Merkela Loft Apartment Beside Vermanes Park

Merkela Loft Apartment Beside Vermanes Park Overview

Merkela Loft Apartment Beside Vermanes Park sits on 17 Merķeļa iela, right on the edge of the leafy Vērmanes Park. I stayed there during the early spring, when the park is just starting to bud and the city is still a little sleepy. The building itself is that quirky, slightly renovated 1940s brownstone that locals call “the little loft” – you can’t miss the painted door that reads the name in bold, almost as if it’s shouting. The front door opens straight onto a street that feels like a hidden alley; the cobblestones are still rough, a reminder that Riga hasn’t been slapped with a new concrete coat yet. You’re just a block from Lielā iela, where the cafés spill onto the sidewalks and the smell of fresh pastries wafts out of every corner. I can’t help but notice how the sound of the trams rattling past mixes with the chatter of people who have come to drop off their luggage for a quick coffee before heading to the old town.

Check‑in was quick and friendly – the staff had a badge that read “Merkela” and a smile that felt like a hug from a friend. They gave me a keycard that looked like a magnetic strip, which is nice because the old building still relies on a bit of vintage charm. I didn’t have to fight a long line – the front desk was open at 3 pm, and all the paperwork is done electronically so you’re not stuck in a queue watching the same old postcard on the wall. They handed me a brochure that mentioned a couple of parking spots; there’s a paid garage right behind the apartment but the lot gets full around noon, so you might want to park in the street on the other side of the park if you’re arriving early. The apartment itself is a single, airy loft with high ceilings and a small balcony that opens onto a secret garden of old oak trees. The floor is a smooth parquet that creaks a little when you step on it – it’s a small reminder that this place is still alive.

The apartment is basically a studio with a kitchenette, a sofa that folds into a bed, and a tiny dining area that’s perfect for a quick latte. The Wi‑Fi is decent most of the time, but I remember one night the signal dipped when the university nearby had a networking event – you know, those things happen. The bathroom is compact but functional, and the shower has that gritty, mineral water that’s actually refreshing after a long day of walking. The noise level is surprisingly low, especially after 10 pm; the only sounds you hear are the occasional distant traffic and the faint hum of a radiator. I did notice the early morning traffic when I was awake at 6:30 am, but that’s a normal part of Riga’s rhythm.

If you’re looking for a spot that feels like home but still places you in the thick of things, this loft does the trick. The street is quiet enough to read a book, yet you’re close enough to the city center that you can hop on a tram in a few minutes and find yourself wandering the historic streets, or just strolling through Vērmanes Park for a breath of fresh air. The locals know the back alleys where street food vendors set up for the autumn market, and there’s a tiny café across the street that serves the best pumpkin soup during the colder months. I left feeling that I had discovered a hidden gem – not because it’s flashy or expensive, but because it offers a real slice of Riga, with all its quirks and charms.

Hotels near me in Riga offer convenient access to the city center, where guests can easily walk to Riga Cathedral, House of the Blackheads, and the famous Art Nouveau district.

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