Found where Eastern Europe meets Western Asia, Georgia is flanked by the Caucasus Mountains and the Black Sea. As such, the country has many natural wonders (including incredible glaciers, waterfalls and lakes), as well as historic medieval towns and vibrant cities fast becoming among the most fashionable urban hangouts. And with over 100 miles of sandy coastline, it’s ideal for an alternative beach break and some island hopping. Temperatures can dive in winter and climb high in summer, so if you prefer a warm stable climate, opt for the months of May, June or September.
Tsinandali
Tsinandali Estate, A Radisson Collection Hotel
Nestled in the heart of Georgia’s picturesque wine region, the Tsinandali Estate comprises enchanting parkland that spans 18 hectares, expansive vineyards occupying 40 hectares, a museum, an oenotheque and is now home to the Radisson Collection Hotel – a majestic residence. This Radisson Collection Hotel boasts 124 bedrooms and lavish suites with decor featuring bold colours, panelled walls, crisp white bedding and noteworthy art.
For those seeking relaxation and rejuvenation, the hotel offers a premium spa where guests can indulge in a range of pampering treatments and therapies, including an infinity pool, a terrace and a leisure club, (whose pool has retractable transparent walls and a roof catering to all weathers). There’s also a children’s pool, cycle paths on the grounds and a tennis court for a friendly match.
Dining at the estate is an experience to savour, with an excellent selection of restaurants, each presenting a different menu and ambience; from alfresco authentic Georgian lunches on the terrace to Umami Asian Fusion at the Library Bar and tailored private dining experiences. And if you’d like to delve even further into the local cuisine, you can opt to take part in an onsite culinary masterclass.
Another real highlight is the estate’s impressive wine cellar which boasts an extraordinary collection of local vintages, many of which are from Prince Alexander Chavchavadze Original collection. Guests are invited to sample, savour and learn about the flavours and aromas that have made Georgian wines famous worldwide. Enter the Tsinandali Estate and immerse in a rich regional tapestry of culture, while indulging in world-class amenities and services.
Batumi
Radisson Blu Batumi
Stay just a few minutes’ walk from the private Iveria Beach overlooking the Black Sea, at Radisson Blu Batumi. Its striking sleek glass exterior is part of a contemporary and edgy aesthetic designed by Italian architect Michele De Lucchi a little over a decade ago. Accommodating 168 bedrooms, it rises 19 storeys, with a decked rooftop garden complete with palm trees, day beds and deck chairs. The rooftop is also home to Umami restaurant which serves delicious Asian dishes. Indoor and outdoor pools and a spa are found below, as are two restaurants serving local food, grilled dishes and sushi. And the hotel is just three and a half miles from the airport.
Courtyard by Marriott Batumi
This is the first of Marriott’s properties to arrive in the city, housed in the unique structure of the 41-storey Alliance Palace overlooking the sea and yards from the beach. Occupying floors one to six of the multi-functional building, The Marriott accommodates 150 contemporary bedrooms, its height proffering some fabulous views. There’s also the Ananne Spa, an indoor pool, a fitness suite and an all-day dining and drinking venue; The Kitchen and Bar. Ideal for business and leisure stays, the hotel’s versatile spaces lend themselves well to relaxing or working.
Sheraton Batumi Hotel
Get a great night’s sleep on Sheraton’s Sleep Experience signature beds in one of the hotel’s 202 bedrooms with blackout curtains and climate control. Pay a visit to the Shine Spa’s saunas, Turkish Hamam and fitness suite and swim in indoor and seasonal outdoor pools. Dine at the Sunflower Restaurant, sip on cocktails in the sun at the poolside Jasmine Lounge Bar, marvel at the 360-degree views in the Sky Bar, and order a nightcap in the Lobby Bar. Located beside the beach, this is a great option for families and it’s just a short walk to the historic centre for a little sightseeing.
Le Méridien Batumi
Swim and sunbathe overlooking the Black Sea, with a stay at Le Méridien Batumi. Known for its modernist design, the hotel has been decorated in restful colours, with artworks by renowned Georgian artists. 105 bedrooms look onto either the city or the water, with a classic king-size room, through to a huge two-bedroom presidential suite on offer. There are several dining and drinking options; the Brasserie Restaurant for local and Mediterranean cuisine, the poolside Terrace Restaurant for BBQs and Latitude Bar, for cocktails with a mid-century vibe. Le Méridien’s other amenities include a casino, the Explore Spa with an indoor pool and a peaceful garden.
Tbilisi
Rooms Hotel Tbilisi
Like many of the venues in the city, this building has an interesting industrial past. Once a publishing house, it’s found in the suburb of Vera, occupying eight storeys. There are 125 bedrooms, each with minibars, Marshall speakers, Prija bath products, balconies and contemporary artworks. The design has been inspired by New York in the 1930s (a vibe that’s aided by the warehouse/loft architecture of the property). Comfy tan leather and velvet sofas and art deco orb lighting contrast the industrial-chic accents, creating a fashionable, but cosy ambience. The restaurant follows the Big Apple theme in its menus, with farm-to-table dishes and there are two bars, one alfresco.
Radisson Blu Tbilisi
Proximity to the Old Town and a setting within the commercial centre of the capital ensures this Radisson Blu suits both leisure and business. Visit the Filini Restaurant for an Italian meal; the Asian Fusion Restaurant for some teppanyaki or teriyaki cooked in the open kitchen; the Casino Iveria for a flutter and the spa for Anne Semonin treatments. 236 bedrooms here have floor-to-ceiling windows (some with panoramic mountain views) and coffee machines. Other facilities include a sauna, an indoor pool and an outdoor pool with a bar.
Stamba Hotel
With bedrooms and spaces that could be mistaken for a Greenwich Village loft apartment, Stamba is homely but cool. Very cool. Stay in an Aviator or Terrace Suite, with features like art-deco inspired tan leather beds, white industrial beamed ceilings, gold and black freestanding tubs, glossy khaki paintwork and large abstracts — a lot of effort has been invested in the design detail, with plenty of retro artefacts. The lobby is filled with floor-to-ceiling bookcases and living trees, offsetting the brutalist architecture. Stamba has its own Space Farm, growing baby and leafy greens, edible flowers, strawberries and miniature vegetables for the hotel’s all-day cafe, chocolaterie and Asian restaurant. It also has a photo museum, an amphitheatre and a Pink Bar.
Tbilisi Marriott Hotel
On the refined Rustaveli Avenue, this five-star Marriott hotel offers classic grandeur with its impressive frontage, huge crystal chandeliers, indoor palms and marble bathrooms. Bedrooms take on a more modern feel with geo-patterns, mid-century inspired contemporary furnishings and a cosy, yet minimalist approach to decor. Each is soundproofed and comes with Acca Kappa toiletries, coffee makers, mini bars, light up make-up mirrors, robes and slippers, Parnas Café is the hotel’s signature restaurant, serving national and international fare, while daytime snacks and lunches can be taken at the Majestic Lounge & Bar.
Wyndham Grand Tbilisi
Close to the Marriott, the Wyndham is a great option for access to a spa. The wellness centre has a fitness suite, a heated indoor pool and a sauna, with a great choice of treatments. Guests can dine on European food 24 hours a day at Lobby Lounge and receive a daily complimentary continental breakfast. Rooms come with indulgent toiletries, pillow-top mattresses and epic views, while superior suites – housed in a dramatic glass dome – have unusual curved geometric-paned floor to ceiling windows.
