What is the best of Georgia and Armenia, southern Caucasus?
Jun 18, 2016, 6:29 pm
#1
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What is the best of Georgia and Armenia, southern Caucasus?
I'm doing early planning for travel to the southern Caucuses. Last year, I had a wonderful trip to Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. We had a phenomenal trip, but hotels on the whole were abysmal. I've been told I can do better in Armenia and Georgia. Indeed, I do find a limited selection of chain hotels there, such as Marriott, Radisson Blu. Are there hotels of charm and character in either country? Perhaps not luxury, yet well worth a stay?
Jun 20, 2016, 3:57 pm
#2
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Where did you stay in Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan? I wouldn't say the hotels there we HORRIBLE. The former Sofitel property in Ashgabat was ok. In Tashkent, the Lotte was pretty bad, Samarkand the Grand Samarkand Superior wasn't terrible, in Bukhara we stayed at Sasha & Son which definitely wasn't great. In Khiva the Hotel Asia wasn't awful. I found Jipek Joly in Nukus to be surprisingly good.
As far as the Georgia & Armenia choices, I think the Radisson Blu is the best option in Tbilisi. Avoid the Sheraton as it's far from the old town, the Marriott and Courtyard Marriott are both fine as well. I think a new Holiday Inn opened recently as well. I stayed at the Hyatt Place in Yerevan and while it's no luxury hotel, it was plenty comfortable and the location is excellent
As far as the Georgia & Armenia choices, I think the Radisson Blu is the best option in Tbilisi. Avoid the Sheraton as it's far from the old town, the Marriott and Courtyard Marriott are both fine as well. I think a new Holiday Inn opened recently as well. I stayed at the Hyatt Place in Yerevan and while it's no luxury hotel, it was plenty comfortable and the location is excellent
Jun 20, 2016, 4:09 pm
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Where did you stay in Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan? I wouldn't say the hotels there we HORRIBLE. The former Sofitel property in Ashgabat was ok. In Tashkent, the Lotte was pretty bad, Samarkand the Grand Samarkand Superior wasn't terrible, in Bukhara we stayed at Sasha & Son which definitely wasn't great. In Khiva the Hotel Asia wasn't awful. I found Jipek Joly in Nukus to be surprisingly good.
As far as the Georgia & Armenia choices, I think the Radisson Blu is the best option in Tbilisi. Avoid the Sheraton as it's far from the old town, the Marriott and Courtyard Marriott are both fine as well. I think a new Holiday Inn opened recently as well. I stayed at the Hyatt Place in Yerevan and while it's no luxury hotel, it was plenty comfortable and the location is excellent
Jun 21, 2016, 1:10 am
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I'm also following this as Tblisi is on the list for a visit, as is Baku.
There's an interesting article on Georgia in the FT "How to Spend It" (yes, really) colour supplement from May 16 2015 (which I've retained for info purposes) on Georgia. Seems like Ker & Downey (US based) are specialists in Georgia so might be worth contacting, although FYI 7 nights B&B staying at Rooms Hotels in 3 locations, presumably with car, guide & driver at 6985 p.p. does seem to me to be a tad expensive! YMMV.
There's an interesting article on Georgia in the FT "How to Spend It" (yes, really) colour supplement from May 16 2015 (which I've retained for info purposes) on Georgia. Seems like Ker & Downey (US based) are specialists in Georgia so might be worth contacting, although FYI 7 nights B&B staying at Rooms Hotels in 3 locations, presumably with car, guide & driver at 6985 p.p. does seem to me to be a tad expensive! YMMV.
Jun 24, 2016, 12:17 am
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In Yerevan, the Marriott is pretty decent. It was formerly THE hotel there (Hotel Yerevan) and is considered historic. While not luxury by any means, it's a charming property, and located right in the heart of Yerevan and faces Republic Square. It's a really good value, too.
Jun 24, 2016, 4:52 pm
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I didn't check out the Marriott in person, but the Hyatt is brand new, in a great location and looked to be the best place to me when I visited (2014?). Not familiar with rooms hotel in Tbilisi.
Jun 24, 2016, 8:42 pm
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Will be following this thread with much interested. Last time I've been to Georgia was back in '91 and there was no concept of luxury anything but that location has always been one of the most memorable ones (food, landscape & people's hospitality). I'm in the very early stages of trying to organize a trip as well, but will concentrate on Georgia alone.
Mar 5, 2019, 1:38 am
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Any updates for these ?
Especially for Baku , Kazbegi , Kutaisi , Shaki , Tbilisi , then Borjomi , Mestia , Dzoraget and also Yerevan for Western Georgia
Especially for Baku , Kazbegi , Kutaisi , Shaki , Tbilisi , then Borjomi , Mestia , Dzoraget and also Yerevan for Western Georgia
Last edited by FlyerEC; Mar 5, 2019 at 1:48 am
Mar 5, 2019, 1:41 am
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The Marriott in Tbilsi is the best you'll get out there.
The Fairmont in Baku is very new but I think a suite at the FS is more of your style. It's a Beaux-Arts mansion waterfront property near the old City. Their GM is an experienced FS hand so there should be no games like Mexico City.
Temper your service and luxury expectations for CIS.
The Fairmont in Baku is very new but I think a suite at the FS is more of your style. It's a Beaux-Arts mansion waterfront property near the old City. Their GM is an experienced FS hand so there should be no games like Mexico City.
Temper your service and luxury expectations for CIS.
Last edited by Aventine; Mar 5, 2019 at 2:00 am
Mar 5, 2019, 8:21 am
#11
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I highly recommend the Rooms Hotel in Kazbegi. We stayed one night and I wish we had stayed two. The views toward the mountain were stunning and I loved the lengthy terrace along the hotel. The designers took an old TB sanitorium in a brutalist building and converted it into a great hotel. Book a room with the view.
Hotel Kazbegi, Stepantsminda, Georgia - Design Hotel [Master Thread]
Hotel Kazbegi, Stepantsminda, Georgia - Design Hotel [Master Thread]
Mar 7, 2019, 10:49 pm
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I was pretty impressed with the Marriott in Tblisi, probably the best in town and a good location. There is a Crowne Plaza in Borjomi which is excellent. It's probably the only chain hotel there, but was almost InterContinental level and treated me great.