🇱🇻 Rīga, Latvia
Rixwell Gertrude Hotel
📍 70, Ģertrūdes iela, Rīga, LV-1009
Your stay — Rixwell Gertrude Hotel
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The Property — Rixwell Gertrude Hotel
The Rixwell Gertrude Hotel sits on a quiet art-nouveau street in central Rīga, blending a clean, contemporary interior with the building’s early 20th-century façade. The lobby feels more like a calm, curated café than a reception desk, with muted wood tones, local design magazines on low tables, and staff who offer a genuine hello rather than a script. It suits independent travellers and couples who want a solid, design-conscious base without the starch of a business hotel.
Chronicles of Rīga
Rīga was founded in 1201 by Bishop Albert on a Daugava River trading route, and its Hanseatic League membership made it a merchant powerhouse. German, Swedish and Russian rulers each left layers: the medieval Old Town’s cobbles, the ornate Jugendstil (art nouveau) district with over 800 listed buildings, and the Stalin-era ‘Stalinist Gothic’ skyline. Today, Rīga is a confident, digitally savvy capital whose cultural identity is a pragmatic mix of its Baltic heritage, Soviet memory and distinctly modern Latvian ingenuity.
Best Time to Visit
Full Rīga guide →Best months
May, June and September: long daylight (5am–10pm in June), temperatures around 18–23°C, and fewer tourists than July–August. Parks and outdoor cafés are full but not crushed.
Peak / festival surge
July and August are the absolute peak, driven by the Rīga City Festival in mid-August (street food, concerts) and midsummer celebrations (Jāņi, 23–24 June). Hotel prices can double or triple, and the Rixwell Gertrude routinely hits 300€ a night. Old Town becomes a wall of walking tours.
Budget shoulder season
Late May and early September offer the best trade-off: mild weather, lower rates (the hotel often drops to 120–160€) and no queues at the Central Market or the Occupation Museum. Late April is cheaper but frequently rainy.
Weather & packing
Rīga’s summer has a capricious microclimate: a 25°C afternoon can turn into a 12°C drizzle by evening. Pack a lightweight waterproof jacket and one long-sleeved layer regardless of the forecast.
Live City Briefing — Rīga
- Rīga’s tram Line 11 has been extended to the northern neighbourhood of Mežciems, but be aware that the old ‘Tram 7’ route (which served the Gertrude station) is suspended for track works until late 2026 — check route maps before heading out.
- The ‘Rīga Art Nouveau Centre’ on Alberta iela just reopened its permanent exhibition after a renovation, offering a deeper dive into the district’s heritage without joining a group tour.
- Summer 2026 sees the opening of ‘Jaunā Rīga’ (New Rīga) pop-up markets in the Spīķeri district every Saturday, with a focus on local craft cider, ceramics and vintage clothes — a quieter alternative to the Central Market crowds.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Rixwell Gertrude Hotel, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on floors 5 or higher, facing the courtyard (away from Ģertrūdes iela). These floors are above street noise and the lift bank typically stops at 5, so you get less foot traffic.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on floors 1–3 facing Ģertrūdes iela. Street noise from trams and traffic is noticeable, and lower floors have less privacy. Also avoid rooms directly next to the lift shaft on any floor — the motor and door sounds carry.
Best views
Upper-floor rooms facing south or west (towards the city centre) give a view over Rīga’s rooftops and spires. North-facing rooms overlook Ģertrūdes iela — interesting street life but no landmark view.
Quietest floors
Floors 5–8 are the quietest. They’re above the main street noise and the lift is less used at this height. If the hotel has a roof terrace or bar, floor 8 may have some footfall from that, so 5–7 are safest.
🔊 Noise notes
Ģertrūdes iela is a two-lane street with tram lines. Trams run from early morning until late evening and are audible from front-facing rooms. The hotel entrance and pavement cafe (if open) add low-level chatter on ground floor levels. No major nightclub or bar directly opposite, but the street is busy during the day.
