The coast is too cold and wet and you're not that into skiing and snow. So where do you go when you want a break from the city in Georgia? We recommend the year-round resort of Kakheti.
Just two hours outside the capital Tbilisi, Kakheti, in eastern Georgia, is the country's biggest wine-making region and boasts valleys, woodland, national parks and a fair selection of fortresses, churches and monasteries to explore. Taste wine, bake bread, ride horses, hike, bike, watch the sun set, take a hot-air balloon ride or just relax and watch the sun set.
Below, you'll find a fair selection of "WHERE to STAYS" should you decide to make a dash eastwards this weekend! Enjoy!
SHUCHMANN WINES
Kisiskhevi, Telavi
(+995) 593 48 73 74, 555 49 4126
Schuchmann Wines Georgia owns a hotel and a wine cellar built to resemble a medieval castle and featuring a large veranda and tasting and conference rooms. The company was founded by a German wine enthusiast infatuated with Georgia, Mr. Schuchmann, who brought together in one convenient structure a wine cellar, restaurant and hotel.
RADISSON COLLECTION HOTEL, TSINANDALI ESTATE
Tsinandali village, Tsinandali
(+995) 350 27 77 00
The Radisson Collection Hotel, Tsinandali Estate Georgia in Kakheti invites guests to explore the many vineyards as well as the region's rich history from one exclusive vantage point. All 141 guest rooms and suites are exquisitely designed to match the serenity of the area and offer breathtaking views for an exceptional stay. Boasting an outstanding rooftop infinity pool overlooking the Caucasus Mountains, a delicious variety of restaurants, and a revitalizing spa, it promises an unforgettable experience.
The hotel’s astonishing Meetings & Events facilities include an impressive open-air amphitheater for up to 1,200 guests, perfect for galas, weddings, concerts, and business conferences.
HOLIDAY INN TELAVI
2 Rustaveli Ave., Telavi
(+995) 322 61 11 11
Holiday Inn Telavi hotel, located just 1.3 hours from Tbilisi, offers modern rooms and a restaurant that serves fun tapas which combine international and Georgian flavors paired with famous Georgian wines, all with breath-taking views of the Alazani Valley. The spa offers a fully equipped fitness center, beauty and relaxation treatments as well as a pool.
HOTEL EREKLE II
Near Erekle II Statue, Telavi
(+995) 596 37 73 77
This boutique hotel, a small converted 19th-century château, sits in the historic heart of Telavi, enveloped by ancient brick walls. Remodeled with Persian, Arabic, and Georgian design elements, the building used to be home to King Erekle’s 24 children. A walled garden, shielding the porch from curious passers-by, opens up an idyllic view of the Caucasus Mountains and the Alazani Valley.
The guest area unites the hotel’s lounge, dining-room and bar in a playful journey of the senses. Seven spacious rooms on the second floor of the building are surrounded with private and shared balconies which extend into the inner courtyard.
WINIVERIA CHATEAU MERE
15 Vardisubani Str., Telavi
(+995) 595 99 03 99
Chateau Mere has 15 spacious rooms- two suites on the rooftop, 12 standard rooms and a family suite, all of which have stunning panoramic views of the Caucasus Mountains and Alazani Valley. The rooms feature antique furniture and modern comforts, including a flat screen TV and free Wi-Fi.
Chateau Mere can offer guests a wide range of activities: picking and crushing grapes, learning about wines and cheese making, baking bread, making churchkhelas, riding horses, hiking, and more. You can also try their house wine, Winiveria fine dry red and white.
TWINS WINE HOUSE
Napareuli village, Telavi
(+995) 599 33 38 84
There are 12 rooms in the Twins Wine House hotel: 6 double, 2 triple and 4 de-luxe. Each room is equipped with modern central heating, air conditioning, hot water systems and free Wi-Fi. Guests can visit the unique Qvevri and Qvevri Wine Museum.
Guests will enjoy the comfortable, quiet, cozy atmosphere. The interior of the hotel is decorated with old household items which harmonically merge with the modern standards to create an unforgettable impression of Georgia past and the present. There is a magnificent view over the vineyards, beyond which is the Caucasus mountain range.
