Lithuania’s Lake Escape Finds Its Quiet Edge

Words Vidula KotianDate 04 July 2025

Tucked into the untouched wilderness of Aukštadvaris Regional Park, just 40 minutes from Vilnius, our newest hotel in Lithuania—Esperanza Lake Resort—is a design-forward sanctuary where architecture dissolves into nature. 

Situated on the tranquil shores of Lake Ungurys, the resort offers a rare sense of remoteness without isolation—an escape that feels far-flung, yet comfortingly close. Design at Esperanza isn’t about spectacle—it’s about stillness. From the outside, the buildings appear as natural extensions of the forest, their forms following the land’s contours, constructed from cedar logs, clay, and stone. Originally built from centuries-old Canadian cedar, the architecture embraces wabi-sabi principles—honoring imperfection, simplicity, and natural aging.

Inside, interiors echo the calm of the surrounding landscape. Weathered textures, linen drapes, and hand-finished oak furnishings invite touch. The color palette—drawn from pine bark, lake stones, and forest moss—is subdued and grounds the spaces in an atmosphere of quiet luxury. Large windows frame ever-changing views of light on water and wind in trees, making the environment the true focal point.

Every detail, from carved wood benches to locally crafted ceramics, feels intentional yet unpretentious. Lighting is soft and often hidden, encouraging shadows to dance across cedar walls. The architecture and interiors blur the line between shelter and setting, reinforcing the idea that guests aren’t separate from the forest—they’re within it.