Tbilisi is Georgia’s exciting, eccentric, and unforgettable capital city. Overlooking the banks of the Mtkvari River below the snowcapped peaks of the Caucasus Mountains, Tbilisi has long been the crossroads of the Eastern and Western worlds. 

Although European in character and culture, stroll through Old Tbilisi, and you’ll be struck by the colorful Persian and Turkish influences found in centuries-old courtyard homes and historic bathhouses. Hammers and sickles, remnants of the Soviet era, still adorn public buildings, while brutalist apartment blocks rise high above the skyline. 

Dig into history at the Georgian National Museum, take a walking tour of Old Tbilisi, and relax with a wine tasting before preparing yourself for a hearty filling of khachapuri and khinkali, two of Georgia’s greatest culinary offerings. If you’re planning a trip to Tbilisi, then keep reading as we explain exactly where to stay in Tbilisi! 

Where to Stay in Tbilisi

For first-time visitors, there’s no better place to stay in the Georgian capital than Old Tbilisi. This is the historic heart of the city, where beautiful courtyard houses and traditional mansions with gorgeous, open balconies rise from the Mtkvari River upwards toward the Narikala Fortress.

In Old Tbilisi, many of the historic buildings – with their unusual mix of Persian, Russian, and Georgian influences – have been transformed into boutique hotels in recent years. Old Tbilisi has been masterfully preserved, and you can start each day with a freshly brewed coffee on an ornate terrace and end it with a glass of Tsinandali as the sun goes down. 

Within walking distance of Old Tbilisi, Freedom Square (Liberty Square) and Rustaveli Avenue are home to modern five-star hotels with all the amenities (gyms, spas, and meeting rooms) that you could ever need. Design hotels and quirky hostels are moving into old Soviet publishing houses and factories, while in upmarket Vake, just outside the city center, you can stay in the newly-opened Axis Towers, the tallest buildings in Tbilisi. 

If you’re wondering where to stay in Tbilisi, then keep reading as we explore the best hotels in the Georgian capital. 

The 12 Best Boutique Hotels in Tbilisi, Georgia

1. Ambassadori Hotel Tbilisi

The Ambassadori Hotel is one of the best boutique hotels in Tbilisi. Offering a seamless blend of modern luxury and classic designs inspired by the old-world hotels of the 19th century, the Ambassadori Hotel started life as a humble seven-bed property in 2004.

The hotel’s perfect location on the banks of the Mtkvari River, where you’ll have beautiful views from the marvelous outdoor terrace, ensured that the Ambassadori Hotel was destined for greater things. Its seven boutique rooms soon grew into the 121 luxury rooms and suites you find today, although the level of personal service has yet to decline. 

You can even stay in one of the original “classic” rooms in the historic section of the hotel, where you’ll love the marbled bathrooms, the elegant archways, and the traditional balconies. In the “new” part of the Ambassadori Hotel, the rooms are more modern in tone and character, but the level of luxury remains supreme. 

Relax in style at the Ambassadori Spa, where Italian mosaics line an indoor swimming pool and sauna. On the 1st floor, Head Chef Alexander serves up Italian pasta dishes and Neapolitan-style pizza in AT Kitchen. 

Book a table at the 4th-floor Mozaiko Terrace (the crowning feature of the Ambassadori Hotel), and you’ll enjoy sweeping vistas as you dine on hand-rolled sushi, washed down with a perfectly paired bottle of Saperavi. 

2. Rooms Hotel Tbilisi

Rooms Hotel Tbilisi is Georgia’s first design hotel, and it’s easily one of the best places to stay in Tbilisi. The “Rooms” brand is well-known in Georgia, with another branch high up in the mountains of Kazbegi. Founded by Georgian entrepreneur Temur Ugulava, this locally run, independent brand is boutique to its artistic core.

Rooms Hotel Tbilisi is located in an old publishing house in Vera, where you’ll be staying just a short stroll away from the Rustaveli Metro Station. The industrial past of the building, which of course, dates back to the communist era, has been masterfully retained, even restored in places, as the designers have created a boutique hotel that draws on this 20th-century heritage. 

The 125 rooms offer industrial-chic aesthetics as you’ve never seen before, with dark wooden floorboards complemented brilliantly by antique writing desks, vintage lamps and light fittings, and leather upholstery. The freestanding bathtub and Marshall speakers add a touch of contemporary to the vintage, while the upper-floor suites feature private terraces and individually-commissioned artworks. 

