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HotelShortlist rating
4/5

On the HotelShortlist, with a caveat: Guests report hidden fees.

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Riga

Grand Palace Hotel Small Luxury Hotels of the World

★★★★★ Pils iela 12, Centra rajons, Rīga, LV-1050, Latvia
9.2
Booking score
4.7
Google rating
641
Total reviews
★★★★★
Star rating
≈2013
Built / renovated
1%
Noise mentions
Engine scores ·Newness ≈2013 ·Location 4.7
Member rate
€—,———
Booking.com shows the public rate for the same room and dates
Members see this rate in full. It is typically lower than the public price on this property — the same room, the same hotel, the same confirmation.
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Verdict

Is Grand Palace Hotel Small Luxury Hotels of the World Worth It? The Honest Verdict

9.2/10 Booking.com4.7/5 Google641 reviews read5-star

As of 16 August 2026, 641 guest reviews give Grand Palace Hotel Small Luxury Hotels of the World 9.2/10 on Booking.com and 4.7/5 on Google.

Most-repeated praise: Exceptionally attentive and caring staff who remember guest names and preferences, proactively anticipate needs, and go above and beyond to resolve problems—from arranging airport transfers to mailing forgotten items home. 85 reviews.

Pest check

Bed Bugs and Pest Reports at Grand Palace Hotel Small Luxury Hotels of the World — What 641 Reviews Say

None of the 641 guest reviews we read for Grand Palace Hotel Small Luxury Hotels of the World mention bed bugs, cockroaches, mice or other pests.

Complaints

Noise and Room Complaints at Grand Palace Hotel Small Luxury Hotels of the World: Which Rooms to Avoid

  • Smoking allowed in bar and restaurant causes overwhelming cigar and cigarette odor that permeates the main floor and seeps into rooms and hallways, making the space unusable for non-smokers. 12 reviews
  • Outdated bathrooms with low showerheads unsuitable for tall guests, bathtubs with awkward high steps, poor water pressure, and aging fixtures that don't match five-star standards. 11 reviews
  • Check-in parking procedure failure: guests not told parking pass must be placed in car immediately or they will be ticketed within 5 minutes; staff gave pass after check-in, leading to fines. 3 reviews
Rooms to avoid
  • Ground floor rooms near breakfast area and reception affected by staff footsteps
  • Rooms overlooking street can hear nightlife and construction noise from Old Town
  • Front-facing rooms near entrance exposed to traffic and activity
What guests praise

Grand Palace Hotel Small Luxury Hotels of the World Reviews — What Guests Actually Say vs the Marketing

Grand Palace Hotel Small Luxury Hotels of the World sells itself as a 5-star hotel. What guests repeat most:

  • Exceptionally attentive and caring staff who remember guest names and preferences, proactively anticipate needs, and go above and beyond to resolve problems—from arranging airport transfers to mailing forgotten items home. 85 reviews
  • Perfect location in the heart of Riga's Old Town, within steps of the Christmas market, Cathedral, and all major attractions, yet positioned on quiet streets away from main nightlife noise. 78 reviews
  • High-quality gourmet breakfast served in a stunning atrium-style room with fresh pastries, pancakes, made-to-order eggs Benedict, omelettes, and complementary Prosecco or freshly squeezed juices. 72 reviews
Room requests

Which Room Should You Ask For at Grand Palace Hotel Small Luxury Hotels of the World?

Ask for
  • Rooms away from street level and front entrance recommended
  • Higher floors generally quieter
Method

How HotelShortlist Researched Grand Palace Hotel Small Luxury Hotels of the World

We read 641 public guest reviews of Grand Palace Hotel Small Luxury Hotels of the World, grouped repeated findings and counted how often each one appears. Pest figures are guest reports, not inspection results. Member-only detail is blurred on this page. Research updated 2026-08-16. If you represent Grand Palace Hotel Small Luxury Hotels of the World and believe something here is wrong, write to members@hotelshortlist.com and we will review it.

What guests love

Exceptionally attentive and caring staff who remember guest names and preferences, proactively anticipate needs, and go above and beyond to resolve problems—from arranging airport transfers to mailing forgotten items home. (85×)
Perfect location in the heart of Riga's Old Town, within steps of the Christmas market, Cathedral, and all major attractions, yet positioned on quiet streets away from main nightlife noise. (78×)
High-quality gourmet breakfast served in a stunning atrium-style room with fresh pastries, pancakes, made-to-order eggs Benedict, omelettes, and complementary Prosecco or freshly squeezed juices. (72×)
Members see this finding in full Members see this finding in full Members see this finding in full Members see this finding in full Members see this finding in full Members see this finding in full Members(68×)
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5 more positive findings visible to members.

Watch-outs · 8 recorded

Smoking allowed in bar and restaurant causes overwhelming cigar and cigarette odor that permeates the main floor and seeps into rooms and hallways, making the space unusable for non-smokers. (12×)
Outdated bathrooms with low showerheads unsuitable for tall guests, bathtubs with awkward high steps, poor water pressure, and aging fixtures that don't match five-star standards. (11×)
Check-in parking procedure failure: guests not told parking pass must be placed in car immediately or they will be ticketed within 5 minutes; staff gave pass after check-in, leading to fines. (3×)
Members see this finding in full Members see this finding in full Members see this finding in full Members see this finding in full Members see this finding in full Members see this finding (2×)
Members see this finding in full Members see this finding in full Members see this finding in full Members see this finding in full Members see this finding in full Members see this f (7×)
Members see this finding in full Members see this finding in full Members see this finding in full Members see this finding in full Members see this finding in full (6×)
Members see this finding in full Members see this finding in full Members see this finding in full Members see this finding in full Members see this finding in full Members see this fi (5×)
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5 more watch-outs are visible to members.
Parking note. Problematic — Parking pass confusion led to tickets; 5-minute limit without pass enforcement was not clearly communicated at check-in; difficult taxi access due to location.
Guest sentiment — 641 rated reviews
94% positive (605)3% neutral (19)3% negative (17)

Review history 641 dated reviews · 2013-03 → 2026-08

1234520132014201520162017201820192020202120222023202420252026
Monthly average (1–5)Smoothed trendReview volume
Review counts: 641 Google
1 long break in reviews (shaded on the chart) — the hotel may have closed or renovated.

