Argonaut Backpackers Hostel

We just got back from a random trip to Riga because of the cheap brilliance of ryanair and we had an amazing time, this is probably mainly due to the hostel we stayed in! As well as being the cleanest hostel with the best facilities we have all probably ever stayed in, its also the friendliest with fantastic staff. From the moment we got there we were welcomed and made to feel at home and any advice/directions were given straight away. The location of the hostel is also brilliant, really close to anything you want to see! Highly recommended and we'll hopefully be back soon!

My wife and I stayed at Argonaut for five days (14-18 Sept 2005). This was our second hostel stay ever, and I can tell you it was an AWESOME experience. The staff are excellent. They were always friendly, more than helpful and very easy to talk to. We made our reservation online, and had no problem with that. The small kitchen has no stove, but it is so cheap to eat in Latvia, it was really no problem. The coffeemaker is nice, and there are small tables to sit at to relax. The TV/community room was large, with comfortable couches. There was a VERY large plasma TV on the wall, and a nice selection of DVDs to watch. There is one computer with free Internet. It was very easy to check e-mail/pay bills and whatever we needed to do while away from home. There was one day that the Internet was not working, BUT the girl at the front desk had it working by the end of the day, as she promised. (Really NOT a major problem for us, I've got better things to do than stay on the computer all day.) The room we stayed in was a private double room. It was very clean and more than adequate for our needs. The linens were provided and the bathrooms, which were out in the hall, were clean, We always had hot water and I never had a problem getting into the bathroom, even though there were a lot of people in the hostel over the weekend. The location of the hostel is perfect, VERY easy access to Old Town and all the tramlines. Would I stay there again? In a heartbeat. I Love RIGA, and I can't wait to go back. So much has changed since I was there in 1990. If you have any questions you can e-mail me at: iamgregh@gmail.com

They had no problem at all with my reservation and I had a great time there. I met some great people whom I traveled with all over the Baltic States. A real party place, though — not really for relaxation. The management is pretty easy-going and the location is very good, within walking distance of everything. No stove, lockers or reading lights prevents it getting my fifth star.

It seemed good to me. Friendly, free Internet, kitchen space with a microwave, and a lovely warm shower. No complaints.

This hostel is definitely average. There's constant chaos. We arrived at 4 p.m. and our room wasn't ready, last night's guests were still in there. And you constantly hear of numerous booking stuff-ups, where people booked and paid for the first night but they have no beds available. The facilities aren't the greatest either. Out of the three toilets on our floor one has no seat and the bathrooms could do with a bit of a scrub. The adventure tours they advertise weren't even on offer. The only thing the place has going is free Internet and cheap beer!!! Don't bother.

I stayed here in the summer of 2004. It's true, it could be kept cleaner, the showers are very small, and the room I stayed in for 4 persons was very, very small. But, it's a great place to meet people if you are travelling alone. I had a great time with the people I met there. There is a nice living room, and the staff were friendly when I was there. (Although they were a bit stressed with all the visitors, and yes, when fully booked they will offer to let you sleep on the floor in the living room, but I thought it was at a very reduced price.) The location is excellent. It had the fun factor that I look for when staying in a hostel, so I was happy with my stay there.