Insider tips
1. If you drive, ask reception about the secure parking garage a block away — the hotel doesn’t have its own, but they issue passes for a discounted rate. 2. Check-in can be busy after 3pm; aim for 1–2pm or after 6pm to avoid queueing. 3. Request a kettle or extra pillows at booking, as the standard rooms come minimal.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Rixwell Gertrude Hotel
Free standard Wi-Fi up to 20 Mbps for up to 4 devices; premium 100 Mbps tier at €5/day
One lift serves all guest floors; no stairs-only sections
Complimentary PressReader access via hotel portal; no physical papers
Check-in from 14:00; early bag-drop from 02:00; late check-out to 16:00 costs €25
Free at reception for day of arrival/departure
Wheelchair-accessible entrance and lift; no step-free access to restaurant terrace (2 steps)
No on-site parking; nearest public car park 'Stāvlaukums J. Asara ielā' at J. Asara iela 3, €12/24h; no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: €1.42 per person per night
Deposit & card hold: First night charged at booking; €50 incidentals hold on credit card at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Hindu temple: Hare Krišnas centrs (333 m · ~4 min walk)
- Hindu temple: Dhanvantari (333 m · ~4 min walk)
- Church: Latvijas Baptistu Draudžu savienība (461 m · ~6 min walk)
- Church: Rīgas Mateja baptistu draudze (502 m · ~6 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Bērnu pasaule — 387 m · ~5 min walk
Ziedoņdārzs — 633 m · ~8 min walk
Video Game Museum — 328 m · ~4 min walk
Brīvo aktieru sabiedrība Teātris — 239 m · ~3 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 20 m · ~1 min walk
aptieka — 82 m · ~1 min walk
Šeffiņš — 149 m · ~2 min walk
Rīgas Centrālā stacija — 1.4 km · ~18 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Latvian Lats, LVL
You can exchange money at the airport or in the city centre at a bank or currency exchange office. Avoid exchanging at the airport, as rates are often poor. Travelex and other major currency exchange bureaux may offer slightly better rates than the airport's, but still not the best.
Contactless and mobile payments are widely accepted in Rīga, and you'll find ATMs easily around the city. Credit cards are accepted in most shops and restaurants, but it's a good idea to inform your bank of your travel plans to avoid any issues.
Tipping in Rīga is not expected but is appreciated for good service. Aim for 5-10% in restaurants and bars, and round up the fare for taxis.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A cup of coffee from a local café will cost around 0.50-1.00 LVL.
A budget-friendly option for lunch is to try a traditional Latvian dish like a 'saldskābe' (a cold beet soup) at a local market or food stall, costing around 1.50-2.50 LVL.
For a main course, a hearty and affordable option is a traditional Latvian meat or fish dish at a mid-range restaurant, costing around 8-12 LVL.
The streets around the central market (Centrāltirgus) offer a variety of affordable food options, including traditional Latvian cuisine and Eastern European fast food.
You'll find supermarkets such as Maxima and Rimi around the city, offering a range of international and local products.
For affordable high-street shopping, head to the Elizabetes Street area, which has a variety of small boutiques and market stalls selling clothing and accessories.
A single public transport ticket costs 0.60 LVL, and a 24-hour pass can be purchased for 2.20 LVL. From the airport, you can take bus number 222 to the city centre for 1.10 LVL.
Buy a public transport pass for a day or longer to save money on individual ticket purchases.Eat at local markets or food stalls for a more affordable and authentic dining experience.Avoid exchanging money at the airport for the best rates.
Emergency Contacts
RīgaWhere to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Rīga, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Rixwell Gertrude Hotel
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 20 m · ~1 min walk — pharmacy · aptieka — 82 m · ~1 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Centrāltirgus (Central Market) tram stop → Riga Student Hostel (Augusta Deglava iela)
💡 Best local transit option from the hostel into Old Rīga. Buy an e-talons card from Narvesen kiosks (€2 flat fee) and top it up—single rides are cheaper than paper tickets. Tram 7 runs directly past the hostel.
Rīga International Airport (RIX) → Riga Student Hostel
💡 Use the Bolt app to avoid overpriced airport touts. A trip should cost €10–15; anything over €20 is a rip-off. Forus Taxi is the official airport partner and reliable.
Rīga International Airport (RIX) → Autoosta (Central Bus Station)
💡 Buy your ticket from the vending machine at the stop (cash or card) and validate it onboard. The bus drops you a 10-minute walk from Riga Student Hostel; get off at 'Centrāltirgus' instead of Autoosta to cut the walk.
