Riga

If you’re here to marvel at the romance of R?ga’s architecture, then the Old Town, or Vecr?ga, probably offers the best places to stay in R?ga. Over 800 of its buildings are in the Art Nouveau, or Jugendstil, style and there are some beautifully intricate facades and ornate doorways and windows. If you’re here for a city break, to sample the experimental cuisine and famous nightlife, then the city centre or Centrs is probably the best place to stay in R?ga.

Vibrant R?ga, with her elegant Gothic spires and delightfully organic, Art Nouveau Old Town, is home to a third of Latvia’s population. And it’s quickly obvious why so many people want to live here. As well as her wonderful, Heritage Listed appearance, R?ga is bursting with new ideas and energy, from the modern art galleries to the zeitgeist-y restaurants and bars.

The small combed streets of the Old Town are where many of R?ga’s main sights can be found. The R?ga Cathedral, St. Peter’s Church - which dominates the skyline, the fun and life of the Central Market - housed in a line of old WW1 Zeppelin hangers, the Art Nouveau Museum and the Art Museum R?ga Bourse, the powerfully evocative Arsen?ls Exhibition Hall - built in the 1830s to store the weapons of the Tsar’s army, the multiple memorial statues and the wonderful old guildhalls and get houses.

And you’re almost as spoiled for choice when it comes to museums and monuments as you are when it comes to architecture here. There are also great markets, world class festivals and one of the most progressive, cosmopolitan foodie scenes in the Baltic region.

If you’re here for more than a few days you might want to explore a little way outside the centre of the city, beyond the green parkland of the Pils?tas kan?ls, the city’s old moat, beyond the Agenskalns and Tornakalns areas and the concrete residential blocks of the Soviet era, and the blueberry forests and sand dunes, to glamorous J?rmala with its white sandy beaches on the gulf of R?ga.

This city is growing in popularity as a tourist destination, so if you want to guarantee a room in one of the best places to stay in R?ga, you'll need to get organised and book well ahead.

For a city break

• The Dome Hotel & Spa is a gorgeous five star hotel with has just 15 boutique style rooms. The decor is a blend of modernist and traditional and there’s a great spa, afantastic seafood restaurant and a rooftop wine bar.

For romance

• Grand Palace Hotel has 56 elegant, five star bedrooms - some of palatial standards, plus a rooftop bar, a choice of restaurants and a gym.
• The Hotel Neiburgs is an elegant hotel with 55 rooms, some with kitchenettes. The decor is sophisticated and there’s a lovely library, and an excellent restaurant and spa.

Still not sure which is the best place to stay in R?ga for you? Browse through our list of all the best places to stay in R?ga, or contact one of our friendly Gurus for advice.