Original red-brick walls contrast with glass-lined corridors that sweep through this four-star hotel. The Garden Bar is a green glasshouse enveloped by creeping vines and home to herb gardens, while the Bar Room serves handcrafted cocktails (featuring homegrown botanicals) with a view from the terrace until the early hours of the morning. 

In The Kitchen, Head Chef David Legrand embraces Georgia’s timeless farm-to-table traditions while adding an international twist. Order Pumpkin & Miso Soup for the starter, Fillet Steak in a mushroom and truffle sauce for the entree, and New York Cheesecake with a berry compote for dessert. 

3. The Biltmore Tbilisi

One of the best five-star hotels in Tbilisi is The Biltmore, a staggeringly modern property that’s located in a towering glass skyscraper in the heart of the Georgian capital. In fact, the glass skyscraper, which rises to a height of 138 meters, is one of the tallest buildings in the country, with a spectacular facade that quite literally dazzles in the sunlight.

First opened in 2016, you’ll be staying in the first Biltmore-branded hotel to ever be opened outside of the United States of America. The Biltmore Tbilisi, then, is more than just a luxury hotel – it’s a symbol of Georgia’s quest for 21st-century modernity after the fall of communism. 

But somewhat contradictory is the hotel’s lobby, which is located within the Soviet-built IMELI Building dating back to the 1930s. This Stalinist entranceway, adjacent to the glass skyscraper, is an imposing juxtaposition of old and new, with grand marble floors, brutalist pillars, and oversized chandeliers speaking of a time long since past in Tbilisi. 

Step through the Soviet era and into the glass skyscraper, where you’ll have spectacular views of the city and the Mtkvari River from your hotel room’s panoramic windows. You’ll love the soft carpets underfoot, the high-thread-count sheets, and the luxury toiletries in the marbled bathrooms. 

In the hotel’s gardens, the Azura Bar serves coffees and cocktails to pool and spa-goers, while higher up, Xeme Restaurant serves sake and sushi with panoramic views on the 31st floor. Downstairs, the Soviet legacy is once again starkly transposed in the grandiose Sonnet Restaurant and Bar, where you can order a Georgian mixed grill or an American burger before heading out to the nearby theater or opera on Rustaveli Avenue. 

4. Museum Hotel

Take a step into the past with a stay at the ever-elegant Museum Hotel. This wonderful four-star boutique stay is located on Orbeliani Street, where you’ll have excellent views of the Dry Bridge and the Mtkvari River from your balcony. 

Museum Hotel is designed to emulate the traditional architecture of Old Tbilisi, which is just a short stroll away. The red-brick facade is framed by those long wooden balconies that are so popular in Georgia, providing a place to relax and unwind after a day of sightseeing. 

Step back inside your hotel room, though, and you’ll love the collision of old and new. Sleek parquet floors run through the living spaces, bathrooms are decked out with marble surfaces, and the king-size beds are draped with art deco-inspired bedding that wouldn’t be out of place in 1920s Georgia. 

The art deco theme continues in Museum Cafe, where vintage furnishings sweep across tiled and checkered floors, and outside onto a verdant, green veranda. The cafe serves an international breakfast, brunch, and lunch, featuring dishes like Thai soup, quesadillas, and carbonara, all prepared with local ingredients.

Dinner is served in Sirajkhana, which means “Wine House.” Evoking the wine houses of old that fueled the caravanserais connecting East and West, Sirajkhana serves a fusion of Persian and Georgian cuisines. Dig into Beef Kharcho and Georgia Lobiani, and wash it down with a glass of the Museum Hotel’s own branded red wine. 

5. Pullman Tbilisi Axis Towers

To understand the ambitions of modern Georgia, book a luxury room at the Pullman Tbilisi Axis Towers. This stunning five-star hotel is located within the gleaming Axis Towers, a set of twin skyscrapers in Tbilisi’s affluent Vake district, which both rise to a height of 147 meters (making them the tallest buildings in Tbilisi). 

The twisting, turning architecture of the towers will be a Tbilisi landmark for decades to come, and you’ll love the views of the city’s skyline from your vantage point high up in your glass-encased room on the upper floors. Luxury rooms feature tall, floor-to-ceiling windows, king-size beds with signature “Pullman bedding,” and branded toiletries by C.O. Bigelow.

