Old Riga Loft, 2BR, 7 guests

Look, I’ll be honest – when I first saw that address on Aspazijas bulvāris and read “no elevator, 4th floor,” I almost kept scrolling. But you know what? That would’ve been a massive mistake. This loft is absolutely worth the climb, and I mean that in the best possible way.

The thing about Old Riga Loft is that it sits right in that sweet spot where you’re literally steps from everything that matters, but you’re not dealing with the tourist chaos that hits some of the other streets. Aspazijas runs parallel to the Daugava, so you’re getting those gorgeous river views without paying waterfront prices. The building itself has that classic Riga charm – you know, the kind where the stairwell creaks just enough to remind you you’re in a place with actual history, not some sterile modern box. And honestly, by day three of hauling groceries up those stairs, you’ll have the best calves of your life.

Inside, the space actually feels way bigger than you’d expect from the photos. The ceilings are high – typical for these old buildings – and whoever designed this place really understood how to make the most of the layout. Seven guests sounds cramped on paper, but there’s genuinely room to spread out without stepping on each other. The kitchen’s properly equipped too, which matters more than you might think when you’re staying for more than a weekend. I mean, Riga’s got incredible food markets (the Central Market is maybe a 10-minute walk), so you’ll probably want to cook at least a few meals. The windows face toward the city center, and in the evenings when the light hits just right, you get this amazing golden glow across the rooftops. It’s one of those views that makes you pause whatever you’re doing and just… look.

What really won me over though was the location intelligence. You’re close enough to walk to basically everything – the old town, the Art Nouveau district, decent restaurants that aren’t tourist traps – but far enough from Livu Square that you won’t be dealing with drunk bachelor parties stumbling around at 3 AM. The 26 building sits on a relatively quiet stretch, which honestly surprised me given how central it is. Street parking can be a bit of a dance if you’re driving, but there’s usually something within a block or two. And here’s something nobody tells you – the building entrance is actually pretty secure, which is reassuring when you’re coming back late from dinner or drinks.

The 9.3 rating makes total sense once you’re there. It’s not fancy in a five-star hotel way, but it’s thoughtfully put together by someone who clearly gets what travelers actually need. Good wifi, comfortable beds, enough space to live rather than just sleep, and that killer location. The stairs situation is really the only drawback, and even that becomes part of the charm after a day or two. Just pack light, or be strategic about your grocery runs.