Artilērijas iela 25

Look, I’ll be straight with you about this place on Artilērijas iela – it’s one of those finds that honestly surprised me. You know how sometimes you book a 3-star hotel and your expectations are pretty modest? Well, this spot actually delivers way more than what you’d expect for the price point. I mean, an 8.7 rating doesn’t just happen by accident.

The location is what really got me excited though. You’re literally a stone’s throw from the Daugava River, and I’m talking about the good part of Riga where you can actually walk everywhere that matters. Vecrīga (the Old Town) is basically right there – maybe a 10-minute stroll through some pretty charming streets. What I loved is that you’re close enough to hit all the tourist spots, but you’re not dealing with the constant noise and crowds that come with staying right in the medieval center. The tram lines run nearby too, which honestly saved me a bunch of walking when I wanted to explore further out.

The building itself has this sort of understated character – nothing fancy, but clean and well-maintained in that Northern European way. Check-in was smooth (they actually had someone who spoke decent English, which isn’t always a given), and the rooms are what I’d call “efficiently comfortable.” Not huge, but everything works properly and the beds are actually good. The Wi-Fi was solid throughout my stay, which matters when you’re trying to figure out where to eat or how to get around. I stayed there in late spring and the neighborhood was pretty quiet at night – you’ll hear some street noise during the day, but nothing that kept me awake.

Here’s what really sold me on recommending this place: it’s got that perfect balance of being affordable without feeling cheap. The staff seemed to genuinely care about making sure guests were sorted, and there’s something to be said for staying somewhere that locals don’t immediately peg you as a tourist just by your address. Plus, you’re within walking distance of some really solid restaurants and cafes that aren’t just tourist traps – I’m talking about places where you’ll actually see Latvians eating lunch. The Central Market is close enough that you can grab some incredible local food without making it a whole expedition. Honestly, for the money you’re paying, you’re getting a lot more value than you would in a lot of other European capitals.