Grand Poet Hotel by Semarah Review: A Wonderful Luxury Stay in Riga

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I had my heart set on staying at the Grand Poet from the moment I scoured the internet looking for a luxury hotel in Riga, and this Grand Poet Hotel by Semarah review reflects exactly why it stood out from the rest.

Immediately drawn to their artistic flourish – an eye-popping contemporary colour scheme, bold patterns, large graphic murals and opulent furnishings; I instantly knew this hotel had my name written all over it. 

Upon arrival to the stately 19th-century building, I was instantly blown away with the incredibly friendly service and stunning interiors. 

The reception staff are evidently very proud of their city, and more than happy to share all the secrets of Riga with guests. I witnessed them going above and beyond; helping an elderly couple to check in online for their return flights home and then booking a Bolt taxi from their own phone for them. This was really heartwarming to see.

As modern travellers in search of affordable luxury experiences, we know that a hotel is so much more than just accommodation. I am sure we’ve all experienced instances of arriving at a hotel that makes us double-check what on earth we booked. The Grand Poet however, exceeded all of my expectations from the moment we stepped inside. 

We spent four glorious nights here at the Grand Poet Hotel by Semarah, so let me tell you all about it..

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Grand Poet Hotel by Semarah review: Location

This stunning and tranquil building is located in the beating heart of Riga; directly across the road from Bastejkalna Park or Bastion Hill as it is otherwise known. 

The Grand Poet Hotel by Semarah is in a prime location, a short 10 minute walk away from the historic Old Town and a short walk away from the Centrs district in the other direction. These are two of the main areas you need to explore when you visit Riga. 

Read more: How To Spend 3 Days in Riga

The Grand Poet Hotel by Semarah is a five story hotel with 168 rooms and suites. We booked a standard double room and though it was the most ‘basic’ room option available, they certainly did not compromise on luxury.

Standard double room at Grand Poet Hotel by Semarah

All of the rooms and suites are lavish and beautifully furnished, with warm, bold contemporary hues; some with views of the Freedom Monument or the adjacent romantic Bastion Hill.

The dramatic wallpaper is striking and the first thing you notice, with the bold pink wingback armchair and black and bronze detailing adding more character to the room. While the colour scheme is somewhat dark, it does not feel dingy in the slightest as there is light flooding into the room from the tall window.

Complete with fast wireless internet, a TV, safe, mini bar, kettle and iron/ironing board on request, the hotel also provide toiletries, robes and slippers for guests to use.

Our room was spacious and well-equipped, with above average amenities by European standards.

There is a cosy nook between the wardrobe and desk for guests to sit on the arm chair and the desk space doubles up as a great dressing table too; perfectly situated by the window for extra light.

Truly, the bed is one of the most comfortable beds I have ever slept in; plump pillows and a cosy medium-firm mattress. It was delightful.

The bathroom, in contrast to the room is monochrome; with marble wall tiles and a dramatic black and white chevron tile on the floor, with underfloor heating which really added to the luxurious feel.

There is also a desk in the lobby by the lifts, in a beautifully designed corner by a large window for guests to work from. They have one of these on every floor and it was great to see people actually making use of one as I walked past.

The Grand Poet Hotel by Semarah has subtle nods to literary themes throughout the hotel, as the name might suggest. These include the beauty of the written word which includes ‘do not disturb’ signs in the rooms which ask guests if they are the muse you’ve been searching for – a nice touch! 

Check-in is from 14:00 and check-out is available until 12:00 which I think is very generous – this is certainly one of those hotels you want to maximise your stay at.

Breakfast at Grand Poet Hotel by Semarah

The Hedonic Spa is aptly named, and the restaurant at Grand Poet Hotel by Semarah called Snob, is ironically named. A stylish, instagrammable space that is anything but pretentious. 

While we didn’t have lunch or dinner at Snob, thanks to there being so many great restaurants in Riga in the vicinity, we did have breakfast included as part of our stay. 

