Hello from Riga! This was my very first time in Latvia, and also my first time in Riga, so choosing the right hotel felt especially important. After a smooth arrival, I checked into the AC Hotel by Marriott Riga, a centrally located property that is part of the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio. From the moment I arrived, the experience set a positive tone for my stay.
The check-in process was warm and welcoming, and the staff immediately made me feel at ease. That first impression matters, especially when you are arriving in a new country for the first time, and it is something this hotel does very well.
First Impressions of the Room
Walking into the room, my first thought was how modern, clean, and thoughtfully designed the space felt. The layout is simple but smart, with no wasted space and no visual clutter. The bed is a generous queen size and looked incredibly inviting after a day of travel. The lighting throughout the room is soft and built directly into the walls, which gives the space a calm and contemporary feel.
One detail I always check immediately is access to power. The bedside area includes USB ports and European outlets, which makes charging devices effortless. Climate control instructions are clearly labeled in English, which is always appreciated.
Desk, Minibar, and Coffee Setup
The desk setup is positioned directly by the window, which I loved. Even though I opted for a quieter inner courtyard view instead of a street-facing room, the natural light made the desk a genuinely pleasant place to work. The desk itself is spacious enough to spread out a laptop, notebook, and coffee without feeling cramped.
The minibar is paid and requires you to note what you consume. It is stocked with still and sparkling water, soda, and beer. The real highlight, however, is the Lavazza Blue espresso machine. The room includes both caffeinated and decaf pods, a kettle, to-go cups, black tea, fruit tea, cream, sugar, and even chocolate truffles. The tea selection is particularly generous, which I always notice.
A small bench near the window worked perfectly as a luggage stand, and the room also includes a recycling-friendly bin with separate compartments for rubbish and recycling.
Storage and Closet Details
The room features an open-style closet with a safe, drawers, laundry bag, and hairdryer. There are six hangers provided, which is never quite enough, but additional hangers can be requested. A small detail that made me smile was the do not disturb sign, which simply says no. It feels very on brand for a modern, design-forward hotel.
Bathroom and Shower Experience
The bathroom continues the same clean and contemporary design as the rest of the room. There is a spacious walk-in shower with a rainfall showerhead, as well as shampoo, conditioner, and body wash provided in the shower. Having conditioner available is a detail that always matters, especially for those of us with long hair.
There is also a shelf in the shower, which makes it much easier to store toiletries without balancing bottles on the floor. The vanity lighting is excellent and very flattering, making it ideal for makeup and getting ready. A magnifying mirror is also provided.
Additional bathroom amenities include body lotion, tissues, a shoe shine kit, hand towels, and a movable shelf that can be repositioned as needed. The overall bathroom setup is functional, comfortable, and well thought out.
Working, Dining, and Common Areas
During my stay, I attended a tech conference called Digital Freedom Festival, and I did need to work from the hotel. The Wi-Fi was fast and reliable throughout my stay and handled work calls and uploads without any issues.
One of the standout features of this hotel is the downstairs lounge area, which also functions as a bar and restaurant. It is stylish, comfortable, and a great alternative to working from your room. The staff here were just as friendly as at check-in, and I enjoyed an excellent vanilla latte while working from the lounge.
Breakfast, Gym, and Extra Touches
Breakfast was included in my room rate, and it delivered exactly what you would expect from a high-quality hotel buffet. There were scrambled eggs, fresh fruit, a variety of breads, and good coffee. It was a solid and satisfying way to start the day.
The gym deserves special mention. It is located high up in the building and features floor-to-ceiling windows with sweeping views over Riga. The space was quiet during my visits and well equipped for a solid workout. There is also a filtered water station, which is perfect if you travel with a reusable bottle. A bowl of free fresh fruit is available, which makes an easy afternoon or post-workout snack.
Final Verdict on the AC Hotel by Marriott Riga
My first stay at the AC Hotel by Marriott Riga was provided through the conference, but since then, I have returned and paid for my own stay. That alone says a lot about how much I enjoyed it.
The hotel strikes a rare balance between style and comfort. It feels modern without being cold, and functional without feeling overly corporate. The staff are friendly, the rooms are well designed, and the amenities support both leisure and work-focused stays.
If you are looking for a modern, comfortable, and centrally located hotel in Riga, this is an excellent choice. After two visits, it has become my favorite hotel in the city so far.
If you have stayed in Riga before, I would love to know where you recommend staying. Sharing travel tips always makes the next trip even better.
For more information and to book the AC Marriott in Riga:
For more of my hotel reviews, visit: https://thesavvybostonian.com/tag/hotel-review/
For more of my travel adventures, visit: https://thesavvybostonian.com/category/travel/
Jessica Gioglio founded the travel and lifestyle blog, The SavvyBostonian and is the co-author of The Laws of Brand Storytelling and The Power of Visual Storytelling. Professionally, Jessica has led innovative marketing and public relations programs for Dunkin’, TripAdvisor, Sprinklr, and more. Today, Jessica is a keynote speaker on brand storytelling (book her here) and founder of With Savvy Media & Marketing, a strategic branding, storytelling, and content strategy consultancy.
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