Hi, we’re likely to be visiting Latvia in September next year and plan to rent an apartment in Riga for 2 weeks to use as a base while doing day trips and the occassional night away to other parts of the country.

I found this site http://www.StayInRiga.com , an apartment rental site for short and long term rentals. The majority of the rental apartments are in the Old City. It seems pretty legitimate but it’s always hard to tell with internet sites.

Is anyone familiar with this company? Any positive or negative feedback very welcome.

Thanks.

Kirsten

Greetings!

I don’t know anything about the site that you’ve mentioned, though it certainly is wise to be cautious.  But, you might want to contact Patricia Ltd in Rīga and consider their offerings.  See http://www.patriciahotel.com (esp. the section: „Background about apartment rentals in Riga Latvia;” see also their client reviews.)

I don’t know the owners personally (I gather that among them is a repatriated westerner), but second-hand from friends (as well as from my travel agent in the States many, many years ago) I’ve heard nothing but excellent reviews of their services for well over a decade +.  When friends in Australia, like you, found an internet site’s ad this past summer and asked for my opinion prior to their booking a trip to Rīga & environs this autumn, I urged them to contact Patricia Ltd, if for no other reason, then to compare offers, since I was quite sure that PL is legitimate. My friends followed through, and were extremely pleased not only by their resulting accommodations and the quite reasonably priced local rental car suggestion (which was a fraction of the price of the international firms), but also by the personal service provided by the owner throughout September, 2008 when they needed detailed advice as their itinerary changed during their search for relatives in LV. 

May you, too, have a great trip!

All the best,

Elizabete

Thank you Elizabete, that’s very helpful. I’ll be following up on that site soon. It’s always good to know what’s out there, and New Zealand is as far away from Latvia (and everwhere else!) as one can get, and we know no-one here personally that would know about apartments,ie there’s very few Latvians in NZ and we don’t know anyone. We were lucky enough to rent a private apartment in Riga during our 1st trip there 4 years ago, which was arranged through an aquaintence in Australia, but that’s not possible this time round. It did give us a taste of the advantages of apartment rental.

Kirsten

Yes, yes, yes to http://www.friendinbaltics.com/, http://www.patriciahotel.com!!!! Owner, Mike Johnson and his staff, Dace, Kristina… are the best!  For the past four years Mike has made arrangements for my accommodations in Riga. I had the greatest apartment near Domu baznicas in a quiet alley.  Unfortunately I think he sold that building during the past year.  I have recommended Mike to family and friends and everyone has been extremely pleased with the personal service they have received.  When getting in touch with him feel free to use my name - Mara Anderson.  Also, check out another business Mike has started - http://www.healthylinen.info/
Mara

Hi Kirsten, I could rent you an appartement in wonderful Gertrudes (80m²) cheaper plus me or my girl friend would show you around town.
Mail to and I sent you pics and more infos.
Cheers Herder

Mike is an American married, I believe, to a Latvian...thus Riga.  And a very nice guy.  He’s been in Riga more or less since soon after independence...and thus knows the ropes.  I got to know him when I was with AmCham several years back.  He’s very active in the community.  His company has long term leases for various buildings around time...mostly in the old town...from which they outfit small flats and offer them for short or longer term rental.

The service isn’t perfect...if you are looking for a 5-star-esque experience.  But he offers good locations, good basic service.  Everything is clean, well outfitted, functioning, and utterly dependable.  His staff is great...they go the extra mile.  Have a weird request or looking for something specific, his staff will help you with whatever you need.  That is truly a level of service that could be more emulated in the Baltics...IMHO.

I too would recommend Patricia over any of the newer advertised competitors, simply because you know what you get with Mike.