Riga's Relais le Chevalier: Uncover Latvia's Hidden Gem (Luxury Awaits!)
Riga's Relais le Chevalier: A Fairytale… With a Few Creaks. (Luxury Awaits? Well, Maybe!)
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Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I'm about to launch you headfirst into my experience at Riga's Relais le Chevalier. Forget flawlessly polished travel reviews – this is the raw, unfiltered version. Think of it as a messy, slightly disheveled love letter to a hotel that almost nailed it.
First off, let's be real: "Luxury Awaits!" is a bold statement. Does it await? Well, yes, parts of it. Other parts are… charmingly rustic. But before we get to the cracks, let's talk about the good stuff, because, honestly, there's a LOT to love.
Accessibility: A Mixed Bag with a Heart of Gold
I'm gonna preface this with a confession: I’m not a wheelchair user. But I did pay close attention to the accessibility aspects because it's important, you know? And here's the deal: It's a mixed bag. The elevator? Check! That's a huge win. Entrance to the hotel? Seemed okay. Facilities for disabled guests? They say they have them, but honestly, I didn't dive into whether the specific rooms were actually up to scratch. (I'm a reviewer, not a detective! Sorry!) I'd suggest contacting them directly to confirm the specifics if you have particular needs. But, from what I could see, the effort is there, even if everything's not perfectly smooth.
On-site accessible restaurants / lounges: Sadly, I didn't find a clear indication here. I'd strongly recommend checking specifics with the hotel directly.
Whellchair accessible: Some parts of the hotel are definitely accessible, but not all. Inquire to learn more.
… Okay, Let’s Dive Deep into the Good Stuff: The Spa, The Pool, and Those Ridiculously Comfy Bathrobes
Let's be honest, I came for the relaxation. And boy, did I get some of that.
The Spa (Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Massage, Body scrub, Body wrap): Ahhhhh, the spa. This is where the "luxury" promise truly starts to deliver. Picture this: Sauna (perfectly steamy), Steamroom (even more perfectly steamy), and a massage that nearly made me weep with joy. I opted for the "Latvian Forest Rejuvenation Ritual" – a fancy name for someone scrubbing me down with something fragrant and then wrapping me in layers of… well, I don't know what it was, but it was glorious. My skin felt like silk afterward! The only hiccup? The lighting in the massage room. Dim is good, but I almost tripped over a rogue aromatherapy diffuser. Oopsie. But the massage itself? Chef's kiss.
Pool with view, Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor]: The pool with a view? Stunning. Seriously, picture this: you're floating in warm water, gazing out at the Riga skyline, a glass of something bubbly in your hand. Pure bliss. The outdoor pool was a little chilly (it was late October), but the sheer beauty made it worth braving the cold.
Fitness center, Gym/fitness: Didn't use it. Sorry, I was too busy getting pampered. But it looked well-equipped, if that's your thing. My thing is horizontal relaxation.
Foot bath: Didn't use this either, no comment.
Now, let’s address the elephant in the room: Cleanliness and Safety
Okay, this is a big one. Covid and all that, right? Well, Relais le Chevalier clearly took it seriously. The Daily disinfection in common areas, the staff trained in safety protocol, hand sanitizer stations everywhere, and the whole shebang. I even saw them using professional-grade sanitizing services. It all made me feel pretty darn safe. (Important considering my paranoia level is, shall we say, elevated.) I also liked the room sanitization opt-out available, that gave me extra piece of mind for my safety. Even the Safe dining setup made me feel a little more at ease at the breakfast buffet.
They seem to have really thought about everything in terms of safety. First aid kit? Check. Anti-viral cleaning products? Check. Individually-wrapped food options? Check. Rooms sanitized between stays? You betcha. The only thing missing was a personal hazmat suit, but hey, you can't have everything.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: A Culinary Rollercoaster
Alright, let’s be honest, the food was… varied.
- Breakfast [buffet], Western breakfast, Asian breakfast, Buffet in restaurant: The buffet breakfast? Pretty decent, but not earth-shattering. Lots of choices, though. Western breakfast options were plentiful, and the Asian breakfast? Mmm, okay. Some hits, some misses. But hey, it's free, so I'm not complaining!
