are also available with shared bathrooms and showers.

Latvija
Elizabetes 55, tel. (+371) 722 22 11/721 17 55, toll-free tel. 800 90 03, fax (+371) 728 35 95/782 02 40, 

email 

Hard to miss, the Latvia is one of Riga's largest hotels. Doubles are small, but tastefully decorated and provide a spectacular view of Old Riga. The hotel also offers a 4-star VIP section and a large conference hall complete with a business center for faxing, copying, etc. Guests can choose from a number of bars and restaurants and a newly renovated sauna/jacuzzi.

Mara (Best Western)
Kalnciema 186, tel. (+371) 790 13 16, fax (+371) 790 13 15, email 

Not too far from the airport, this cosy hotel was built and is still run by Canadian-Latvians. All rooms are spacious and include satellite TV and everything else one would expect from a Best Western establishment. Excellent international restaurant and shuttle bus service to the airport.

Nellija
Pils 13/15, tel. (+371) 722 64 06. 

Right in the centre of Old Riga and only three rooms, so make sure to book in advance.

Oma
Ernestines 33, tel. (+371) 761 33 88, fax (+371) 761 32 33, email 

Nestled amid residential houses in a quiet neighbourhood of Riga, this modern hotel provides a cosy atmosphere at a reasonable price. Take tram N°2 to the Nometsu stop and walk a few blocks to Oma which means 'good mood' in Latvian.

Radi un Draugi
Marstalu 1/3, tel. (+371) 722 03 72, fax (+371) 724 22 39. 

Owned by British Latvians, this classy hotel offers more than a great Old Riga location. All rooms are spacious, comfortable and tastefully decorated and include TV, refrigerator, coffee/tea set and modern bathroom. Book well in advance.

Riga
Aspazijas bulv. 22, tel. (+371) 721 62 85/721 61 09, fax (+371) 722 98 28, email 

This extremely large hotel offers a wide variety of rooms with amazing views of the opera house and its surrounding gardens. Singles are small, but comfortable and modern with hard wood floors and private bathrooms. Junior suites and suites are tastefully decorated and quite spacious. All rooms include satellite TV, mini-bar, refrigerator and modern bathroom.

Tia
Valdemara 63, tel. (+371) 733 39 18, fax (+371) 783 03 90, email 

Clean and comfortable rooms at a fair price. Singles and doubles are simply furnished, but a bed is all one requires when you have satellite TV. The hotel has a bar and café, as well as small conference rooms.

Turists
Slokas 1, tel. (+371) 761 90 90, fax (+371) 786 00 08, 

email 

Wide variety of rooms ranging from small, clean singles to recently renovated rooms with TV and modern bathrooms. Guests can request either a quiet room with a view of the park or a room overlooking the popular Underground club where many a Rigan dances until the wee hours of the morning. Sauna and massages are available upon request.

Valdemars
Valdemara 23, tel. 728 82 18, fax 733 30 01. 

Located in a beautiful Jugendstil building, this former home to members of the Latvian parliament is a great place to stay for people who love to soak up late 19th century atmosphere for a reasonable price. Singles and doubles are surprisingly spacious and include TV and refrigerator.

Viktorija
Caka 55, tel. (+371) 701 41 11, fax (+371) 701 41 40/731 06 29. 

The fairly centrally located hotel has clean, comfortable, modern, renovated rooms. The unrenovated 'category III' rooms are not too bad if you want to save some money.

Elias
Hamburgas 14, tel. (+371-2) 51 81 17. 
Charming 1930s home located in a quiet neighbourhood provides cosy rooms with TV and private bathrooms. Breakfast included for travellers who choose to stay more than a few days. Take tram N°11 from Barona to the Hamburgas stop.
Latgale
Aviacijas 4, tel. (+371) 718 88 82. 

The hotel has now opened the first floor! All rooms have TV, sauna available. Take trolleybus N&#deg;15 from the University of Latvia stop to the Interpegro stop.

Linga (Relaxation centre)
Licu 3, tel. (+371) 734 84 03. 

TV, shower and/or bath in all rooms. Sauna. Take the N°11 bus near the circus to get there.

Mezaparks
Sakses 19, tel. 755 79 88, fax 755 79 64. 

With excellent views of Lake Íisezers, this hotel offers simple, clean rooms without many amenities. Water sports and tennis are available during summer months. Take trolleybus N°2 to the last stop.

Oskars
Krustabaznicas 9a, tel. (+371) 755 69 55. 

Former Soviet army hotel. Foreigners are asked to 'warn before coming'. Pool, sauna, gym and solarium available. The luxury rooms are spacious, if a bit overpriced, the rest are bare but clean. Take tram No 6 to the Krustbaznicas stop.

Plavnieki
 
Salnas 26, tel. (+371) 713 70 40.

This hotel offers small apartments with TV, shower and toilet. Located in a suburb of Riga, far from the centre. Take bus N°52 from the central market until the Baltinavas stop.

Saulite
Merkela 12, tel. (+371) 722 45 46, fax (+371) 722 36 29. 

The receptionist wouldn't let us in, but informed us that nothing has changed in the hotel in the past three years. Unfortunately, we have heard via the grape-vine that rooms aren't very clean or warm for that matter.

Riga Tourist Information Bureau
Skarnu 22, tel. (+371) 722 17 31/955 84 38, fax (+371) 722 76 80, email

Four-room guest house located in an old town house in the heart of Old Riga just across St. Peter's Church. Also organises tours.

Arena
 
Palasta 5, tel. (+371) 722 85 83.

Very basic rooms, with communal toilets and showers. The cheapest place right in the heart of Old Riga. Owned by the Circus, it is booked out by jugglers and lion tamers from October to April!

Aurora
Marijas 5, tel. (+371) 722 44 79. 

Downsized to only two floors, this hotel offers beds and a sink in each of its rooms. Although the receptionist complained that the hotel is no longer as grand as it used to be,it seems to be a safe and clean place to crash. Showers and toilets are communal. Conveniently located next to Riga's central train station.

Balta Kaza (White goat)
Eveles 2, tel. (+371) 737 81 35. 

A bit out of the center, this brick and cement box is a great place for backpackers who don't mind riding the tram for a while. All rooms are clean and somewhat spacious with shared toilets and showers. Take tram N°11 from Barona to the Meness/Eveles stop.

Baltija
Raina bulv. 33, tel. (+371) 722 74 61. 

Soviet in almost every respect, this old dinosaur is still a favourite of backpackers and budget businessmen. All rooms, with or without private bathrooms, are spacious. Shower facilities are adequate.

Latavio
Airport, tel. (+371) 720 71 49/720 73 75. 

Battered old furniture, peeling paint, hospital smell and the managers say that there's not much noise from the airport right next door.

Sports
Gogola 5, tel. (+371) 722 67 80. 

Within spitting distance of both Riga's central train station and market, this hole in the wall provides clean beds in filthy rooms for a cheap price. Shared toilets were horrible and showers could not be found. Maybe you'll have better luck!