Hotel Mežotne Palace

Live like Duke Ernst Johann and stay at Mežotne Palace, about 2km north of Rundāle, on the far bank of the Lielupe River. The palace was built in a classical style from 1797 to 1802 for Charlotte von Lieven, the governess of Russian empress Catherine II’s grandchildren. After many years in disrepair, it was transformed into a hotel and a popular restaurant in 2001. Rooms are stocked with aristocratic collectables – think cast-iron bed frames, swinging chandeliers and carefully curated antiques.