Under the Andalusian Sun : Baltic Beach Hotel & Spa - award-winning luxury for all the senses

While our hotel in Riga left a bit to be desired for, that can't be said about our hotel in Jurmala: Baltic Beach Hotel & Spa. Oh, no.

This place was one of the absolute highlights of our girls' weekend away and love at first sight for both of us.

Well, maybe not the first sight... as the sheer size of this massive concrete complex is a bit daunting and reminiscent of Soviet era, which is not exactly known for its aesthetic value.

Indoors, however, this place won us over the moment we walked in and were seduced by all the gold, glitz and glamour we both so love.

Oh, in case travelling with a group of friends or a family, you can also book a stay at a beautiful and separately located Art Nouveau- villa with three bedrooms.

The retro vibe is a conscious choice and for instance the lobby bar (aptly named Retro) is styled in the spirit of the 70's.

The bar (open 24/7) is also a great destination for its Champagne selection alone...!

Baltic Beach is a five star-hotel which becomes evident peeking into its exclusive shops alone. They clearly cater for a five star- clientele, too - stocking international designers, furs... and real estate.

Our room was Superior class room in hotel's 6h floor (prices starting at €142 per night).

We nodded approvingly already as the lift doors slided open and we saw the corridor...

... but as we got to the room, any kind of worldly coolness melted away.

"Lets not go back to Riga", suggested my companion. "Lets just stay here. For the rest of our lives!"

Can't say I disagreed - in less than 5 minutes I'd unpacked, changed into my usual holiday dress code of huge, soft robe and slippers and was drawing my first bath (sorry, nature...) of the day.

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

And seeing how we came to Latvia to spoil ourselves rotten, one of the reasons we decided on this particular hotel was its award-winning spa.

We particularly loved the hammam and the Amber treatment room, which is said to clear away any negative energy.

You should definitely check out the spa even if you're not staying in the hotel: a 2-hour visit will only set you back €36-43 (depending on the day of your visit).

Its location, right on the beach, could not be more perfect. Majori train station is only a 5-minute walk away and those charming wooden villas can be reached within minutes, too.

Baltic Beach truly is a perfect choice in every account: for us the deciding factor was all the great restaurants it houses. Out of 3 restaurants we wanted to try while in Jurmala 2 were located in this hotel.

The staff at the spa and reception took such good care of us and in the morning we woke up, blissfully relaxed high on happiness - always a sign of a great holiday.

And we still had the breakfast to look forward to!

The airy breakfast room was full of light and reminiscent of a ball room. The breakfast was, as could be expected based on everything else so far, perfect. Even scrambled eggs, which never should make an appearance at a buffet, had somehow managed to avoid their usual rubberiness.

The unequivocal star of the fresh and extensive selection was, however, bacon - hands down the best bacon I've ever had at any hotel breakfast. It was nestling at a serving dish lined with slices of toast that absorbed all the extra fat, ensuring every single rasher was crisp and crozzled to perfection.

For a small surcharge you can also feast on breakfast classics such as Eggs Benedict.

There's plenty to choose from - including some more sinful treats...

...without forgetting the healthier options.

Cocooned in a bubble of happiness the only words to gently remind us we weren't still dreaming were quietly whispered questions about "whether the ladies would care for another Mimosa?"

Well, yes the ladies would. The ladies are on a holiday, after all. And life just couldn't be better.

To top it all off, there was a Virgin Mary Bar as well. I stand corrected- life could get just a little better.

So, trust me. If you're ever in Jurmala, don't even think about staying anywhere else. This place caters 5-star-luxury to all your senses. And we can't wait to go back for some more!