When I traveled to Latvia with my mother, we would usually stay at Hotel Bergs - a beautiful 5 star hotel. On the last trip, however, mom needed to have a walk-in shower. We had to look elsewhere.
We stayed at the Hotel Neiburgs in Old Town. This is a 4 star hotel, but a very good one. If you want comfortable, contemporary decor in an old Jugendstil building in the center of everything, this is the place to stay. Exceptionally courteous staff, great restaurant, and the bar has some unique drinks. They introduced me to a Latvian caraway liquor that was fantastic - Black Balzams is Latvian, but Allazu Kimelis is the way to go. Enjoy your trip!

Good to know, thanks!

Just happened to notice this post now…after all this time!

But, Vili, speaking of ‘Allažu ķimelis’—I found a bottle of this down in the basement; my mother like so many other Latvians had all these liķeri for guests; after all ‘vecos labos laikos’ people were always served liquors with coffee or whatever…  I didn’t taste it, but offered it to a lady who was visiting here from Latvia.  She was very happy—had several drinks!!  :)!!  I must try it myself.  I do like caraway, but somehow it just didn’t seem appealing in a drink!

Irēna

Irēne,

You need boiled lobsters to go with the ķimelis. That is what I remember from the 50’s and 60’s. I have not tried this combination since.

Vēži un ķimelis!!!!

Vēži un kīmelis, yes, Lauri…I will have to remember that!!  Boiled lobster is always a pleasure!!  The label on the bottle reads:  “Allažu ķimelis—aromātisks liķiēris, izgatavots no ķimenēm un augstvērtīga graudu spirta, pievienojot citronu un koriandru piedevas.  Tas labi papildina tējas garšu.  Var lietot ar krabjiem un vēžiem.”  It’s been in the basement for quite some time now and there is still a good amount left…I don’t imagine that it goes bad!

Paldies un prozīt!

Irēna