After spending two nights at the modern business hotel Radisson Blu, I decided to switch things up for my final night in Vilnius and pick a more classical, boutique-style hotel. Compared with the UK or Western Europe, I find it much easier to find good-value boutique hotels in Eastern Europe, and Vilnius has no shortage of choices: Hilton (Grand Hotel and NARUTIS), Radisson (Astorija), and Marriott (Hotel Pacai).
The most famous one is probably Hotel Pacai, part of Marriott’s Design collection, which can be redeemed for just over 30,000 points – quite a deal! Although I didn’t choose to stay there, I walked by to have a look and it’s indeed quite impressive.
I went with The NARUTIS Hotel in the end, redeeming 30,000 Hilton points (though it’s now gone up to 60,000) thanks to their SLH partnership. Admittedly, there were cheaper cash rates available through OTAs, but since SLH only offers flexible rates through Hilton, I couldn’t make a BRG request.
NARUTIS is located right in the Old Town, in a perfect spot. Its petite facade looks more like a tavern or inn, which immediately felt right to me.
The “lobby” is quite unique: a narrow, deep atrium with a skylight. The NARUTIS is the oldest hotel in Vilnius, dating back to the 16th century. It’s made up of several interconnected buildings (four if I remember correctly), which were once residential houses or part of the Vilnius University.
Because of this, the hotel’s layout is somewhat quirky. To get between wings you often have to go up or down a few stairs, and the top floor (5th) isn’t accessible by elevator. But wandering through the hallways gives you a real sense of history.
I was upgraded one-level to a superior room.
Each room has its own character, and mine looked exactly like the one shown on Hilton’s app. As a boutique hotel, the hardware naturally can’t compete with modern chain properties, but I quite liked the charm.
The main downside is poor soundproofing, as you would expect from such old buildings. Being in the very heart of the Old Town, you start hearing street noise from early mornings.
The welcome gift was four small chocolates. I also spotted a bottle of wine nearby and thought, “Wow, that’s generous!” – only to notice the €39 price tag immediately.
They also gave me a drink voucher, which I used for a glass of red wine at the bar.
Both the spa and the restaurant are located underground. Stepping down into them feels like entering a cellar, quite atmospheric and memorable.
The spa is compact but complete, with a pool, jacuzzi, sauna, and steam room.
Breakfast is complimentary for Gold and Diamond members booking through Hilton. The dining area, set in a vaulted stone room, feels almost like an castle’s basement.
The food selection isn’t huge, but the quality of the ingredients is clearly superior to the Radisson’s.
This was my second SLH stay, and I was very satisfied. The hardware might be a bit dated and soundproofing imperfect, but the overall experience felt refreshing and distinctive. Thanks to the Hilton–SLH partnership, there should be even more opportunities ahead to enjoy boutique hotels like this at a reasonable cost.
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