LOPOTA LAKE RESORT & SPA
Napareuli, Telavi
(+995) 240 04 00
Nature, European style rooms with terraces and great views over the lake make this resort truly unique. The Spa Center offers various health and medical procedures, relaxing and detoxifying massages and Thalassotherapy Royal baths – all revitalizing, slimming, moisturizing and rejuvenating. Lopota resort has three swimming pools- a family one, a professional one and a mid-sized pool. There is a restaurant and two bars at the resort, where professional chefs prepare delicious food made from ecological locally grown produce. Wine-tasting, tone bread making, horse-riding and walking tours are also available.
ROYAL BATONI
Kvareli
(+995) 595 99 66 11
Hotel-Palace Royal Batoni is an ideal place for a romantic stay, where you can enjoy vintage, European and traditional Georgian decor. There is an open swimming pool overlooking breath-taking scenery in a beautiful and peaceful environment. The outer and inner lighting of the Royal Batoni tower add to the romance, as does the wine with which Royal Batoni treats guests.
KABADONI BOUTIQUE HOTEL
1 Tamar Mepe Str., Sighnaghi
(+995) 224 04 00
Featuring an indoor swimming pool and a wellness center, Kabadoni Boutique Hotel offers guests a wine bar and rooms with free Wi-Fi. Each elegant air-conditioned room at Kabadoni includes an iPod docking station and a flat-screen TV. Bathrooms come with slippers and bathrobes. Local Georgian dishes are served in the Kabadoni Restaurant, while relaxing cocktails are offered at the outdoor Sunset Lounge Bar. A range of wines from the Alazani Valley can be enjoyed at the Wine Bar.
AMBASSADORI KACHRETI RESORT
Kakheti, Gurjaani
(+995) 243 94 94
Each room at Hotel Ambasadori includes a classic-style interior and a minibar. Free Wi-Fi, a private winery, a tennis court and air-conditioned rooms with a flat-screen TV are among the facilities on offer here.
Ambasadori’s restaurant with exposed wooden beams and stone decorations serves Georgian cuisine. Local wines and international drinks are offered at the on-site bar. Guests can relax beside the outdoor swimming pool or work out in the fitness center. Table tennis and billiards can also be found on site.
AKASHENI WINE RESORT
Gurjaani
(+995) 595 80 70 50, 220 00 11
Boasting free bikes and a restaurant, Akhasheni Wine Resort is a 4-star resort offering a 24/7 front desk. Guests can chill out in the outdoor swimming pool and wake up to a continental or buffet breakfast. Akhasheni Wine Resort offers a barbecue. Cycling is among the activities that guests can enjoy near the accommodation.
SAVANETI HOTEL
Ikalto, Telavi
(+995) 577 05 60 04
Set on the foothills of the Tsiv-Gombori mountain range, this hotel is 7 km from Telavi’s historic Old Town. Decorated in neutral colors, the stylish rooms at Savaneti Hotel feature modern furniture and rich fabrics. Georgian dishes are served daily at Savaneti’s inviting restaurant. Breakfast is provided each morning, and guests can relax in the Zavod Vodka room or in the rustic-style wine cellar. Visitors can explore a variety of medieval buildings in Telavi, such as the Ikalto Academy (3 km) and Alaverdi Monastery (12 km).
TELIANI VALLEY GUEST HOUSE
Telavi
(+995) 32 231 32 45/46
This small, guest house located at the entrance of Telavi, on the premises of the ”Teliani Valley” winery, has been hosting wine lovers from around the world since 2005.
It offers 7 rooms: 5 standard and 2 luxe. Each room is named after a famous Georgian wine - guests can choose to stay at Teliani, Mukuzani, Qvevri, Tsolikouri, Saperavi, Tsinandali, or Khvanchkara. All rooms are decorated in classical Georgian style, each according to the color of the wine it is named after. Besides a filling breakfast included in the room service, visitors can also experience the authentic Kakhetian Supra, along with a wide variety of Teliani Valley wines.
HOTEL CHATEAU KVARELI
1a Kudigora Str., Kvareli
(+995) 599 46 65 95
Hotel Chateau Kvareli is situated in the center of Kvareli town at the foot of the Caucasus mountain range. Nearby you will find interesting sights like museums, churches and historical monuments. The hotel is connected with the famous winery Kindzmarauli Corporation. Next to the hotel you find the ancient Kvareli Castle.
