Wellton Riverside pairs Old Town with a spa beside the Daugava; Avalon faces the coach station and is about a ten-minute walk from the railway station.

Where should you stay in Riga: by the river or opposite the bus station?

Riga has two centres that meet without being quite the same: Vecrīga, the medieval Old Town of rooftops and lanes, and the modern riverside strip along the Daugava, where the market, railway station and coach terminal connect. To choose accommodation, consider how you arrive and what you want nearby at the end of the day. Wellton Riverside SPA Hotel offers a stay by the water within the historic fabric; AVALON HOTEL & Conferences simplifies coach travel and remains a short walk from the railway station.

Wellton Riverside SPA Hotel is at 33 11. novembra krastmala, beside the Daugava. Its 265 rooms, restaurant, bar and thermal spa let guests stay in the historic centre without giving up the services of a large hotel. Access to the pools, saunas and hydromassage must be booked in advance and may carry a charge depending on the rate; do not assume it is included. Guests value the views, breakfast, cleanliness and location, while some comments flag maintenance issues or the cost and booking arrangements for the spa.

AVALON HOTEL & Conferences is at 19 13. janvāra iela, opposite the central bus station. The hotel lists 111 rooms and suites, a buffet breakfast, gym, RESONANCE and a lobby bar; its own directions put the railway station about ten minutes away on foot. Visitors often appreciate the location, staff and breakfast, although some would like larger rooms or better sofa beds. Breakfast hours change by season, and dinner service may move to the lobby bar.

Both properties have an official superior four-star classification, but they suit different trips. From Wellton, walk along the river and through the old streets, with the option of returning to a booked spa session; from Avalon, coach arrivals are immediate and historic squares are only a few minutes away. Rail travellers will need to walk from either hotel, but Avalon publishes a detailed route from the station that helps avoid confusion while crossing the canal.

Before confirming a booking, check whether breakfast is included, which room type you are reserving and whether spa access costs extra; if you travel with luggage or arrive by coach, check the route from the terminal too. Wellton is more appealing if you want views and downtime by the water; Avalon is practical for transport connections and a first visit centred on Vecrīga. Both make it possible to explore on foot, but not every room has a river view and the restaurant services do not run in the same way at every hour.

Bottom line

Wellton Riverside suits travellers seeking a riverside stay who check spa access before paying; Avalon simplifies transfers and coach arrivals.

Editorial selection

Options to compare

These options relate to the question. Read each profile and check current details before deciding.

Superior four-star hotel and spa beside the Daugava River

Wellton Riverside SPA Hotel

11. novembra krastmala 33, LV-1050 Riga, Letonia

4.4 /5 3,896 reviews

Wellton Riverside SPA Hotel stands on the bank of the Daugava, within Riga’s historic centre. Its address—33 11. novembra krastmala—is beside the riverside promenade and a short distance from the lanes, squares and buildings of Vecrīga. In the morning, the Old Town is easy to explore on foot; on ret

Why it made the selection

265 rooms, thermal spa, restaurant, bar and river views from selected rooms

Hours: 24-hour reception; check-in from 3:00 pm and check-out by noon. Advance booking is required for the thermal area. Verified: October 11, 2026

View Maskay profile → Official website ↗

Superior four-star hotel on the edge of Riga’s Old Town

AVALON HOTEL & Conferences

13. janvāra iela 19, LV-1050 Riga, Letonia

4.5 /5 1,927 reviews

AVALON HOTEL & Conferences stands on the edge of Vecrīga, Riga’s Old Town, opposite the central bus station. That position solves a specific arrival problem: coach passengers can cross the avenue and reach the medieval lanes within moments; rail travellers have a walk of about ten minutes, which the

Why it made the selection

111 rooms, restaurant, bar, buffet breakfast, gym and event spaces

Hours: 24-hour reception; buffet breakfast at RESONANCE, with seasonal hours published by the hotel. Verified: October 11, 2026

View Maskay profile → Official website ↗

Verification

Sources & references

Sources for the information and reporting discussed in this guide.

Official website of Wellton Riverside SPA Hotel ↗ Primary source Wellton Hotels · Accessed October 11, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
Official website of Wellton Riverside SPA Hotel ↗ Primary source Wellton Hotels · Accessed October 11, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
Official website of Wellton Riverside SPA Hotel ↗ Primary source Wellton SPA · Accessed October 11, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
Official website of Wellton Riverside SPA Hotel ↗ Primary source LiveRiga, Oficina de Turismo de Riga · Accessed October 11, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
Official website of AVALON HOTEL & Conferences ↗ Primary source AVALON HOTEL & Conferences · Accessed October 11, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
Official website of AVALON HOTEL & Conferences ↗ Primary source AVALON HOTEL & Conferences · Accessed October 11, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
Official website of AVALON HOTEL & Conferences ↗ Primary source AVALON HOTEL & Conferences · Accessed October 11, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
Official website of AVALON HOTEL & Conferences ↗ Primary source AVALON HOTEL & Conferences · Accessed October 11, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
Official website ↗ Primary source LiveRiga, Oficina de Turismo de Riga · Accessed October 11, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
Official website ↗ Primary source Riga Central Market · Accessed October 11, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
Wellton Riverside SPA Hotel, 11. novembra krastmala 33 ↗ Secondary source Google vía Crazy Daisy Travels · Accessed October 11, 2026
Google: 4,4/5 y 3.896 opiniones del hotel en la dirección exacta; fecha de consulta 11/10/2026.
Wellton Riverside SPA Hotel: opiniones de huéspedes ↗ Secondary source Booking.com · Accessed October 11, 2026
Booking.com: 8,8/10 sobre 10.763 opiniones; distingue esta plataforma de Google. Consultado el 11/10/2026.
AVALON HOTEL & Conferences, 13. janvāra iela 19 ↗ Secondary source Google Hotels · Accessed October 11, 2026
Google Hotels: 4,5/5 y 1.927 opiniones; clasificación oficial de cuatro estrellas. Consultado el 11/10/2026.
AVALON HOTEL & Conferences: valoración de huéspedes ↗ Secondary source Wanderlog, datos de Google y Tripadvisor diferenciados · Accessed October 11, 2026
Opiniones sobre ubicación, personal, limpieza y desayuno; críticas sobre tamaño de habitación y camas adicionales. Consultado el 11/10/2026.