Esperanza Lake Resort Joins Design Hotels and Unveils a Refreshed Identity

Hospitality Net

18-06-2025

Design Hotels' newest member in Lithuania, Esperanza Lake Resort, is reopening this month following a three-year renovation and redesign. An expanded 1,000-square-meter wellness center is complemented by a refined private beach, 15 hectares of private forest, two renewed restaurants, and panoramic views of one of the country's most protected and untouched natural sanctuaries: Aukštaitija National Park.
Nestled within a dense Lithuanian forest and sitting on the shores of a crystal-clear lake just 40 minutes outside Vilnius, Esperanza Lake Resort—a new member of Design Hotels—is unveiling a refreshed design and expanded footprint this month. First established 12 years ago, the resort has undergone a three-year renovation that places a renewed focus on natural materials, exceptional gastronomy, and guests' wellbeing. The high-end resort now offers a peaceful and secluded hideaway among centuries-old pines and the quiet beaches of Lake Ungurys.
For the redesign, the team at Kirson Design—a studio based in Riga—found inspiration in the hotel's original structure, made from preserved cedar logs, as well as the surrounding landscape. The wood's rich texture, natural aging, and sculptural warmth, alongside the area's forest, lake, and shifting light, led to a design language rooted in earthiness and restraint. Outside, the architecture follows the land's natural contours, allowing each of the three buildings to blend into the landscape. Inside, benches, curtains, beds, and other furnishings have been hand-crafted from weathered cedar, natural oak and stone, clay, and linen—materials chosen for their texture, tactility, and ability to age beautifully. Such details and décor also reflect the region's rich cultural tapestry: the resort collaborated with local artisans and producers on everything from custom wooden joinery to bespoke ceramics. Every design decision was made to cultivate a sense of stillness, presence, and quiet luxury—to create a space where guests feel held by nature rather than removed from it.
This sense of quietude extends to guestrooms, where panoramic floor-to-ceiling windows open to serene lake and forest views. Throughout the 28 rooms, including 13 suites, preserved cedar log walls, clay-toned plaster, wide-plank oak floors, and soft fabrics instill a feeling of warmth. This is complemented by sculptural furnishings, including wooden armchairs, custom oak beds and wardrobes, woven pendant lights, wool poufs, and GAN rugs by Patricia Urquiola and Sandra Figuerola. Bathrooms feature carved solid oak vanities and stone basins and flooring, alongside toiletries by Le Labo, selected for their natural ingredients and nature-inspired scents. With a defining color palette of soft greys, warm beiges, charcoal, and browns" occasionally punctuated by the deep green of pine or the dark blue of the lake, a sense of calm and cohesion permeates every room.
During the renovation, the hotel's two dining spaces were also reconceived, both conceptually and physically. A second-floor restaurant serving classic European fare has been replaced by Olea, one of few restaurants in Lithuania to explore contemporary Greek cuisine. Guests can begin their day here with a Greek-inspired à la carte breakfast menu. Come sunset, an elegant dinner experience offers authentic Greek favorites and Mediterranean classics. Elsewhere, the hotel's Japanese fusion lakeside restaurant, Mizu Beach by Heji, underwent an expansion: Instead of offering summer-only service, guests can now dine alfresco or indoors, indulging in dishes prepared over an open robata grill and delicate cuts of sashimi year-round. In-house executive chef Aleksandras Fedorovicius oversees both restaurants—as well as the property's sister restaurant Heji in Vilnius—and uses only the freshest, most natural ingredients.
Unfolding across 15 hectares of private forest and lakeshore, the resort's location and amenities encourage guests of all ages to reconnect with themselves and the land. Direct access to Lake Ungurys, a secluded beach, and a peaceful network of forest trails for jogging, walking, or cycling are complemented by a newly expanded 1,000-square-meter wellness center. Spread across two floors, the wellness area features two saunas, a Pilates studio, and 11 treatment rooms where advanced technology is used to provide next-generation wellness experiences. Highlights include the Cloud-9 sleep therapy system for nervous system reset, Charcot shower hydrotherapy, and Winform CRV Tecar for body sculpting and recovery. Elsewhere on the property, guests will discover a private animal refuge with alpacas and peacocks, three outdoor padel courts, recreational fishing experiences, and stand-up paddle boards. Younger guests can enjoy a natural playground. Across the entire property, public and private spaces feel natural, quiet, and unobtrusive, with soft transitions between indoors and out. Here, nothing is overdesigned; rather, every element is thoughtfully created to invite stillness and connection, to support presence, not performance.
LOCATION
Esperanza Lake Resort is located in Aukštaitija National Park in Paunguriai, Trakai, Lithuania, just a 40-minute drive from Vilnius. Beyond enjoying the natural landscape and outdoor activities in the region, guests can visit the nearby Trakai Island Castle and experience a wealth of multicultural legacies, from Karaim heritage tours to traditional kibinai baking workshops. For those seeking a deeper connection with the area, curated visits to local farms, artisans' workshops, and spiritual sites provide an authentic glimpse into life in this historic corner of the country.
Hotel website