Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga Latvia Hotel Suite Review with Photos
With truly exceptional service, an incredibly indulgent spa, and a convenient Old Town location, the Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga is in a class of its own in almost every regard.
Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga Review with Photos
Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga. Image: Ben Schmidt.
Highs: Service and a guest experience that feels downright magical. Impressive spa and gym.
Lows: Slow and busy elevators. Stage22 restaurant’s adventurous menu makes no reference to its Latvian context.
Verdict: Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga’s respectful mix of history and hospitality makes it the ideal choice for those who want a luxurious stay in Latvia’s capital city.
The Room to Get: Junior Suite with Park View.
Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga Location and Architecture
Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga. Image: Ben Schmidt.
Overlooking the Latvian National Opera building, the tranquil Bastejkalna Park, the iconic Freedom Monument, and the rest of Latvia, the site of the Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga has long been a place of hospitality and social importance in the capital city. From its debut in 1878 as the most modern hotel in the area, the hotel quickly grew to be the optimal choice for celebrities, writers, and officials passing through the Baltics. The hotel witnessed and experienced World War II bombardment, but its legendary status ensured a swift reconstruction and reopening. Even the Soviet period could not slow this icon, with the first cocktail bar in Latvia opening here in 1967.
Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga. Image: Ben Schmidt.
Now fully rebuilt and totally renovated, the physical presence of the Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga is stable and imposing, rendered in the distinctive textures and shapes of the Neo-classical tradition. With building oriented at slight an angle to the main street, simple trick of perspective makes the building’s furthest corner serve as gateway to the old town of Riga while making arrival more intimate. The longest side of the building looks on toward landmarks and gardens.
Bastejkalna Park and the Latvia National Opera House at daybreak from the Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga. Image: Ben Schmidt.
As a matter of address, the Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga is in Vecrīga (Old Riga) but spiritually, the Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga lives between both the old and new cities. With the important and useful Boulevard Aspazijas directly alongside the building, the hotel’s location is ideal for both business visitors and tourists alike, granting easy access to embassies, museums, and the airport. Crossing Boulevard Aspazijas gives way to the rest of Riga, including Bastejkalna Park and its picturesque canal, the aforementioned Latvian National Opera House, and the elegant Kolonnade restaurant.
Where is the original Kempinksi located?
The original Kempinski hotel is located in the Mitte neighborhood of Berlin, Germany at Unter den Linden 77, 10117.
Riga’s Central Market— arranged within a series of monumental Zeppelin hangars— is a ten minute walk away. For architecture lovers, Riga’s most impressive Art Nouveau accomplishments are about twenty minutes away. Access to the Daugava River waterfront and port requires a pleasant walk through the old town.
Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga Arrival and Check-in
Lobby of the Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga. Image: Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga.
While the exterior is rooted in Neo-classical tradition, the interior of the Grand Hotel is a mix of preserved elements and contemporary flourishes by AK Design. Much of Old Riga is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, thus aspects of the Grand Hotel are preserved, including bas reliefs, certain wall panels, a grand staircase, and lobby chandeliers.
Original bas relief at the Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga. Image: Ben Schmidt.
While the lobby has also become a meeting point for locals, it is primarily designed to serve guests of the hotel. Along with reception and a few attentive bellhop, the concierge is based here, ready to grab opera tickets, get take out from a restaurant that “does not do take out”, or arrange a hot air balloon ride this very afternoon.
As I was checking in, I was approached by Victoria, a woman in a bright red dress. Offering me a glass of water and a guided tour to my room, I learned she is one of Kempinski’s signature teammates, literally known as a Lady in Red. Rich in knowledge and appreciation for both the Kempinski brand and the local area, Victoria came to be a sort of local friend I looked forward to seeing around the hotel: friendly, informative, and well-connected.
Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga. Image: Ben Schmidt.
