Tbilisi has emerged as a top destination for travelers in recent years. Food's superb, local prices are compelling, and the atmosphere is electric. In short, Georgia's captial is a perfect getaway for European weekenders, and for all the good reasons.
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As Georgia pursues closer ties with the European Union, the last decade has seen a construction boom that has elevated the city to a new level, justifying the star-spangled blue flags waving everywhere.
The city’s raw charm remains – yay! – but it is now complemented by a concentration of some of Southeast Europe’s best chef restaurants, fantastic wine bars, and museums.
The new Telegraph Hotel, opened this month on Republic Square on Rustaveli Avenue, the city's main shopping and museum boulevard, is the first sign of true luxury in the city's hospitality scene, setting a new standard of service.
With 5 chef restaurants, a cocktail bar, a wine bar, a gym with complimentary personal training, and Diptyque products in every bathroom, it delivers an unparalleled experience in town – and for a more than reasonable price tag.
From Post Office to a Parisian Palace
The iconic brutalist building that houses the Telegraph Hotel served as the Georgian Post Office until the beginning of the millennium. After being purchased by SGR (Silk Road Group), which also owns the nearby Radisson, it was transformed over several years, with an investment of over $60 million, into a spectacular boutique hotel.
The design was led by the Shanghai-based architectural firm Neri&Hu. The original local tuff-stone facade was preserved, while the rooms and interior spaces were redesigned in a dramatic, minimalist, almost Nordic style that honors the building's heritage.
This exceptional design and standard of service have earned it a place in the prestigious Leading Hotels of the World (LHW) collection – a first for Georgia.
The spacious rooms and suites feature clean, bright lines and a Scandinavian color palette and furnishings. They overlook the Kura River that flows through the city, and the bathrooms are stocked with Diptyque toiletries.
The tableware is from Villeroy & Boch, glasses – from leading crystal producers – and yhe room service offers a selection of traditional dishes alongside an impressive array of excellent local wine from the Tsinandali winery, also owned by SRG. A standout is the local sparkling wine, produced in the méthode champenoise from local Kisi and Mtsvane grapes.
The attention to detail in the service, something not always a given in Georgia, is a breath of fresh air. The courtesy and efficiency of the reception and room service staff are impressive, from customizing the in-room coffee and tea capsules (from Palais des Thés) to the fully equipped 24/7 gym that offers personal trainers at no extra charge.
From Beef Wellington to Khachapuri
Grand Café restaurant on the hotel’s lobby floor is a Brasserie with a Georgian twist, that is worth a special visit. Its space preserves the original building’s regal spirit with its high ceilings and marble columns.
The menu, curated by the esteemed chef Irakli Asatiani (who oversees all the hotel's restaurants) offers local and continental classics with a personal touch.
Standout dishes include a French-inspired Caucasian Dolma: small peppers stuffed with meat and glazed with butter; beef tongue tacos glazed with local Saperavi wine; a Georgian Caprese salad with Sulguni cheese and colorful tomatoes; trout in a sour plum and vermouth sauce; and Chakapuli Osso Buco in a tarragon sauce.
The buffet breakfast is also served here (and is open to the public), featuring a wide variety of Viennoiseries, cakes, a Bloody Mary stand and sparkling wine station, and an à la carte menu of classic egg dishes, along high-quality, hand-carved jamón, local cheeses, and fish.
Also in the hotel: Chef Asatiani's grill restaurant with local and American aged cuts, a Thai-Georgian restaurant, a wine bar with a special emphasis on local natural wines, and a cocktail bar. All menus are more than worth their prices.
