Hotel Pacai is a five-star hotel in Vilnius (map), the capital of Lithuania. Opened in 2018 after five years of restoration work, this hotel is located in a 17th century Baroque palace in the Old Town of Vilnius. Built as the home of the influential Pacai nobles in 1677, the palace played an important role as an accommodation for visiting dignitaries throughout the years, welcoming Russian tsars, Emperors and even Napoleon, who famously addressed the Vilnius townsfolk from the balcony of the palace in the 19th century.

Hotel Pacai – a five star hotel in Vilnius

The Hotel Pacai is situated in Vilnius Old Town, a 15-minute drive from the airport. The main entrance of the hotel is on Didžioji street, an elegant street filled with high-end boutiques, restaurants and embassies. The stately façade of the hotel faces the street, with the famous balcony hanging above a passage that leads into a large courtyard.

I stepped in to find a warm, contemporary ambiance. I was greeted with a smile and a friendly chat by the front-desk staff. After a swift check-in, I was led to my room on the third floor. Along the way, I was struck by how seamlessly the contemporary design blended in with the historical details of the palace. The white walls, minimalist design furniture and subdued artworks only served to highlight the beautiful vaulted ceilings, frescoes and stately columns. Another feature that I absolutely loved was the carpeting – the marble-like design was, as I later discovered, different on each floor.

The room was beautiful, with a large bathroom, a sitting area and a writing desk. There was also an espresso-maker and a mini bar. The minimalist design gave the room a very neat and spacious feel. One of the first things I do when I enter a hotel room is to test the bed and this one was pretty special. Everything about it, from the mattress to the high-thread count sheets and soft duvet felt luxurious. I later found out that the beds were by Hästens, a Swedish manufacturer of top-notch beds. I had three wonderful sleeps in that bed!

The bathroom was another highlight. First of all, the brown stone walls (I suspect they’re granite) were stunning! The dark walls and black-framed mirror formed a stark contrast with the white robes and towels, and the white, oval-shaped standalone bath-tub.

A walk around Hotel Pacai

Over the course of several days, I got to see more of the hotel, including the bar and restaurants, and the spa. I even managed to sneak a peek into some of the suites! A large courtyard lies in the middle of the hotel. Surrounding it are the various wings of the hotel which house the rooms, restaurants and spa. Some of the rooms face Didžioji street whilst others have views of the red rooftops of the Old Town.

Hotel Pacai restaurants

There are two restaurants: Brasserie 14 Horses (where breakfast is served) and Restaurant Nineteen18. Nineteen18 is one of the hottest restaurants in Vilnius, serving a modern take on Lithuanian cuisine using only ingredients from a 100km radius of Vilnius. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to have a meal there as it was fully booked during my stay.

Final notes

I spent three terrific nights at Hotel Pacai. Its central location in the heart of Vilnius’ Old Town means that all the major sights are within a short walking distance, allowing me to easily explore the Old Town on foot. In addition, I loved the fabulous design of the hotel, not to mention the excellent bed! Last but not least, it’s always the staff that make the difference and in Hotel Pacai’s case, they certainly did! The staff, from the friendly front-desk manager to the bartender and bellboys, were always friendly, attentive and efficient. I didn’t sense a hint of snootiness, instead, they made me feel very much at home. If you’re looking for a five star hotel in Vilnius Old Town, check out Hotel Pacai!

Read about things to see in Kaunas, Lithuania’s second largest city.

Note: my visit to Lithuania was made possible by the Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Go Vilnius and Hotel Pacai. As always, all views expressed above are mine and mine only.