Grand Hotel Vilnius, Curio Collection by Hilton

Old-world grandeur on Cathedral Square

This is the address other Vilnius hotels measure themselves against. Formerly the Grand Hotel Kempinski, the landmark on Universiteto gatvė joined Hilton's luxury Curio Collection in May 2024, and its position is unchanged and unbeatable: Cathedral Square is directly outside, with the Old Town's sights, shopping and restaurants a few steps further.

Inside, the tone is old-world charm with a playful edge. Rooms are spacious and spotless, the beds — in Frette Italian sheets — are the sort guests write home about, and staff have a habit of small kindnesses, from a drink at check-in to a surprise dessert on a birthday. The spa, with its indoor pool, sauna, steam room and hot tub, seals the special-occasion case.

Good to know

If the square view matters, say so when booking: balcony rooms overlooking Cathedral Square are the ones guests rave about, while standard rooms often face an inner courtyard or the walls of neighbouring buildings. Hilton Honors members do well here, with elite guests frequently reporting generous upgrades. A phased €10 million renovation of rooms, lobby and conference spaces is under way, scheduled to finish by the end of 2026.

The main complaint is simple: cost. This is an expensive hotel even by luxury standards, and the extras sting — on-site parking runs to €80 a day and laundry prices raise eyebrows. Some guests also find the spa area on the small side, with pool water that can feel cool, and there are occasional reports of dim bathroom lighting or temperamental in-room coffee machines.

• Check current rates and availability on the hotel's own site before booking.