Riga Park Hostel

I lived there for half a year. The exchange students from all over were really nice and made the stay bearable, and you only have to clean your own room. Still, I wouldn't want to live there again. I don't understand why their rating is 4.4 stars right now. Check-in was easy, but the contract was the last information I got in English. Management's English communication is inadequate, and if you want an email response, you need to write in Latvian. From Thursday evening onward there's nobody available if something goes wrong in the building. At times I was left without water, electricity, or Wi-Fi. The heating also broke down, which was especially uncomfortable in winter when it was -15 degrees. The apartment is beside a four-lane road, and the windows aren't insulated well. In really bad weather, rain gets inside. The bedsheets seem very old, with feathers all over. In winter the keypad sometimes freezes, and if nobody is inside to let you in, you can't get in. The rent is nearly twice the normal rate in the capital. Cleaning staff vacuum at 6 in the morning. You can't have friends stay overnight in your room unless you pay another €20 per night. There are security cameras everywhere by the entrances to the flats. Receipts are only in Latvian, so it's impossible to check whether the charges are correct. I felt more like a cash cow than a guest.

I only stayed a couple of nights in August in a single room, so I didn't use the kitchen and never saw or heard the other guests. The place is good value for the price, and the location is handy, very close to the city's Jugendstil area. There's no lift, so pack light or bring a backpack.

We booked on the day we arrived after a really bad experience at another hostel, Dome Pearl. What a relief to end up somewhere cozy. The woman who welcomed us was especially nice, and the staff were friendly. Our private twin room was beautiful, the place was extremely clean, and it's surrounded by gorgeous art nouveau buildings.

The staff were amazingly helpful when my card caused trouble and I couldn't make the booking as usual. They sorted everything out with me over the phone. The location is great, the room is well lit, and there are plenty of amenities on the floor, so you don't have to queue. I'd recommend staying here to anyone.