Ogre sits on the banks of the Daugava river, about 40 minutes east of Riga by train, and it's the kind of place locals treat as a release valve from the capital rather than a proper holiday destination in its own right. The Ogre river itself winds down through pine forest before it joins the Daugava, and people from Riga have been coming out this way to unwind for well over a century. You'll find a walkable riverside promenade, forest running right up to the edge of town, and the low hum of a place that's easy on the eye without trying too hard to impress you.

There isn't a lot of accommodation to choose from around Ogre right now, but what's here covers both ends of the spectrum: a no-frills riverside campsite and a proper forest spa retreat. No worries if you're just after a change of scenery from Riga for a night or two, either one does the job well.

Where to stay in Ogre

Ogre municipality stretches well beyond the town centre into a scatter of forested parishes, and where you base yourself depends on what you're actually here for.

• Ogre town centre, along the river promenade: the best base if you want to walk everywhere, browse the local market, stretch your legs in Ogre Central Park and be five minutes from the train back to Riga.
• Ķeipenes pagasts, out toward the Blue Hills: quiet countryside, handy for the spa resort and for hiking or cross-country skiing straight from your door.
• Along the Daugava toward Ķegums: the spot for an outdoorsy weekend, think canoes, water bikes and a sauna rather than room service.

How much does it cost to stay in Ogre?

Because the accommodation list here is short, prices swing hard between the two ends rather than sitting on a neat ladder. A basic self-catering cottage starts from around AU$70 a night, while the one boutique resort in the area runs from roughly AU$650 a night with spa access and breakfast built in. There isn't much in the middle yet, so it pays to know which experience you actually want before you book.

• Budget & self-catering, from around AU$70 a night: wooden cabins with a fridge and stove, shared bathrooms, nothing fancy but you're right on the river.
• Boutique resort & spa, from around AU$650 a night: a private villa, full spa access and breakfast included, built for a splurge weekend rather than a quick stopover.

Top-rated hotels in Ogre

With only a couple of properties currently listed for the area, here's what's actually worth booking.

• SEOVILLAGE Resort & Spa: five separate designer villas on the shore of Lake Plaužu, each one themed to a different part of the world (Bali, the Maldives and Portofino among them) and sleeping up to six guests, plus a shared spa building with a counter-current pool, sauna and lake views from the lounge. Villa stay, spa access and breakfast are bundled into the one rate, and dogs are welcome too.
• Kempings Sniedzes: wooden cottages right on the Daugava, with canoes, surfboards and water bikes to rent, volleyball and croquet courts, and a sauna if the river's left you cold. It's set up for people with their own transport rather than a train-only trip, so it suits a road trip stop more than a quick city break.

That's a short list for a region this size, so expect more options to show up here as new properties get added.

Tips for finding the perfect accommodation in Ogre

• Ogre works well as a day trip from Riga by train, so you don't need to book a room here at all if you're just coming for the hills and the river.
• If you do want to stay the night, book the resort a few weeks ahead, especially on weekends when Rigans head out of the city.
• Camping season really only runs from late spring to early autumn. Outside that window the cottages get cold and some facilities close.
• Pack for the outdoors rather than the town. You'll get more out of Ogre with hiking boots and a swimsuit than a smart-casual wardrobe.
• Check snow cover before you go if you're keen on the cross-country ski tracks at Ogre Blue Hills. They only get laid when there's enough snow on the ground.
• The Blue Hills Nature Park has picnic spots and a 30-metre observation tower, so it's worth packing a lunch even if you're only stopping for a few hours.
• If you're after a bit of adrenaline, the Giant's Trail adventure park nearby has obstacle courses and zip lines set among the trees, a good half-day add-on for families or a group of mates.