Where to Stay in Georgia, The Country (Best Places in 2024)

👉 Jump to:Best Places to Stay in Georgia | Areas and Cities | Tips | FAQ

I’ve extensively explored the country of Georgia and in this guide, I’ll help you decide where to stay in Georgia. 

These major cities and regions feature natural and cultural attractions, along with fantastically friendly locals. But each has its pros and cons. Some are better suited for first-time visitors, while others are best experienced during select seasons.

Below, I share these insights and more on the best places to stay in Georgia, plus helpful travel tips!  

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Best Places to Stay in Georgia

Just looking for a quick answer on the best places to stay in Georgia? Here are my top picks: 

• 🌃 Best in Tbilisi – Old Town Mtatsminda
• 🎰 Best in Batumi – Hotel Old Town
• 🏛️ Best in Kutaisi – Kutaisi Inn
• 🍷 Best in Kakheti – Schuchmann Wines Château, Villas & Spa
• ⛰️ Best in Svaneti – Beko’s Garden Inn

Ok, let’s do a deep dive into the best areas and cities in Georgia: 

5 Best Areas and Cities to Stay in Georgia

The Republic of Georgia is surrounded by the Caucasus Mountains to the north and the south, and bordered by the Black Sea to the west. Tbilisi, the capital city, is in the eastern part of the country. Batumi sits in the southwestern corner on the Black Sea coast. Kutaisi is at the center of the west-central region of Imereti.

The easternmost region of Kakheti borders Azerbaijan. Svaneti is in the northwestern corner of Georgia, bordered by the breakaway region of Abkhazia.

Tbilisi

👉 Best Area For First-Time Visitors to Georgia | ✨ Best Tbilisi Hotels: Old Town Mtatsminda • Radisson Blu Iveria • Folk Boutique Hotel

Tbilisi is the crossroads for everything Georgia and the perfect place to start your adventures! Here, medieval churches and fortresses stand alongside modern skyscrapers and monuments. 

The locals are friendly and the city often feels more like a giant village. 

Tbilisi does not, however, lack any urban charms. Restaurants, cafes, and bars abound at every turn! There are also several museums housing everything from avant-garde art to bronze-age artifacts. These are just the tip of the iceberg of things to do in Tbilisi.

Every neighborhood in the city also has awesome places to stay, such as Old Town Mtatsminda. Many young people here speak English and the public transportation is easy to use (if crowded, at times). Tbilisi is the main transportation hub for traveling within Georgia, making it the ideal place to branch out from and explore every corner of the country.

Pros of Staying in Tbilisi:

• Tons of great attractions, restaurants, cafes, and bars
• Lots of hotel options for every taste and budget
• Easy to access day trip destinations and other places to visit in Georgia
• Many people speak at least a little English

Cons of Staying in Tbilisi:

• Gets hot and crowded in summer
• Terrible traffic and crowded public transport
• Many flights arrive and depart in the wee hours

 Batumi

👉 Best Area For Beaches | ✨ Best Batumi Hotels: Hotel Old Town • Hilton Batumi • Marani Hotel

Batumi is the “SoCal” of Georgia, featuring sunny weather, fantastic beaches, and urban sophistication. The city’s beaches are rocky, but give way to softer sand to the north and the south of town. The weather is wetter than in other regions but rarely unpleasant (except, maybe, in the dead of winter).

This is the best place in Georgia for soaking up the sun, taking a leisurely walk, and watching the sun set over the Black Sea. Batumi is also the gateway to Adajra’s alpine region.

There are all kinds of great things to do in Batumifor every interest, as well as awesome day trips. Explore a Roman fortress, wander through a vast botanical garden, or maybe even head to the hills for a little skiing.  

Luxury hotels and aparthotels are some of the tallest buildings in Batumi. Famous chains, such as Hilton Batumi, offer world-class amenities, spacious rooms, and stunning sea views. There is also a bounty of boutique hotels, such as Hotel Old Town, that are budget-friendly but by no means spartan.

For more, see my full guide to where to stay in Batumi.

Pros of Staying in Batumi:

• Lots of affordable hotel options
• Plenty of great restaurants and cafes
• Ideal travel seasons offer good weather and fewer crowds

Cons of Staying in Batumi:

• Gets crowded in the summer months
• Weather can be humid in summer
• Traffic can be bad if you are driving in Georgia

Kutaisi

👉 Best Area For Budget Travelers | ✨ Best Kutaisi Hotels: Kutaisi Inn • Sanapiro Hotel • Garden Hotel

Kutaisi was once the capital of the ancient kingdom of Colchis. It gained fame from the legend of “Jason and the Argonauts” as they sought the Golden Fleece, and remains a treasure trove of adventure today. Kutaisi is much more laid back than the bustling modern capital of Tbilisi. But its restaurants, hotels, and attractions make it a worthy stop on any Georgia itinerary.

The city has a wealth of monuments, such as the majestic Bagrati Cathedral, and an extensive collection of Soviet-era statues. It’s also a great hub for exploring the Imereti region and natural wonders like the Prometheus Cave.  

The international airport here is a stop for many low-cost airlines. Prices for everything from hotels to groceries tend to be a little lower here than in Tbilisi. Overall, Kutaisi is one of the best budget-friendly destinations in an already affordable country. The fantastic Kutaisi Inn is one of the top hotels in town, offering 5-star facilities for around $70 a night (as of Spring 2024, expect prices to double in summer).

