Riga, the historic Latvian capital, has thrown off the shackles of decades of Soviet rule to become one of Europe’s most exciting destinations. The gray, brutalist tower blocks and bridges of the Communist era are still there, but the city’s 13th-century historic center has risen again from the ashes.
The Old Town was destroyed during World War II and neglected for many years after. But today, you can find restored merchant guilds and brightly painted medieval townhouses lining the cobblestone streets of Riga’s revamped UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old Town.
You’ll love how much there is to uncover in the Latvian capital, with layers of history, heritage, and contemporary culture just begging to be peeled back. Start with a stroll through the Old Town square, where you’ll find the impressive 14th-century House of the Blackheads standing tall next to centuries-old Guildhalls.
You’ll be intrigued to discover how much of the Old Town was built when Riga was a thriving member of the Hanseatic League, a multinational trading block that grew wealthy by connecting Northern Europe and the Baltics with goods from all over the medieval world.
If you’re a fan of unique European architecture, then you’ll quickly find you’re in the right city. As you leave the cobblestone streets of the Old Town, you’ll be surrounded by the glorious art nouveau architecture that turned Riga into a pioneering contemporary city in the late 19th century. Museums, galleries, and some of the best boutique hotels to stay in Riga are all waiting for you in the restored art nouveau buildings.
Riga is a city of contrasts, and in the Central District just outside the Old Town, you’ll find the Soviet heart of the city, where state operas and former KGB buildings offer you the chance to explore a completely different side of the capital. If you’re planning a trip to the Baltics, keep reading as we explain where to find the best places to stay in Riga!
Don’t forget to check out our web story: The 12 Best Boutique Hotels in Riga, Latvia
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Where to stay in Riga
Riga is home to hundreds of thousands of inhabitants, but while the capital is one of the largest cities in the Baltics, you’ll love how easy it is to explore. Book a hotel in the Old Town, and you’ll be just a short stroll away from the best cultural and historic sites in Riga. Hidden down cobblestone streets are boutique hotels in rebuilt medieval buildings and luxury apartments located in updated art nouveau townhouses.
In keeping with Riga’s great contrasts, the Old Town is home to compact, cozy, and artsy hotels. Wander around the Central District, and you’ll find that accommodation takes on Soviet proportions.
If you’re looking to stay within walking distance of Riga’s socialist-era national museums and former communist institutions, or if you’d like to be within easy reach of an evening performance at Riga’s famous opera, then stay in the Central District, which is just across the canal from the Old Town.
Here you’ll find grand palatial hotels with luxurious interiors, super-modern amenities, and fantastically relaxing spa facilities. Whether they date back to the 18th, 19th, or 20th centuries, every boutique hotel in Riga has a fascinating story to tell. To inspire your next trip to Latvia, here are the best boutique hotels in Riga!
The 12 Best Boutique Hotels in Riga
1. Grand Palace Hotel
At the Grand Palace Hotel, you’ll be staying just a short stroll away from Riga’s famous Doma Square and the city’s towering cathedral. Plus, the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old Town is right on your doorstep!
Location-wise, you can’t get much better than this, but throw in five-star luxury, and you’ve got one of the best boutique hotels in Riga. The Grand Palace Hotel draws on its illustrious past, as the building was originally constructed in 1877 as the Central Bank of Latvia. You’ll receive a personal welcome as you walk through the historic entrance into the refined lobby before being escorted to one of 56 stylish rooms and suites.
The modern rooms at the Grand Palace Hotel feature views of either the Daugava River or the cobblestone streets of the Old Town, with interiors individually styled by an award-winning international design firm.
Settle into your contemporary surroundings, then head down to the hotel’s Pils Bar and Restaurant, where modern artwork contrasts with antique hunting trophies and traditional mixology. Order quail fillet and beef carpaccio to start, and enjoy a fine glass of wine while you select your mains.
The menu is truly inspired. Grilled Welsh lamb is served with a potato and truffle puree, fresh halibut is simmered in mussel and white wine sauce, and duck breast comes with goat cheese and Jerusalem artichokes.
2. Pullman Riga Old Town
The bright orange facade of the Pullman stands out even among the colorful guildhalls and merchant houses of the Old Town in central Riga. You’ll love how it’s impossible to miss the Pullman, even among the maze of 18th-century townhouses, cathedrals, and cobblestone squares of Riga’s most popular district. It’s perfect for first-time travelers who don’t want to get lost!
You’ll also love the unique theme that runs through the Pullman. The building dates back to the 1700s, and despite its lavish architecture, you’ll be surprised to learn that it was originally built as a stable house for a wealthy German baron.
But rather than sweeping its stable yard past under the carpet, the designers of the Pullman have embraced it. So, it’s no surprise that the main theme at the Pullman is horses!
