Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga has been voted Latvia's Leading Hotel at the World Travel Awards, while its Presidential Suite has been named Latvia's Leading Hotel Suite. The double win comes as the hotel prepares to welcome guests for the festive season, from late November through early January 2027. Located within Riga’s Unesco-listed Old Town and opposite the Latvian National Opera House, the hotel offers a prime base for exploring a city celebrated for its Christmas markets and winter attractions.
The awards add to a strong year for the hotel. Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga scored 96 points in the Falstaff Hotel Guide Nordics 2026, the highest result in Latvia. Kempinski The Spa was named Latvia's Best Hotel Spa at the 2026 World Spa Awards, while rooftop venue Stage22 Bar & Restaurant is a 2026 MICHELIN Guide honouree.
‘Being named Latvia's Leading Hotel and receiving this recognition for our Presidential Suite is a tribute to our team and to the guests who choose to spend their most important moments with us,’ says Carmen Mauthner, General Manager of Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga. ‘There is no better time to welcome our guests than the festive season, when Riga glows with lights and tradition. We want every guest to leave with their own piece of the city's winter magic.’
A City for Celebrations
In Riga, the festive season starts well before December. November brings two of Latvia's most important national occasions: the anniversary of the Proclamation of the Republic of Latvia on 18 November and the Staro Rīga light festival, which runs from 15 to 18 November, culminating with Latvia's statehood celebrations. Each evening from 17:00 to 23:00, light installations transform the Old Town, city's parks and outdoor urban spaces.
Guests staying at the hotel will find themselves at the heart of it all. The Riga Christmas Market runs from 27 November 2026 to 3 January 2027 in the Old Town, just a short stroll from the hotel. The market is consistently named among the top European Christmas Markets. Its wooden stalls, mulled wine and artisan gifts are part of a tradition that dates back centuries, with Riga said to have erected one of the world's first public Christmas trees.
The hotel's own festive programme begins on 19 November, when it starts welcoming guests for occasions ranging from corporate gatherings to family reunions, with events running through to 7 January. On 26 November, the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony in the Lobby Lounge opens the season at the hotel, with seasonal treats, live music and the arrival of Santa Claus.
Seasonal Culinary Delights
Throughout the season, Amber Restaurant offers Holiday Mornings, a festive breakfast with free-flowing bubbly. In the Lobby Lounge, Afternoon Delights features a festive Afternoon Tea Ceremony with seasonal sandwiches, scones and pastries, served with a glass of bubbly or mulled wine.
On 24 and 25 December, Amber Restaurant serves a four-course Christmas dinner, including a welcome drink and a dessert buffet. For a livelier evening, Stage22 Bar & Restaurant hosts a rooftop Christmas celebration from 24 to 26 December, with its Asian fusion cuisine, chef's specials, signature cocktails and award-winning wine list.
New Year's Eve begins with Amber Restaurant welcoming the Year of the Goat with an elegant five-course dinner that concludes just before midnight. Stage22 Bar & Restaurant hosts a Moulin Rouge-inspired celebration, with a five-course dinner, curated beverage pairing and live entertainment, followed by a rooftop afterparty.
Holiday packages are available for stays over 24 and 31 December 2026. Seasonal festive menus are available for private and corporate events. Full details and reservations are available on the hotel's website or by calling +371 6767 1111. See more photos here.
About World Travel Awards: WTA was established in 1993 to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all sectors of the tourism industry. Today, the WTA brand is recognised globally as the ultimate hallmark of quality, with winners setting the benchmark to which all others aspire. Each year, WTA covers the globe with a series of regional gala ceremonies staged to recognise and celebrate individual and collective success within each key geographical region. For more information, visit worldtravelawards.com.
About Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga: With the Latvian National Opera House by its side and the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old Town on its doorstep, Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga introduces a new level of comfort and elegance for both international travellers and local guests. The hotel features 141 first-class rooms and suites, 23 residences, two restaurants and one bar, six spacious meeting rooms, including the Grand Ballroom, and the world-class Kempinski The Spa. With breath-taking views of the capital, refined service and a rich cultural atmosphere, the hotel invites guests from across the globe to experience Riga at its finest.
About Kempinski: Kempinski Group is Europe's oldest luxury hospitality company. Kempinski's rich heritage of impeccable personal service and superb hospitality is complemented by the exclusivity and individuality of its properties. Today, the Kempinski Group operates 74 hotels and residences in 33 countries and has more than 21 prestigious projects currently under development around the globe. Each five-star hotel reflects the strength and success of the Kempinski brand without losing sight of its heritage; each one imbues the quality guests have come to expect from Kempinski while embracing the cultural traditions of its location. The portfolio comprises historic landmark properties, award-winning urban lifestyle hotels, outstanding resorts and prestigious residences. Kempinski is a founding member of the Global Hotel Alliance (GHA), the world's largest alliance of independent hotel brands. www.kempinski.com www.ghadiscovery.com www.kempinski.com/loyalty
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