The Daugava slows right down as it reaches Jēkabpils, spreading out around low grassy islands before picking up speed again on its way to Riga. The town sits on both banks, roughly halfway along the road and rail line between Riga and Daugavpils, which makes it as much a crossing point as a destination in its own right. Locals still think of it as two towns in one: Jēkabpils proper on the west bank, and Krustpils on the east, home to a stone castle that likely dates back to the 1200s and now houses a local history museum with around 40,000 items on display.

It's a quiet base rather than a bustling one, and the accommodation on offer reflects that: a handful of solid, no-fuss hotels rather than big resort chains. It works well as a stop on a longer drive south, or as a base for a day or two spent exploring the riverfront properly.

Where to stay in Jēkabpils

Jēkabpils is small enough to get around on foot, so where you stay comes down to which side of the river you want to wake up on.

• Central, west-bank Jēkabpils. The busier of the two halves, with the town's shops, cafes and a bit of weekend nightlife within easy walking distance of the water.
• Krustpils, across the bridge. Quieter and more residential, and the side to pick if you want to be a short walk from Krustpils Castle and its museum.
• Out toward the highway. Handy if you're only stopping over on the Riga-Daugavpils run and want to be back on the road early.

How much is Jēkabpils accommodation?

Prices here sit well under what you'd pay in Riga. Expect simple double rooms from around AU$60 a night, rising to roughly AU$120 to AU$140 if you want a hotel with a pool and spa facilities thrown in.

• Budget, no-frills. From around AU$60 a night for a clean double with a private bathroom and free WiFi. This covers most of what's on offer in Jēkabpils and suits a stopover just fine.
• Mid-range, riverside. From around AU$75 a night for a room with air conditioning and a view over the Daugava, sometimes with a private beach or garden included.
• Spa and wellness stays. From around AU$120 a night for a hotel with a heated pool, sauna and steam room on site. There's only one option at this end of town, so book ahead.

Jēkabpils has a genuinely small hotel scene. There are three properties to choose from at time of writing, not thirty, so treat the figures above as a guide and check current rates before you book. A small market like this can shift quickly.

Top-rated hotels in Jēkabpils

With only a few hotels in town, each one covers a different reason to visit.

• Hotel Luiize. Right in the centre, close enough to the Daugava that you can hear it from the terrace, with a sauna, a restaurant and a nightclub that gets going on weekends.
• Daugavkrasti Hotel. Set directly on the riverbank a couple of kilometres from the centre, with its own private beach, garden and smoke sauna. The pick if you want quiet over convenience.
• Citrus Spa Hotel. The wellness option, with a heated pool, jacuzzi, Turkish steam room and solarium, and the closest of the three to Krustpils Castle.

Tips for finding the perfect accommodation in Jēkabpils

• Book ahead regardless of season. With only a handful of rooms in town, one wedding party or road trip convoy can fill a hotel out.
• Ask for a river-facing room. Most of Jēkabpils' hotels are within a few minutes of the Daugava, and a room looking over the water is worth requesting at check-in.
• Travelling the Riga-Daugavpils road or rail line? Jēkabpils splits the journey almost exactly in half, so it's a sensible place to break up a longer trip rather than push straight through.
• Want to see Krustpils Castle? Stay on the Krustpils side of the river and walk it, since local transport options are limited outside peak hours.
• Confirm parking when you book. A couple of the hotels offer free private parking, which is worth locking in if you're driving.

Jēkabpils won't fill a week on its own, but it earns its place on a Riga-Daugavpils road trip. Pair a night here with a longer stay in Riga or a stop further south, and you get a genuine feel for small-town Latvia without straying far from the main road.