- Restaurants [Restaurants, A la carte in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Asian cuisine in restaurant, International cuisine in restaurant]: I did try the main restaurant for dinner one night. The a la carte menu was… ambitious. The International cuisine was good, but, well, the vegetarian restaurant was a tad limited. The actual dishes themselves were well made.
- Bar, Poolside bar, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop, Snack bar: The bar was stylish. The poolside bar was a godsend during those sunny afternoons. Coffee/tea was good. I didn't try the coffee shop or snack bar as I was always too full of food from other locations.
- Room service [24-hour]: Yes, they have it! And, bless them, it was available 24 hours. A lifesaver when the late-night munchies hit.
Rooms: Cozy, Quirky, and Occasionally Cluttered
- Available in all rooms (Additional toilet, Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access - LAN, Internet access - wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens): My room? It was… interesting. The bathrobes were glorious – practically melted into them. The bathtub was huge, the blackout curtains were a must. The Wi-Fi? Generally good, but occasionally hiccupy. The window that opens? A definite plus, letting in that crisp Riga air.
- Room decorations, Proposal spot: The decorations were elegant, but nothing I would call "wow". However, the room did look perfect for a proposal.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things That Matter
- Air conditioning in public area, Audio-visual equipment for special events, Business facilities, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Essential condiments, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Indoor venue for special events, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, Safety deposit boxes, Seminars, Shrine, Smoking area, Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center:- They had everything. Really. A concierge that was genuinely helpful, a doorman who greeted you with a smile, and all the little things that make life easier. The daily housekeeping was impeccable, the elevator was a lifesaver. I didn’t use the business facilities, but they looked well-equipped. The terrace was a lovely spot for an evening drink.
Getting Around (Because Riga is Awesome!):
- Airport transfer, Bicycle parking, Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Taxi service, Valet parking: The airport transfer was smooth. The car park was plentiful. Riga itself is easily walkable, but taxis are readily available. And the **Valet parking
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your sanitized, Instagram-filtered travel itinerary. This is the ACTUAL Relais le Chevalier Riga, Latvia itinerary, brought to you by yours truly. Prepare for the beautiful mess that is… ME, in Riga.
Day 1: Arrival & Riga's Grand Entrance (Or, How I Almost Lost My Luggage and My Mind in the Process)
- Morning (Pre-Dawn, Technically): Land in Riga, Latvia. HAH! Easier said than done. The flight was delayed, naturally. Got next to a guy who clearly hadn't slept in 36 hours. Let out a snort that sounded like a dying walrus (mortifying, I tell you!). Airport chaos. Baggage carousel spins… and spins… and SPINS… my bag? MIA. Cue internal panic attack. Breathe. Deep breaths. "Everything's going to be fine" I chant to myself, while envisioning a life of wearing the same t-shirt for a week!
- Late Morning/ Early Afternoon: Finally, the luggage drama sorted (ish). Found a taxi driver who clearly moonlights as a race car driver. Adrenaline levels: through the roof. Check into Relais le Chevalier. Oh. My. GOD. The place is STUNNING. Like, Medieval fairytale stunning. The cobblestone street, the heavy wooden door… I expected a dragon to pop out! Check-in seamless… which made me immediately suspicious.
- Afternoon: I go wander. Let's be honest, mostly because I was already getting stir crazy. First impressions of Old Town Riga: wow. So many charming buildings. Too many tourists. I saw a pigeon, who seemed to be judging me. I took a picture of the House of the Blackheads and got photobombed by a gaggle of giggling teenagers. I bought a ridiculously overpriced amber necklace that I probably don't need, but the shopkeeper’s charming accent did what it needed to do.
- Evening: Dinner at a restaurant I thought I'd researched (lies). Turns out it's a bit touristy, but still delicious. The local beer: AMAZING. I ordered way too much and chatted with a couple from… Kansas! (Small world, eh?) We talked about travel, life, and the proper way to pour a perfect pint. It was surprisingly nice. Finished the night with a very wobbly walk back to the hotel. The cobblestones and beer combined into a feat of navigation!
Day 2: History, Heartbreak, and Holy (Moly, These Stairs!)
- Morning: Breakfast at the hotel. The spread was impressive. All those pastries, and smoked salmon and the coffee! I felt like royalty. Afterwards, I decided to be a culture vulture and explore the Riga Cathedral. It was… epic. Enormous. I did, however, have a small moment of existential dread staring at centuries-old tombstones. A sudden understanding that I was merely a blip in time hit me. Lovely. Then the climb up St. Peter's Church tower. A million stairs, I swear. My legs were screaming by the time I got to the top, but the view? Breathtaking. I swear, if I had to do that again, my legs might stage a revolt.
