ESE Hotel

Waking up to the forest through those room windows was probably my favourite part. The room itself was gorgeous, with a really comfy bed, air conditioning, a walk-in shower, quality soap, and even a small toiletries bag. The public areas feel thoughtfully put together too, with art and colourful carpets in the corridors. Instead of music, you hear birds chirping, which I loved. The spa has two sauna rooms, a jacuzzi, and a pool, all looking out onto the forest. It stays open until 9 pm, and breakfast is served until 11 pm, which surprised me. The food was impressive: their garlic bread was unlike any I’ve had in Lithuania, and the combinations were delicious. The burger was less of a surprise, but still very tasty. The location is great, among the trees and close to lovely walking paths, a skate park, and the river. Staff were polite and attentive, and spoke English flawlessly. I really liked this place, and loved Birštonas.

The staff were welcoming, and I liked the pool, though it’s too small. People kept bumping into each other, and there aren’t enough sunbeds. Food wasn’t the best either; I’ve had much better at cheaper hotels. The biggest annoyance was hearing people shouting late at night because the rooms have poor sound insulation. Otherwise, things were okay.

The lake is very close, and the restaurant terrace is beautiful. Staff were friendly, helpful, and spoke good English. Still, those positives didn’t outweigh the problems for us, and we changed hotels for most of our holiday. For three people, the room had nowhere proper to unpack, and the bathroom had almost no extra space, so our things were constantly scattered around. Sound carries straight through the walls, and the lighting system was confusing enough that it was hard to turn on the lights where we needed them. Breakfast was a letdown, with a very poor selection compared with what I’ve seen even at simpler hotels. The kids’ playroom also costs extra, even when a parent stays with the child. I’d never come across that before, and it left a really unpleasant impression.

I’ve stayed here several times and always loved the place, meals, and service, but it seems worn down now. During my last stay in November 2025, the bed was broken and the staff didn’t respond. Prices have climbed, while the original quality and service seem to have faded.