Stayed in January (off season) and July (peak season) 2025 for 2 nights and 1 night
Rates vary according to season. If you visit during off off-season, you can book this hotel for less than 50€ per night. During the season, the average rate is between 89-110€, or even higher during events.
Location
The Ibis Riga is located a short 5-minute walk from the train station (Riga Central Station), which makes it ideal if you are travelling by train through the Baltic Region. You will find a shopping mall with a supermarket within 5 minutes walking distance. The city centre can be reached on foot within 25-30 minutes, or you can use public transport, which is located nearby. The airport bus, number 22, stops near the central station, allowing you to reach the airport by public transport within 45 minutes.
Check-In/Out and staff
The staff at check-in was friendly and welcoming. The process overall was quick and efficient. The payment was taken, and my details from my ID Card were registered. The staff member also explained some things about the hotel (Wifi, breakfast times). Unfortunately, the hotel does not issue invoices for payment. You will only receive a copy from the terminal when paying with a card. Due to my status (Gold Status) with Accor, I received an upgrade to a Premium Room. This is good, as upgrades at Ibis Hotels are not common. However, the receptionist did not mention anything about the Upgrade or thank me for my loyalty. This could be improved with some staff training.
The check-out process was quick, but rather cold and unfriendly. The staff member did not ask me about my stay or if everything was okay. This could be improved. The staff member at the bar was very friendly. I used my digital drink voucher due to my status, and it was without any issues.
Room and Wi-Fi
I booked a Standard Room and received a Premium Room on both of my stays. Usually, the rooms at the Ibis are rather small. If you prefer more space, it is better to book a Premium Room (if offered at the location). The Premium Room at the Ibis Riga are very spacious. They have a desk, a telephone and an additional chair in the room. They offer tea and coffee facilities, a Lavazza Coffee machine, as well as two complimentary bottles of water. These are only found in Premium/Executive Rooms, but not in Standard Rooms. Unfortunately, there is no fridge, even in Premium Rooms. The air conditioning worked very well, and you could cool down the room to a good temperature. This is especially important, as summers in the Baltics can get hot and humid.
The Wi-Fi connection at the hotel was excellent. The speed was around 86 Mb/s, and faster compared to other places. The signal in the room was also strong and good. Overall, the room felt a bit dated. The floor is a wooden floor and squeaky. You can easily hear noises from guests walking outside the corridor, but also when you walk inside the room. The beds are soft, and you find a harder and a softer pillow in the bed. Overall, the cleanliness was fine. Some areas in the room, however, would require a deep cleaning to improve the overall cleanliness.
Bathroom and Amenities
The bathroom is basic, as in most Ibis hotels. There is a sink with two cups, a toilet and a rather old shower cabin. In the shower cabin, the doors were not possible to close, and the water pressure was poor. There is only one dispenser located at the sink and another one at the shower. The dispenser contains a body wash that combines shampoo, shower gel and hand soap. Overall, the bathroom is basic and clean. There is not much storage space for personal items like a toothbrush or a razor.
Food and Beverage
The hotel offers the option to book breakfast, which costs 12€ if not included in the rate. You will receive a breakfast coupon that you show to the staff member in the breakfast room. A breakfast buffet is served daily from 7 am to 11 am. The breakfast room is located in the basement of the hotel, which is not ideal and gets very crowded during busy times. Often, travel groups stay in this hotel, so be prepared to wait a bit longer at the buffet during busy times. This can also lead to capacity problems, as there are not enough seats for everybody. It is recommended to be flexible with breakfast times to ensure getting a seat.
There is a coffee machine, as well as hot water with a selection of tea. There is no juice offered, like orange or apple juice. At the buffet, you will find various hot dishes including sausages, scrambled eggs, potatoes, two types of pancakes, beans and bacon. Additionally, there are various cold cuts, cheese, and three types of bread (baguette, toast), a selection of salads, honey, jam, milk, oatmeal, cornflakes and several sweet pastries.
Overall, the breakfast is average. If you can get a good rate that includes breakfast, it is a good deal. However, we would not recommend paying extra for breakfast, as it is not worth it. There are several places nearby where you can find a better alternative.
Rating 6.5/10
The Ibis Riga offers a good option if you are looking for an overnight stay near the train station. It is often cheaper compared to other hotels in the same area. It is good to compare rates with other hotels nearby (Mercure, Radisson) as this hotel can be a good choice during the season if the price is under 100€. The rooms are quite small in size. If you are travelling together with someone, it is better to book a larger Premium/Executive Room. The rooms feel a bit dated, but this hotel can still offer good value for money. Its central location is a clear benefit, as you can reach the airport or the city centre easily.
