Liepāja Hotel Receives Award for Ability to Survive Winter - Riga Tourism Weeps Jealously

For the first time in history, South Kurzeme municipality has awarded the "Tourism Business of the Year" prize to a Liepāja hotel that can operate during winter months. The OTTO Hotel & Sun team tearfully accepted recognition for not closing their doors after the first October storm.

Hotel manager Anita Baumane admits that the original spa concept was quickly changed to a "survival concept." "Before opening, we thought about peaceful adult relaxation, but during COVID we realized - if we want to survive, we have to take everyone who pays," Baumane honestly admits. "Even oligarchs' wives with their masterclasses."

The hotel's 24 rooms can accommodate 50 guests, which by Liepāja standards is almost like Riga's Daugavgrīva district. The conference room on the first floor of the network house has served various purposes - from hockey watching to marriage proposals. "One man even asked his wife to marry him at the altar in our conference room. She said yes, so I think our room is lucky," the manager laughs.

Developing the rooftop terrace is the next task, because as everyone knows, in Liepāja you always need a backup plan in case the weather is bad. "This year they promise a warm summer without precipitation and strong winds," hopes Baumane, apparently forgetting that she lives in Liepāja. Meanwhile, Riga hotel owners jealously look south, where someone can receive awards just for not falling apart in winter.