As Victoria led the tour, we passed plenty of plush seating, a discreet cigar lounge, access to the Amber restaurant, and a monumental staircase (UNESCO-protected) which gives way to conference rooms, ballrooms, and a casino (which is technically separate from the hotel). An elevator bank accesses all floors.
Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga Junior Suite with Park View
Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga Junior Suite with Park View sitting room. Image: Ben Schmidt.
According to the reception, accommodations at the Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga are organized in a straightforward manner: 100 rooms, 41 suites, and 23 residences. Among the rooms, the primary differences lie in square footage and views. All rooms enjoy access to the concierge services and Kempinski The Spa and fitness center.
With an accent on privacy and security, there are a handful of Diplomatic Suites and an especially large Presidential Suite situated in a discreet corner of the hotel, complete with a private courtyard and egress.
Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga Junior Suite with Park View sitting room. Image: Ben Schmidt.
The Junior Suite with Park View is one of the most comfortable suites available at the Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga. Measuring 570 square feet or about 53 meters, it’s an intelligently arranged space, a series of rooms that are successively more private, with most rooms commanding views of the park and opera house.
Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga Architect and Designers
The guest rooms, suites, and residences are designed by Alex Kravetz Design/AK Design. Architecture by Martin Hermansons. Preserved architectural elements are protected by UNESCO.
Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga Junior Suite with Park View sitting room. Image: Ben Schmidt.
All Junior Suites feature a foyer, closets, desk area, sitting room, stocked minibar, a separate bedroom, and blackout window treatments throughout. Some old-world touches included crown molding and classic radiators.
Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga Junior Suite with Park View sitting room. Image: Ben Schmidt.
The room is quite formal in terms of layout and design. Muted tones and geometric patterns offer gilded modernity. There is no lived-in sensation: the space is completely frill-free. Even the art, though beautiful, is sparse. Pops of color emerge in the thick curtains and accent pillows. This particular suite (517) faces the east, affording scenic views of the park and opera house.
Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga Junior Suite with Park View desk area. Image: Ben Schmidt.
The minibar, hewn from local wood, offers a selection of consumables, mostly in the form of liquors and wines. A small cooler within the minibar is packed with provisions like Champagne and soda, so you’ll need to request an ice bucket to keep personal items cold. Snacks include some local chocolates and chips.
Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga Junior Suite with Park View Minibar. Image: Ben Schmidt.
Coffee service is offered by Illy and tea service is provided by Ronnefeldt. Still or sparkling water comes from local producer Zaķumuiža.
The stock of glassware is of good quality with some universal glasses by Schott Zwiesel and elegant water and highball glasses by Libbey . The colorful tea and coffee service— each cup with a different design— is by IPA Porcellane. Most tableware is from Bauscher.
Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga Junior Suite with Park View entry. Image: Ben Schmidt.
The room features two sizable closets in the entry area, both outfit with hangers, lighting, mirrors, a safe, robes, and a selection of drawers.
Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga Junior Suite with Park View closet. Image: Ben Schmidt.
Materials are of excellent quality and the room feels extremely fresh, with very few visible signs of age. The wooden furniture throughout this hotel is of Latvian-manufacture and designed to reflect the country’s close relationship with nature. That said, those craving a more traditionally Latvian or Baltic interior design may find this hotel to be a miss. There are only subtle references to Latvian tradition.
Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga Junior Suite with Park View bedroom. Image: Ben Schmidt.
The bedroom of the Junior Suite is a separate room and features a king size bed anchored by wall art depicting the church-strewn skyline of Riga.
Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga Junior Suite with Park View bedroom. Image: Ben Schmidt.
The bedroom features Egyptian cotton linens, including an elegant coverlet and huge pillows. The room features reading lamps as well as electronically-controlled overhead lighting and lamps. A smart television and chair complete the space.
Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga Junior Suite with Park View bedroom. Image: Ben Schmidt.
The technology suite in the room is very refined, primarily enabled by capacitive-touch panels found in each room. Each panel is tailored to a distinct set of “scenes”, while also enabling common on/off settings. There are no speakers, but devices can be connected to the television via Google Chromecast.
Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga Junior Suite with Park View technology. Image: Ben Schmidt.
Sensors detect presence, further enhancing the bespoke lighting experience.
Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga Junior Suite with Park View technology. Image: Ben Schmidt.
Panels detect movement and illuminate accordingly, but are completely dark when not in use, famously an issue at the Raffles Boston. Especially convenient is the bedside panel, which includes a “Do Not Disturb” setting as well as fan controls, nightlights, and more.
Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga Junior Suite Bathroom
Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga Junior Suite Bathroom. Image: Ben Schmidt.
Dipped in black marble and earth-toned tiles, the Junior Suite Bathroom a relaxing space tucked beside the bedroom. The oversize tub practically begs you to soak. Indeed, one evening, a small bowl of bath salts appeared by the tub at turndown, tipping the temptation into a moment of serendipitous relaxation.
Here, an engineering curiosity: thanks to some type of mechanism in the door itself, there is a soft close of the bathroom door, every time. Regardless of how hard you might by to slam it shut, it’s silent. This tiny but unforgettable detail truly revealed the obsession with guest-first finishes, even found in the very construction of the hotel.
The single vanity is accompanied by countless towels in all shapes and sizes. A live succulent brought a tranquility to the space. Storage in the bathroom is includes a pair of low shelves and two cabinets. Accessories in the bathroom are by Baal. Fixures are by Grohe and Villeroy & Boch.
Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga Junior Suite Bathroom amenities. Image: Ben Schmidt.
The amenities are provided by Ferragamo, exclusively for Kempinski.
Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga Junior Suite Bathroom shower. Image: Ben Schmidt.
The standing shower area sports two water features: a handheld device and a fixed rainfall shower head. Body wash, shampoo, and conditioner are by Ferragamo. The shower does not have any seating.
Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga Junior Suite Bathroom toilet. Image: Ben Schmidt.
A separate toilet room features a two-speed toilet but no bidet or hygiene attachments. There were plenty of branded elements throughout the room, especially in the bathroom, which included shaving kits and robes with Kempinski branding.
Branded details at Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga. Image: Ben Schmidt.
Branded details at Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga. Image: Ben Schmidt.
Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga Service and Staff
Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga Junior Suite welcome gifts. Image: Ben Schmidt.
The defining aspect of the Kempinski service is how discreet and immediate it is. While the Lady in Red is highly visible, I don’t ever recall seeing a maintenance worker or even a maid during my four night stay.
Unlike the St. Regis or Raffles, butler service is available but not actively promoted in the same way. Instead, the front desk always answered on the first ring and could accommodate most requests (or at least redirect you correctly).
Overall, evidence of service is far more understated here compared to other hotels we’ve stayed at. Occasional personalized touches such as inspirational quotes at the bedside or the bowl of bath salts felt to be “just enough”— the suggestion of we know you’re here, but we’re not going to bother you.
Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga Junior Suite turndown service. Image: Ben Schmidt.
Specific such as pressing of shirts, request of additional amenities, or turndown service services were completed quickly. We occasionally requested specific tasks to be completed at certain times (for example, turndown at 8:00 PM, room service brought at 9:00 PM), and these tasks were completed without issue and without pomp. Other subtle and timely tokens of service included an eye gel and mask from the Kardashian-backed 111Skin, silently placed at the vanity one evening.
Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga Junior Suite turndown service. Image: Ben Schmidt.
We can thank General Manager Carmen Mauthner for the humble and discreet approach to service found at the hotel. Serving in the role since 2022, Carmen’s experience in the traditions of Asian hospitality—shaped by tenures at the Shangri-La Hotel, Bangkok, and the Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi, Chiang Mai—is responsibly applied at the Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga, making it truly unique within the region.
Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga Food and Dining
Amber Restaurant at Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga. Image: Ben Schmidt.
Amber Restaurant at Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga. Image: Ben Schmidt.
The Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga features a mix of drink and dining options suitable for different moods. Amber, located on the ground floor, features a breakfast buffet, a cafe, and an à la carte menu. Breakfast is included in most room rates, but the buffet is available for around $46 USD per person. When Amber is closed, the Lobby Lounge features a wide-ranging menu with service until midnight.
Cigar Lounge at Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga. Image: Ben Schmidt.
Tucked behind a bookshelf and fireplace, the Cigar Lounge is a moody space dipped in burled walnut and leather. A list of fine cigars are available to purchase, along with a thorough list of whiskeys.
Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga Junior Suite room service. Image: Ben Schmidt.
Room service is offered twenty-four hours a day and features an elegant menu of snacks, entrees, deserts, and coffees or teas.
Stage22 at Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga. Image: Benjamin Schmidt.
On the rooftop is the lush and scenic Stage22 Bar and Restaurant. Included in the 2025 Michelin Guide, the Asian fusion menu undergoes regular updates by the executive chef Björn Juhnke. The cocktail menu is also quite extraordinary, exploring flavors of the Far East as well as local treasures like Latvian balsam.
Save for the balsam, the dining at Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga makes infrequent reference to its unique Latvian context, a miss for travelers who are being newly introduced to the Baltics. While local ingredients are used when possible and all types of allergies are thoughtfully considered, we’d have appreciated more exposure to Latvian or Baltic cuisine, which is often defined by fresh vegetables, hearty rye breads, and rich meats often prepared in accordance with Medieval traditions.
Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga Spa, Facilities, and Amenities
Kempinski The Spa at the Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga. Image: Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga.
Perhaps the best-kept secret at the The Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga is its expansive subterranean spa, simply known as Kempinski The Spa. This wonderland of rejuvenation is genuinely startling in its physical scale and breadth of offering. An Olympic-sized indoor swimming pool is complimented by a compilation of soaking tubs, plunge pools, and ice fountains, as well as traditional saunas and steam rooms.
Kempinski The Spa at the Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga. Image: Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga.
A comprehensive menu of spa services as well as in-room amenities make clear reference to Latvia’s Nordic context, including a special journey in the Latvian pirts suite, featuring a pirts sauna and birch wood exfoliation experience.
What is a pirts sauna?
Literally Lativan for sauna, pirts represents a Latvian tradition of the sauna with evidence found in folk songs. The Latvian pirts differs from the traditional sauna in that it is significantly more ritualistic and natural, incorporating local flora and fauna into the treatment. Humidity and temperature are carefully balanced and a mix of hot and cold waters are used.
In addition, there are separate lockers and showers for men and women, with storage lockers fully outfit with slippers, towels, water bottles, and even a bag for wet laundry. Vanities are stocked with Ferragamo amenities, hair dryers, dental kits, shaving sets and more.
Kempinski The Spa at the Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga. Image: Ben Schmidt.
Escaping to this place became one of my favorite daily activities. Here, there is no jockeying for space— I often had the large saunas and changing rooms to myself. Unfortunately, the hours at The Spa are somewhat limited. If you’re an early riser or late night soaker, you’re out of luck: the hours are 9:00 AM until 9:00 PM, daily. According to the General Manager, the hotel is exploring the possibility of extended hours.
Fitness area and gym at the Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga. Image: Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga.
However, a full gym is open 24 hours per day and features plenty of machines, weights, yoga mats, balance balls, and other fitness essentials.
Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga Conclusion
Closet space was plentiful. Image: Benjamin Schmidt.
The Interior Review can recommend the Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga to those looking for an exceedingly comfortable stay in Riga, the fascinating Latvian capital and largest city in the Baltics. The focus on service and the highly curated spa experience will delight any traveler but be especially appreciated by those looking to truly relax after long days of exploration.
Branded details at Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga. Image: Ben Schmidt.
The Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga is located at Aspazijas bulvāris 22, Riga, LV-1050, Latvia. More information and booking can be made here.
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