Riga: Centra (3 Star Hotel)

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Address: 1 audeju ulitsa , Riga I 1050, Latvia
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Lonely Planet review

Smoke-free hotels in Riga are about as common as flying moose. Not only is Centra smoke free, but it also has some of the most tastefully designed, comfortable, and downright humungous rooms in Old Town. The gigantic junior suites cost only Euro20 more than the doubles. The upper floor rooms are quieter and have views.

Peering in from Audeju iela, you could be forgiven for mistaking the Centra's lobby for a modern-art gallery. Lights resembling puffer fish dangle from the ceiling, illuminating odd wicker sculptures and marshmallowy white chairs that look as if they might swallow whole anyone who tries to sit in them. While the furniture in the rooms isn't quite as swish, funky reading lamps, modern art, bulky couches and tasteful curtains lend the rooms plenty of sophisticated swagger. But it's the size of the rooms that really impresses. The twin doubles for some reason are much bigger than the identically priced queen doubles. Yet they pale in comparison to the gigantic junior suites, which cost only a few euros more. We would have examined the regular suites but we were afraid we'd get lost. Outstanding service, free wi-fi and good views from the quieter upper floors complete the resume of this impressive Old Town offering.