Looking for sparkling wine or Bloody Marys with your croissants and continental cheeses in the morning? Then this is the hotel breakfast buffet for you.

Alongside the huge range of cheese and meats, there is also a variety of herring, salmon and other fish – local delicacies to sample, if you are that way inclined.

You have your pick of porridge, omelettes, full English style cooked breakfasts, waffles, pancakes and all the pastries your heart could desire. 

You might be aware by now that I love me a continental breakfast; give me a croissant with some cheese and cucumber and I am very happy indeed. The pickled carrots were the star of the show for me, so crunchy and full of flavour, I was obsessed with them.

I tried my first tomato juice, followed by a Bloody Mary and if you saw my Instagram story, you will know that *really* wasn’t for me.

What truly blew me away was the breakfast options available for vegans. Alongside a selection of dairy free milks and butter, they also had vegan yogurt(!)

Now, the eagle eyed amongst us may notice that these Alpro pots are in fact desserts and not yogurt, but it’s an easy mistake to make. While they aren’t for me, I was impressed nevertheless as I have only ever seen this offered once before at a breakfast buffet.

Breakfast each morning was abuzz with people speaking every European language under the sun while excitedly stacking their plates with meats and omelettes. They generously topped one another up with the best sparkling wine or a cup of fresh coffee. It was such a treat to dine here!

If breakfast isn’t included as part of your stay at Grand Poet Hotel by Semarah, I highly recommend paying for it. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.

Hedonic Spa at Grand Poet Hotel by Semarah

Hedonic Spa is aptly named and it is one of the top rated spas in Riga for good reason. The spa does get busy, but they manage that very well with guests having to pre book time slots to use the facilities at least an hour in advance. 

This way, though it is busy, it never feels crowded.

A feeling of calm sweeps over you as soon as walk in. They have a strict dress code of robes (with swimwear underneath) and no outdoor shoes to be worn around the pool area, which I personally love. 

There is a swift exchange of your hotel slippers into some waterproof sliders at reception on entry, and they also hand you a towel to use. 

You walk down a corridor with the spa facilities on your left and the gym on your right. In between, there are some comfy chairs to lounge on, should you wish.

All guests have access to the spa, gym and wellness centre. This includes a pool, jacuzzi, a Finnish sauna, a biosauna, a steam room and an aroma room with a salt wall. 

There is the option to book various massages and face and body treatments for a fee too, though we didn’t do this.

The gym is fairly large for a centrally located hotel, but quiet. The spa however, is the perfect way to relax after a day of racking up your step count exploring Riga. 

The pool is great for a relaxed swim or a few intense lengths and the hot tub has some powerful jets that feel like a massage all on their own. Don’t forget to check out all the saunas and steam rooms too, they are wonderful.

It is rare that I don’t have a single thing to complain about, but quite frankly, I would fly to Riga again just to spend a weekend at this hotel – that’s how much I loved our stay here. 

The entire property is opulent and beautifully furnished with bold tones and there isn’t a single detail that has been overlooked in the interior design. 

If you are looking at where to stay in Riga, I cannot recommend the Grand Poet Hotel and Spa by Semarah enough; truly one of the most luxurious hotels I have ever stayed in and well worth their 5 star rating. It is incredibly affordable for such a luxurious hotel too.

How to get to Grand Poet Hotel by Semarah

The closest airport to the city is Riga International Airport (RIX) which is located about 15km outside of the city and is a 20 minute car ride away from Grand Poet Hotel by Semarah. 

The best option is to book a Bolt taxi when travelling to and from the airport. You do not need to hire a car in most European cities and Riga is no exception. Unless you are looking to travel beyond the main cities, car hire is not necessary and a more costly way to get around in comparison to using public transport.

If you are coming to Riga via coach, Riga coach station is under a 20 minute walk away from the hotel. 

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