- Afternoon: The Riga Central Market. Absolute sensory overload! Food stalls overflowing with pickled everything, cheeses, meats, and the smell of fresh bread. I got lost in the labyrinth (in a good way) and devoured a giant, juicy sausage. Found some local crafts - bought a hand-knitted scarf that matches my soul. Bargained a little - probably overpaid. No regrets. I'm learning.
- Evening: Trying to find a great restaurant with an amazing view! I got lost. Again. Ended up in a dimly lit jazz club. The music was incredible. The drinks were strong. Found myself chatting with a very eccentric gentleman who claimed to be a retired spy with knowledge of the KGB. My inner conspiracy theorist loved every second of that. The evening ended with a rather emotional rendition of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" (don't judge me) and a taxi ride that involved more than one "wrong turn".
Day 3: Art Nouveau, Absinthe, and a Love Affair with Latvian Bread
- Morning: Okay, I really needed this. Checked out the Art Nouveau district (Riga's architectural beauty). Seriously, just walking down the street, looking up at these buildings… It was like stepping into a movie. The designs were so elaborate and whimsical. I could have gazed all day. I got so many pictures I was starting to run out of space on my phone.
- Afternoon: Absinthe tasting. I know, I know… cliché. But hey, when in Riga! It was an experience, to put it mildly. Let's just say, I saw some things. Maybe I shouldn't have had all the different flavors. Still, I survived. Followed that up with a visit to a traditional Latvian bakery! I bought a loaf of black rye bread, still warm from the oven. It was the best bread I have ever had in my life. Seriously, if I could marry a bread loaf, I'd be in deep trouble by now. I ate half of it right there and then.
- Evening: Now, this is where things get serious. A friend recommended a restaurant with authentic Latvian cuisine. I ordered the grey peas with bacon (unbelievable!), smoked fish (melt-in-your-mouth delicious) and a stew that I’m still dreaming about. The staff was warm and inviting. At this point, I looked around me and felt a sense of, well, I finally started to understand the soul of Riga, and it was as warm and wonderful as the bread.
Day 4: Day Trip to Jurmala & Departure (Or, The End of a Beautiful Mess)
- Morning: A day trip to Jurmala, the beach town. The train ride: easy. The beach: stunning. White sand, blue water. Walked along the shore, letting the waves wash away the last of my hangover (thanks, Absinthe!). Sunbathed. Did some people watching. I was happy, but also a little melancholic. I was starting to fall for Riga.
- Afternoon: Lunch at a little beachside cafe. Seafood, of course. Felt like I was actually living a postcard. The air was fresh, the sun was warm, and the view? Perfection. Reluctantly made the trip back to the city.
- Late Afternoon/Evening: Back at the hotel to pack. I managed to fit everything into my luggage, including the memory of my incredible trip. The last moments in Riga. A final walk through the Old Town. One last beer. Say goodbye to the city.
- Evening: Departure. The airport was surprisingly calm this time. No lost luggage. Well, at least not this time. The flight home felt long. I was tired. But, my heart was full. Riga, I will see you again. And next time, I'll learn how to walk a little better on cobblestones.
Postscript: The Aftermath
I'm back home now, sorting through a mountain of photos and making a mental list of all the things I want to do the next time I’m there. My luggage arrived safe and sound. My soul, however, remains in Riga. The city, is a beautiful mess. And so am I. And that is exactly the way it should be.
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Riga's Relais le Chevalier: FAQ - Because Let's Be Real, You Need to Know This Stuff!
So, what *is* Relais le Chevalier, anyway? Is it, like, a hotel? A castle? A particularly fancy outhouse?
Okay, first off, NO fancy outhouses. That’s just wishful thinking. Relais le Chevalier is a luxury hotel situated in Riga, Latvia. Think: beautifully restored medieval building, secret courtyards, the works. It IS fancy, alright, so if you’re expecting budget backpacking, you’re in the WRONG city. We’re talking the kind of place your credit card might weep a little, but your senses will sing. And yes, it *does* feel a little bit like a castle. In a good way. Not the drafty, cold, "where's the plumbing?" kind.
