When I travel, I don’t like spending much on accommodation. I often go for the cheapest option wherever possible, and if it is quirky or a little different, even better. Spending as little as possible is part of the ethos behind this blog. I love uncovering cheap places to stay just as much as cheap journeys and flights. A perfect example is the hostel in Prague which only cost me £5.80. Riga has some fantastic budget options and here are 2 I highly recommend from my recent trip:
First Night: Hanza Hotel
On my first night I stayed at the lovely and very well located Hanza Hotel.
It is a short walk from both the central station and central markets. It’s a perfect location for exploring the city. The nearest tram stop is just two minutes away which is super convenient for getting around.
Breakfast was included in the price and it was a decent spread. Typical continental choice, cereal, bread and fruit. I was stuffed for the day after eating it.
The room had everything I needed for a comfortable night. A comfy double bed, a spacious modern bathroom, a big writing desk, a safe and even a mini fridge. One thing I would say is if you are disturbed by light, bring an eye mask. The windows have shutters instead of curtains and they let a little bit of light into the room.
The hotel accepted cash when paying for my stay as well as card. Throughout my stay the hotel staff were super helpful and friendly.
The price I paid for one night’s stay for one person including breakfast was €27.67 (£23.85). Exceptional value for the quality of the room, breakfast and location in my opinion. I highly recommend this hotel for a budget and quality stay in central Riga.
Second Night: Kepler Hotel – Riga Airport
My second night was a little bit more unique. I had one of the first flights out of Riga Airport just after 6 AM. Normally I would have taken one of the last buses to the airport, found a quiet place to rest for a few hours before security opened. Out of curiosity, I checked for airport hotels anyway and upon my surprise found a very cheap stay inside the airport!
Welcome to the Kepler Hotel, a pod hotel located just above the check in desks at Riga Airport. A pretty ideal location for an early flight. Now I’ve stayed in all kinds of places, but this was my first time trying a pod hotel. This is something completely new for me. You’ve probably seen pictures online, but nothing quite prepares you for the real thing.
The hotel was immaculately clean, with well-kept shower rooms and a communal sink area. There are personal lockers upon entry, one for each pod. Inside your locker you’ll find a pair of comfy slippers, one large towel and a smaller towel.
The pod itself is surprisingly spacious. It has a comfy memory foam mattress and pillow. There is a small TV inside you can connect your headphones to via an audio jack. As well, there is adjustable lighting, temperature controls and a European plug socket. To ensure privacy there is a blind which can be pulled down to cover the entire entrance to the pod. The pod is not exactly soundproof. You can hear most things so if you are a light sleeper, definitely bring ear plugs or noise cancelling headphones.
But for a different type of stay this is highly recommended and you could not be any closer to check in. The staff members were super helpful and friendly at check in and check out especially when my locker got jammed shut and I had to ask for assistance. The price included breakfast but sadly my flight was almost boarding by the time breakfast was being served at 5 AM. Overall the Kepler Hotel is a fantastic budget option for the convenience of being inside the terminal.
The price I paid for one night’s stay which included breakfast was €26.25 (£22.34) and an extra €1 (£0.86) in city tax which I paid in cash at the hotel. For a nights stay inside an airport terminal with the facilities provided this was also exceptional value in my opinion. This is a great option especially if you have an early morning flight like I did.
Overall Thoughts:
Both places I stayed in I highly recommend, both with great location, friendly staff and super amenities. If you are heading to Riga check these places out! Most of all they are both budget friendly options so are kind to the wallet which is what we like!