Gaišs un mājīgs dzīvoklis

Hotel Description

Look, I’ll be honest – when I first saw “Gaišs un mājīgs dzīvoklis” on my booking confirmation, I had no idea how to pronounce it, but it basically means “bright and cozy apartment” in Latvian, and that’s exactly what you get. This little 3-star gem sits on Braslas iela in what locals call the Torņakalns area, and while it might not be right in Old Town, you’re actually better off here – it’s where real Rigans live, and you’ll get a much better feel for the city.

The apartment itself is one of those places that just works, you know? Everything’s clean and functional without trying too hard to impress. The windows face the right direction so you get proper natural light (hence the “bright” part), and honestly, after staying in some pretty dark European apartments, this was refreshing. The kitchen’s got everything you need if you want to grab groceries from the Rimi down the street – I mean, eating out in Riga is cheap, but sometimes you just want to make coffee the way you like it. The bed’s comfortable enough, though the building itself is typical Soviet-era construction, so don’t expect complete silence if your neighbors are having a late night. That said, it’s generally pretty quiet, especially during weekdays.

What I really appreciated was the location – you’re about a 15-minute walk to the Daugava River, and the tram stop on Akmens bridge is close enough that you can get to the city center in maybe 10 minutes. The neighborhood has this lived-in feel with small shops and cafes that don’t exist for tourists, which I actually preferred to staying right in the thick of things. There’s a decent bakery two blocks over that opens early, and if you’re into craft beer, Labietis brewery is walkable from here. The owner was pretty responsive when I had questions about check-in (the building entrance can be a bit confusing if you’re not used to these old Riga apartment blocks), and they left clear instructions about everything from WiFi to where to find extra towels. Parking’s not impossible around here, though you’ll want to figure out the local parking app if you’re driving – street parking is regulated during business hours but free evenings and weekends.

Rooms

• Estimated price from: $92. Two-Bedroom Apartment with 2 double beds and 1 sofa bed for Max persons: 2

Reviews

• Exceptional – Daria from United Kingdom – 27 January 2025 (10/10)

  The property was clean and comfortable in a quiet area. The proximity of a sporting venue was important for us too. The communication with the host was great and we had no issues with anything.

• Excellent stay – Eva from Spain – 2 January 2025 (10/10)

  Cozy apartment and very clean and tidy. The kitchen was well equipped and the bed was comfortable. I recommend this place if you want to visit Riga in a weekend.
  
  What could be improved: A little bit far from the city center but if you go by bus it’s 15min drive.

• Exceptional – Tkachenko from Latvia – 29 December 2024 (10/10)

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities