PRESS KIT - Kempinski Hotels

PRESS KIT
Content
Page
Kempinski Hotel Cathedral Square 2
Rooms and Suites 3
Deluxe Cupola Suite 3
Grand Suites 4
Presidential Suite 4
Telegrafas Restaurant 6
Le Salon Bar and Lounge 7
Executive Chef – Ciaran Gantly 8
Sommelier – Narimantas Miežys 9
Conference Centre 10
Kempinski The Spa 11
General Manager – Noel Attard 12
Historical treasure defence wall 13
The history of Kempinski Hotel Cathedral Square 14
Vilnius 17
Kempinski Hotel Cathedral Square Summary 19
1

KEMPINSKI HOTEL CATHEDRAL SQUARE
walking distance.
Kempinski Hotel Cathedral
Square is situated in a perfect
location, in the very heart of
culturally and architecturally
rich Vilnius’s Old Town. The
hotel is a stone thrown from
the Presidential Palace and
Cathedral Square. Numerous
governmental institutions,
significant historical landmarks
and major shopping
avenues all are within
Built in the 1900s, the property is rich with history. Although it was originally created
as a hotel, throughout the years the building has transformed and changed as it was
influenced by the intense changes history brought to Vilnius and Lithuania. After many
years of being used as the Central Telegraph of Vilnius, the neoclassical building was
carefully renovated, with a special effort made to reflect and preserve the building’s
historical roots, abundantly decorated facade, the neo-Baroque cupolas on the roof and
the balconies.
Kempinski Hotel Cathedral
Square opened its doors for
the first time on 5 September,
2012, housing 96 lavish
rooms and luxurious suites.
The majority of the rooms
offer picturesque views either
of Vilnius’s Old town, the
iconic Cathedral Square or the
magnificent medieval castle
up the hill. The hotel also
includes a modern conference
centre, a stylish restaurant and bar and a fully appointed Kempinski The Spa.
Kempinski Hotel Cathedral Square is proud to share with its guests historical value and
serve as a showcase of European tradition, incorporating modern features while
bringing back traditions and setting a new standard of hospitality in Lithuania.
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ROOMS AND SUITES
Kempinski Hotel Cathedral
Square offers 96 fully
appointed rooms and suites.
A smooth ochre colour
palette dominates the entire
hotel and every room turns
the building into a cosy and
light retreat. Each room
reflects a distinctive
individuality, with a subtle
selection of yellow and
brown colour tones creating a
sense of luxury, elegance and exclusivity. Each of the classical yet modern rooms
feature custom-made mahogany furniture, separate bathrooms, lounge areas and large
work desks. Some of the Deluxe rooms and Executive suites feature private balconies,
offering tremendous panoramas of Vilnius and astounding views of the Vilnius
Cathedral Square, while upper level rooms offer roofs with a cosy attic shape. All
elegant and refined rooms feature bathrooms with heated floors and a heated towel rack,
24-hour in-room dining, complimentary Wi-Fi, private bars, interactive TVs and
laundry and dry cleaning services. Rooms also feature in-room safes and individual
climate control. Additionally, all suites include separate living rooms with comfortable
relaxation areas and custom-made furniture.
DELUXE CUPOLA SUITE
There is no other room at
the hotel like the Deluxe
Cupola Suite. The 45 sqm
suite is situated on two
floors, with elegantly curved
wooden stairs and a
romantic bedroom area
under the cupola with
natural daylight on the top.
On the first floor, the
Deluxe Cupola Suite
features a spacious living
room area with custom-made mahogany furniture and a separate spacious bathroom,
while on the second floor the suite offers a truly romantic retreat; the bedroom area,
with a king size bed, is situated under the cupola and curved attic roof. An additional
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separate bathroom is also found on the second floor. With an exclusive layout,
unlimited comforts and a romantic atmosphere created by a rounded window offering a
scenic view over Cathedral Square and the medieval tower, this suite is a true gem of
the hotel.
