Hotel Gutenbergs

Hotel Gutenbergs Overview

Hotel Gutenbergs sits right on Doma Laukums, just a stone’s throw from the buzzing heart of Rīga’s Old Town. I remember walking up to the building early Sunday morning, the air already tinged with that crisp, slightly metallic scent of the nearby market stalls. The façade is classic, with its neat stone lintels, and the lobby immediately feels like a warm hug rather than a corporate space. Check‑in is a smooth affair – the front desk staff greets you with a grin, verifies your ID with a quick scan, and hands over the key card like it’s a secret handshake. The reception area is bright, but there’s that subtle hum of the city outside, a low soundtrack of traffic and distant laughter that never feels intrusive.

Once inside, the rooms are the real charm. They’re 4‑star, of course, but you notice the details: the windows face the quiet side of the street, so the late‑night city noise doesn’t bleed into your sleep. The bedding is plush – think high‑thread-count sheets that feel like a second skin. The bathroom has that satisfying deep shower head that releases a burst of steam, turning the room into a mini spa. I’ll be honest, the Wi‑Fi is spotty at times, especially during the summer rush, but the local café inside the hotel, “Café Mēz”, offers a reliable connection and a great espresso to keep you powered through emails or a quick map tweak.

Parking is a mixed bag. If you’re driving, you’ll find a small underground lot on the opposite side of the street; it’s a bit pricey, but the security is decent – a couple of cameras and a guard at the entrance. However, most locals and short‑term guests prefer the free street parking on Laukums, though you have to be quick before the municipal signs go into effect at 6 pm. The noise level in the evenings is surprisingly calm; the only sounds are the occasional bell from the nearby St. George’s Church and the distant hum of a radio in a neighboring apartment. The hotel’s location is a sweet spot for exploring the old quarter – you can stroll to the House of Blackheads and the Freedom Monument in under ten minutes, and you’ll find yourself in the middle of a small square where locals gather to play chess or sip coffee on a sunny afternoon.

If you’re planning a trip during the summer months, be aware that the area around Doma Laukums can get quite lively. Tourists flock to the square, and the cafés spill onto the sidewalks. It’s a great vibe if you’re into that kind of buzz, but if you’re after quiet, the hotel’s own hallway and the early‑morning check‑ins offer a nice break from the crowd. For the quieter months, you’ll find the city hushed, and the hotel’s windows’ll give you a view of the cobblestones reflecting the amber streetlights – a simple, almost poetic sight. The staff here are friendly; they’re always ready to recommend a hidden gem like the “Lauku” bakery for a croissant that’s literally, I mean, out of this world. All in all, staying at Hotel Gutenbergs feels like a friendly, open‑handed local guide’s recommendation rather than a polished marketing pitch – a real, lived-in experience that will make your visit to Rīga feel just a little more authentic.

Riga’s apartments offer spacious accommodations with Art Nouveau charm, perfect for families wanting to experience daily life in this historically significant Baltic capital.

Hotel Gutenbergs Accommodations

Reviews of Hotel Gutenbergs

• Perfect location, nice stay – Tanja from Austria – 4 July 2025 (9/10)

  Good breakfast buffet, clean room. Amazing location in old town, easy to get to all places of interest within a few minutes walking. If you don‘t need room cleaning, you get a voucher for a drink on the roof terrace. It was hot when we were there so we really enjoyed the AC in the room
  
  What could be improved: Service during breakfast was slow. Only one pillow per bed

• Superb – Andrew from United Kingdom – 29 June 2025 (9/10)

  Great location, very friendly and helpful staff and great value for money

• Excellent location for the old city. Would recommend. – Colette from United Kingdom – 26 June 2025 (9/10)

  Breakfast was excellent – had everything you could need to start your day.
  
  What could be improved: No decent lounge area for guests. The rooftop bar was a restaurant rather than a bar/lounge.

• A comfortable stay with friendly staff. – Heather from United Kingdom – 7 June 2025 (8/10)

  Very good location, perfect for getting around the old town. Friendly and helpful reception staff. Tucked away behind the main square so quieter at night.
  Excellent restaurant on the 5th floor is a must for dinner with very good food and views. Breakfast had a wide choice of buffet and attentive staff. Good shower and plenty of hot water. Clean room.
  
  What could be improved: Only a very small area in reception to sit if you didn’t want to be in your room. The bed was very low and the bathroom very small. Because the building is so old the bedroom felt musty but I was glad to be on the 2nd floor as some rooms are below street level.

• Very good – Martyna from United Kingdom – 3 June 2025 (8/10)

  The location was excellent
  Breakfast had very good selection
  Bathroom nice and clean
  
  What could be improved: Bed very uncomfortable

• Very nice hotel in an historic building. – Malinda from United States – 28 May 2025 (8/10)

  Great breakfast. Location couldn't be better. The building is quite old (history), so there were some unusual parts of the building. However, they were actually very cool.
  
  What could be improved: Larger bathroom would have been better.
  Refrigerator didn't work.

• Excellent stay at Hotel Gutenbergs – Julia from United Kingdom – 27 May 2025 (9/10)

  Friendly staff, very clean , traditional hotel with breakfast included.
  Excellent shower!!
  The location was excellent for exploring the beautiful old town of Riga.
  
  What could be improved: The room was a little small but we had everything that we needed . There was plenty of storage.

• Handsome hotel in a great location – Gail from United Kingdom – 25 May 2025 (8/10)

  The hotel is very handsome with lovely olde world furnishings. The room had good facilities and was very comfy. The location was great, just tucked away in a lane opposite Riga cathedral, right at the entrance to the old town. There is a very stylish restaurant with great views and nice wines on the fifth floor. The restaurant staff were attentive and dining there was a very enjoyable experience.
  
  What could be improved: The reception staff all seemed to be very young and a bit gormless. Breakfast, although included, was served quite late (from 8am) so unfortunately I wasn't able to avail of it during my stay, as I had to be up and out early both days. However, thankfully there was a fridge and kettle in the bedroom, so it was relatively easy to store and prepare your own breakfast.

• Excellent old world hotel with attentive staff, great breakfast buffet and great location – Deborah from United States – 21 May 2025 (8/10)

  Incredible breakfast buffet. Very friendly and attentive staff. Hotel has a lot of old world character but is updated for modern comforts. Our bathroom was great, newly renovated with great tub and bidet. Excellent location in old town.
  
  What could be improved: Our room was a little dark with only one side window.

• Guten … – Douglas from United Kingdom – 19 May 2025 (7/10)

  Great location for start and finish of marathon – two minutes!!! And bang in the centre of the historical centre.
  
  What could be improved: I was on second floor where a couch and chairs were positioned. Problem? Group gathered, as they were entitled to, but were noisy! Hotel should look into this as ample public space elsewhere.

Surroundings

Facilities