You’ll see subtle nods to the stables all over the hotel, with statues of horses and riders interspersed with colorful furnishings and modern, visually compelling artwork adorning the lobby and public spaces. You can book a table at the Equus Restaurant (the name means “horse” in Latin), where Latvian dishes are served tapas-style, or you can order up fine wines at the Equus Bar for a relaxed evening in Riga.
You’ll be happy to hear that the rooms at the Pullman are a far cry from the 1700s stable yard. This is a luxury, five-star hotel, and the modern rooms are minimalistic and sleek, with large rain showers, LED smart TVs, and views over the surrounding Old Town. For the best view in the hotel, head to the gym, swimming pool, and spa on the 7th floor, where you can either work out or relax with a beautiful vista of Riga.
3. Rixwell Konventa Seta Design Hotel
If you’re looking for a cool, quirky boutique hotel in Riga, the Rixwell Konventa Seta Design Hotel is the perfect pick. Surrounded by Old Town charm and located within a centuries-old Riga townhouse, you’ll be super surprised at just how modern the interior of this stylish boutique is.
The luxe rooms feature contemporary wood paneling and parquet-style wooden flooring, alongside unique armchairs, writing desks, and floral features – from hanging baskets to houseplants. There are a wide variety of room types and sizes, catering to all sorts of different travelers. But if you’re after the most spacious rooms, book one of the hotel’s apartments.
One-bedroom apartments at the Rixwell Konventa Seta Design Hotel each have a fully-equipped kitchen, so head over to the Riga Central Market, pick up fresh supplies, and make the most of a self-catering stay.
If you’re traveling in a group, then the hotel’s two-story apartment could be the one! This self-contained apartment is located in a separate building attached to the hotel. If you book this apartment, you’ll have two bedrooms, a kitchen, and a living room all to yourself.
4. A22 Hotel
Take a stroll along the banks of the Daugava River and you’ll soon reach the pleasant surroundings of Viesturdarzs Park, the oldest public park in Riga. Overlooking the trees and greenery, you’ll also find one of the coolest boutique hotels in Riga.
There are just 20 boutique suites at the A22 Hotel, and each has been individually styled by a team of designers tasked with creating an “experiential” work of art rather than a simple hotel room. Rooms feature vibrant paintings, cool color schemes, and surround sound systems purposefully added so guests can complete the experience with their own choice of music.
The sauna is open 24 hours a day for you to unwind in, while Restaurant John invites you to enjoy the cooking process as you dine next to their open kitchen. You can enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the restaurant, but you’ll never be quite sure what’s on the menu because the chefs only use ever-changing, fresh, and seasonal ingredients.
You’ll love how the A22 Hotel is located in one of the quietest parts of Riga, but you’re still only a 20-minute stroll away from the Old Town. This is the place to stay if you’re looking for a relaxing getaway.
5. Hestia Hotel Jugend
The unassuming townhouse facade of the Hestia Hotel Jugend hides a beautiful inner courtyard that’s been totally restyled with the addition of a magnificent glass conservatory. In the summer, sit back and soak up the sunlight, and in the winter, warm up behind the closed glass windows as you plan your day out in Riga.
The check-in desk is located inside the glass conservatory, but you’ll find the brightly styled rooms inside the historic townhouse itself. Walk under the glass domes, then settle into your spacious, comfortable room inside the hotel’s main wing.
You’ll find that it’s well worth the upgrade to the deluxe rooms, which all boast private balconies. Step outside, and you’ll have sweeping views over Riga from the top floors of the townhouse.
A fresh buffet breakfast with local cheeses and meats, fresh fruit and juice, and much more is served every morning in Restaurant Eleven. Book a table for lunch or dinner so you can order up a creative selection of dishes that includes carrot and ginger cream soup, catfish fillet in a yogurt sauce, and Turkish peas with kale cabbage.
6. Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga
If you’re visiting Riga for a refined evening of culture at the National Opera, then you’ll definitely want to check into the Grand Hotel Kempinski. Book one of the Opera Deluxe Rooms for a view of Riga’s iconic opera house from the opposite side of the road.
Even if you don’t have time for an evening of Latvian opera, you’ll love the 5-star sophistication of the Grand Hotel Kempinski’s 141 luxurious rooms and suites. The hotel itself is as much an institution as the National Opera, and they’ve been welcoming guests here since the 19th century! You’ll love how the hotel draws on its respectable past yet isn’t afraid to be modern, stylish, and above all, comfortable.
You’ll have little time to enjoy the spacious, hi-tech luxury of your contemporary hotel room, although you might want to reserve an evening to soak in the freestanding bathtub. Take a morning off at the Kempinski Spa, where you can relax in the heated, aquamarine waters of the indoor swimming pool or book a treatment room for a massage.
Head to the Lobby Lounge for a light lunch and live music. After that, enjoy a private whiskey tasting at the Grand Bar to wrap up the afternoon.
Make sure you’ve reserved a table on the outdoor terrace for a pre-opera meal at Stage 22. This is the Grand Hotel Kempinski’s rooftop restaurant, and you’ll have a choice of 22 signature cocktails and a fine dining menu that features caviar, sturgeon, and lobster as standard.
7. Neiburgs Hotel
Riga is famous for its art nouveau townhouses, and if you’re looking to learn more about this quirky style of architecture, then book a stay at Neiburgs Hotel. Perfectly located on an art nouveau street in the Old Town, you’ll be surrounded by beautiful buildings and elegant apartment blocks right in the heart of Riga.
You’ll notice the intriguing art nouveau style as soon as you arrive outside Neiburgs Hotel. The building’s facade features the intricate curves, flowing floral patterns, and classical pillars that the architectural movement was renowned for.
Art nouveau was popularized in Riga in the late 19th century, but step inside Neiburgs Hotel and you’ll quickly realize that the interior is firmly rooted in the 21st century. There are 55 beautifully designed apartments and suites at this cool boutique hotel, and you’ll love how each room features contemporary artwork produced by the artist Katrina Neiburga, whose family has run Neiburgs Hotel for years.
Apartments come complete with fully-equipped kitchens, dining areas, and spacious living areas, with the most luxurious suites offering views of the Old Town from their private terraces. If you’re not in the mood for self-catering, Neiburgs Restaurant serves up a daily buffet breakfast and a seasonal lunch and dinner menu featuring produce freshly sourced from Riga Central Market.
8. Hotel Gutenbergs
One of the best boutique hotels in Riga is Hotel Gutenbergs, an Old Town favorite that we guarantee you’re going to quickly fall in love with! Located in a restored, art nouveau-style townhouse, you’ll appreciate how the hotel is hidden away down a peaceful, cobblestone street just behind Riga’s historic cathedral.
When you arrive, we recommend heading straight to the terrace, where you’ll have beautiful views of the Old Town skyline from the hotel’s rooftop restaurant. Don’t worry about the weather because the patio of the Terase restaurant is covered and fully heated, so you can enjoy a fine Latvian meal even in the depths of a harsh Riga winter.
The menu at Terase brings Latvian ingredients straight from local farms to the rooftop in Riga. You’ll have the chance to try out freshly cooked Latvian specialties before you’ve even checked into your room!
The Standard Rooms at Hotel Gutenbergs are cozy and quaint, with floral armchairs and wood writing desks set in refurbished townhouse rooms. Upgrade to a Business Room to enjoy an apartment-style stay with an attached lounge, or go all out and reserve the Junior Suite Apartment, which comes complete with a breakfast table, living room, and antique furnishings.
9. Grand Poet Hotel and Spa by Semarah
Book a weekend break at the Grand Poet Hotel and Spa by Semarah, and you’ll leave Riga a thousand times more relaxed than when you arrived. This five-star luxury hotel takes the spa experience to new heights, as you’ll have unlimited access to the Hedonic Spa during your stay.
You’ll love how the indoor swimming pool is kept at a toasty 28 degrees Celsius, perfect for those chilly Latvian evenings. Swim a few laps, or just sit back in the pool’s massage seats and soak in the revitalizing water.
Next, head to the bio-sauna, where you can enjoy a unique, low humidity and low heat sauna experience designed to promote wellbeing. If you prefer high heat, then go for the Finnish sauna experience instead.
If that’s not enough, there’s also the steam room, the aroma room, the fully-equipped fitness center, and spa treatments ranging from manicures and pedicures to the signature Body Cleanses and Romantic Spa Escapes for Two.
After a nourishing spa session, you can retire to your luxury room, where comfort comes as standard. Rooms are bright and airy, with contemporary furnishings that draw on the art nouveau past of Riga.
Breakfast is served in the open kitchen, where you can order fresh eggs as you like from the chefs themselves. Lunch and dinner are served in the hotel’s SNOB Restaurant, where you can order porcini mushroom pizzas alongside smoked eel and fresh sea bass. The Grand Poet Hotel and Spa is located on the edge of the Old Town, overlooking the peaceful Esplanade Park and the equally calming waters of the city’s canal.
10. Rixwell Old Riga Palace Hotel
The Rixwell Old Riga Palace Hotel is one of the coolest hotels in Riga. You’ll love how you’re placed right in the heart of the Old Town action, as this stylish art deco townhouse is located down a cobblestone lane just a short stroll away from the beautiful banks of Daugava River.
