Page 294 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Estonia Latvia & Lithuania

292  TR A VELLERS ’ NEEDS
WHERE TO STAY

The Baltic States offer every form of accom­ early autumn. In smaller towns and the
mo dation, from luxury hotels and city­centre countryside, it is very easy to find a place to
hostels to rural guesthouses and lakeside spa stay for the night. Booking is straightforward
complexes. Although there is an abundance as even the smallest guesthouses have
of good­quality mid­range and budget stay their own website and are advertised
options in the three capital cities of Tallinn, through several other sources as well. The
Rīga and Vilnius, it is still advisable to book in recommended options on pages 296–307
advance during late spring, summer and will help you get your hotel search started.

rarity, although fitness centres,
spas and saunas are common,
as is high-quality cuisine and
Wi-Fi access (although an extra
charge is sometimes levied).
Modern Hotels
Affordable, good-quality
accommodation is readily
available throughout Estonia,
Latvia and Lithuania. There is a
wide choice of modern hotel
accom modation in the mid-
price range in all areas within
The thatched guesthouse at Toomalõuka Tourist Farm, Saaremaa Island, Estonia (see p298) the three Baltic States.
Most of the larger towns and
Booking hotel there are significant cities provide a variety of modern
Reservations can be made by discounts during the off-season hotels, although only a handful
telephone, email, through months. It is also worth keeping are located in the Old Town
hotel websites, and via online an eye out for special offers and areas of Tallinn, Rīga and Vilnius.
reservation sites such as discounts, or package deals. Most of the hotels can be found
booking.com. For more out-of- either downtown or in slightly
the-way locations, there are more peripheral locations. The
specialist tour operators as well Tipping quality of modern hotels can
as websites run by local tourist Generally, it is not customary vary considerably so it is always
authorities and associations of to tip taxi drivers, bar staff sensible to do some research
hotel business owners. Local and porters in the Baltic States. prior to booking, such as
tourist information offices can As a rule of thumb though, tip checking the website and some
also book rooms, and can be those who provide you with independent guest reviews.
helpful if upon arrival you find especially good service.
most hotels are booked up.
Luxury Hotels
Prices and Payment
Tallinn, Rīga and Vilnius have
It is advisable to confirm accept- a large range of luxury hotels,
able modes of payment prior to some of which attract heads of
arriving, especially for rural areas, state and other VIPs. Often these
although all major hotels accept hotels are in historic buildings
the principal credit cards for that have been converted to
payment. Visit ors should be provide state-of-the-art facilities
aware of what is included in the while retaining their original
advertised rate. Many hotels features. There are also several
include breakfast and the use superb hotels that are run by
of amen ities such as a fitness the big international hotel
centre, while other facilities, groups, such as the Radisson Blu
including saunas, can cost extra. Astorija Hotel in Vilnius (see p305)
Pricing structures vary and Europa Royale Rīga (see p300).
consid erably from country Even in the swankiest hotels
to country and from hotel to in the Baltic States, swimming Corner entrance of the Kolonna Hotel,
hotel, but across many types of pools remain something of a Rēzekne, Latvia (see p303)
Pleasant town-square garden, Tallinn

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