OK guys, if you're going to Riga, this place is worth considering. Birini Castle is a little run down but it is brilliant... the sort of place the very highest Soviet officials would have stayed for their summer holidays.

The castle itself dates back to the late 1700s and the main building is awesome. The hotel rooms in the main castle do need some modernisation however... but next to the hotel is a more modern hotel block with much more modern rooms, all rooms are ensuite in both the castle and the coach house.

The setting is stunning, with the main castle looking out over its own lake. There are acres of land to explore as well... great for the kids and in the summer this place must be very popular indeed with nature trails, boating and pony riding all thrown in.

The food here is excellent, on the night we stayed there, we had the whole restaurant to ourselves but it was brilliant. There is a sauna and pool onsite but the bad thing is that you... more