— The hotel
Modern Loft Studio in Old Town Riga
Look, I’ll be straight with you about this place on Pasta iela – it’s one of those spots that catches you off guard in the best way possible. When I first walked up to number 6, I honestly wasn’t sure what to expect from a 3-star loft in Old Town, but stepping inside completely changed my perspective. The space has this industrial-chic thing going on that actually works, you know? High ceilings, exposed brick here and there, and these huge windows that let in all that gorgeous Baltic light during the day.
What really got me was the location – I mean, you’re literally in the heart of Vecrīga, but tucked away on this quieter street that most tourists miss. You can walk to Dome Square in maybe three minutes, but you’re not dealing with the constant noise and crowds that come with staying right on the main drag. The building itself has character (translation: it’s old, so don’t expect perfect soundproofing), but that’s part of the charm. I could hear the occasional footsteps from upstairs, but nothing that kept me awake. Actually, the most noise I got was from the pigeons outside my window in the morning, which was kind of endearing after a few days.
The loft setup is clever – they’ve maximized the space without making it feel cramped, though I’ll admit the bathroom is on the smaller side. But honestly, when you’re paying Old Town prices and getting a full kitchen plus that much living space, you’re not really complaining. The kitchen actually has everything you need if you want to grab groceries from the Rimi down the street, which I did a couple times because eating out for every meal in this area gets pricey fast. Check-in was smooth enough, though you’ll want to coordinate your arrival time since it’s not a traditional hotel setup. The person who met me was local and gave me some solid restaurant recommendations that weren’t in my guidebook – always a good sign. Street parking is basically impossible (welcome to Old Town), but they’ll point you toward a garage that’s maybe a five-minute walk away. Worth noting if you’re driving, but really, once you’re here, you’ll be walking everywhere anyway. The rating sits at a 7, which feels about right – it’s not luxury, but it’s got personality and delivers exactly what it promises without any pretense.