GRAND SUITES
Varying in size from 75 to 84 sqm, Grand suites epitomise classical luxury, offering a
warm and inviting ambience throughout the spacious rooms. Additionally, the Grand
suites offer a liberating sense of space with a living room, a cosy powder room and a
Nespresso machine. The luxurious bedroom boasts an elegant wall behind the bed,
made of American walnut and framed with black ebony wood. It is the ideal contrast to
the lightly coloured leather head board. Both Grand suites contains spacious bathrooms
with extraordinary views over Cathedral Square, giving guests a feeling as though the
square were in the palm of their hand. The spacious bathrooms feature an oversized
bathtub, a shower and a bidet. Guests in the Grand suites will also enjoy luxurious
amenity lines.
PRESIDENTIAL SUITE
The Presidential suite is the largest suite at the hotel and in all of Vilnius, with a total
space of 132 sqm. The suite offers an un-interrupted view of Cathedral Square and
features the highest security standards. The living room was designed to be an elegant
and official yet relaxing gathering place. A 6-seat dining table is available, perfect for
enjoying the services of the personal butler for a relaxing and enjoyable dinner. The
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suite has been carefully decorated with beautiful crystal Swarovski chandeliers and the
lamps have been custom-made to contribute to the luxury of the suite. The luxurious
bedroom includes a very elegant wall behind the bed, made of American walnut and
framed with black ebony wood, providing a nice contrast with the lightly coloured
leather head board. The bed is custom-made with the finest Swedish ecoproducts from
Carpe Diem Beds. The bedding and bed throws were carefully selected to add to the
ample atmosphere created
by the custom bed. The bed
tables, made of the same
refined wood as the bed
wall, feature specially-made
crystal lamps. A beautiful
dresser made of ebony and
black lacquered wood is on
the side wall and highlights
the elegance of the bedroom.
The bathroom of the
Presidential suite enjoys a view of Cathedral Square as well. It features a spacious
Jacuzzi and a large yet elegant double wash basin cabinet filled with luxury products.
Historical replicas of gold patinated mirrors give the guests all the comfort and vanity
space required. A generous and spacious walk-in shower is also part of the luxurious
space that is the bathroom.
The Presidential suite can be accessed without entering the main entrance of the lobby.
A car with a VIP can drive into an isolated service area, and the guest can exit the car
without being seen. The Presidential suite can be reached through the service entrance
or an additional elevator which exits right next to the suite. It takes around 30 steps to
get from the back elevator to the Presidential suite, which also has an adjoined security
room, a built-in alarm button and bullet-resistant windows. Looking from outside or the
inside, the windows do not appear any different from the other windows of the hotel.
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TELEGRAFAS RESTAURANT
With its view of Cathedral Square spanning back to the 1900s, the building reflects all
European heritage and history. In the 1950s the building, where today the restaurant lies
used to be Telegrafas referred to in English as the Telegraph, used to be the only means
of communication to Europe and the outside world. Today Telegrafas is the place for an
elegant dining atmosphere, boasting European gastronomy and bringing a subtle
balance between the past and the current times, still keeping the heritage of the city with
its visible defence wall as the guests step from the restaurant, with breathtaking views of
the heart of the city with its Cathedral.
Executive Chef, Ciaran John Gantly has created in essence a mixture of European
gastronomy, a symbiosis of quality dishes from all over Europe with local, seasonal and
organic products. Local dishes are being re-invented with a modern twist and a lighter
approach delivering the best flavours.
Europe is also home to wine-making traditions and Sommelier Narimantas Miezys
ensures an extensive wine journey for you with a predominant presence of the old world
wines and champagnes on his wine list.
Telegrafas represents a cosmopolitan culture, with a combination of European
influences veering from the east to the west retaining ties to its past but with a refined
elegance and style, an attention to detail, together in a multicultural society that
characterises Vilnius.
Stylish interior design is combination by natural elements and aesthetics. A dining
experience that is cosmopolitan and yet based on European cuisine fundamentals set
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against a seductive mix of modern lines and surfaces with classic elements such as a
wooden floor, veneziano plastering and the visible defence wall. Mysterious, intimate
and warm by use of light and the earthly elements: stone, wood, and large windows.
LE SALON BAR AND LOUNGE
Inspired by European traditions and cultures, Le Salon translates as Salon, a concept
that originated in Italy in the 16 th century and flourished in France throughout the 17 th
and 18 th centuries and then passed over to all great European cities.
