HOTEL SIGULDA ^{* * *}

When the railroad was inaugurated, Duke Kropotkin, a prominent local aristocrat, had a hotel built to receive wealthy visitors from St. Petersburg and stimulate tourism in his town. This was back in 1890. The hotel is now part of Sigulda's historical heritage, but a conference center and a modern wing have since been added. The rooms are comfortable, dressed in sober shades of gray and taupe, and you can relax in the spa after a good day's hiking. The restaurant, in the original building, is not to be sniffed at.