Modern twist

Lodgings with a long past that exudes the charm of bygone days yet also offers contemporary comforts is always a balancing act. The “Kaunas Hotel” in the center of the city by the same name in Lithuania has solved this problem commendably: Architect Vida Vysniauskiene had the existing three-storey building, built as long ago as 1870, extensively converted and modernized, while also adding an extension that is set back slightly from the main building. Thanks to its undulating glass façade and flat roof the extension recedes very much into the background. Instead, the decorated front from past days is allowed to shine, boasting small balconies adorned with elaborate cast-iron decorations. Aside from 80 rooms and suites the 4-star hotel offers its guests a large fitness zone and spa area as well as its own eatery – the Restaurant "55°".

The interior design contrasts starkly with the hotel’s venerable entrance lobby: The abstract patterns on the floors and walls combined with dark earthy tones and heavy materials like wood and leather make for a modern contrast. The bathrooms in the guest rooms sport a modern look in black and white: Dark lines run through the white wall tiles like brushstrokes, are interrupted and taken up again. This is juxtaposed with a carefully structured small-format pattern from floor to ceiling. Despite the bold design with their many light areas and indirect lighting there is a pleasantly relaxed feeling to the bathrooms.

And the bright white sanitary products by Villeroy & Boch are a perfect choice here: With a large variety of models and a pared-back design the “Subway 2.0” collection is ideally suited to hotel environments. Broad surfaces and deep basins, toilets designed without a flushing rim and ultra-flat seats also make for additional comfort both in terms of use and cleaning. In the showers, the “Architectura Metal Rim” shower trays with their ultra-flat design offer maximum robustness and a pore-free surface. The integrated rain in a White, Chrome or Chrome matt finish is flush-fit with the shower floor. Planners opted for “Oberon” bathtubs by Villeroy & Boch in a classic rectangular form. Made of robust Quaryl, “Oberon” has a special shape: While the outer lines form a rectangle, the inner shape is oval, making it especially comfortable. “Oberon” also offers scope regarding its installation as the overflow is available in three positions. For bathrooms where accessibility is a major consideration the “O. novo Vita” washstands by Villeroy & Boch deliver ingenious functions: Handles at the front of the basin, a groove below the front edge of the basin, easy to pull up a wheelchair and a spacious surround ensure combine practicality with an elegant design. In this way, Villeroy & Boch offers guests of the Kaunas Hotel modern wellbeing in its bathrooms that goes a long way towards a relaxing stay. (am)