Le Salon, set in a
historic building dating
back to the 20 th century
and restored to its
former glory, is the
meeting place for our
guests. Le Salon venue
is an intimate space
decorated with a perfect
blend of new and old
world, set within a
historic and heritage
building showcasing European architecture. The contemporary style furniture and
modern bar set up while still retaining that part of the old world with breathtaking views
over the Cathedral Square provide guests with an elegant yet relaxed atmosphere.
Le Salon comprises a concept of a lounge incorporating the lobby and the bar changes
throughout the day not only in menu choices but also in ambience and feel. It starts
from the dining experience at lunch time with a well-balanced menu of international
dishes ranging from light snacks, to more fulfilling dishes. In the afternoon it changes to
a traditional British-style, relaxed high tea service with a wide choice of different
Ronnefeldt tea varieties served with our pastry chef’s mouth-watering savouries,
pastries and culinary delicacies.
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EXECUTIVE CHEF – CIARAN GANTLY
Currently appointed executive chef of Kempinski Hotel Cathedral Square the native
Irish Ciaran John Gantly gained experience working for numerous renowned luxury
hotels and has an excellent reputation within the business. After his apprenticeship at
the Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology from 1981 to 1983 and graduation in
Professional Cookery he gained his first professional experience at the Irish five-star
hotels Ashford Castle and Aghadoe Heights. Afterwards he moved to Germany and
Switzerland, where he worked for the four-star hotel Sheraton Arabella Hotel in
Munich, the five-star Sheraton Atlantis in Zurich, the Kulm Hotel St. Moritz and other
luxury hotels. Later Ciaran worked at the newly opened Sheraton Metechi Palace Hotel
in Georgia as well as the Hotel Baltschug Kempinski Moscow, where he stayed for six
years.
In 1994 he returned to Germany for further studies at the college of hotel management
Bavaria Altötting to become Master Chef. The next twelve years he spent in his home
country working at several four- and five-star hotels. In 2010 Ciaran rejoined
Kempinski Hotels at their Slovakian property “Grand Hotel Kempinski High Tatras” in
Strbske Pleso. In 2012 he was appointed executive chef of “Kempinski Hotel Cathedral
Square” in Vilnius.
Ciaran is well known around the world for his culinary experience and his unlimited
creativity. Among the international stars and politicians who have been spoiled by the
experienced chef are such names as Bill Clinton, Mikhail Gorbachev, Helmut Kohl,
Tina Turner, Michael Jackson and Sting.
Apart from his work as chef, Ciaran has travelled around the world to advertise
traditional Irish cuisine in other countries. He appeared on “The Afternoon Show” on
RTE and “The Breakfast Show” on TV3. He is a Member of the Panel of Chefs of
Ireland and is in the Who’s Who of Chefs worldwide. He has been featured in the
Cookery Book “Chefs of Distinction”. He represented Ireland at the “Chicago Gourmet
Festival” in 2007. He has held seminars and cooking presentations at the School of
Hospitality Management of Boston University and at the oldest hotel in the U.S., the
Omni Parker House Hotel in the heart of Boston.
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SOMMELIER –NARIMANTAS MIEŽYS
Kempinski Hotel Cathedral Square is proud of its experienced yet young sommelier.
Narimantas finished both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees of business management
at Gediminas Technical University as well as gaining full knowledge of sommelier
secrets at the Lithuanian Sommelier School in Vilnius. With more than seven years’
experience and interest in refined wines Narimantas is one of the most prominent and
successful sommeliers in the Baltic countries. An attendee of more than nine sommelier
championships, he was recognised as the best Sommelier in Lithuania in 2012. The
same year he was named the vice champion in the Baltic Countries Sommelier
Championship “Vana Tallinn Grand Prix 2012” where he gained second place and was
the first representative of Lithuania in the history of the Baltic Countries Sommelier
Championship who became one the top three.
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CONFERENCE CENTRE
Perfectly located
Kempinski Hotel
Cathedral Square offers a
state-of-the-art
Conference Centre with
600 sqm of exclusive
meeting and banqueting
space
which
accommodates six modern
meeting rooms and a
spacious foyer – perfectly
staged for hosting
successful business
meetings or sophisticated functions. The full conference centre accommodates up to 500
people offering the highest comfort as a prestigious venue for events ranging from
sophisticated full-day conferences, galas, cocktail receptions, weddings and round-table
meetings to any other special event of the guest‘s interest. The conference centre is
equipped with the latest technical equipment and some of the meeting rooms offer
daylight with direct views to Cathedral Square.