Autoosta (Central Bus Station) → Riga Student Hostel (Augusta Deglava iela)
💡 Only runs Friday and Saturday nights. Late arrivals from the airport can wait here—check the schedule at Rigas Satiksme website. The stop 'Audēju iela' is closer to the hostel than the main bus station.
About Rīga
Wikipedia ↗Riga ( REE-gə), officially Riga State City (Latvian: Rīgas valstspilsēta), is the capital, primate, and largest city of Latvia and the second largest in the Baltics. Home to 588,911 inhabitants (as of 2026), the city accounts for a third of Latvia's total population. The population of Riga metropol...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Rixwell Gertrude Hotel?
Request a room on floors 5 or higher, facing the courtyard (away from Ģertrūdes iela). These floors are above street noise and the lift bank typically stops at 5, so you get less foot traffic.
Which rooms should I avoid at Rixwell Gertrude Hotel?
Avoid rooms on floors 1–3 facing Ģertrūdes iela. Street noise from trams and traffic is noticeable, and lower floors have less privacy. Also avoid rooms directly next to the lift shaft on any floor — the motor and door sounds carry.
Is Rixwell Gertrude Hotel noisy?
Ģertrūdes iela is a two-lane street with tram lines. Trams run from early morning until late evening and are audible from front-facing rooms. The hotel entrance and pavement cafe (if open) add low-level chatter on ground floor levels. No major nightclub or bar directly opposite, but the street is busy during the day.
Which rooms have the best views at Rixwell Gertrude Hotel?
Upper-floor rooms facing south or west (towards the city centre) give a view over Rīga’s rooftops and spires. North-facing rooms overlook Ģertrūdes iela — interesting street life but no landmark view.
What are insider tips for staying at Rixwell Gertrude Hotel?
1. If you drive, ask reception about the secure parking garage a block away — the hotel doesn’t have its own, but they issue passes for a discounted rate. 2. Check-in can be busy after 3pm; aim for 1–2pm or after 6pm to avoid queueing. 3. Request a kettle or extra pillows at booking, as the standard rooms come minimal.
What time is check-in at Rixwell Gertrude Hotel?
Check-in at Rixwell Gertrude Hotel is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Rixwell Gertrude Hotel have Wi-Fi?
Free standard Wi-Fi up to 20 Mbps for up to 4 devices; premium 100 Mbps tier at €5/day
Is there a city or tourist tax at Rixwell Gertrude Hotel?
€1.42 per person per night
Where can I eat cheaply near Rixwell Gertrude Hotel?
A budget-friendly option for lunch is to try a traditional Latvian dish like a 'saldskābe' (a cold beet soup) at a local market or food stall, costing around 1.50-2.50 LVL.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Rixwell Gertrude Hotel?
A single public transport ticket costs 0.60 LVL, and a 24-hour pass can be purchased for 2.20 LVL. From the airport, you can take bus number 222 to the city centre for 1.10 LVL.
When is the best time to visit Rīga?
May, June and September: long daylight (5am–10pm in June), temperatures around 18–23°C, and fewer tourists than July–August. Parks and outdoor cafés are full but not crushed.
Top Attractions in Rīga
💡 Bring bread for the ducks but skip the overpriced pedal boats—free walking along the east bank is prettier and quieter. Go on a sunny weekday to avoid crowds.
💡 Pop into the Art Nouveau Museum (small fee) for the interior experience, but the street-level tour is free. Look up for the winged griffins and sphinxes that different architects added as signatures.
💡 Arrive early (7–9am) for the best selection of fresh berries and farm cheese. The fish pavilion serves cheap sprats and pickled herring. Avoid the tourist-trap souvenirs near the main entrance.
💡 The €9 ticket is worth it for the view, but avoid midday summer queues—go just before sunset for golden light and fewer tourists. The audio guide is free through the church's app.
💡 Entry is free on the first Sunday of each month. Even if you pay (€7), the permanent collection is excellent value. The cafe in the basement has decent coffee and a quiet courtyard. Check the temporary exhibitions—often cheaper than the main ticket.