You’ll have 116 rooms to choose from at the Rixwell Old Riga Palace Hotel, with entry-level standard rooms featuring spacious double beds, wood headboards, and comfy armchairs. You can catch up on your emails at the writing desk, have a movie night with the flat-screen TV, and brew your morning coffee with the in-room coffee maker. To top it off, you’ll appreciate the historic photographs decorating the walls.
Upgrade to a superior room and you’ll love the cozy balconies overlooking the street below, or downgrade to a small double or twin if you’re looking for a budget option. Better yet, book one of the Rixwell Old Riga Palace Hotel’s unique Design Rooms. There are only a few of these individually styled rooms, and they feature faux brick walls, see-through armchairs, and quirky layouts.
11. St. Roland Livu Square
It’s no secret that the St. Roland Livu Square is one of the best apartment-style hotels in Riga. If you’re traveling in a group, then these huge, modern apartments are the perfect choice.
The Deluxe Two-Bedroom Apartments can sleep six to eight people, with spacious double beds and surprisingly comfortable pullout sofas in the living room. Even the Deluxe One-Bedroom Apartments can sleep six people if you don’t mind getting a little cozy!
Each apartment comes with a kitchen, dining and living area, and plenty of cool amenities to make your stay in Riga super comfortable. Each apartment has a unique color scheme, as well.
The White Apartment is decorated with low-key floral patterns, the Yellow Apartment has bright yellow sofas, cushions, and bedding, and the Blue Apartment has dark blue furnishings that contrast beautifully with the deep purple sofa beds and white walls.
As a bonus, you’ll also get free access to the nearby Cosmos Illusion Museum, which is just a quick stroll away through the cobblestone streets of the Old Town.
12. Royal Casino Spa & Hotel Resort
If you’re looking for opulence and entertainment in equal measure, then the Royal Casino Spa & Hotel Resort is the perfect match for you. This grand, luxurious, and over-the-top hotel is one of the newest five-star accommodation options in Riga. Plus, you’ll find enough on-site attractions to keep you occupied for days without ever leaving the hotel!
The Royal Casino is the largest entertainment center in the Baltics, and aside from the blackjack and poker tables, you’ll love the indoor swimming pool, hot tubs, and spa center. You can even dance and sing the night away at the hotel’s many nightclubs, karaoke rooms, and concert halls, where neon lights and live music sets keep the dance floors going until the early hours of the morning.
But while the entertainment venues at the Royal Casino couldn’t be more modern, the suites and rooms will instantly transport you to the Imperial-age of Latvia. Elaborate chandeliers hang from the ceilings, oversized beds are overshadowed by plush headboards and velvet furnishings, and the bathrooms are lined with marble and outfitted with golden taps and fittings.
The Royal Casino is a 10-minute drive from the Old Town, and you’ll find yourself immersed not only in medieval history and heritage but in Riga’s modern, up-and-coming suburbs.
That completes our list of the 12 best Riga hotels! Did we miss any cool boutique hotels in Riga? Comment below so we can add them to the list!
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Frequently Asked Questions
If you’re traveling in a group, the Rixwell Konventa Seta Design Hotel is the perfect pick. The hotel’s two-story apartment is for you! This self-contained apartment is located in a separate building attached to the hotel. If you book this apartment, you’ll have two bedrooms, a kitchen, and a living room all to yourself.
If you’re visiting Riga for a refined evening of culture at the National Opera, then you’ll definitely want to check into the Grand Hotel Kempinski. Book one of the Opera Deluxe Rooms for a view of Riga’s iconic opera house from the opposite side of the road.
Book a weekend break at the Grand Poet Hotel and Spa by Semarah, and you’ll leave Riga a thousand times more relaxed than when you arrived. This five-star luxury hotel takes the spa experience to new heights, as you’ll have unlimited access to the Hedonic Spa during your stay. Next, head to the bio-sauna, where you can enjoy a unique, low humidity and low heat sauna experience designed to promote wellbeing. If you prefer high heat, then go for the Finnish sauna experience instead.
If you’re looking for opulence and entertainment in equal measure, then the Royal Casino Spa & Hotel Resort is the perfect match for you. This grand, luxurious, and over-the-top hotel is one of the newest five-star accommodation options in Riga. Plus, you’ll find enough on-site attractions to keep you occupied for days without ever leaving the hotel!
At the Grand Palace Hotel, you’ll be staying just a short stroll away from Riga’s famous Doma Square and the city’s towering cathedral. Plus, the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old Town is right on your doorstep! The Grand Palace Hotel draws on its illustrious past, as the building was originally constructed in 1877 as the Central Bank of Latvia. You’ll receive a personal welcome as you walk through the historic entrance into the refined lobby before being escorted to one of 56 stylish rooms and suites.
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