From Gourmet Hotel of the Year to Best Family Hotel, Hotelier of the Year, and the award for Best Spa Hotel – Falstaff honors the most outstanding hotels and personalities in the hospitality industry in Estonia.
Hotel Telegraaf, Tallinn
Built in 1878 in Tallinn’s historic telegraph building, Hotel Telegraaf has become a symbol of luxury hospitality in the Estonian capital. With its striking façade in the heart of Tallinn’s Old Town, the hotel is a clear indicator of the highest standards of professional service. Its central location makes everything the city has to offer easily accessible—yet guests can still enjoy a sense of exclusive tranquility and well-being. Whether in the rooms, the boutique spa, or the Tchaikovsky Restaurant, they’ll feel like some of the most privileged guests in all of Tallinn.
Maidla Nature Resort, Maidla küla
Moors and wetlands are among Estonia’s greatest natural attractions. Nature tourism is typically associated with backpacking—but Maidla Nature Resort is changing that by bringing the luxury of a top city hotel into the heart of nature. This small resort, currently made up of just three villas, was built with a deep respect for its surroundings and a commitment to preserving the environment. At Maidla, guests can enjoy a truly exclusive nature experience. They’ll feel like part of the landscape while indulging in state-of-the-art luxury and comfort. The resort’s own restaurant, Soo, is one of the best in Estonia and offers a unique culinary experience in the middle of nature.
Hedon Spa & Hotel, Pärnu linn
The nearly 100-year-old neoclassical building has been transformed into a boutique spa and combined with a modern hotel complex. Together, the two structures form a spectacular landmark on the shores of Pärnu Bay. This remarkable property offers the highest standards and a wide range of hospitality services. For the past 11 years, it has served as a benchmark for other spa hotels, setting new standards in service and guest experience.
Pädaste Manor, Liiva küla
The restoration of Pädaste Manor and its transformation into a hotel permanently changed the lifestyle on one of Estonia’s islands. Once largely overlooked, the island quickly became an iconic destination for those seeking peace and luxury in Estonia. There're many top-tier manor hotels in the country—not to mention the rest of Europe—but Pädaste has achieved something special with its hotel restaurant, Alexander. Many of today’s leading figures in Estonia’s hospitality scene had their first taste of high-level service here. Meanwhile, Nordic Islands’ Cuisine has elevated the island’s humble, everyday dishes and underappreciated local ingredients into a true gourmet experience. While the kitchen staff at the restaurant has changed over the years, the Nordic Islands’ Cuisine has remained a constant—only improving with time.
Georg Ots Spa Hotel, Kuressaare linn
Saaremaa is Estonia’s most famous spa destination. The country’s first mud bath was established here 200 years ago. Twenty years ago, the Georg Ots Spa Hotel opened its doors, shifting the focus from traditional rehabilitation therapies to spa treatments designed to pamper both body and mind. Since then, the Georg Ots Spa Hotel has become the most popular travel destination for families in Estonia. Always evolving and staying one step ahead of the competition, the hotel offers a variety of room categories and is known for making both families with children and those without feel equally at home. The hotel’s own restaurant is also considered one of the best on the island.
Pilguse Residency, Jörgela küla
Founded in 1558, Pilguse Manor is located on the island of Saaremaa, surrounded by untouched nature. Spread across 90 hectares, the manor’s buildings are being gradually restored and transformed into an ever-expanding hospitality and cultural destination—drawing inspiration from the surrounding environment. Guests can cool off in spring water after a visit to the hotel’s smoke sauna, enjoy locally made natural cosmetics in their rooms, and dine on dishes crafted from regional ingredients in the hotel restaurant. Seaweed collected from the beach behind the hotel provides the unique flavor for the vodka and gin distilled on-site. Staying here feels more like visiting a countryside estate than a traditional hotel.
Ilmaveere, Obinitsa küla
Seto culture is unique in Estonia and is passed down primarily through song and dance. One of its most iconic symbols is the so called Song Mother. Behind her monument lies Ilmaveere, a comfortable hotel and community center housed in a converted church school. Nowhere else in Setomaa will you find accommodations of this standard. Each hotel room is named after a different place in Setomaa and features its own distinct design. During events at the community center, hotel guests have the chance to experience local culture up close.
Ain Käpp, Radisson Collection Hotel, Tallinn
Transforming a modern high-rise into a distinctive hotel and delivering the best hotel service in Estonia is an achievement most entrepreneurs in the industry will never attain. Yet, he manages not just one but two very different hotels—both ranked among the best in Estonia. While any well-run hotel can generate revenue and raise the profile of a city or country, it takes a much larger and more prominent operation to truly help shape its future. Under his leadership in recent years, the Estonian Hotel and Restaurant Association has become one of the country’s most influential organizations and an important voice in national hospitality policy. Hotelier of the Year is Ain Käpp, General Manager of the Radisson Collection Tallinn and Palace Hotels.
