New Gray apartment in the center of Riga

You know what caught me off guard about this place? The moment I walked into this apartment on Matīsa iela, I actually felt like I was staying in someone’s carefully curated home rather than another generic rental. The whole “New Gray” thing in the name sounds sort of bland, I’ll admit, but honestly – the space itself is anything but boring. There’s this really thoughtful use of different gray tones throughout that somehow manages to feel both modern and cozy at the same time, which is harder to pull off than you’d think.

The location is what really makes this spot shine though. Matīsa iela 101 might not sound familiar if you’re not from Riga, but it’s actually in this sweet spot where you’re close enough to walk to the Old Town (maybe 15-20 minutes if you don’t mind the stroll), but you’re not dealing with all the tourist chaos right outside your door. I mean, you’re basically in a proper residential neighborhood where actual Rigans live, which gives you a completely different feel for the city. The building itself is pretty typical Soviet-era architecture from the outside – nothing fancy – but that 9.9 rating starts making sense once you’re inside. The apartment renovation is clearly recent, and whoever did it actually knows what they’re doing with small spaces.

What I really appreciated were the little details that show someone’s been thinking about what travelers actually need. The kitchen setup is surprisingly functional (not just pretty), there’s decent water pressure in the shower, and the Wi-Fi actually works properly – you’d be amazed how many places mess up these basics. The bed is comfortable enough that I didn’t wake up with a sore back, which honestly has become my main criterion for rating accommodations these days. Plus, parking around here isn’t the nightmare it can be in other parts of central Riga, though you’ll want to ask about specifics when you book. The neighborhood gets pretty quiet at night, which was perfect for me, but if you’re looking to stumble home from bars at 3 AM, you might want something closer to Vecrīga. One thing to note – grocery shopping is easy since there’s a decent supermarket within walking distance, and you’re close enough to Mežaparks that you can actually get some nature time if the city starts feeling too cramped. For a three-star place, this apartment punches way above its weight, and that rating makes complete sense once you’ve spent a few nights here.