I come to Riga now and then and stay in different hostels. This hostel is the best so far. It's clean and rooms are quiet but in the common room (that is right next to the reception) the PARTY GOES ON!!!! Staff is friendly and knowledgeable. I found it more useful to ask tourism and "where to eat and have a beer" related questions to Argonaut's reception staff rather than to tourism office. They know the place inside out! They also mentioned all Riga's "don'ts" that deffo were very useful. At the arrival I was given a list of tips eg. which taxi will not rip me off, which places to go to, how to avoid bad places and so on. Very much appreciated.I had a good fun, good sleep and tons of memories to bring back home. Using Argonaut's adventure tours is my strong suggestion.
3 of
3 people found this review helpful
Was this review helpful to you?
(Review ID: 6800)
Not bad at all, February 18, 2006
Reviewer:
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Anonymous
saw things this way
Maintenance
(4)
Cleanliness
(4)
Facilities
(4)
Atmosphere
(4)
I was there in winter (March 05) for 2 nights. I choose a dorm as usual and had good sleep. Toilet and bath were neat. Price perfect. Owner is nice and helpfull but some staff don't speak english as yet. They have free hot spot Wifi so with my laptop I had no problem to access intenet (if the PC is busy, not far you will find more than one internet cafe). Yes during my stay a group of german guys complain that some camera and passport had been stolen when they were out at night. I was surprised because all the night there is a body guard inside the hostel.
Was this review helpful to you?
(Review ID: 6801)
my worst experience of hostels i have stayed in, October 13, 2005
Reviewer:
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Anonymous
saw things this way
Maintenance
(1)
Cleanliness
(1)
Facilities
(1)
Atmosphere
(1)
when we arrived the front of the building was covered in scaffolding which wasnt a major problem until we got to our double room . There were no curtains and just a sheer net panel between us and the builders on the scaffold directly outside our bedroom window ! we managed to rig a curtain up from some spare bedding but it wasnt ideal ! the room was extremely basic with just the bed , nowhere to put clothes and paper thin walls which were crumbling . The electric socket was hanging off the wall and clearly dangerous. Our room faced onto the street and was very noisy from the club doenstairs until 4 am . Our friends stayed in the old town hostel and for less money they had a modern apartment with a double bedroom , own kitchen and bathroom .. far superior !! Don't go the argonaut unless you're desperate . Riga is ace though!
1 of
2 people found this review helpful
Was this review helpful to you?
(Review ID: 6802)
This was our 2nd Hostel stay ever, and I can tell you, September 27, 2005
Reviewer:
iamgregh "AT" gmail.
( iamgregh@gmail.com)
from US orignally, but live in Southern Spain
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Imported Review
saw things this way
Maintenance
(4)
Cleanliness
(4)
Facilities
(4)
Atmosphere
(4)
My wife and I stayed at Argonaut for 5 Days (14-18 Sept 2005). This was our 2nd Hostel stay ever, and I can tell you it was an AWESOME experience.The staff there is 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 coffee maker is nice, and there are small tables to sit at to relax.The TV/community room was large, with comfortable couches. A VERY large Plasma TV on the wall, and a nice selection of DVD's 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 1 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 in to the bathroom , even though there were alot of people in the Hostel over the weekend.The location of the Hostel is perfect, VERY easy access to Old Town and all the Tram lines.Would I stay there agin?.... In a Heartbeat. I Love RIGA, and 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 "AT" gmail.com
1 of
1 people found this review helpful
Was this review helpful to you?
(Review ID: 6803)
Party place, August 11, 2005
Reviewer:
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Anonymous
saw things this way
Maintenance
(4)
Cleanliness
(4)
Facilities
(4)
Atmosphere
(4)
I stayed there at the peak of the tourist season, twice. I had no problem with their reservation system. It's mainly a place to meet people rather than a place to have a quiet and relaxing time, but is very good for that. The staff are helpful and friendly, and the location is fine - about 200m from the bus and train stations and right at the south end of the old town.On the downside, the facilities are basic and a little cramped - don't expect lockers or reading lights or anything. It's above a really bizarre nightclub called the Marquis de Sade. And turning up without a reservation in August is a seriously bad idea.
Was this review helpful to you?
(Review ID: 6804)
I agree with Heiko from berlin below, August 4, 2005
Reviewer:
maximumreboe
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Imported Review
saw things this way
Maintenance
(1)
Cleanliness
(1)
Facilities
(1)
Atmosphere
(1)
The same thing happened to me when we went to stay there. despite her seeing emails between us she still insisted there were no beds.go to the next street and stay at riga old town backpackers
Was this review helpful to you?
(Review ID: 6805)
nice place, a hostel not a hotel, July 8, 2005
Reviewer:
marcus
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Imported Review
saw things this way
Maintenance
(4)
Cleanliness
(4)
Facilities
(4)
Atmosphere
(4)
pretty good place, not hotel quality but good. Each room has a security door, though there are no lockers in the room (there is a safe for valuables at reception). There is free internet, but only one computer so you may have to wait a bit. Location is in the heart of old riga, so its close to everything really. There is no bar, but a large lounge and you can get beer from the fridge for 0.50 Lat which is cheaper than bar prices. Quite social, i've had not problems meeting people. Showers are good with water pressure and constant temperature
Was this review helpful to you?
(Review ID: 6806)
Good, but not the best, March 25, 2005
Reviewer:
Paul
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Imported Review
saw things this way
Maintenance
(4)
Cleanliness
(4)
Facilities
(4)
Atmosphere
(4)
Formerly known as the Old Town Hostel, and not to be confused with the nearby 'Riga Old Town Hostel', the Argonaut consists of two or three floors at the top of a building in the old town.The facilities are clean and sufficient and prices reasonable. The communal areas were pretty deserted when I stayed although there were plenty of people staying. Certainly it didn't seem as welcoming as it might of done but it might just have been the wrong day.Security could be a problem. Several other guests said that they had had items stolen from the rooms and it was suggested that keys might have been stolen and that the combination on the front door hadn't been changed for a long time.All in all it's a decent enough place, but the newer 'Riga Old Town Hostel' around the corner has a bar and a sauna and IMO much more atmosphere for a similar price.
3 of
4 people found this review helpful
Was this review helpful to you?
(Review ID: 6807)
Worst experience ever, March 17, 2005
Reviewer:
Heiko
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Imported Review
saw things this way
Maintenance
(1)
Cleanliness
(1)
Facilities
(1)
Atmosphere
(1)
DON`T book Argonaut hostel. We booked in advance a 12-bedroom on the internet and paid a deposite. As we arived the woman in the office told us that we she had no room for us. Although we called the day before by phone and got a "every thing is fine"-response! But instead giving as the booked room she proposed us to sleep in the common room for the same money. We did not and looked for another hostel. During our search we were told that this behaviour is typical for the Argonaut hostel. They are giving prebooked rooms to travellers dropping in cause they can charge them more. At least we got our money back. And stayed finally at the Posh Hostel on the market distritic. So please: don´t book Argonaut, just look for any other hostel. And by the way: Riga is a nice town.
3 of
7 people found this review helpful
Was this review helpful to you?
(Review ID: 6808)
basic but clean and cenrally located., April 30, 2004
Reviewer:
omer
Pros:
n/a
Cons:
n/a
Imported Review
saw things this way
Maintenance
(4)
Cleanliness
(4)
Facilities
(4)
Atmosphere
(4)
was not really a planned stop, in fact neither was Riga on my motorcycle tour all over europe. the 'chap' running the place is very funny and tends to get one to drink more then one plans to. for me the key things were clean and secure which this place was. the management actually helped me with quite a few other things as well.
