Kolonna Hotel Brigita, Riga

Advantages: Cheap, friendly place to visit, interesting architecture.
Disadvantages: Might not last too long in its current state. Freezing cold in winter.

...Latvia is not somewhere that would immediately spring to mind when deciding on a city break, but when we researched a possible weekend away for between four and six people (all male) within our budget (£200), there was no clear cut winner. Riga, Berlin, Prague and Barcelona were all able to offer a flight/hotel combination for within that. Riga was decided on by vote, purely for the reason that it was only really opening up as a destination and had that 'kudos' factor that all new things seem to have. Most of our group flew out of Dublin with Ryanair, though there are other routes available from England and one of our party flew with Ryanair out of Stansted. Flights will obviously vary in price, depending on who you're flying with, when you're flying and how far in advance you book. Booking tickets with Ryanair at Christmas for an end... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Quiet area
Disadvantages: none

...We stayed here at the Albert for 3 nights at the end of Feb. We flew with Air Baltic for £41.70 each including tax! My daughter and I arrived late at night at the Albert ....they had granted my request for a high,non smoking, room with a view of Old Town! We could see all the tops of the steeples across Riga and the Art Nouveau style buildings. We were exceptionally pleased with our room. Alot of bright lighting available in the rooms but with low lights for night..very cosy. It was meticulously clean with very comfy beds and crisp sheets. They had fabulous under floor heating in the bathroom too. The shower was the best power shower I've ever used! The maid service was great....they even folded my daughters pyjamas and put under her pillow each day! Infact the cleaners were always cleaning the hotel foyer entrance... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Architecture, history, market
Disadvantages: Technical University, too many bridges

.... Although for some reason you couldn't take photographs indoors. Go figure? One things for sure, there's plenty of good eating going on in Riga - whether your average Rigan could afford it though, I couldn't say. >> WELCOME TO THE HOTEL MAFIOSO The aged old crone sat at the desk eyed us quizzically as we entered the supposed accommodation block of the Technical University. She spoke no English. We gesticulated enthusiastically. She eyed us like we were morons. We felt like morons. There were no rooms. Not for us Lebanese scum any way. We left. "Where's the Tram, Ade? We're going back over the river." Some hours later, our final destination turned out to be Hotel Mafioso (real name: Hotel Kia). It featured copious guards who were dressed in black and carrying worryingly efficient and spectacularly deadly looking sidearms. They glowered... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful