There's no shortage of hotels in Vilnius, but most of these are either concentrated around the train station and the adjoining bus station or are located outside the town centre. In the Old Town, where the atmosphere is great and attractions are within walking distance, hotels tend to be pricey and often fully booked. An exception to this is Hotel Centro Kubas, a new three-star place of accommodation which stands along one of the most atmospheric streets in the capital and yet only a short distance away from Rotuses aikste, the city's most prominent square.
Stikliu where Hotel Centro Kubas is located is a 150 metres long medieval street packed with classical buildings which reflect central European architectural styles from past centuries. As a matter of fact, the building now occupied by Hotel Cento Kubas was formerly a linen factory. Although the building was extensively renovated inside and out before it was turned into a hotel, numerous tools which were used centuries ago in the production of linen are still preserved and are now exhibited in the hotel's central inner courtyard. A complete loom, weaving implements, wooden forks and spades and an impeccable carriage form part of the exposition.
The hotel's front door leads to a small reception area which adjoins a cosy lounge where visitors can sit over a drink or a cup of coffee. Tourist brochures and daily English papers are available for hotel guests. You can even sit on a bench in the hotel's sunshaded courtyard amidst lush greenery and wall-hanging creepers.
The hotel consists of 14 large rooms spread on two floors. The singles can easily be transformed into doubles while the doubles are actually family rooms more suitable to accommodate four persons than a couple. We were lucky enough to be allotted a double with a wooden balcony which overlooked the inner courtyard. The room was recently renovated with no expense spared. Gypsum plastering, cornices and decorative pelmets were installed during the renovation. Painted in two shades of pink and equipped with light-wood furniture and striped velvet curtains, it was both luxurious and comfortable. Also impressive was the spacious new bathroom boasting a state-of-the-art shower with automatic temperature control.
The excellent buffet breakfast served downstairs from 8am to 10am leaves nothing to be desired. In addition to the endless profusion of usual items, a couple of Lithuanian dishes were also on the menu. Don't miss trying Lithuania's tasty shepherd's pie and Lithuania's unusual black garlic bread. You'll never find anything of this sort elsewhere.
The hotel's location and atmosphere are unarguably the best one can savour in Vilnius. Better than these are the personal attention and consideration clients are given by the hotel staff. The friendly people at the reception desk have made our stay at Centro Kubas an experience long remembered.