Pros of Staying in Kutaisi:

• More laid back and not as crowded as Tbilisi and Batumi
• Kutaisi Airport is a hidden gem for low-cost international flights
• Overall lower prices for hotels, groceries, etc.
• Lots of history and interesting monuments  

Cons of Staying in Kutaisi:

• Not as lively as Tbilisi and Batumi
• Fewer English speakers than Tbilisi and Batumi

Kakheti

👉 Best Area For Wine Tourism | ✨ Best Kakheti Hotels: Schuchmann Wines Château, Villas & Spa • Three Gracia • Lost Ridge Inn, Brewery & Ranch

Kakheti is a great place to go after the urban rush of Tbilisi. The semi-arid valleys of this eastern region are ideal for growing grapes and Kakheti produces some of the top wines in Georgia. Our friends at Eat This! Food & Wine Toursoffer some of the best experiences in the world of Georgian wine and dining.

The region has other worthwhile sights as well. Alaverdi Cathedral adorns the western outskirts of Telavi (and has produced its own award-winning wine). Lagodekhi National Park is an excellent place for hiking. The Davit Gareja Wilderness area is famous for its medieval monasteries and rainbow-hued rock formations.

Hotels here include fancy wine châteaus, such as the famous Schuchmann Wines Château in Telavi. But there are also more basic, cozy accommodations such as Three Gracia in Sighnaghi.

Kakheti could be done as a day trip from Tbilisi. But what could be more relaxing than sipping wine on your hotel room balcony, watching the sunset over the Alazani Valley?

Pros of Staying in Kakheti

• Very peaceful compared to major cities
• Some of the best wine in the country
• Beautiful scenery

Cons of Staying in Kakheti:

• Not as many options for restaurants, cafes, or bars
• Public transportation is limited

Svaneti

👉 Best Area For Outdoor Adventure | ✨ Best Svaneti Hotels: Guesthouse Chela • Beko’s Garden Inn • Old Tower Ushguli

Georgia is famous for its mountains. Few places embody the bold beauty of the Caucasus and its people like the region of Svaneti. Jagged mountain peaks soar into the sky. Lofty stone towers stand like sentinels from a forgotten time. Dense forests cover the valleys, turning from green to fiery gold in the fall.

Svaneti is an outdoors enthusiast’s paradise. Mountain treks and horseback rides take you into the gorgeous high alpine in summer. Svaneti is also a hidden gem for skiing in winter, being under the radar even for Georgians!

Mestia is the best place to begin your Svaneti sojournings. Guesthouse Chela and Beko’s Garden Inn (both in Mestia) provide simple, snug lodgings and warm hospitality. The village of Ushguli (the highest continually inhabited place in Europe) feels like an entirely different world. There’s no fitting description — you need to go there and experience it for yourself! 

Pros of Staying in Svaneti:

• Gorgeous scenery and tons of outdoor activities
• Hotels and homestays are very affordable
• Very peaceful, especially outside peak season months (June – August)

Cons of Staying in Svaneti:

• Takes a while to get to, especially in winter
• Many hotels are cash only
• Some attractions and restaurants close down outside peak season

Tips for Staying in Georgia

Go Local

Local boutique hotels, like Kutaisi Inn, are almost always more affordable than major name-brand chains. Many times their services aren’t far behind the competition, either.

Family-run guesthouses (such as Guesthouse Chela in the Svaneti region) are often the most affordable option. Plus, they allow you to interact more with the locals, which are some of the most hospitable people in the world!

Carry Cash

Some accommodations may have links on Booking.com but only take cash payment in person. This is especially true of remote regions like Svaneti, but also cities like Kutaisi. It’s always good to have some cash on hand. 

Take the Train

The Georgian Railway connects Tbilisi with destinations throughout western Georgia. The best route is the 5-hour journey to Batumi, in my opinion. It’s the fastest and safest route, and affordable, too. One-way first-class tickets go for less than $30! The Wi-Fi is spotty at best, but the countryside is too fascinating to ignore in favor of a screen anyway.

Buy a Georgian SIM Card

Getting a local SIM card is the best way to stay connected throughout your journeys in Georgia. Wi-fi is not always available, especially when you venture further off the beaten path (and that is where the best stuff is in Georgia!). There are several companies to choose from, but I always rely on Magticom when I’m visiting. It has the best coverage and reasonable prices.

Breakaway Regions and Borders

Overall, Georgia is a safe country. But it does have some rather delicate situations when it comes to borders, established and disputed. This won’t affect most visitors, but it’s good to be aware of some of the hot spots. Abkhazia and Samachablo (known as South Ossetia outside Georgia — but don’t call it that in front of Georgians) are the main issues.

There are also some complications (though, far less tense) with Azerbaijan. This regards the exact location of the border near the famous Davit Gareja Wilderness in Kakheti.

Visiting Georgian Churches

Georgia’s stone churches house some of the nation’s most beautiful works of sacred art. These include vivid frescoes, ancient icons, and otherworldly chants. The largest and most historic temples are well worth a visit, even if you aren’t religious.

The churches are open to visitors but have a dress code. Men are required to have long pants and to remove their hats. Women are asked to cover their heads and have long skirts. Long sleeves are also encouraged. Head coverings and wraps are available outside most churches. 

The Language Barrier

You do not need to learn Georgian, but it can be helpful to know some basic phrases. Many young people (early 30s and under) speak at least a little English, especially in Tbilisi. The older generations tend to speak Russian as a second language. Thankfully, most signs are in both the Georgian and Roman alphabets.

FAQs About Where to Stay in Georgia

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I hope you’ve gotten some ideas on where to stay in Georgia! Next, take a look at our guide to the best sites for Georgia travel insurance. Enjoy your visit!