CHATEAU IKALTO
School Str., Ikalto
(+995) 551 11 01 07
Chateau Ikalto features a restaurant, seasonal outdoor swimming pool, a bar and shared lounge. This 4-star hotel offers room service, dry cleaning services and free Wi-Fi. The accommodation provides a hammam, karaoke and a 24/7 front desk.
A continental breakfast is available daily at the hotel, to be enjoyed inside or on the terrace.
SHALOSHVILI'S CELLAR HOTEL
Shilda, Kvareli
(+995) 577 40 90 41
Located in Shilda, 5 km from Nekresi Monastery, Shaloshvili's Cellar Hotel has a number of amenities including a seasonal outdoor swimming pool, a garden, a bar and free Wi-Fi. Featuring a 24/7 front desk, this property also provides guests with a restaurant. Staff on site can arrange airport transfers. A full English/Irish breakfast is available daily.
BOUTIQUE HOTEL BELLVUE
23 Vakhtang Gorgasali Str., Signagi
(+995) 591 22 25 85, 385 51 679 000
A contemporary 5* hotel where everything, from the luxuriously designed interiors to the top spa offers and signature cocktails, is intended for your enjoyment.
The question: Why choose Hotel Bellevue? The answer: a terrace hot tub, Bellevue Spa Clinic - slow ageing concept, personalized treatments and programs, Spa Garden– open air garden massage, indoor and outdoor seawater pool, private beach, signature cocktails, fine dining menus for gourmet lovers and a modern congress hall.
HOTEL HAPO
5 Vardoshvili Str., Telavi
(+995) 579 40 00 04, 0350 27 12 12
Just 200 m from the King Erekle II Palace and a few steps from the renowned Giant Plane Tree, this hotel features 24/7 front desk and welcomes guests with a restaurant, a water park and a year-round outdoor pool. The accommodation provides room service and valet parking for guests.
PARK HOTEL TSINANDALI
Tsinandali
(+995) 350 27 72 01
Located in Tsinandali, a few steps from Tsinandali Palace Museum, Park Hotel Tsinandali provides accommodation with a restaurant, free private parking, a bar and a garden. Among the facilities at this property are a 24/7 front desk and room service, along with free Wi-Fi throughout the property. The rooms come with a balcony with views of the garden.
WALD HOTEL LAGODEKHI
197 Vashlovani Str., Lagodekhi
(+995) 593 83 99 83
Wald Hotel Lagodekhi features a seasonal outdoor swimming pool, garden, a bar and shared lounge. Among the facilities of this property are a restaurant, a 24/7 front desk and valet parking, along with free Wi-Fi. The accommodation provides airport transfers. A bicycle rental service is also available.
ALAZANI VALLEY HOTEL
75 Alazani Ave., Telavi
(+995) 595 50 01 55
Offering free Wi-Fi, this hotel is a 10-minute walk from the historic center of Telavi. It features a 24/7 reception with a tour desk. Decorated in neutral colors, the air-conditioned rooms at Alazani Valley Hotel have a satellite TV and a refrigerator. Georgian and European cuisine is served in the classic-style restaurant, and each morning a buffet breakfast is provided.
TSINANDALI GUESTHOUSE
Tsinandali
(+995) 570 70 43 89
Tsinandali Guesthouse is located in the 19th century park of Tsinandali, across from the Prince Chavchavadze House Museum. It is comprised of two small buildings stylized to resemble local, Kakhetian architecture of the late Middle Ages. The dining room on the ground floor was designed by renowned Georgian-Russian sculptor and painter Zurab Tsereteli while the engraved walls and four-ton chandelier are true artifacts of the Soviet era. The Tsinandali Еstate, including the hotel, is an undivided historical complex and has Immovable Cultural Heritage status. The park was designed by Arnold Regal (1946-1917), a prominent landscape architect from St. Petersburg and is the first park in Georgia developed in a traditional European Style.
The lodging complex is comprised of twenty-one rooms, all of which offer guests a comfortable stay in an area of Kakheti known for its serene beauty with an exquisite view of the Georgian countryside. Each room is furnished in a simple, contemporary style with a private bathroom with all the standard amenities, air conditioning, flat-screen TVs with full cable packages and a balcony overlooking the garden.