Our Team

The story of Lydia Hotel and Restaurant Hõlm is deeply personal to me. I’ve been part of their creation since the very first idea, weaving my family’s history and values into every detail. The hotel carries the name of Lydia Koidula, but also honors both of my grandmothers, whose warmth and resilience have inspired me. The name ‘Hõlm’ was inspired by Koidula’s poetry, while our logo is based on my grandfather’s signature. Our cuisine is inspired by my grandmother Lydia Holm’s recipe collection, which traveled all the way through Siberia before returning home. In this way, family stories and values live on in every moment we share with our guests.

Lydia has been my workplace since the very first day it opened in 2016, while my journey in hospitality goes back more than 14 years. For me, what makes a hotel and restaurant truly special are the people. You can have the most impressive building, but without a team that enjoys coming to work, feels inspired by creating memorable experiences, and is always there for one another, it’s just a “house.”
I’m fortunate to be surrounded by such people every day, and my greatest joy is motivating, supporting, and inspiring them. Some might call it my job — but for me, it’s simply fun.

I have been part of Lydia Hotel since 2023, and as an HR Partner I truly value an environment built on openness, honesty, and a good sense of humor. This kind of culture creates the foundation for trust, collaboration, growth, and gives you the feeling that you’re exactly where you belong.
What I enjoy most in my role is the freedom to work independently, bring fresh ideas to life, and support my colleagues in their everyday challenges. The team I work with is both inspiring and genuinely caring, what gives real meaning to my work.

It has been both a joy and an honor to be a “Lydiakas” from the very beginning — to stand at the door of the opening party and welcome our guests. And I still do so today, leading the hotel’s reception team and supporting our administrators with advice and assistance, so that they have the skills and the will to offer Lydia’s guests something more than just a pillow to rest their heads on at night.

21 years in the hospitality sector have brought plenty of challenges but even more joy, along with new acquaintances and friendships. While working at Lydia, I highly value good humor, honesty, constructive feedback, and most importantly, the knowledge that you are never alone with your ups and downs.

I have been part of Lydia Hotel since 2019, but my journey in hospitality began more than ten years ago. As the Executive Housekeeper and Head of the Housekeeping Department, I oversee the work of our room attendants, cleaners, and maintenance staff – making sure every guest feels cared for and truly welcome.
What inspires me most are the people I work with and the spirit of teamwork, because only together can we uphold high standards and create a genuinely warm and thoughtful environment.
Outside of work, I find balance and energy in spending time with my family and in nature.

I believe I have made the right choice in my career. The tourism sector is a fast-changing and evolving field, where most of my experience comes from hands-on work. I truly enjoy teamwork between the different departments of the hotel. For me, it is essential to provide guests with a positive service experience, and it always brings me joy when our hotel guests enjoy their stay with us and share their experiences with others. On a daily basis, I work with large-scale bookings, including reservations for tourism groups and guests requiring accommodation for major events. I have had the privilege of doing this since the very first day Lydia Hotel opened.

In my free time, I love to enjoy culture – I am a big theatre enthusiast and greatly admire the high level of Estonian actors. I also appreciate culinary experiences and quality time spent with friends.

I have worked in tourism for over 40 years, starting as a guide for Finnish groups and later as a group sales manager at Dorpat and Lydia Hotels. I still work as a guide, sharing stories and creating memorable experiences for guests. I believe tourism is not just a job, but a passion. In my free time, I am an artist, bringing creativity and imagination to life through painting.

I have been working in the hospitality industry for several decades, during which I have managed various restaurants. I would describe myself as optimistic and cheerful. Large crowds are not really my thing, but I truly enjoy traveling and discovering new places.

I deeply appreciate genuine and honest people with a good sense of humor who are not afraid to speak their mind. There are many such people at Lydia, and that is exactly what makes it the place where I want to be. Being at home and with my family is very important to me, and it gives me the strength and happiness that I consider my greatest treasure.

I have been working in the culinary world for more than 20 years. My journey began at Tartu’s Püssirohukelder, and along the way I have worked at cafe Werner, NOA restaurant, and Tallink. I have also gained experience in Australia and Norway, as well as through practice in several Michelin-starred restaurants.

What I enjoy most is preparing food with my own hands from start to finish, and those moments when a guest walks past the kitchen and says a heartfelt “thank you.” At Hõlm, I value using local ingredients, and I also enjoy bringing traditional techniques like pickling and fermentation into my cooking.

I am Reet, the accountant at Lydia Hotel, and I have been here since the very first day.

My work helps evaluate the team’s performance numerically and supports decision-making in the hotel’s daily operations. Accuracy and thoroughness are important to me to ensure that all financial activities are under control. I am a reliable support for the team and assist my colleagues in navigating the world of numbers.

Since 2023, I have been working at Lydia Hotel as a Catering and accounting assistant. I enjoy the precision and structure that working with numbers brings. I act as a link within our team, assisting with data entry, organizing documents, managing raw material inventory, and supporting the company’s daily financial activities to ensure that all invoices and reports are processed smoothly and accurately.

I appreciate working in an environment where colleagues are positive, supportive, and always ready to help each other – this is what makes everyday work enjoyable and enables us to achieve the best results together.

If something needs fixing, organizing, or just a little “looking into,” I’m usually already there – often before you even have a chance to ask for help. I keep our building in good shape inside and out, know every corner, and stay up to date with what’s happening in every department.

I am the Technical Specialist at Lydia Hotel, and my role is to ensure that all technical systems and IT solutions operate smoothly and without issues. My goal is to create a comfortable and secure environment for our guests while supporting the team in finding technical solutions. If you have any questions or need assistance with technical matters, I am always ready to help.