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 Vilnius Hotels
Born from a legend about a howling iron wolf, Vilnius stands at the cusp of east and west, a testament to Lithuanian's record as the last pagans in Europe and warriors who in medieval times expanded their empire as far as the Black Sea. A UNESCO World Heritage site, the city's enchanting Old Town is a visual feast, thanks to its churches, meandering cobbled streets, palaces and intimate courtyards. Amongst a wealth of architectural styles, Baroque is dominant, resulting in echoes of a Jesuit town somewhere in Latin America, except that here the tapering crosses of the Catholic churches combine with the Pagan symbols of the sun and the moon: wife and husband in Lithuanian mythology. As for hotels, there are some notable examples occupying historic Old Town buildings, and others that mimic historic elements; less evident are bolder, more cutting edge places, the sort that Vilnius has, so far, been too modest to produce. Any exploration of Vilnius should, if possible, be combined with a trip to historic Trakai, 28 km away, and Europos Parkas, the open-air museum with over 100 works by world-famous artists, 19 km away. The hotels are listed by price category, and their order bears no reflection on our preference.
 Reviews by Gabriele Civiliene |
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| Luxury: Charmingly decorated hotel with noted restaurant |
| Location: Gaono str, in the heart of the old town at the intersection of five lanes |
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| With 29 rooms ranged round its glass-roofed courtyard and a well known restaurant (a member of Chaine des Rotisseurs since 1922) this prestigious Relais & Chateaux hotel has a mix of baroque and gothic features and is set in the Old Town’s historic former Jewish trade quarter. Once it served as a tavern and apartments for rich merchants; nowadays the interior is attractive and welcoming with the feel of a small chateau. |
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| Luxury: An individually decorated hotel with a great location |
| Location: On the old town’s principal street, running from Cathedral Square to the City Hall |
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| None of the 50 rooms and suites in this classically styled hotel with impressive glass-capped atrium are the same. Some have original frescoes, others 16th-century beamed ceilings, wooden floors or gothic vaults. Redecorated in 2000 by French designer and architect Ann Toulous, it uses strong colours, particularly red, green and blue, and includes a retro cellar restaurant with vibrant pink tablecloths, as well as the cosy, brick walled Kristupo Café. Individual; great location. |
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| Luxury: Close to city but in country surroundings |
| Location: on A2 Vilnius to Riga highway, ten minutes drive from city |
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| Surrounded by birch and pine forests and two lakes, the hulking buildings of this premier all-seasons resort hotel and convention centre is set on a 154 ha private estate with a raft of pampering facilities. The majority of the 189 rooms, from standards to royal apartments, have balconies with country views. The surprisingly gracious interior mixes classical styling with warm Mediterranean colours. A good choice if you want to be close to the city, yet in country surroundings. |
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| Mid Price: In the heart of the Old Town but off the tourist track |
| Location: Old Town, near St Ann’s Church |
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| Whether you are a devotee of the Bard or not, this quiet and elegant boutique hotel will charm you. Named after literary greats such as Wilde and Dickens, no room is alike in design or size, with decorative references to the author it features and examples of their works for you to read. Charming views, excellent service and breakfast. In the heart of the Old Town, it’s nevertheless off the mainstream tourist track. |
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| Mid Price: Privately owned boutique hotel on narrow medieval street |
| Location: Ligonines str; a few minutes walk to the City Hall |
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| This elegant boutique hotel, part of the fortress built by Italian military engineers in the 16th century, is situated on a narrow medieval cobblestone Old Town street. Privately owned by Baroness Edita von Grotthuss, it has great character married with modern technology (wifi everywhere) and so suits both business and leisure travellers. Rooms are mainly spacious, with high ceilings, and the well known restaurant, La Pergola, has a lovely internal courtyard. |
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| Mid Price: A lavish 19th-century mansion; ideally situated for the city's landmarks |
| Location: Old Town, near St Casimir’s and the National Philharmonic |
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| Set in a lavish 19th-century mansion, this hotel has an unrivalled position, with a spectacular view of the Gates of Dawn, St Casimir’s and the Holy Spirit Orthodox churches. Its 39 rooms range from the special Round Suite, with panoramic views, as well as top floor rooms with cosy terraces to more ordinary standard rooms. The charming, vaulted Medininkai restaurant spills out in summer onto a 16th-century courtyard. |
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| Mid Price: Functional elegance behind a classical façade |
| Location: Opposite the National Philharmonic |
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| Opened in 2005, the Ramada Vilnius breathes functional elegance behind a restrained classical 19th-century façade in the heart of the Old Town. The interior deceptively transfers from the classical to the modern and from the lavish to the simple, integrating contemporary sofas and beds with Empire-style furnishings, and cool Nordic colors with striped wallpapers or Provençal white, often with a light touch of gold. Rooms are clean and well-equipped (free wifi) and there is the bonus of a ‘wellness centre’. |
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| Inexpensive: Cosy family-run guesthouse in a courtyard |
| Location: Just off the Old Town’s main cultural street |
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| This family-run guesthouse in a charming, pale green 16th-century building is tucked away in a quiet courtyard. It is just off one of the most entertaining streets in the Old Town with museums, galleries, shops, and bars. Ten large rooms are decorated cosily and unpretentiously to create a home-away-from-home atmosphere. Friendly staff offer services such as picking up from the airport at no extra charge. Good value for money. |
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| Mid Price: 28 comfortable rooms in a quiet modern style |
| Location: On the old town’s principal street, running from Cathedral Square to the City Hall |
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| The 28 clean and comfortable rooms in this 16th century building have been decorated in quiet modern style incorporating, where possible, old architectural details, such as fragments of brick wall and wooden beams. The hotel includes the restaurant El Gaucho Sano, decorated in rustic style and offering authentic Argentinian dishes as well as one of the most comprehensive wine lists in Lithuania. |
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| Inexpensive: Simple one to three room self-catering apartments |
| Location: Some in the old town; some in city centre |
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| Ranging from 35 to 75 sq metres, these 16 self-catering apartments are well located in the city centre and the Old Town, surrounded by clubs and cafes. The simple, uncluttered decoration uses glass and sliding partitions, wooden floors as well as carpets and decorative brickwork, with the emphasis on comfy beds and sofas and functional kitchenettes for breakfasts. One apartment even offers a sauna. |
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| Inexpensive: Fully furnished and equipped self-catering apartments |
| Location: Old Town; two on Gedimino Avenue, one on Vilniaus Street |
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| All three of these self-catering apartments are located in the city's business district - only a 10-15 minute walk to prime Old Town sites such as Cathedral Square, Gediminas Castle or the Presidential Palace. Though they are slightly different in terms of decoration, all the apartments are fully furnished and sleep between one and four people. Considering their location and facilities, with a flexible management behind them, they offer good value for money. |
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