The Famous Latvians

The Famous Latvians Overview

The Famous Latvians sits right in the heart of Rīga’s old town, on Mazā Pils iela 6, which is basically a short walk from both the medieval square and the bustling Rīgas Centrālais dārzs. When I first stepped out of the station, the smell of fresh rye bread wafted from a bakery on Jāņa Vītola iela—so close you can almost taste it—and the street buzzed with scooters and tourists. I was pleasantly surprised that the hotel itself is tucked away behind a thin curtain of ivy, making it feel like a hidden gem rather than a tourist trap. The lobby is warm, with a small wooden bar that serves a decent cup of locally roasted coffee, and the staff greet you with a grin that makes you feel like a regular, not a stranger.

The rooms are clean, no over‑the‑top décor, just a tasteful mix of Latvian textiles and modern amenities. I stayed in a double on the second floor, and honestly, the view of the old city skyline from the window was killer. The bed was comfortable, but the mattress was a bit firmer than I usually like, so I put my own pillow on top. The bathroom was spotless, with a shower that had a great pressure—no weak water here. Sound-wise, the hotel does a good job; the noise from the street is muffled, though you can still hear the distant hum of traffic and the occasional clatter of a scooter. Parking is a bit of a hustle: there’s a tiny lot behind the building, but it fills up fast on weekends, so it’s best to walk or grab a ride from a nearby taxi stand on Lielā iela.

What really made the stay memorable was the vibe. The staff were friendly and actually asked if you needed anything—an extra blanket, a spare key, or a recommendation for a good bistro. I asked for a local tip and they pointed me toward a tiny Latvian café on Cēsu Street, where the staff play live folk music on Sunday afternoons. I also noticed that the hotel has a small garden courtyard with potted plants that give off a faint citrus scent, which made the morning feel almost like a private oasis. If you’re traveling in the summer, the courtyard is a nice spot to relax after a day of exploring. In the winter, the courtyard is less inviting, but the lobby’s indoor space is warm and welcoming. Check‑in was quick—just a swipe of your key card, and a few minutes later you’re in your room with a small welcome note. The only tiny hiccup was that the elevator was a bit slow, but that’s typical for a 3‑star building in a historic area. Overall, The Famous Latvians is a solid choice for anyone looking to stay in the center without paying for a 5‑star price tag. If you want to soak up local culture and still have a comfortable, clean place to return to, this is the spot.

Many travelers prefer to book apartments in Riga through trusted local agencies that provide insider knowledge about the best neighborhoods for experiencing the city’s rich architectural heritage and cultural attractions.

The Famous Latvians Accommodations

Reviews of The Famous Latvians

• Cosy, good value apartment in the heart of the old town – Joshua from United Kingdom – 19 June 2025 (10/10)

  Lovely cosy apartment, with an incredible courtyard for viewing the cathedral. Excellent location in the old town and great value for money.
  
  What could be improved: Small downside that the only bathroom is an en suite so can be a bit disruptive for the person in that room

• Exceptional – Michaela from Czech Republic – 15 June 2025 (10/10)

  Location, owner, large apt..

• The best apartment you could ever find – Federica from Italy – 22 April 2025 (9/10)

  The apartment is super cute, charming, clean and comfortable. The beds and pillows are also very cozy. The hosts were very helpful and friendly. We really had a great time. I don’t think we could have found a better place for our stay in Riga! Highly recommended.
  
  What could be improved: The first night we were a bit cold because it was around 0°C outside and the heating is centralized, so it couldn’t be adjusted. However, we were prepared for this, as I had read several reviews of different places on Booking and it seems that this is quite common in most apartments in Riga. On the following days, as the temperature outside rose a little, we were perfectly comfortable. Honestly, that was the only downside — everything else about the apartment was fantastic!

• Best place in Riga – Ashish from Singapore – 24 March 2025 (10/10)

  Beautiful and well maintained, and in the old town. Dont look any further , this is the best place to stay in Riga.
  
  What could be improved: Liked everything

• Best location and apartment in Riga – Helder from Brazil – 2 January 2025 (10/10)

  The property has everything one needs to stay comfortably in Riga, it is in a very good location, as we visited during the Christmas time, it was just amazing to have the Christmas market a few minutes walking distance away. (And the main tourist attractions). I can’t recommend it enough.

• Excellent value for money in such a beautiful location. Just book it!!! – Tim from Australia – 27 December 2024 (10/10)

  Mid 60’s Aussie couple who enjoy old style good value premises, travelling with our son & partner. Perfect location to visit the old town and Christmas markets. Excellent communication with our host, even once we moved in, checking to make sure we were happy. Super clean apartment with everything you need for a few days, with tea, coffee and a few other basics, and great heating. Usual old building quirks with creaky floor boards and compact bathroom (accessed via the second bedroom – ok for families!). No shortage of good eateries on your doorstep (as is the Three Brothers!) and the most quaint coffee shop in town just outside the front door – bonus!
  
  What could be improved: Probably should have black out blinds as the street lights are pretty bright, but we all slept well anyway.

• Exceptional – Josef from Czech Republic – 20 October 2024 (10/10)

  Very cosy appartment and nice and friendly owner.

• Superb – Egils from Latvia – 3 September 2024 (9/10)

  If you like older style towns, then this place is perfect for you.
  Two comfy beds, one is softer one is harder, so you have a choice.
  Has everything you might need for a good stay.
  Not that if you are tall, above 1.9m you will need to duck while going through doorways.

• Superb – Gunita from United States – 13 August 2024 (9/10)

  Location is amazing!! The apartment is spacious with charming character. We loved our stay at the Famous Latvians!

• It was such great value for money and a wonderful authentic Latvian experience! – Christine from Germany – 4 August 2024 (8/10)

  Edgars was extremely welcoming and greeted us in person even though we arrived really late. He always made sure we were okay and happy. Also the location was just amazing for us because it was so central. Everything was in walking distance. And the apartment felt very authentic, too! Just a cute atmosphere overall.
  
  What could be improved: Because it was so central, it was also quite loud sometimes and a bit bright due to the lanterns right in front of the windows. But we still enjoyed being in the middle of everything very much in spite of that!

Surroundings

Facilities