What the trend suggests

Possible review removal2013-04 – 2013-1075% confidence
A 7-month gap (Apr–Oct 2013) with minimal delta (5.0 → 4.33, Δ−0.67) suggests reviews were removed or suppressed rather than a renovation. The modest post-gap rating decline is inconsistent with a reopening after refurbishment, and the extremely sparse review count (1 review per month pre-gap, 0 reviews during gap) indicates suppression or a dormant listing period.
Issue resolved2017-04 – 2026-0872% confidence
AC/cooling complaints appear sporadically in Q2–Q3 2017–2018 (e.g. 'air conditioning didn't work', Apr 2022 review mentions AC issues), but are absent from Q3 2023 onwards despite consistent high-season summer bookings. Suggests either infrastructure repair or selection bias in recent reviews; the absence of any temperature-control complaints in 2024–2026 summer months (when such complaints would be most likely) is consistent with resolution.
Emerging issue2023-01 – 2026-0878% confidence
Smoking/cigar bar complaints rise notably from 2023-Q3 onwards (1★ review, 3★ review citing cigar smell), recur in 2024-Q1, 2025-Q1, 2025-Q2, and 2025-Q4 (multiple mentions of cigar/smoke odor deterring guests). This pattern is absent from 2020–2022 reviews. Suggests either a policy change enabling smoking in the bar, or increased awareness/sensitivity among recent guests, but consistent emergence of a recurring grievance.
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What guests report

View
Most rooms face inner courtyards or neighboring buildings with limited views; very few rooms have pleasant vistas over rooftops or squares
Bed & mattress
Very comfortable, high-quality mattresses and pillows praised; some guests found pillows too firm and requested softer alternatives
Bathroom & water
Showerheads positioned too low for tall guests (under 180cm challenge); bathtub with high step awkward; water pressure sometimes weak; old-fashioned split AC units make odd noises; no kettle/coffee facilities
Wi-Fi
Works well; no complaints documented
Breakfast
High-quality gourmet spread with fresh pastries, pancakes, eggs Benedict, omelettes à la carte; complementary Prosecco; high-quality ingredients and varied selections; pricing varies (€18 cold buffet, €25 with egg service)
AC / heating
Works perfectly in most rooms; some reports of extreme temperatures (too hot) at night with unclear control instructions; one room had cold-related heating concerns
Elevator
Available

Hotel team

General Manager
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Sales Manager
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Revenue Manager
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Local knowledge

Request room away from street level and front entrance to avoid noise and staff footsteps.
Arrive early with luggage—no porter service; heavy doors at entrance; ask staff for help if needed.
Confirm parking pass placement immediately upon check-in and clarify 5-minute limit rule to avoid tickets.
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Room intel

Quiet rooms / wings
  • Rooms away from street level and front entrance recommended
  • Higher floors generally quieter
Noisy rooms to avoid
  • Ground floor rooms near breakfast area and reception affected by staff footsteps
  • Rooms overlooking street can hear nightlife and construction noise from Old Town
  • Front-facing rooms near entrance exposed to traffic and activity
Extra charges guests were surprised by
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Character & facilities

Design & character 3% of reviews mention design
  • Historic 1877 bank building converted to hotel; old-world luxury meets modern comfort
  • Ornate interiors with crystal chandeliers, velvet chairs, art on walls, opulent lobby and bar
  • Gründerzeit (Founders' Era) architecture with period elegance and tasteful contemporary furnishings
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Questions about Grand Palace Hotel Small Luxury Hotels of the World

How is Grand Palace Hotel Small Luxury Hotels of the World rated?
Grand Palace Hotel Small Luxury Hotels of the World scores 9.2/10 on Booking.com and 4.7/5 on Google.
How many guest reviews were analysed for Grand Palace Hotel Small Luxury Hotels of the World?
HotelShortlist analysed 641 guest reviews for Grand Palace Hotel Small Luxury Hotels of the World to build this verified profile.
Is Grand Palace Hotel Small Luxury Hotels of the World a 5-star hotel?
Yes — Grand Palace Hotel Small Luxury Hotels of the World is a 5-star property in Riga.
What do guests love about Grand Palace Hotel Small Luxury Hotels of the World?
The most-mentioned positive in guest reviews: Exceptionally attentive and caring staff who remember guest names and preferences, proactively anticipate needs, and go above and beyond to resolve problems—from arranging airport transfers to mailing forgotten items home.
How do I get the member rate?
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How Grand Palace Hotel Small Luxury Hotels of the World Compares to Other Riga Hotels

Grand Palace Hotel Small Luxury Hotels of the World: Booking.com 9.2/10, 5-star. Other researched hotels in Riga:

Review data verified & refreshed 2026-08-16.