People have lived in the area now called Georgia for a really, really long time, and when you visit you’ll see why: it’s verdant, varied and really, really breathtakingly beautiful. From the Black Sea coast through the rich green valleys lined with grape vines, to the mountains with their hidden villages built into caves or on clifftops, and ancient, ever-changing cities. And our recommendations for the best places to stay in Georgia should reflect this incredible variety. Unfortunately at the moment our list doesn’t (we're currently working hard to put that right). We’re missing the best of the Black Sea resorts, and vineyards with rooms, we’re also missing the equestrian centres surrounded by incredible mountain landscapes and views that go on forever. And we know there are great ski resorts too! Georgia’s cities have some great hotels as well, lively, modern and often affordable, like the cities themselves.

Georgia isn’t particularly difficult to travel to, and since about 2005 Georgia’s tourist infrastructure has been improving, especially around the Black Sea, and there’s relatively little crime or corruption.

Where to Stay

• Capital, Tibilisi is in the region Kartli, which is the heartland of Georgia. It’s cosmopolitan and diverse, and has a fantastic mix of very old, very classical architecture, and very new, very modern buildings. It’s also home to around a third of Georgians, so it’s a big bustling place — a really lively choice for a city break which will offer you experiences not many of your friends will have had.
• Georgia’s Black Sea resorts are in the country’s southwest. The largest city here is Batumi, which is a useful travel destination if you’re just here for the beautiful beaches. Batumi is another city with a really interesting mix of old and new architecture, and here, in Georgia’s second largest city, you can also see the skyscrapers of progress sprouting right up behind the palm trees of the Black Sea coastline. Expect to take some great photos.
• If you’re interesting in Georgia’s history you may want to visit the Rioni region, in western Georgia, which is apparently where Jason and the Argonauts came in search of the Golden Fleece, and, in more tangible terms, is home to numerous magnificent UNESCO sites, and some incredible mountain scenery.
• If you’re interested in Georgia’s vineyards then the green and fertile Kakheti region is for you, rife with wineries and vineyards, but also beautiful churches and picturesque hamlets. There’s a collection of great sites and sights around Signagi.
• If you’re here to ski you’ll probably want the Gudauri or the Bakuriani ski regions.
• Visitors often opt to stay in Akhaltsikhe, which is close to the Sapara Monastery and the cave city/ monasteries of Vardzia — which look like something from a film set. Some visitors are also interested in visiting Gori, Stalin’s home town.

User our guide to the best places to stay in Georgia and start to plan your trip.

The Best Places to Stay in Georgia

For a city Break

• Some of the hotels in Georgia that we like the best occupy lively industrial conversions, and the Stamba Hotel in central Tbilisi is a great example of that. The windows are huge and there are concrete beams everywhere, but it’s been beautifully decorated to incorporate the industrial elements into something bordering on luxurious. Really. There are beautiful modern chandeliers, plush leather upholstery and elegantly tiled floors to complement the exposed bricks. There’s also a smart cafe and bar. And the location is really central.
• Rooms Hotel has 141 stylish, possibly even luxurious, rooms and suites in a great, central Tbilisi location. There’s a cool cocktail bar and a Georgian fusion restaurant, and if you opt for the intimacy of one of the deluxe suites you’ll have the makings of a very romantic stay.

For a Taste of Rural Georgia

• The Rooms Hotel Kazbegi is a stunningly ultra-modern hotel in a magnificent location with incredible views. As well as 156 rooms and suites there’s also a pool with super views too, and a restaurant with, you guessed it, incredible views.

The Best Value Places to stay in Tbilisi

• Fabrika Tbilisi is in a great spot, close to many of the main city sights, and offers 98 boutique style dorms and private rooms, in a fantastically converted former sewing machine factory. There’s plenty of industrial features remaining, but the decor is colourful and clever, so it feels chic.

Prefer an Apartment?

• If you’d prefer to stay in an apartment or private villa we recommend you visit our online partner, booking.com.

Travel Information

• Tbilisi Airport is connected to a number of European, North American and Asian cities, but if you can’t fly direct you’ll possibly be able to fly via Minsk. Kutaisi Airport is the other international hub, connected primarily to European destinations. If you’re going to Batumi and the Black Sea you’ll probably need to take an internal flight.
• If you’re thinking about hiring a car we recommend checking what our online partners, Rentalcars have to offer.
• Georgia is on the same latitude as the south of France, New York, and Bulgaria too, so the weather varies with the seasons quite a lot. Georgia also has extremely varied topography for a country this size — it’s about the same size as Ireland, so you can expect very different weather at sea level compared to the mountains. Generally speaking the best time of year to visit Georgia is during summer, assuming you’re not here to ski!

Still not sure?

• If you like what you’ve read here but it’s not exactly what you’re looking for you might want to consider the best places to stay in Khazakstan?
• or the best places to stay in Russia?
• Or you could contact one of our friendly Gurus for personalised advice.