KEMPINSKI THE SPA
Located in the unique Vilnius Old Town, right in front of Cathedral Square, Kempinski
The Spa is expected to become a new centre for healthy living and beauty treatments in
the very heart of the capital. 385 sqm Kempinski The Spa offers its guests a heated
indoor pool, two saunas – Finnish Stone and steam, six treatment rooms. Fitness area
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features Technogym Cardiovascular equipment: Treadmill, a crosstrainer, a stepper, an
exercise bike, a kinesis, 2 wellness balls, free weights and stretch mats. All Kempinski
the Spa facilities and services are available not only for hotel guests but also for all
residents of Vilnius.
Kempinski The Spa utilises the power of plants, flowers and herbs in all of its
treatments, whether for winter,
spring, summer or autumn.
Among a full range of
treatments Kempinski the Spa
in Vilnius also offers exclusive
Vilnius Signature Ritual. This
re-energizing ritual commences
with a restorative essential oil
hand, arm and foot
envelopment. It continues with
a refining antioxidant black
grape body scrub, which
effectively prepares the skin for cellular renewal and hydration using the pure essences
of lavender and rosewood. A sense of deep relaxation is induced with a full body hot
stone massage. The focus then moves from the body to the face, where the skin is
thoroughly cleansed before a natural anti-aging elixir facial applied with expert
techniques to, rehydrate and visibly lift the complexion. The Vilnius ritual completes
with a harmonising cranial
therapy and Daniele de
Winter’s signature, tensionreleasing
shoulder and neck
massage utilising extracts of
lemon and eucalyptus. The
guests will emerge from this
treatment feeling lighter and
with a renewed sense of
vitality.
Kempinski The Spa uses
custom-made and naturally
inspired products, which are selected according to each visitor’s individual needs.
Kempinski The Spa is the first spa centre in Lithuania which represents two unique spa
product lines - Elemental Herbology and Daniele de Winter – which are created using
natural ingredients. These products are offered exclusively at Kempinski The Spa and
are not available at any other shop in Lithuania.
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GENERAL MANAGER – NOEL ATTARD
The General Manager of Kempinski Hotel Cathedral Square, native Maltese Noel
Attard, has a significant background of more than 13 years’ experience in the hospitality
industry, successfully working for numerous properties around the globe. After he
graduated with a bachelor of Commerce Degree (Honours Banking & Finance) with
Second Upper Class from the University of Malta Noel Attard acquired the financial
controller position at San Lawrenz Leisure Resort & Spa where he moved up the ladder
of his career, firstly becoming EAM at the Kempinski Hotel Adriatic in 2008 and then
in the same year taking the position of General Manager at Kempinski Hotel San
Lawrenz. In 2012 after four years’ experience in Malta he was appointed as the General
Manager of the brand new Kempinski Hotel Cathedral Square in Vilnius, Lithuania.
Noel Attard acquired tremendous experience and was designated as a taskforce for
different properties such as Kempinski Hotel Giardino di Costanza, Kempinski Hotel
Grand Hermitage Varna, Kempinski Pragelato Village, Djibouti Palace Kempinski and
Kempinski Palace Portoroz.
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HISTORICAL TREASURE DEFENCE WALL
Hotel Cathedral Square is proud to
share with its guests historical treasure
– fragments of Vilnius defence wall.
In the beginning of the 16 th century,
the territory of the Lithuanian Great
Kingdom was attacked by Tatars. The
Grand Duke Alexander ordered that a
defence wall be created and in 1522
the wall construction was nearly
finished. The city of Vilnius was
surrounded by a wide defence wall,
which does not exist nowadays – the
governors of Tsarist Russia initiated
its destruction 200 hundred years ago.
Though the wall was destroyed
without care, in a few places its
remains and fragments have endured.
Part of the defensive wall built in the
16 th century was discovered during the
restoration of Kempinski Hotel
Cathedral Square, and carefully preserved it is today open for the public eye.
