“In 1895, a young man arrived in the small Latvian town of Smiltene. It didn’t take long before the rumours began – he must be a spy, fond of alcohol and gambling.

Others believed he was a fugitive criminal. Or perhaps a wealthy prince? Of course, most of these rumours weren’t true, except one: he really was a prince, a descendant of the ancient Baltic German Lieven family.

His name was Paul Lieven, and he had studied engineering at St Petersburg Polytechnic Institute. He had settled permanently in Smiltene, moving into the town manor house ifted to him by his mother. However, he had not come here to hide or rest. He came with a purpose.

First, Lieven divided the manor lands into plots and leased them to townspeople. He then built a hospital, a shelter for the poor, a sawmill, and a railway. But most importantly, he constructed the first hydroelectric power station in the Baltics, turning water into electricity.

Thanks to these investments, the small town developed very rapidly. Although the residents of Smiltene were highly appreciative of the town’s economic development, education opportunities, and healthcare, Paul Lieven still felt that something was still missing. One day, he realized what it was.

The people of Smiltene lacked opportunities of recreation and entertainment! They wanted to relax and have a good time together, and, as Prince Pauls reasoned, what could better bring the joy of people coming together than excellent beer?

Pauls liked that his actions spoke louder than words, so he established a brewery in the town, which soon gained fame as a sophisticated beer producer. Along with electricity and prosperity, he had also given the townspeople joy. The brewery had become a joy-factory.

Today, our hotel is located in the very same place where the brewery was founded more than 100 years ago. It is situated in a wonderful, ancient park area by the Abuls River, where we continue to work with the same diligence and enthusiasm as Prince Pauls Līvens once did. In our hotel and restaurant, we warmly welcome and accommodate guests from near and far, as well as tourists and locals who wish to enjoy special service in a place with a historical aura.

A tradition that continues – a joy-factory since 1895.”

5 rooms available for events:

• • Cellar for up to 40 guests.
  • Seminar room for up to 60 guests.
  • Restaurant hall for up to 25 guests.
  • Terrace for up to 25 people.
  • Small hall for up to 15 people.