Is it easy to get to? I’m notoriously directionally challenged. And also lazy.
Well, it’s in Riga's Old Town, which is the heart of everything, so relatively speaking, yes! It's walkable, which is a HUGE win for directionally challenged folks. I swear, half my trips turn into a real-life version of "Where's Waldo?" But honestly? The Old Town is pretty compact. I got there fine, even after sampling Riga’s local beers (which I highly recommend, by the way). Just don’t trust Google Maps *completely*. Sometimes those things are more confusing than helpful. Ask a local. They’re surprisingly friendly, even if you’re covered in beer.
What kind of rooms do they have? Like, can I get a room with a drawbridge? (Just kidding...mostly.)
Okay, no drawbridges. Disappointing, I know. But the rooms are... well, they're STUNNING. Each is unique, with a blend of historic charm (think exposed beams, maybe a stone wall or two) and modern luxury. They have different sizes – from cozy "I'm traveling solo and just need a place to crash" rooms to suites that will make you feel like you've stepped into a medieval fairytale. I’m pretty sure I saw a four-poster bed that would swallow a small family whole. The bathrooms? Marble. Need I say more? Probably not, but I will. They're pure bliss.
The food? Tell me about the food! Is it all just potatoes and herring? (No offense to potatoes and herring, but...variety is the spice of life!)
Okay, HUGE sigh of relief. No, it's NOT just potatoes and herring (though, let's be honest, Latvian herring IS secretly delicious). The restaurant at Relais le Chevalier, called "Restaurant Le Chevalier," is fantastic. I mean, proper, sophisticated stuff. Think modern European cuisine with a Latvian twist. I had this duck confit… oh. My. God. I'm still dreaming about it. And the wine list? Extensive. Prepare to loosen your belt a notch or two. Or three. (I'm not judging.) Breakfast is a buffet of champions; try the local honey. You won't regret it.
And the bar? Is the bar any good? Because, ya know, important.
The bar at Relais le Chevalier is an absolute sanctuary. Think dimly lit, cozy, a perfect spot for a pre-dinner cocktail or a nightcap. The bartenders know their stuff, and they’re happy to whip up whatever you fancy – classic cocktails, local spirits, the works. One evening, I was feeling adventurous and asked the bartender to surprise me. He made me this concoction with Baltic liquors and a hint of berries, and it was seriously one of the best drinks I've ever had. Seriously. Go. Drink. Enjoy.
Spa? They have a spa, right? Because I like to be pampered. A LOT.
Yes! Oh, YES! They have a spa. The "Spa le Chevalier," and it’s a divine experience. I had a massage that literally melted away all the stress from my flight (and from life in general, let's be real). They offer a range of treatments, from massages to facials to whatever other pampering you can dream up. It's exactly what you need after a day of exploring Riga. Trust me, you'll emerge feeling like a new person. (Okay, maybe a slightly more relaxed version of your old self, but still.) Book in advance, though; it’s popular.
Is there a gym? Because, you know, gotta work off all that delicious food and those cocktails... or at least *pretend* I’m going to.
Yes, they *do* have a gym. It’s well-equipped, and considering the overall luxury of the hotel, it’s probably pretty nice too. Did I use it? Well… let’s just say I prioritized the spa. And the bar. And the food. Look, travel is about experiences, right? And my experience at Relais le Chevalier was all about blissful indulgence. Maybe next time I'll hit the treadmill. Maybe. But I’m not promising anything.
What's the catch? There *has* to be a catch.
Okay, here’s the honest truth. The "catch"? It's expensive. Like, properly expensive. This isn't a budget stay. You're paying for luxury, for the history, for the impeccable service, for the duck confit. So, if you’re on a shoestring budget, maybe start saving now. Or, you know, consider a shorter stay. Also, the service is *almost* too good. Like, I felt a little awkward at first, because everyone is so attentive. You start to wonder if you have something on your face. (I probably did.) But you get used to it. Eventually. And honestly? It's a nice problem to have.
Let's talk about the staff. Are they, you know, *nice*?
Okay, the staff. This is where Relais le Chevalier truly shines, or... let's say *gleams*. They are not just nice; they are ridiculously, almost unsettlingly attentive. I swear, the doorman materialized the moment I even *thought* about needing help with my suitcase. It was a bit much at first. I'm used toSerene Getaways
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