— The hotel
Old factory loft aprtment L39
You know what struck me first about this place? The name doesn’t lie – it really is an old factory converted into apartments, and you can feel that industrial history the moment you step inside. The Old Factory Loft Apartment L39 sits right on Lāčplēša Street, which honestly is one of those perfect Riga locations where you’re close enough to everything but not drowning in tourist crowds. I mean, you’re literally a ten-minute walk from the Old Town, but you’re staying where actual locals live and work.
The loft itself has this raw, authentic feel that some of those polished hotel chains just can’t replicate. High ceilings, exposed brick in places, and windows that actually let in proper light – something you don’t always get in Riga’s older buildings. The apartment is surprisingly spacious too, which matters when you’re traveling with more than just a carry-on. I appreciated the kitchen setup because let’s be honest, eating out for every meal in the Baltics can get expensive, and there’s a decent Rimi supermarket just down the street if you want to grab some basics. The neighborhood has this lived-in quality that I really liked – you’ll hear some street noise during the day (it’s a working area, after all), but it quiets down pretty well at night.
What really sold me on this place was how it sits in the city. Lāčplēša Street puts you right in the middle of Riga’s creative district, and you’re surrounded by these little cafes and design shops that most tourists completely miss. There’s this excellent coffee place called Miit Coffee just around the corner – locals queue up there every morning, which is always a good sign. The 8.6 rating makes total sense because while it’s not luxury (it’s honestly rated as a 3-star and feels like one), it delivers exactly what it promises without any pretense. The check-in was straightforward, the wifi actually worked properly, and the shower had decent pressure. Sometimes that’s all you need, you know? Plus, if you’re planning to explore beyond Riga, the location is actually pretty smart – you’re close to the central train station without being right on top of it, and parking isn’t the nightmare it can be in the Old Town if you’re driving.