It is considered not only a historical treasure and cultural monument in terms of
Lithuanian history, but it also represents a significant discovery for all of Europe. A
certain section of the wall is tremendously unique, because it is the only one which
connects the main city area with the Vilnius castles.
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THE HISTORY OF KEMPINSKI HOTEL CATHEDRAL SQUARE
For more than a century,
a building in the heart of
old town in Vilnius
where the Kempinski
Hotel Cathedral Square
is located has been one
of the symbols
reflecting historical
transitions in Lithuania
and Vilnius city. Over
time, due to changes of
the
historical
circumstances and epochs a building has changed its face and purpose, however, after a
while it has relived as a centre of Vilnius’ society, and guests.
According to legends, at the place where Kempinski hotel Cathedral Square is currently
situated, once a valley has been established by the Grand Duke Šventaragis. The dukes
were cremated there according to the pagan rituals and a perpetual fire was burnt in the
honor of God Perkūnas. In the forest at the same place, Grand Duke Gediminas had a
dream where the iron wolf was howling, and that prophetic dream gave the idea to set
up the town. Eventually, after adoption of Christianity, pagan altar was replaced to altar
of the Catholic Cathedral, and the valley forests were cut down.
For centuries, the land
where the hotel is
located had been the
ownership of different
inhabitants. It was
owned by Cathedral
chapter, later on by the
monks of Fraternity of
St. John (bonifrati), St.
Mary Magdalen Parish
that was in close
vicinity and different
nobles, and in the middle of 19th century the land was acquired by Oton Bogdanovich.
He was a prominent nobleman and the owner of many famous buildings in Vilnius.
Implementing his initiative, the foundation for this building was laid. Because of the
fast growth and development, governmental and institutional buildings emerged one
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after the other around the Cathedral Square. It should have been clear to Bogdanovich
that this territory becomes the center of the city, and the building would be a perfect
investment. So the construction of the building was urgent, and the projects of the
building were made by the famous architect Michail Prozorov. He was an innovative
architect who used the metal and concrete structures that were a novelty at that time so
he became the author of a few magnificent buildings in Vilnius.
First of all, in 1893, some
communal buildings were
built, and then they were
reconstructed, in addition,
some wings built. Later on,
the construction of this
building making the
impressive phone to the
Cathedral Square was
overtaken by Bogdanovich’s
son
Mechislaw
Bogdanovich. In 1899, he
asked for permission of
Vilnius municipal governors in order to build a four floor house, and the construction
was supervised by the same architect M. Prozorov. In 1900, the construction was nearly
finished so the new life and its history started with the new century. The monumental
four floor building with its facade facing the Cathedral Square, immense volume and
architectural forms was noticeable
among the buildings of that time.
This building became well known
from the very beginning as
Treasure House of Vilnius
province, when the czar
government hired it for state
treasury. Some time later, the
other housing was uses as the
premises of “New York” hotel
with furnished rooms for couriers.
The country was devastated because of wars. After the World War I, Vilnius became a
Part of Poland, and the purpose of building was changed. There were no institutions in
it, and it was used for cultural events. From 1921 to 1927 it was a scene for active and
versatile life. In the big hall, at that time used for entertainments, music was played,
theatre groups arranged their performances, and concerts took place. Such a vivid place
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attracted numerous visitors to the buffet to discuss the news, and to the billiard hall.
Until 1940, it was hired by staff of a few newspapers, Gabetner Wolff’s bookstore,
“Pac” chocolate manufacture and store, “Prospiešnia” publishing house, commerce
courses,“Znicz” publishing house that the biggest in Vilnius at that time, and a
pawnshop that used to take in different stuff including gold money and fur. A Jewish
gymnasium, font foundry, bindery and the “Hermitage” hotel worked there.
At the time of World War
II, Lithuanian state was
occupied by the Soviet
Union. The building had to
survive in the new
circumstances. Activities
of organizations were
interrupted, newspapers
closed, publishing houses
destroyed, and the people
who lived had to leave.
From 1940, the building
became a national property, and from 1942 it was managed by the governors. It does not
reminded of that old magnificent building in front of the Cathedral as in the post-war
years it became restructured in order to use for central Vilnius city telegraph.
