Part of a chain, the Gertrude is a classic European interior hotel with a modern lobby. It claimed in its brochure to be 20 minutes walk from Old Riga, and its in-house film claimed 15 minutes. Unfortunately, with light winter snow, we found it to be closer to 45 minutes. We can assign points for having a 24hr desk, but a point off when said desk gives us two room cards, only one of which works, and another off when staff ignore morning greetings from clients. Points for fully equipped desk and chair, point off if the room is so small you can’t sit at the desk and open the bathroom door. Definite points for a real bath, something when you are walking everywhere is much appreciated. Points off for two single mattresses in a double bed. Breakfast is included, and of massive importance to my enjoyment of a hotel. We enjoyed it, looked forward to it, but it could have been excellent, but we were let down in small ways. They refilled the buffet at 10:30, which is amazing, but there was definitely a reduction in quality to the food served before nine. Those eggs were watery and pretty tasteless, and the pastries, which earlier in the day were impressively delicious, were much colder and harder. However, serving breakfast until 11 everyday is worth several points. The balancing act continued with only two juices, but both were excellent. There was a coffee grinder, choices of tea, a full European breakfast, cereals, sausages of a sort, but the bacon, if you could find it, was perfect. All in all, a huge selection for most palates with a few let-downs. I would love to give them 5 stars but this would imply the food was excellent, and it simply wasn’t. With a better room, friendlier staff and a few upgrades on the breakfast, I’d be giving them five stars easily. Depending on the price paid, and the room received, others might give them a higher rating.…