All In
Lukas Kuraitis

Words Allison Reiber DiLiegro Images Lucy Deverall

Lukas Kuraitis has tasked himself with transforming an 1800s-era hotel into the indisputable place to be for Klaipėda’s next generation—and he’s just about figured it out. 

Lukas’ father, Arūnas Kuraitis, had his eye on the building that houses Hotel Rėja since before Lukas was born. If you take a walk through the old town of Klaipėda, a rising, nature-filled city on the Baltic Sea, you’ll see it, too: an elegant green façade that wraps around a corner, with steps that climb down to The Fat Cat pub—a longtime local hangout. The river Dane, with its boats bobbing in the port, is a short walk west, and dense forests can be found in the opposite direction.

Little by little, Arūnas acquired pieces of the building as part of his larger portfolio of businesses throughout Lithuania. Where Rėja stands now, he opened the country’s first original Italian pizzeria in the mid-1990s, an ice cream shop, and eventually a hotel. When the property began to show its age, he and Lukas decided to give it new life, creating a space for the city’s growing creative community. “We saw an opportunity to do more than a refresh,” Lukas tells us, “to build a brand, build a story, and build a community. When people think ‘where should I go in Klaipėda?’ we want to be the clear and simple answer.”

We caught up with Lukas about his upbringing in Klaipėda, his entrée into the hospitality business, and his favorite beaches and forests that make the city unlike any other.

Lukas, how would you describe yourself in three words?

Two were easy for me: One is competitive. The other is obsessive, but in a positive way. When I get into something, I go all in. I don’t just dabble—I want to know everything about it, inside and out. And the third is that I’m quite introverted compared to others. So, hospitality might not be the most obvious fit. I’m comfortable in the role, but I also need my time away.

Was Klaipėda a good place to be a kid?

I lived here until I was 16, when I left to study, and I think it’s a brilliant place to be a kid. You have the seaside and the beautiful forests right here. I spent a lot of my childhood with my mom by the sea.

Can you tell us a childhood memory from the hotel?

I actually earned my first Euro there! Where the hotel is now, we had an ice cream parlor. And I loved the ice cream machine—when we finished making a flavor we had to scrape out the machine—best job in the world.

In the summer Klaipėda hosts the Sea Festival, and it was really busy so I was helping clear tables. I saw someone left a coin on the table and I ran after them saying ‘you left your money!’ and they laughed and said ‘keep it, it’s a tip,’ so technically it was my first Euro earned. Right there, where the hotel’s reception and breakfast area are.

Did you always know you’d join the family business?

I felt like I would, but I also wanted to gain outside experience first. I spent eight years in London, working in finance at KPMG—something completely unrelated. I needed to see how the world works. But I don’t think there was ever any doubt in my mind that I’d come back and give it a try.

There was never any pressure from my family to return—it was always my choice. And that made it easier.

“I needed to see how the world works. But I don’t think there was ever any doubt in my mind that I’d come back and give it a try.”

What’s an example of something you’ve learned from watching your dad at work?

I spent a lot of time in the office when I was a kid, so some of the little things I do now, I look back and realize ‘that’s why I’m doing it—because I’ve seen my dad do it this way over and over again.’

One of the big things I’ve tried to take from him is his sense for decision-making. My dad and I have pretty different personalities—sometimes that’s a strength, other times we don’t see eye to eye. But I’ve always admired how quickly and clearly he makes decisions. I’m trying to bring that approach to this project. He always tells me that it's just experience, but I think there’s also some also some supernatural ability there.

How do you plan to bring the local community in?

A key piece is the coffee shop. In Lithuania, people often gather at coffee shops rather than pubs after work. I felt it was important to create a warm, welcoming space—so we designed a beautiful spot where you can get great coffee, grab a snack, work, book a meeting room, or just relax. If you’re a hotel guest, you can just come downstairs and enjoy the vibe.

We want it to be a “place to be.” People should feel welcome to come in, take photos—even if they’re not staying with us. Hotels in Lithuania can still feel exclusive, but we want to change that. We want to be open. You don’t have to buy anything—you can just enjoy the space. Our broader programming is still evolving, but we’re hoping to have tastings, art events, and cultural experiences.

Is art a big piece of the hotel?

Yes, it’s shaping up to be. Our collection is still growing, but one my favorite design details is the carpets. The pattern was pulled from an artwork by a young painter in Vilnius.

What’s a perfect day for you?

It would start without an alarm. I get so much energy from good weather, so it has to be sunny. Then some exercise, ideally a tennis session. I also enjoy working, so I’d spend a few hours on something meaningful. Then, I’d spend time outdoors, maybe by the sea in Klaipėda.

Why is tennis your sport?

I started playing when I was four—my parents played, so I was always at the courts. I progressed pretty well, and by eight, I was playing with twelve-year-olds. But I was smaller and struggled physically, especially with things like running laps. I’m competitive, as you know, so it frustrated me, and I quit.

I didn’t stay away too long. About a year later, I picked up table tennis and even played in a few championships. Then I switched gears and focused on golf for a while, and got back into tennis in 2019. Now I play several times a week. I love it—playing and watching tennis. It's a passion of mine. Even if it’s late at night, I’ll try to get out there because Tennis clears my mind—you can’t focus on anything but the ball when you’re on the tennis court.

“Tennis clears my mind—you can’t focus on anything but the ball when you’re on the court.”