Picolo recommends · Hotel in Riga, Latvia
Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga
Riga's classic grand hotel, looking across a green park to the National Opera, with marble bathrooms and the Old Town one crossing away.
From the windows you see the pale front of the National Opera and the park in front of it, with the canal curving through the greenery. The Old Town begins on the other side of the road.
Rooms are big and light, in soft colours, with marble in the bathrooms. It is the most traditional luxury address in the city, and the spa is where guests go to thaw after a winter's day.
Picolo’s verdict
Why we chose Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga
We chose the Kempinski for an evening at the opera or a weekend with full grand-hotel service. The location between the parks and the Old Town is hard to better, and prices are below what similar hotels charge in the Nordic capitals.
By local standards it is expensive, and the style is classic rather than cutting edge. If you prefer a smaller, more personal place with Old Town character, Dome Hotel or Grand Palace may suit you better.
What you get
- Spa for cold days
- Large rooms with marble bathrooms
- Views of the opera house or the park
- Classic grand-hotel service
- Old Town just across the road
A day at Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga
- Morning
- A walk along the canal through the Bastejkalns park.
- Midday
- Lunch in the Old Town, two minutes over the road.
- Afternoon
- The spa while the light fades early.
- Evening
- Curtain up at the National Opera, right outside.
Location
Centre, Riga, Latvia
Open in MapsQuestions about Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga
Is Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga near the opera?
Yes. It stands directly opposite the Latvian National Opera, with a park in between, so getting to a performance takes minutes.
Does Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga have a spa?
Yes, there is a spa, which is a welcome retreat after a cold day in the city.
How far is Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga from the Old Town?
The Old Town starts just across the road, so the main squares and the cathedral are an easy walk.
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Updated 6 Nov 2026All articles
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