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Liepāja in your pocket
Latvia’s third largest city is located in the far southwest corner of Latvia on the Baltic coast only 100km from Klaipeda in Lithuania. Straddling a narrow strip of land between the sea and a lake, it began as a humble fishing village, eventually becoming a major trading port under the leadership of Jacob Kettler (1610 - 1681), Duke of Courland and godson of England's King James I. The burgeoning city suffered heavily during the Great Northern War when the population was decimated by an outbreak of the plague in 1710. The city only regained its importance as a port and mercantile centre in the 19th century as a part of the Russian empire. Its significance was further buoyed by the creation of the Naval Port from 1890 – 1904 when it was home to the first Baltic fleet of Russian submarines.
The city’s prosperity was at its zenith in the early 20th century when many of its beautiful parks and Art Nouveau buildings were constructed. Sadly, WWII brought Soviet and Nazi troops, bombings and devastation to the city’s historic centre. After the war, the Soviets seized the naval base and Liepāja became completely isolated. Even Latvians from other parts of the country weren’t allowed to visit it and yet another Iron Curtain descended behind the one that already divided the captive nations of the East from the rest of Europe. Despite their unfortunate situation, the citizens of Liepāja managed to cultivate their traditions and were among the first to begin the independence movement in the 1980s.Today, Liepāja is known as a progressive city with beautiful architecture, an internationally recognised Blue Flag beach and a raging nightlife that just won’t quit. Considered the cradle of Latvian music and art, galleries have mushroomed all over town and even the smallest corner pub seems to employ a local musician to entertain its patrons. Visitors will be stunned to discover that locals wouldn’t dare provide standard accommodation for their guests. Boutique hotels have become the standard, not the exception, in a city where nearly every guesthouse, hotel and hostel provides completely renovated rooms with interesting interior design. Whether it's white sandy beaches and the sea you’re after, culture and centuries-old architecture, or extreme sports and even extremer nightlife, Latvia’s hippest city has it all.
OUR Liepaja HIGHLIGHTS
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In all our years of reviewing hotels across Europe, this is one of the hippest we’ve ever seen. The reception area is a curiosity shop in the corner of this lovingly restored wooden building th
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You can see how Latvians have created beautiful woven items over the centuries in this weavers’ workshop and buy various items fresh off the loom. The historic house is also known for the fact
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Like every other square meter of this enormous hotel, this steak house is completely over the top with regal decorations. Although its menu offers pretty much a little of everything including Latvian
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Latvia’s very own version of Alcatraz, but without the water, the sharks and the view of the Golden Gate bridge. The ominous brick building has however been witness to some ghastly crimes over
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All of Louis Fontaine’s establishments including nightclubs and restaurants are infused with a wacky, yet hip sense of style and his latest endeavour is no exception. Nearly everything is gold.
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Each of the stylish rooms in this design hotel is decorated to match the colours and mood of a landscape photograph hanging over the bed. Flat screen TVs, phone, writing desk and mini-bar all come st
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You can see how Latvians have created beautiful woven items over the centuries in this weavers’ workshop and buy various items fresh off the loom. The historic house is also known for the fact
Like every other square meter of this enormous hotel, this steak house is completely over the top with regal decorations. Although its menu offers pretty much a little of everything including Latvian
Latvia’s very own version of Alcatraz, but without the water, the sharks and the view of the Golden Gate bridge. The ominous brick building has however been witness to some ghastly crimes over
Latest Liepaja Comments
uzas. gostinica krasivaja no kogda s potolka vo vremja dozdja ljet voda, stanovitsja ponjatno ot chego takaja nizkaja cena.[...]
Very beautiful, romantic hotel with excellent service. Great breakfast, nice piano bar with live music. We ended there by accident but that was a great experience, the best in Liepaja.[...]
I was also there when 2 prostitues and naked drunk man were celebrating Latvian National day in the lobby of the hotel about 9.30 pm. It was total shock when I returned from nice walk with my children and we all had to face totally nude stranger wit[...]
This hotel has really gone down hill and allows all sorts of wierd people to stay there. The night we planned to stay we had to put up with a drunk guy roaming around the hall completly naked as he waited for a couple of prostitutes, who eventually [...]