During the World War II and German
occupation, the telegraph network was
nearly destroyed in the country. When in
1948 the telegraph was established anew,
it started from a few pieces of equipment
in the same building and had to be
developed. In a few decades, there became
more of equipment as the new
technologies were created. The number of
inventive specialists also grew, and they
attempted to restructure and renovate
communication system in Vilnius and
Lithuania’s territory. Local engineers and
technicians implemented new equipment,
and the telegraph employees got numerous
awards as a team. The building was open
for all who wanted to send some message
to family or friends to any destination
point in the Soviet Union comprising
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Moscow, Riga or Kiev.
From 1990 Lithuania regained its independence, and the building was renovated for a
new life as well, even if had remained as telegraph location for some time. From 5
September, 2012 the new Kempinski Hotel Cathedral Square which is a part of the
oldest luxury hotels network in Europe managed by Kempinski Hotels opens the door.
The building having rich past and history gains new future perspectives.
VILNIUS
Vilnius is the capital of Lithuania and its largest city, with a population of about half a
million. It is located in the southeast of the country, just 20 kilometres from the
geographical centre of Europe. In 1994 Vilnius was declared a UNESCO World
Heritage Site. The largest Old Town in Central and Eastern Europe (360 ha), has
managed to preserve the medieval network of streets and typical spaces. Although
Vilnius is often referred to as the city of Baroque, almost all styles of European
architecture can be found here, from Gothic to Renaissance, Classicism, and Jugendstil.
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Vilnius Cathedral. The original Cathedral was built in 1251 after King’s Mindaugas
obtained conversion to Christianity and the eternal fire of pagans was transformed into
an altar. After fires, wars and unstable ground, the Cathedral was rebuilt more than
once. As a result, gothic, renaissance and baroque styles are reflected in its architectural
history.
Vilnius Old Town. UNESCO World Heritage site and Baroque capital of the North.
Old Town is the historical centre of Vilnius, one of the largest in Eastern Europe (360
ha) with the most valuable historic and cultural heritage. Although Vilnius is often
referred to as the city of Baroque, almost all styles of European architecture can be
found here, from Gothic to Renaissance, Classicism and Jugendstil.
Gediminas’ Tower and Upper Castle. Gediminas’ Tower is the only tower of the
Upper Castle that has remained until the present day. Gediminas’ Tower is the all-time
symbol of Vilnius. A great panorama of the city can be observed from the hill. There is
a museum and an observation spot at the top of Gediminas’ Tower.
Uzupis – a “republic” of artists. Užupis is sometimes compared to Montmartre in
Paris or Christiania in Copenhagen. Užupis is a “republic” of artists. It has its own
anthem, constitution, president, bishop, two churches, one of the oldest graveyards in
Vilnius (Bernardine Cemetery), seven bridges and a guardian (the bronze angel of
Užupis). A full variety of cultural events is organised here.
St. Anne‘s Church. St. Anne's Church is a real late gothic masterpiece of which there
are few comparable buildings in the entire world. The church has reached our time
almost unchanged and has become one of the symbols of Vilnius.
Trakai Castle. An inspiring gateway just 30 km from Vilnius. The city is wrapped in
legends with charming painted wooden houses and a romantic island castle dating back
to the 15th century
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KEMPINSKI HOTEL CATHEDRAL SQUARE SUMMARY
ADDRESS:
Universiteto str. 14, 01122 Vilnius, Lithuania
TELEPHONE: + 370 522 01100
FACSIMILE: + 370 522 01120
WEBSITE:
TWITTER
FACEBOOK
PINTEREST
INSTAGRAM
www.kempinski.com/vilnius
https://twitter.com/KempinskiVln
http://www.facebook.com/KempinskiVilnius
http://pinterest.com/kempinskivln/
http://instagram.com/kempinskivilnius
OPENING DATE: 2012
MANAGEMENT:
INVESTORS/OWNERS:
GENERAL MANAGER:
Kempinski
Mr Algimantas Smičius and Mr Marius Jakulis
Jason
Noel Attard
TOTAL NO.OF 96
ROOMS / SUITES
ACCOMMODATION
OPTIONS
SPECIAL FEATURES
& FACILITIES
83 Rooms
13 Suites
Telegrafas Restaurant
Le Salon Bar and Lounge
Kempinski The Spa
Conference Centre
Complimentary internet
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