Picolo recommends · Hotel in Riga, Latvia
Grand Palace Hotel
Heavy curtains, polished wood and staff in proper uniforms, on a hushed Old Town street a stone's throw from the presidential castle.
Step off Pils iela and the noise of the Old Town drops away. Inside, the look belongs to another century: deep fabrics, dark timber and antique pieces in the corridors and rooms.
The castle where Latvia's president has his office stands at the end of the street, on the northern edge of the medieval centre. Service runs along traditional lines, attentive and a little formal, which is exactly why some guests return.
Picolo’s verdict
Why we chose Grand Palace Hotel
We picked Grand Palace for travellers on a first trip who want to be inside the Old Town but sleep away from the bars. It is a calm, grown-up base with the restaurants of Dome Square only minutes away.
The style is traditional through and through. If you want clean lines, contemporary art or a buzzy lobby, this will feel dated, and Hotel Bergs or Hotel Neiburgs will suit you better.
What you get
- Attentive, old-school service
- Rooms with antique furniture and heavy fabrics
- A quiet side of the Old Town
- Dome Square restaurants within easy walking
- Old Town cafés close by
A day at Grand Palace Hotel
- Morning
- Coffee and a slow walk past the castle walls by the river.
- Midday
- Lunch in a cellar restaurant off Dome Square.
- Afternoon
- An hour in the Art Nouveau district north of the centre.
- Evening
- Dinner in the Old Town, then back to a street that has already gone quiet.
Location
Pils iela, Old Town, Riga, Latvia
Open in MapsQuestions about Grand Palace Hotel
Where is Grand Palace Hotel in Riga?
On Pils iela at the northern end of the Old Town, near Riga Castle. The streets around it are calmer than those near the main squares.
Is Grand Palace Hotel good for a first visit to Riga?
Yes. You are inside the medieval centre, so the main sights and plenty of restaurants are on foot, yet the hotel sits away from the late-night crowds.
Does Grand Palace Hotel have a modern style?
No. It leans traditional, with antique furniture, dark wood and heavy curtains. Guests who prefer contemporary design tend to choose Hotel Bergs instead.
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Updated 6 Nov 2026All articles
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