The Axis Towers themselves are peak modernity. The luxury spa features an indoor/outdoor swimming pool with a retractable roof, the Weather Report Sky Bar offers cocktails and views, and the Dumas Restaurant serves French banquets and Georgian wines in a pristine setting. 

6. River Side Hotel Tbilisi

If you’re looking for a peaceful riverside escape, the River Side Hotel Tbilisi is easily one of the coolest boutique hotels in Tbilisi. Located along the banks of the Mtkvari River, just a short stroll from the famous flea market that takes over the Dry Bridge daily, this four-star hotel is steeped in old-world character.

Rooms here are inspired by the 19th-century architecture of Old Tbilisi, with gorgeous Georgian terraces offering sweeping views of the river. High vaulted ceilings, marble bathrooms, and soft yet regal carpets are straight out of the Russian Czar’s handbook, while handcrafted wooden furnishings and golden fittings add to the Imperial splendor. 

The same character continues in Tiffany Bar, where you can enjoy a Mojito Cheesecake or Mocha Dessert in art-deco surroundings. In the evenings, Tiffany Bar serves up a cracking Old Fashioned or Aperol Spritz and countless timeless cocktails to the tune of live jazz. The party continues on the Tiffany Terrace, where you can enjoy one of the best riverside views in Tbilisi alongside khachapuri, cocktails, and cheesecakes. 

7. The House Hotel Old Tbilisi

One of the most unique hotels in Tbilisi is The House Hotel, where 17 boutique rooms await you in the heart of the old town. 

Wander through the streets of Old Tbilisi, and you can’t miss the colorful, almost artistically-inspired balconies and terraces that line the 19th-century houses. The fusion of Persian and Georgian influences shines through, and the open balcony culture of the locals is very much apparent, especially when the sun’s shining in summer!

The House Hotel has preserved this Georgian balcony tradition in its finest form, and you’ll love how the facade of this historic home features bright, open balconies overlooking a central courtyard that wouldn’t be out of place in a Silk Road caravanserai. 

Here you can immerse yourself in the splendor of the Tbilisi of old, with boutique rooms that feature handwoven rugs, brass fittings, and, best of all, individually-painted murals created by Georgian artists Musya Qeburia.

This boutique hotel not only preserves the heritage of Old Tbilisi but extends that heritage too, and throughout The House Hotel, you’ll find more works of newly-commissioned art that add to this growing design factor. 

Down in the courtyard, traditional Georgian cuisine has also been preserved and, arguably, enhanced by the creative efforts of Michelin-star chef Jaume Puigdengolas. At the Blue Fox Restaurant and Bar (named after a classic Georgian cartoon character), you can order staple Georgian dishes, like khachapuri, with an added fine dining twist, like truffles.

8. Monograph Freedom Square

If you’re looking for a five-star hotel that’s big on boutique luxury, then check into the Monograph Freedom Square. This is one of the best hotels in Tbilisi, and it’s perfectly located at the end of Alexander Pushkin Street, overlooking Pushkin Park and Freedom Square (which is also known as Liberty Square). 

You’ll love how the Monograph Freedom Square is found inside a historic building that’s been welcoming guests with Georgian hospitality since the 19th century. This five-star hotel claims to be where the “past and future meet,” and as such, the Monograph Freedom Square is very much a product of modern Georgian design, as it is a relic of the old. 

The hotel’s design concept draws on both traditional and contemporary Georgian artistry. A custom chandelier is designed to showcase the unique Georgian alphabet, for example, while the work of Georgian artists like Tamar Menteshashvili and Salome Chigilashvili are found throughout the hotel. There’s even a 3-meter-long artwork by Levan Songulashvili, which was made entirely on rice paper. 

This, then, is one for luxury-loving art lovers. Rooms feature Italia and Maxalto furniture, “Scent Milano” keeps the corridors smelling fresh, and a color palette of light shades and calming tones evokes a sense of peace. 

Order Japanese cuisine and natural Georgian wines at Nomaru, while cocktails are best taken on the Monograph Terrace, where they can be enjoyed with a view of Freedom Square. Traditional Georgian dishes like Kharcho and shkmeruli can be enjoyed in elegant surroundings at Sominee.

