Balcia Residence

Hotel Description

You know what struck me first about Balcia Residence? It’s tucked away on Krišjāņa Valdemāra iela in this perfect sweet spot where you’re close to everything but not drowning in tourist chaos. I mean, you’re literally walking distance from the Old Town – maybe 15 minutes at a leisurely pace – but you’re staying in what feels like a proper Riga neighborhood. The building itself has that solid, understated elegance that Latvians do so well. Not flashy, just… right. When I walked into the lobby, honestly, it felt more like entering a well-appointed friend’s apartment building than a typical hotel. The staff actually remembered my name by day two, which doesn’t happen often at four-star places.

The rooms are what really won me over though. They’ve got this modern Baltic aesthetic going on – clean lines, lots of natural light, and these little touches that show someone actually thought about how people live in a space. The beds are properly comfortable (I’m picky about mattresses), and the bathrooms have that rainfall shower situation that actually works, not like those sad trickle versions you get sometimes. What I loved was the kitchenette setup – nothing fancy, but if you want to grab some of those incredible Latvian pastries from the market and have coffee in your room, you can do that. The windows are well-insulated too, which matters because Valdemāra street can get a bit busy during the day, but honestly? I barely noticed any noise. Summer evenings, you can crack them open and get this lovely cross-breeze.

Here’s the thing about staying here – you’re positioned perfectly to actually experience Riga like someone who lives there. There’s this excellent little café called Miit just around the corner that locals frequent (their cardamom buns are ridiculous), and you’re close enough to the Central Market that you can pop over for fresh bread without it being a whole expedition. The Daugava riverfront is maybe a five-minute walk, which means morning jogs or evening strolls become part of your routine rather than tourist activities. I stayed there in late spring, and the area has this lovely energy – busy enough to feel alive, quiet enough to feel peaceful. The 9.2 rating makes total sense when you add it all up. It’s not trying to be the fanciest place in town, but everything they do, they do well. The kind of place where you find yourself thinking, “Yeah, I could see living here for a while.” Which, for a four-star hotel in the Baltics, is exactly what you want.

Rooms

• Estimated price from: $85. One-Bedroom Apartment with 1 large double bed and 1 sofa bed for Max persons: 4
• Estimated price from: $85. One-Bedroom Apartment with 1 large double bed and 1 sofa bed for Max persons: 4
• Estimated price from: $95. Apartment with Balcony with 1 double bed and 1 sofa bed for Max persons: 4
• Estimated price from: $95. One-Bedroom Apartment with 1 double bed and 1 sofa bed for Max persons: 4
• Estimated price from: $143. Two-Bedroom Apartment with 2 × 1 large double bed and 1 sofa bed for Max persons: 4
• Estimated price from: $59. One-Bedroom Apartment with 1 single bed for Max persons: 1
• Estimated price from: $59. One-Bedroom Apartment with 1 single bed for Max persons: 1

Reviews

• Nice, clean, new place. Very good for the price. – Ville-pekka from Finland – 12 June 2025 (10/10)

  It was a nice room in a new (or recently renovated) building. It was all very clean. There was an A/C system in the room, but in late May/early June I did not need it. Opening the window during the night was enough to keep the room cool. There were towels and shampoo/soap in the room. The staff was friendly and spoke excellent English. It's good that there was a fridge in the room as well as a kettle and three complementary coffee capsules for the coffee maker.
  
  The building has two new elevators but from the street to the main door you need to take a few stairs.
  
  What could be improved: The noise isolation is not that good. I could hear noise from the next room. For the price, this is understandable, though. Apparently there is no restaurant in the building, but there is a cafe in the neighboring block.

• Lovely stay two couple👩🏼‍❤️‍👨🏽 – Eimantė from Lithuania – 22 December 2024 (10/10)

  Very friendly staff, very clean room, good place near Riga old town center.😊
  We recommend this place. For two couple or family.
  
  What could be improved: We don’t have, this stay was amazing.🤩

• Great value, and verry clean – Jochen from Belgium – 28 October 2024 (9/10)

  Those are verry nice apartments!
  Close to the city centre. Approximately 2,4€ with bolt 😂

• Exceptional – Kristīna from Latvia – 7 October 2024 (10/10)

  Highly comfortable room with everything a traveler might need, plus a spacious work area even in a single room. Superb cleanliness! Excellent location and friendly staff, safe entry into the building even at night.

• Nice stay, comfortable at a good location and good value for the money. – Arnoldsh from Latvia – 3 October 2024 (10/10)

  Everything was nice, clean and well organized. Room was cozy and had everything we needed. Central location makes it easy for transportation around the city. There was available free parking at the Residences for our car. You could access the apartments 24/7 and there was always someone at the reception if you need any help.
  
  What could be improved: They could add a big tv in the bedroom. Everything else was good.

• Spotless apartment in a good location with bars and restaurants close by 20 minute walk into old town – Michelle from United Kingdom – 13 September 2024 (9/10)

  Roof terrace was lovely and apartment was spotless

• Superb – Taru from Finland – 1 September 2024 (9/10)

  Good location close to the city centre. Nice rooftop terrace. Room had everything needed

• Superb – Farnaz from France – 26 August 2024 (9/10)

  It was really clean and tidy
  
  What could be improved: It was a little far from the old town, and grocery stores.
  The ventilation was not good.

• Nice apartment near the center. – Leeni from Estonia – 5 August 2024 (9/10)

  Good location. Got to park for free in front of the building. Check in anytime, because there was always someone at the reception. On the ground floor you could buy food from the self-service. Nice and clean rooms.
  
  What could be improved: It was difficult to find the place on TV where you could see the channels. (wanted to watch the Olympics) Also the TV quality was poor.

• Great spot near center neighborhood and the old town – Emily from United States – 2 August 2024 (9/10)

  Very nice apartment, everything we needed for the stay. The gentleman at the front desk was very friendly and helpful.
  
  What could be improved: We could not figure out how to open the front door to exit from the inside without keys – seems like a fire hazard. The dryer takes a long time and doesn’t really dry clothes so recommend hanging dry.

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities