On arrival, the door to the Boutique Hotel Mama, in the Latvian seaside resort Jūrmala, was firmly locked. However, after ringing the telephone number suggested, a lady eventually greeted us. Unfortunately, she spoke little English and relied on her seven-year-old grandson to interpret. Our welcome included completing a registration form, talking us through the keys to the external doors, and choosing breakfast for the following day. It was not the best of starts.
Opened in 2008, the hotel has seven, what the website calls, ‘design rooms’. Having lugged our bags up a flight of wooden stairs to the first floor, we found a rather strange-shaped room which meant we were constantly in each other’s way. The bed was comfortable if a little low but had plenty of pillows and individual duvets. Although there were reading lights and plug points, we lacked bedside tables. At my side of the bed, was a silver sculpture adorned with a red wooden apple which my mother would have said was ‘neither use nor ornament’.
The open-plan wardrobe had quirky shelving, folded robes and a safe. The unplugged fridge was encased in an extendable table which when pulled out, meant the chair couldn’t be used due to the size of the area. There was AC and a TV, but we didn’t use either. Bizarrely there were several styles of glassware, a single plate and bowl, and a kettle, but no sign of tea or coffee making facilities.
Although there was a small balcony with two chairs, the weather was not good enough to sit out.
The bathroom was the best feature, and although there was no space for our toiletries, the walk-in shower provided plentiful and powerful hot water. The basin plug wouldn’t allow water to drain but the hairdryer was efficient and there were plenty of hooks and rails, including a heated towel rail which even though plugged in, didn’t appear to work.
We were glad we were only staying for two nights.
Breakfast wasn’t available until for us, a rather late 9am to noon. The menu we’d been asked to choose from on arrival, had eight options which included a hot sandwich with cheese and bacon, both scrambled and fried eggs, and pancakes with jam or cottage cheese. We both plumped for the simplest option of granola with yoghurt.
On our first morning, we realised we were the only guests, as only one table was laid. This contained the staples of fruit (watermelon and grapes garnished with chopped mint), sliced rye bread, croissants, butter with jam, and triangles of a Dairylea style cheese. Instead of juice there was a jug of minted water. The huge portion of an excellent granola was served with plain yoghurt in a jug. We were served coffee, but there was no offer of a second cup.
We read a rather whimsical tale about the hotel’s name which involved a man wanting to build his wife a house in Tuscany. However, she insisted it was built in Jūrmala so her children and dogs could roam in the pinewoods and sand dunes. Everyone called this lady MaMa resulting in the hotel’s name. A rather shy Jack Russell made an appearance at breakfast, and the backs of some of the regency style dining chairs were adorned with a picture of the dog.
The hotel had several pluses and minuses.
The architecture reflected the landscape of Jūrmala with its wooden houses. However, it was not clear how they managed to get planning permission for the wooden glass conservatory on the third floor, which would be lovely in sunny weather, but was not great when it was pouring.
The décor within the hotel was eclectic in style and felt a complete mish mash of elegance and rather tasteless items, including a plethora of fake red apples and plastic roses.
As the only guests, the bar and restaurant were both closed, but the location was good. Turning one way led to a pedestrianised street full of shops and places to eat and drink, whilst the other led to the sea/lagoon.
The train line to the capital Riga, was relatively near the hotel, and although it didn’t bother us, light sleepers might be impacted.