9. IOTA Hotel Tbilisi

One of the coolest hotels in Tbilisi is IOTA Hotel, a unique boutique retreat that’s named after the ninth letter of the Greek alphabet and what was once the 15th letter of the Georgian alphabet. IOTA was taken out of the Georgian alphabet in the 19th century, but IOTA Hotel has revived it because the letter represents their minimalist concepts to the core.

An IOTA can represent a small or insignificant thing, but the hotel’s designers have turned this on its head and taken the letter to mean that beauty, comfort, and even luxury can be found in even the smallest of things. That’s why everything at IOTA Hotel is stripped back, not bare, but austere, with only the essentials remaining.

Rooms at the IOTA Hotel are sparsely furnished, yet still rather cozy. You’ll have Langham luxury bathrobes and toiletries, though, alongside a media hub, climate control, and in-room refrigerator. Contemporary artwork hangs from the walls, the decor is a utilitarian shade of gray, and you can upgrade to a terrace room for a private balcony. 

The IOTA Garden is a wonderful space to enjoy Japanese fusion cuisine in green surroundings, while Ghumeli serves up oven-baked dishes (cooked in wood-fired ovens, nonetheless), including Georgian grilled meats, khachapuri, and wood-fired pizzas. 

10. Stamba Hotel

If you love a bit of Soviet nostalgia, but can’t go without your luxurious amenities, then book a room at the Stamba Hotel. This is one of the coolest Tbilisi hotels, with an unusual location inside an old brutalist-style publishing house that once printed Soviet-era propaganda for the proletariat.

Step inside, and you’ll immediately notice that while the essence of the communist structure remains (including much of the facade, as well as raw steel girders and concrete pillars), Stamba Hotel is very much a boutique hotel for the modern traveler. 

Large windows and doors lead to spacious, industrial-chic balconies overlooking central Tbilisi, while freestanding bathtubs, coffee grinders, gourmet minibars, and McIntosh Hi-Fi systems add to the allure.

You’ll love the bookcases that line public corridors and suites, with guests free to browse and read at their leisure, of course (a tribute to the hotel’s past life in publishing). The decor in Cafe Stamba isn’t so much communist as it is art deco, with the designers drawing on the Roaring Twenties for inspiration. Enjoy chocolates, coffee, and cocktails, as well as classic Georgian stews and cheese bread. 

11. TbiliSee Hotel

TbiliSee Hotel is one of the most gorgeous boutique hotels in Tbilisi, located on the steep slopes leading to the Narikala Fortress. This is the heart of Old Tbilisi, and you’ll be staying in a heritage-laden building that’s been masterfully restored, redecorated, and revived. 

You’ll love how the blue balconies of this boutique hotel can be seen from the streets below. Although a relatively new hotel (having only opened in 2021), TbiliSee Hotel is already set to become a landmark on the old city’s skyline. 

Enjoy the views from the famous Georgian-style terrace that accompanies every room, or make your way upstairs for panoramic vistas from the sky bar and restaurant, where Georgian wines and cuisine are top of the menu. 

12. Fabrika Hostel & Suites

Fabrika Hostel & Suites is easily one of the coolest hotels in Tbilisi, where you’ll be staying in the repurposed surroundings of a former Soviet factory. Before it was transformed into Tbilisi’s quirkiest hostel (don’t worry, they have private rooms and suites, as well as dorms), Fabrika’s industrial corridors were the scene of Soviet sewing and manufacturing.

Times have changed, but although Fabrika’s corridors are now packed with backpackers, tourists, and travelers, the hostel still draws on its unique legacy and has preserved much of the original architecture. That gives Fabrika a sense of Soviet nostalgia, combined with industrial-chic flair, and there are few places in Tbilisi that pull that look off quite so well as this.

Dormitories are basic and utilitarian, but budget and sociable. Upgrade to an apartment or private room, and you’ll be surrounded by vintage artwork, retro furnishings, and old photographs of the Soviet world. A stay at Fabrika, though, isn’t so much about the rooms as it is about the atmosphere. 

This is as much a meeting place for travelers and locals as it is a hotel. The huge common area is a buzzing restaurant, bar, and cafe, where you can meet fellow guests or check your emails and travel plans at workstations. There’s a dedicated co-working space upstairs, free walking tours of the surrounding area, and a barber, board game cafe, pizza van, burger restaurant, and so much in the courtyard outside. 

That completes our list of the 12 best Tbilisi hotels! Did we miss any cool boutique hotels in Tbilisi? Comment below so we can add them to the list!

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