Name: Riga Hostel
Address: Merkela iela 1 LV-1070 Riga,Merkela iela, Riga, Riga, Riga, LV-1050, Latvia
Rating: 8

24-hour reception

Elevator/lift

Smoke-free property

Heating

All Spaces Non-Smoking (public and private)

Upper floors accessible by elevator

General

Non-smoking rooms

Locker

Linens

Rooms

Accessibility features

Accessibility

Laundry

Luggage storage

Services and amenities

Common kitchen

Meals

Free Wi-Fi

Internet

Airport transportation

Transfer

Russian

English

Languages Spoken

Offsite parking reservations required

Parking

Beach/pool towels

Pool and beach

Kids' TV Networks

Kids

Pets allowed

Pets

Location

At the hostel

Riga Central Railway Station

Berg's Bazaar

Vērmanes Garden

Latvian National Opera

Riga Food Market

The Freedom Monument

Latvian Academy of Sciences

St. Peter's Church

Bastion Hill

Esplanade

House of the Blackheads

Cathedral Square

Latvian National Museum of Art

The Three Brothers

The Latvian National Theatre

Riga Castle

Arena Riga

Riga Zoo

Riga Motor Museum

Riga International Airport

Līvu Akvaparks

Riga Hostel

Riga

Hi

Summary- The rudest, dirtiest, broken hostel I have ever been to.

Upon arriving, I was taken up to the 4th floor by the sketchiest elevator I have seen. Then I went to the reception, said hello, to which the receptionist said with a rude voice "just a moment please!" She said it like she was annoyed that I even arrived there. And then she continued to chat with a friend, just everyday chit-chat. And I waited about 5 minutes in the corner with my heavy backpack until another woman came and with a slow pace, registred me in. I didn't get the room I booked and the one I got, looked way more tired and dirty than the one I booked. But she said I can probably be alone, so what the hell. She was also not interested to do any kind of work and she spoke english very little. Then I decided to take a shower. Wow 😀 I mean... Dirty, the water didnt go down, water had some white/dusty pigment, no shower curtain, mold in some corners and the stool that was there, had a condom pack under it to keep it balanced. After that I went to the heavy urine aroma bathroom, where the sink was half full of water that wouldnt go down. The environment was very tired and agressive, no friendly backpackers or students saying hello. When going to sleep I saw that the matress had many bugs on it. I slept on the top bunk because it was the one that seemed the cleanest. I really hope I don't get lice or any other sickness.

But the thrasbin in my room was empty. Hooray! -.-

P.S. I also wanted to add a picture of the bugs, but it was larger than 5MB so I couldn't upload it.

Safe to say its the last time I will ever visit this place. Stay clear I say, stay clear!

NOT WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE!

Rīga Hostel is a short walk away from the main bus station and old town, but that’s all that is good about the hostel.

My room was next to the community kitchen which meant that I got to hear all the noises of food processing and loud conversations. I was up early with the first breakfast maker and fell asleep when the midnight snack makers were finished. And the smell in the corridor... you got to experience every meal by smell.

During the night there were a few people checking in and ringing the bell. Not a great way to get some sleep after a long day.

I was lucky to stay there for only one night. Will not return and do not recommend for others. Pay a bit extra and stay somewhere else.

Great location, but that’s where it ends

The hostel is right across from the train station. A good spot to explore Riga since it’s situation between the new and old town. 

The sound insulation in this place has rooms for improvement. There is a cosy communal area where people share food, but that also means cleanliness and noise level can be compromised sometimes. 

The hostel has lots of recommendation on what to do in Riga.

Convenient location 

No ventilation, water doesn't run properly, very densed and awful smell, even though I paid for breakfast, there was absolutely nothing on offer for four days in a row, I always go for breakfast and nothing, I mean nothing. The double bed in a single room, placed side by side was terrible, there was a very tiny space in between to maneuver. Checking time says 13, I was not given key to the room even though ready until manager came at about after 14, unbelievable. Room on the fourth floor with no lift on another side of the building, if you have luggages, tough for you. The staffs that I met, especially the women, very very rude. I absolutely do not recommend this property no matter the trip!!

