Hestia Hotel Jugend

It was January 2, 2026, with below-freezing weather outside, and sleeping here was especially difficult. The room was extremely cold, barely warming even with the heater at its highest setting. There was a strong cigarette smell, as if people had been smoking inside. The chair was broken and very dirty. I didn't feel comfortable staying in the room as a woman. There are quite a few problems, and this hotel is far from ideal.

I liked working in the lobby's heated terrace area, with lots of natural light. The location was quiet, about a 15-minute walk from the city center, and there were plenty of cafes nearby. The rooms are a little old but very well kept, and it's good value for money. It was just right for my stay.

From the street it doesn't look especially ostentatious, but inside it's a glorious little place, not far from a wonderful park. My tour arranged it for me, and I'm grateful they did. The staff were gracious and helpful when needed, and I couldn't fault the room for warmth or comfort.

We stayed at Hestia Hotel Riga during the Riga Rimi Marathon and tried to shorten our visit by one night. The receptionist confirmed this could be done, asked us to complete a form and email it to a particular address, and said a refund would arrive within five working days. We checked the address with her, and she confirmed it was right. More than two months later, there's still no refund, update, or apology from management. Several emails have gone unanswered. We've called multiple times and keep hearing that the manager will be asked to contact us, but nobody ever does. I don't blame the front desk staff for processing the refund. This is a failure of management. The silence, lack of updates, and absence of basic customer care feel disrespectful. For a hotel in a supposedly reputable chain, this is unacceptable. We feel ignored, lied to, and cheated out of our money. They clearly don't value guests once they've been paid. Do yourself a favor and don't book this hotel.