Wellton Riverside SPA Hotel, Riga, Latvia

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I discovered that Air Baltic offers an excellent connection between Helsinki and Riga, and it struck me that my last visit to Latvia's capital was also in October. Riga in October is peaceful, with many beautiful parks to enjoy the autumn foliage. The city boasts a charming Old Town, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It’s renowned for its numerous photogenic Art Nouveau buildings, but it also has a great shopping center that I knew my kids would appreciate. So, I decided to introduce them to this European capital.

Wellton Riverside SPA Hotel

For this trip, I had two specific criteria for accommodation: a central location and a pool for the kids. I chose the budget-friendly, four-star Wellton Riverside SPA Hotel, which opened in November 2018. This modern hotel is located on the edge of the Old Town and offers beautiful views of the Daugava River. Its location provides easy access to historical sights, shopping areas, and city landmarks. Additionally, the hotel features the largest spa complex in Riga’s Old Town, which is perfect for an autumn trip. The hotel was built on a historical site, and parts of the original building, including its masonry, have been preserved inside, particularly on the ground floor.


All the receptionists I interacted with spoke good English and were always eager to assist with anything I needed. The reception area is spacious and extends into a lounge with various seating arrangements, perfect for relaxing or working. The hotel’s 8th floor features a terrace with a panoramic view of Riga, offering a beautiful spot for guests to lounge, especially during the summer. However, the weather during our visit was a bit chilly, around 10 degrees Celsius, so we didn’t spend much time on the terrace.


My Superior Room

The hotel has 265 rooms, many offering panoramic views of Riga. I opted for a Superior Room, which provided a bit more space (29m²) and included a sofa bed for one of the children. The hotel is divided into two sections, and I stayed in the newer addition. While I didn’t like the design of all the rooms, the staff was kind enough to accommodate my request for a specific room. The room I chose had a calming color palette and higher cathedral ceilings, both of which I loved.




The room was everything we hoped for! We loved the round window and the comfortable bed. There was ample storage space and a full-size mirror, and the bathroom offered a good selection of toiletries. It felt modern and clean, though I did notice a few black spots in the shower. Still, we were thrilled to have such a comfortable, home-like base for our three-night stay.

Amenities of Wellton Riverside SPA Hotel

The SPA Riverside features a generously sized swimming pool, a hydromassage pool, a cold-water tub, a cedar steam bath, an herbal sauna, and a hammam. They also offer a wide range of treatments, a private spa, and unique mud-herbal baths. The only downside was that the spa didn’t provide conditioner for guests, but aside from that, we wouldn’t have changed a thing. It was the perfect way to relax after all the sightseeing!




The spa access was not included in our room price, and we had to pre-book a time slot for our visit. The cost was a bit high for three people (€20 per adult, €12 per child), but for us, it was absolutely worth it. We also enjoyed the hotel's modern gym, which featured cardio machines and weights. Access to the gym was available to all guests free of charge.

The Restaurants at Wellton Riverside 

Breakfast was served in a beautifully designed green space, where glass walls showcased the original brickwork. There was a wide selection of savory dishes, fresh vegetables, cutlets, cereals, porridge, bread, and cakes. At the center, an omelet station offered delicious waffles, pancakes, and crepes. We loved the breakfast particularly because it also included gluten-free and lactose-free options.



The hotel features a bar and a restaurant called After, which serves European cuisine. It was often our most convenient dining option, especially since they offered a lovely kids' menu. The food was consistently delicious, and the service was thoughtful and kind.





In Conclusion

Riga is a beautiful city to visit in October, and I found the Wellton Riverside SPA Hotel to be an excellent base for our trip. The hotel is within walking distance of most major sights, and Bolt offers affordable transportation for when the little ones get tired. It’s also very family-friendly, with spacious rooms that include sofa beds, a stylish spa, and an excellent on-site restaurant. All these features made the stay enjoyable for both kids and adults in the modern Wellton Riverside SPA Hotel.


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