Not recommended at all

If you arrive Riga by train, it is very convenient. Riga hostel is very close to Riga Train station. I arrived Riga by bus. I walked a longer route from bus station, having said that, the location is very convenient.
Upon confirming your booking, you will receive how-to-get-to-hoste-mail, which is very accurate. 
Riga hostel is located in a building (with elevator) and there are more hostels in the building, it is ilke hostel building. 

Reception is open for 24  hours.
Towel/linen is provided for free.
Breakfast is not included but you can have complimentary coffee/tea and milk.
wifi for free.
earplug is free at reception.
There is a desktop for guests to use. I didn't ask but it should be free to ues.
There is TV in public space. Luckily, they showed World Cup and I didn't have to go out just to watch games.

There are plenty of bathrooms. Quite standard type.
There are many couches in public space and corridor. 
They have washing machine, ask staff to use. 

There is a small kitchen here. Although I didn't use it, some other guests were cooking their meal. 
There are many convenience store nearby, you can buy deli from everywhere. 

I stayed femal 4-dorm. There are a table, 4 chairs, clothing rack and lockers besides of 2 bunk beds. Very comfortable !   So many dorms in the world have only bed and locker. Oh, bring your padlock to use the locker.

You will find lots of information on the wall just in front of reception, which is very useful.
There is a box next to the kitchen, which is for what-you-don't-need-any-longer. You can drop whatever you don't use anymore as donation.

It is McDonald on the ground level, you won't have food problem.
Money exchanger is next to the building.

Between Old town and New Town

Very Bad hostel because of bed Bugs and arrogant staff. I got bitten 18  bites which gave Me  huge bruises and the staff didn't care. I tried to get My money Back but They didn't Even answer My e-mails. They dont clean properly and all They want IS customers money. Rathole !
I have travelled in about 80 different hostels in europe and USA and only one was worse than this one. So I  can say that I have enormous experience about hostels.

Bed Bugs very bad

PROS
- Cozy and clean
- Well located right in the city center, next to the train station and a mall with supermarket, restaurants, bars and shops. The Old Town and the Central Market are at walking distance 
- All the girls of the staff were super: kind, friendly and helpful 
- Besides tea and coffee, even milk is free

CONS
- No spotlight and AC plug for every bed (they would be useful) 
- A bit crowded when I was there but not noisy 
- Maybe some toilet and shower need to be renovated

Good option for young people and families as well

The hostel was great for our 3 night stay as we were on a tight budget. We had a comfortable private room which was good value. Staff were fine although we didn't need much from them, bathrooms basic but clean. Location was good with the central market, railway and bus stations near by and the Old Town a short walk. Recommended for those on a budget.

Great value and good location

What's not to love about this hostel?  The location is central, between the train station and the old town and it is accessed from the street by a door next to McDonalds.

The hostel interior is light and feels spacious, it looks like its all been freshly painted and apparently the owner keeps on top of this and renovation is an ongoing process.  The colour schemes are bright and vibrant.

The sleep quality was was very good in my 8-bed dorm and the beds were comfortable.  Even with 8 beds the room did not feel crowded.

The only 2 negatives for this place were that during my stay the lift was broken on several occasions and the hostel is a long climb up the stairs.  This may have been an isolated incident as friends who have stayed here did not experience this.  The other issue I had was that there was no good common area.  There was a kitchen with a dining table that took up most of the space, there was sofa seating too but all the common space was on the edges of the thoroughfare so it felt like you were sitting in a corridor.  These issues didn't stop me giving a 5-star review.

Great hostel - I will definitely return here

We stayed here for 2 nights - the location is amazing.

The hostel is your usual city hostel - mixture of people (kids and adults), noisy (especially if you have one of the rooms right next to the kitchen and reception area like we did). When we were shown our room, the member of staff said "If you need ear plugs then just ask at reception"...which already set alarm bells ringing for us. Shared bathrooms and showers, which could have done with cleaning more often, but were ok.

Staff at reception were very nice and helpful. It is a small hostel so the common area and kitchen are one, which got pretty noisy in the evening, especially when other guests started cooking at 11.30pm and the smell started creeping into your room...not nice!

There was free tee and coffee, which is always appreciated and guests kept the kitchen pretty tidy. 

Overall, an average city hostel, great location, ok price, warm and comfy - just a good place to lay your head down.

Riga Hostel

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