Unique Mailo cottage

Hotel Description

You know what struck me first about Unique Mailo cottage? The name actually fits – and I mean, how often does that happen with hotels these days? This little place sits tucked away on Čiekurkalna 1. šķērslīnija, which honestly sounds intimidating if you don’t speak Latvian, but it’s basically just a quiet side street in one of Riga’s more residential neighborhoods. The cottage has this genuine homey feel that you don’t get at your typical three-star spot, though I’ll warn you upfront – it’s not trying to be fancy, and that’s exactly why it works.

The location is sort of perfect if you actually want to experience Riga like someone who lives there, rather than just hitting the tourist highlights. You’re in Čiekurkalns, which locals will tell you is where real Rigans go to escape the Old Town crowds. There’s this authentic neighborhood vibe – you’ll hear kids playing in courtyards, smell someone’s dinner cooking, maybe catch an elderly neighbor tending their small garden. It’s about a 15-minute tram ride to the city center (the stop’s practically around the corner), but honestly, some of my best meals were within walking distance of the cottage. The area has these family-run places that don’t bother with English menus because they’re cooking for locals, not tourists.

What really sets this place apart is how the owners – I’m pretty sure they live nearby – actually seem to care about your experience. Check-in felt more like being welcomed into someone’s home than a hotel transaction. The cottage itself has character in all the right ways: creaky wooden floors that somehow feel charming rather than annoying, windows that actually open wide for fresh air, and furniture that looks like it was chosen by humans, not a corporate purchasing department. The bathroom’s small but functional, and there’s this little kitchenette that’s surprisingly well-equipped if you want to grab groceries from the local market. Speaking of which, there’s a proper Latvian market about three blocks away where you can get fresh bread and local cheese for basically nothing.

The 8.7 rating makes complete sense once you spend a night here – it’s not luxury, but it delivers exactly what it promises without any unpleasant surprises. The WiFi actually works, the heating keeps the place warm during those chilly Baltic nights, and it’s genuinely quiet despite being in the city. I mean, you might hear the occasional tram, but it’s more of a gentle urban lullaby than disruptive noise. The only minor downside is parking – if you’re driving, you’ll need to figure out street parking, which isn’t impossible but requires a bit of local knowledge about which spots are okay overnight.

What I keep coming back to is how this place feels real. You’re not staying in some sanitized hotel bubble – you’re actually in Riga, surrounded by daily life, but with your own cozy space to retreat to. For the price point, it’s honestly hard to beat, especially if you’re the type of traveler who values authentic experiences over thread counts and marble lobbies.

Rooms

• Estimated price from: $77. One-Bedroom Apartment with 1 large double bed for Max persons: 3

Reviews

• Exceptional – Ryan from United Kingdom – 4 July 2025 (10/10)

  Cosy cottage and very friendly hosts. Perfect location for visiting mezaparks and the lake.

• Wonderful!! – Gustė from Lithuania – 14 June 2025 (10/10)

  Location was ideal for the purpose of our trip. Premises are spacious and have a big, beautiful yard. Host was super helpful and friendly, the highlight of our stay. Fireplace was lit when we arrived, it was extremely cozy. Highly recommended.

• Nice and warm place! – Pavels from Latvia – 21 November 2024 (9/10)

  Cottage situated perfectly for my needs but could be a bit too far from city center for guests without a car – which you can securily place inside closed territory. Wood-burning fireplace provides nice and cozy atmosphere. Very attentive and responsive hosts!
  
  What could be improved: Some wardrobe would be nice to have. Same stands for microwave owen in the kitchen.

• Very good – Andrii from Ukraine – 25 August 2024 (8/10)

  Everything was a really nice:)
  
  What could be improved: Please, do something with bathroom, water was everywhere

• Exceptional – Andrey from Latvia – 16 June 2023 (10/10)

  Clean 🙂
  
  What could be improved: I would like to see tea & coffee, dish washing liquids. Now arrived to property at midnight I had no chance even have cup of coffee. That’s should be changed in the future 🤗

• Good opportunity for outdoor recreation, calm sleep in safe property – Aris from Latvia – 15 May 2023 (8/10)

  Caring and attentive host family, welcome with keys, show and explain everything. High security, high fence, electric gate, a dog friendly with guests, but attentive to the outside, separate cottage in a private area, next to the owners' house. Garden with barbecue, trampoline net, bicycles and sauna at guests' disposal. Fresh air, no traffic noise, away from central streets. The cottage has a kitchen, bathroom equipped with everything you need. Large TV with a wide choice of channels and movies, a minibar. Tea, coffee, biscuits, sweets and board games are available. Comfortable wide bed. Extra blankets and heating devices are available in chilly weather. The owners are ready to help you on the spot if you have a problem.
  
  What could be improved: The property is not in the city centre, you need to explore access options. The street names and numbering in this block can cause confusion, so be careful: there are no streets, but they are called lines and cross-lines, with the same numbers. Be careful not to overload electrical devices in the cottage: many at the same time can short-circuit.

• Good – Jankodedun from Norway – 17 November 2023 (7/10)

  Nice place to stay, comfortable bed. Available minibar. Free parking.
  
  What could be improved: Too small shower 🚿 room. The room was not clean. Lots of Spider webs.

• Pleasant – Hristo from Bulgaria – 23 July 2024 (6/10)

  Everything was good.The host is nice
  
  What could be improved: Just need to be cleaned better

• Superb – Cynthia from France – 10 July 2025 (9/10)

  L'emplacement est génial pour visiter Riga et ses alentours

• Exceptional – Arvis from United Kingdom – 26 June 2025 (10/10)

  Viss
  
  What could be improved: Viss patika

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities