The DNA: The rehabilitation of historic piles into modern hotels often results in slick modern interiors with absolutely no sense of the building’s storied past. A round of applause then for architect Saulius Mikštas and YES.design.architecture studio for their admirable work on turning this grand 17th-century baroque mansion into Hotel PACAI in Vilnius’ Old Town. Anchored by a dramatically proportioned 500m2 courtyard, the public spaces and 104 rooms all feature a handsome palette of deep grey walls and drapes, tufted leather finishes, marble benches and slender-limbed midcentury furniture, but what catches the eye are the mansion’s textured old bones which peek out like an architectural palimpsest at unexpected moments – a wall of exposed original bricks and barn timber here, cracked pilasters and a patch of ancient frescos there. The best room in the house is the Pacai Suite with views of the Old Town, but we’re equally impressed by in-house brasserie 14 Horses, which harnesses local produce in its Lithuanian and Baltic-inspired menu.

Seen: archilovers, Wallpaper*

Accolades: Wallpaper* Best Urban Hotels 2019

✅ free Wi-Fi • size matters: 104 rooms & suites (22-103m2) (237-1,109 sq ft) • hotel opened: 2019 • architecture: Saulius Mikštas • interior design: YES.design.architecture • bathroom amenities: Molton Brown • parking possible nearby (charged) • no pets allowed • 24-hour front desk • wheelchair accessible