Rija VEF Hotel with FREE Parking

Hotel Description

You know what struck me first about the Rija VEF Hotel? It’s that moment when you realize you’ve found one of those places that just works without trying too hard. Sitting on Brīvības gatve – which honestly sounds intimidating but is basically just the main road heading north out of Riga – this 3-star spot has figured out something a lot of fancier hotels miss. The free parking thing isn’t just a nice touch, it’s actually a lifesaver if you’ve been circling Old Town for twenty minutes looking for a spot that won’t cost you €15 a day.

The building itself has that practical Soviet-era architecture that’s been smartly updated without losing its character. I mean, you’re not going to mistake it for a boutique hotel, but there’s something refreshingly honest about the place. The rooms are clean and well-maintained – nothing fancy, but the beds are actually comfortable and the WiFi works reliably (which, let’s be honest, is sometimes hit-or-miss even in supposedly nicer places). What really impressed me was how quiet it stays at night, considering you’re on a fairly busy street. The staff genuinely seems to care about getting things right, and their English is solid if your Latvian is as nonexistent as mine was.

Here’s the thing about the location that booking sites won’t tell you – you’re perfectly positioned between the city center and some of Riga’s more interesting neighborhoods that tourists often miss. The VEF area itself has this cool industrial-turned-artsy vibe happening, and you can catch a tram into the heart of Old Town in about fifteen minutes. Plus, if you’re planning day trips (and you should – the Latvian countryside is gorgeous), you’re right on the route that takes you toward Sigulda or the beaches at Jūrmala. The 8.2 rating makes sense once you spend a night or two there. It’s not trying to be something it’s not, but what it does – comfortable rooms, reliable service, practical amenities – it does really well. I’d definitely stay here again, especially if I had a rental car.

Rooms

• Estimated price from: $61. Standard Double Room with 1 large double bed for Max persons: 2
• Estimated price from: $83. Comfort Double or Twin Room with 1 double bed and 2 single beds for Max persons: 2
• Estimated price from: $96. Deluxe Double Room with 1 large double bed for Max persons: 2
• Estimated price from: $103. Triple Room with 3 single beds for Max persons: 3
• Estimated price from: $59. Standard Single Room with 1 single bed for Max persons: 1

Reviews

• Great! Slept well and breakfast was delicious! – Roadwaffle from Estonia – 30 June 2025 (9/10)

  The room was comfortable and clean. Breakfast was varied and tasty! We were very happy with the parking availability too.
  
  What could be improved: The breakfast buffet was super busy in the morning and the hotel only had two people working the area (at least I did not see more), so the tables didn't get cleaned fast enough, dishes kept running out etc. No complaints to the people working, they were doing their best in the circumstances, but I felt really sorry for them and wish they had more help during the super busy morning.

• Good location to explore city by public transport, comfy room and helpful staff. You can find better breakfast somewhere – Laura-liisa from Estonia – 3 June 2025 (9/10)

  Really helpful and welcoming reception staff, we arrived a bit early and wanted to just ask if we could park the car and they already checked us in. It is quite convenient if you don’t want to drive around the city by car and public transport tram stop is almost in front of the hotel. The room and the beds were clean and comfy and quite quiet for being so close to the big main street. And it was okay to let us check out and still park the car for the next day.
  
  What could be improved: Personally not a fan of the breakfast buffet, not many choices if you don’t/can’t eat meat, milk or eggs. There were 4 different breakfast cereal and only one sign saying there is milk in there as allergen, which did not seem likely for all. And I’m almost sure there was plant based milk, but calling “lactose free milk” is bit misleading, even though true.

• Great price performance. – Kārlis from Latvia – 5 May 2025 (9/10)

  Everything was clean, great parking spots, polite staff, good breakfast.
  
  What could be improved: The only minus was that the room smelled of cigaretes.

• Easy perfect stay. Start was super kind and nice 😊 – Elza from Latvia – 3 May 2025 (9/10)

  Perfect location and easy ti get to center

• Was good and comfortable – Stella from Latvia – 23 April 2025 (8/10)

  Everything was ok
  
  What could be improved: It could be nice to have an electric pot inside a room but hot water was available at the reception

• Superb – Egidijus from Lithuania – 10 March 2025 (9/10)

  What could be improved: Breakfast

• Very good – Mücahid from Slovenia – 8 March 2025 (8/10)

  It is in a central location, it doesn't even take 10 minutes by tram to get to the center. The staff were very friendly.
  
  What could be improved: Breakfast

• Good value for money. Kind staff. – Skaidrīte from Latvia – 22 February 2025 (8/10)

  Good and convenient location. Kind staff. We arrived during the night and was no problem to check in. Room was spacious. Bed was comfortable. Breakfast was good. Nice staff there as well.
  
  What could be improved: Bathroom and shower needs to be renovated. Bed linen and towels improved.

• Superb – Natalia from Finland – 4 January 2025 (9/10)

  We booked the rooms in the late evening and moved in at night, sign in was smooth and we felt welcome. The rooms were clean, beds comfy, window view nice, breakfast tasty. Ofc this is not a 5star hotel and it's not brand new but for this price it was awesome and the fact that it included breakfast made us choose this place. It was a great stay and we will come back of we are in Riga again.

• Good choice! – Amrah from Germany – 3 January 2025 (8/10)

  The location was good. Room was clean.
  
  What could be improved: I asked for the slipper and they answered that they sell it for 3 EUR.
  On holidays breakfast time is different and they didn’t inform me beforehand, so I missed the breakfast on the last day of my stay.

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities