Where to Stay in Gudauri: Best Areas & Accommodations (original) (raw)

Located just 2 hours by road north of Tbilisi, Gudauri is Georgia’s premier winter resort and a mecca for adventurous skiers.

Purpose-built in the 1980s and further developed from the early 2000s onward, the resort has several different ‘zones’ and a nice range of hotels, ski-in resorts and chalets. Majority of the new buildings are residential blocks, meaning there is an ample supply of self-contained studio and one-bedroom apartments available to rent from private owners.

The biggest mistake I made on my recent trip to Gudauri was picking the wrong area to stay in when I first arrived. The hotel was lovely, but the location was not ideal.

Public transport in Gudauri is non-existent, taxis are expensive, and walking to and from the ski lifts is a real pain.

I ended up relocating three times to different areas in search of the perfect base. In this guide, I will run you through the pros and cons of each of the locations I stayed in, and share my top picks for accommodations.

Also see: My tips to the 12 best things to do in Gudauri in winter.

A cute wood cabin with a snowy roof in Gudauri, Georgia.

Gudauri architecture!

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The golden rule for Gudauri: Stay close to a ski lift

This might sound obvious to experienced skiers, but when visiting Gudauri it is imperative to stay as close as you possibly can to one of the ski lifts.

Gudauri has no public transport or shuttle facilities to get you to the lifts from other parts of the resort (a few hotels do offer a shuttle – details below). Taxi prices are inflated, and attempting to walk along the Georgian Military Highway through the sludge as lorry trucks stream past is no fun at all (believe me).

The resort is split over several levels, with Old Gudauri at the bottom (closest to Tbilisi), New Gudauri a little further up, and the Recreation Zone further up again in the mountains. The easiest way to move between these zones is by using the ski lifts and gondolas (a dozen and counting) that are all connected or in close proximity to one another.

Think of the lifts as a form of public transportation. Not only will you be using them to travel to different ski runs, but you will also be relying on them to access restaurants, bars, supermarkets and other facilities that are concentrated around the lift stations.

Skiers riding the lifts in Gudauri, Georgia.

Gudauri’s modern ski lifts are the best (and only) form of public transport.

When we first arrived in Gudauri, we spent a night in a lovely hotel on the Georgian Military Highway. Getting to the nearest ski lift involved a 1.4-kilometre or 20-minute uphill walk, partially along the main road. It was doable, but it was not at all pleasant. I wouldn’t have wanted to repeat that walk every day.

If you have your own car and you are able to drive to the lift area each morning, this will give you more flexibility. Parking in New Gudauri can be a big challenge, though, as the area is not terribly well planned.

If not, then I recommend choosing a place to stay that is close to the Goodaura/New Goodaura bottom stations (New Gudauri), close to the Pirveli Chairlift bottom station (Old Gudauri), or close to the Shino Chairlift bottom station (Military Highway).

How far in advance should you book your Gudauri accommodation?

Gudauri is a very popular winter destination. Despite being the most-visited of Georgia’s ski resorts, it is still relatively obscure on the world stage.

Supply exceeds demand, so you will always find something available at the last minute. To secure the best price possible, I recommend booking your hotel at least 2-3 months out.

If you are travelling to Gudauri during one of the peak seasons (Christmas/New Year in Georgia or spring break in the UAE), you will definitely want to get in early as the best properties fill up fast.

Towards the end of the ski season, especially in the first weeks of April, properties are heavily discounted at up to 50% off.

While the larger hotels and resorts stay open throughout the year, smaller chalets and guesthouses might close over summer. Often properties close off their bookings between April and July approximately, only opening reservations for the coming season in autumn.

Here is a very basic map of the three areas I recommend. Each one is covered in depth below.

A map of where to stay in Gudauri, Georgia.

Map data copyright Google Maps.

New Gudauri

As the name suggests, New Gudauri is the newer part of the ski resort. Most of the buildings here were completed within the last decade, and there is a lot of ongoing construction work.

New Gudauri is located off the main highway, east towards the foothills of the mountains. Being away from the main road and its constant stream of traffic makes it feel somewhat quieter and more secluded compared to other areas.

The chalet-style architecture is pleasant enough, and as the centre of the resort, the vibe here is always upbeat.

Purpose-built for winter tourism, New Gudauri consists of a dozen large-scale apartment blocks plus a few hotels. Most accommodations in this area are therefore self-contained apartments.

Modern loft buildings set against a backdrop of snowy mountains in the ski resort village of Gudauri in Georgia.

New Gudauri.

New Gudauri has many things going for it. Most of Gudauri’s best restaurants and bars are located here, and there are supermarkets for self-catering. Virtually everything you need will be located within walking distance of your accommodation.

For skiers, there is a beginner’s area called Zuma and several intermediate runs nearby, accessed via the New Goodaura ski lift. The Goodaura gondola – the first of four on the Gudauri-Kobi Cable Car line – has its bottom station here as well, meaning you can easily access the upper Recreation Area and six more chairlifts.

At present, New Gudauri is contained within an area of approximately one kilometre. The downside is that it does feel a bit overcrowded and poorly planned in terms of traffic flow. It can also be tricky to find a car park.

If you are using marshrutka vans to travel around Georgia, vans from Tbilisi usually terminate in New Gudauri, and vans going back down to Tbilisi originate from here (provided the road is clear of snow).

Pros: Quieter; easy access to the ski lifts; lots of food & drink options; supermarkets.

Cons: Difficult to find a car park; ongoing construction work; fewer accommodation options aside from apartments.

A line of skiers in colourful gear in front of a modern apart-hotel in Gudauri, Georgia.

Skiers in front of the Atirum building in New Gudauri.

Where to stay in New Gudauri

New Gudauri Atrium building: This new apartment complex is a 2-minute walk from the ticket office and Goodaura Lifts, with easy access into New Gudauri for food and drink. Because it is set slightly uphill, it has nice views overlooking the resort and mountains. The building has an indoor swimming pool and free parking for guests.

There are lots of apartment listings for Atrium. Some of the offerings with the best reviews include:

New Gudauri Alpen Apartments: This apart-hotel is located right in the heart of New Gudauri, footsteps from the Goodaura Chairlift and dining area. All seven apartments sleep up to 4 adults and come with a kitchenette.

→ Check prices & availability on Booking.com.

Besel Apartments: These slightly more spacious apartments have a separate bedroom and are well appointed with large kitchens and walk-in showers. The location inside the New Gudauri Loft 2 building is convenient to both the restaurant area and the ski lifts.

→ Check prices & availability on Booking.com.

SkyTop Studios: This pair of self-contained studio apartments both have private balconies that face onto the mountains, making it feel somewhat more resort-y. The layout of the apartments is identical to other listings in the New Gudauri Loft 2 building – do note that the kitchenette is a little smaller, though.

→ Check prices & availability on Booking.com.

Riders House New Gudauri: The most popular hostel in Gudauri, Riders House is one of the first buildings you come to when exiting the ski lift. Choose from mixed dormitories (4 or 6-bunk) or a private king room. Bunks are modern and come with private sockets/lights and privacy curtains.

→ Check prices & availability on Booking.com.

Tsar Bani: Another budget-friendly option in New Gudauri, Tsar Bani is located on the edge of New Gudauri, closer to the highway. It’s a bit further to walk to the lifts, but its sunken position facing the mountains does make it feel much more secluded. The design of the four rooms is quite basic, but all have an ensuite and guests can also use a shared kitchen. The onsite banya-style sauna here is quite popular.

→ Check prices & availability on Booking.com.

Old Gudauri

Old Gudauri, the original part of the ski resort, is located further south, back towards Tbilisi. It is more ad-hoc in its configuration with hotels, apartment blocks, restaurants and other services scattered along the Georgian Military Road.

Relative to New Gudauri, I felt like this area was a bit more family friendly and laid back. There are fewer bars and less of a nightlife scene. There are not as many dining options, but the restaurants that are here tend to be more budget-friendly in my experience (vis-a-vis New Gudauri).

A roadside stall selling churchkhela, wine and other traditional Georgian products in the snow in Gudauri.

A stall selling local Georgian products in Old Gudauri.

I highly recommend staying somewhere close to the Pirveli Chairlift bottom station. You can use this lift to access the upper Recreation Zone (via the Pirveli and Soliko lifts) and New Gudauri as well (by going up then back down via the Goodaura gondola). There is a ticket booth where you can buy lift passes next to the Pirveli station. Plus there are gentler hills that are suitable for tubing or tobogganing nearby – another plus for kids.

Marco Polo Hotel is the most well-known ski-in property in this area. When I return to Gudauri next year, this is where I will be staying.

In its immediate vicinity there are several other stand-alone hotels plus new apartment buildings. When I last visited Gudauri, I ended up staying in the Roshka Building, which is also walking distance from the lift station. It was very convenient.

Parking is easier here simply because there is more space. Marshrutka vans to/from Tbilisi stop at the Gudauri bus station, located 500 metres from the Pirveli Chairlift. There is a supermarket here, too.

Pros: Easy access to the ski lifts; good range of accommodations including hotels and apartments.

Cons: Fewer food/drink options; further from New Gudauri and the Recreation Zone (1-2 extra ski lift rides required to get up to the slopes).

An outdoor light with icicles hanging from it in Gudauri ski resort.

Chalet-style buildings in New Gudauri, Georgia.

Where to stay in Old Gudauri

Marco Polo Hotel: Another iconic hotel in Gudauri, Marco Polo offers ski-in ski-out access from the Pirveli Chairlift. There is a big range of rooms, from basic twins to 8-person chalets. The room design is simple but elegant (although some of the smaller rooms are a tad dated), with a dark colour palette and modern bathrooms. The hotel has an onsite spa and a restaurant.

→ Check prices & availability on Booking.com.

Gudauri Lodge: A newer build, Gudauri Lodge is definitely more designer-y, with light and bright rooms and beautiful common spaces. Perks include an outdoor hot tub, a wine cellar, and an onsite ski rental shop. The rooms here are very generously proportioned (especially for Gudauri), especially the split-level duplexes. It is located a short uphill walk from the Pirveli Chairlift.

→ Check prices & availability on Booking.com.

Super Bright & Stylish Apartment In Gudauri: Located inside the Roshka building where I stayed in Old Gudauri, this apartment has a terrific location with easy access to the Pirveli Chairlift and a decent restaurant, Pasanauri, right next door. Unlike most apartments in the building which are studios, this one has a separate bedroom and a full kitchen plus a washing machine. The balcony views towards the mountains and chairlift are spectacular.

→ Check prices & availability on Booking.com.

Hotel Toni: An excellent option for budget-conscious travellers, Hotel Toni has three rooms that sleep 2-4 people. The design is definitely more basic, but the private bathrooms are adequate and the host, Marina, is very warm, offering guests breakfast and dinner. The location just east of the Pirveli Lift can’t be beat for this price point – but note that access to the property by road is quite tricky in winter as it is uphill (best to organise a transfer for that first trip in with your luggage).

→ Check prices & availability on Booking.com.

Khada Hostel: Managed by the same team behind Marco Polo, Khada is a high-quality budget offering with mixed and female-only dorms plus cosy common spaces. Designed in 1988 by Austrian architects and recently renovated, it has a cute chalet vibe and comfortable common spaces. Guests of the hostel get a discounted breakfast at Marco Polo plus 10% off all other services (including the spa) at the sister property. The hostel is just down the road from Marco Polo and a 5-minute walk from the Pirveli Lift.

→ Check prices & availability on Booking.com.

Along the Military Highway

For the purposes of this guide, I am classifying all other accommodations outside of New Gudauri and Old Gudauri as ‘along the Georgian Military Highway’. There are some lovely chalets and mountain huts north of New Gudauri and south of Old Gudauri – but mostly they are only suitable for people who bring a car up with them.

If you are more than 15 minutes’ walk from the nearest ski lift, you will struggle. In the cold and snow, one kilometre is about the maximum distance you can comfortably walk. Getting around Gudauri by taxi is expensive, and walking is not fun at all (having attempted to walk a section of the Military Highway before being scooped up by a passing driver who was very concerned for our safety, I can personally attest to this!).

A snowy mountainscape with a road cutting through it outside Gudauri in Georgia.

The Georgian Military Highway north of Gudauri.

The best spot to stay on the Military Highway is the area around the Shino Chairlift bottom station, which is around 2 kilometres further north from the turn-off for New Gudauri. You can use the Shino Lift to travel up to the Recreation Area then down to New Gudauri (via the Goodaura gondola).

If you are not here exclusively to ski and you’re happy to use a taxi to visit New Gudauri but otherwise relax/enjoy a nice hotel with a view, then this area could be a good option for you.

Pros: Beautiful chalet-style accommodations; easier to find a car park.

Cons: Need a car (or a hotel with a shuttle service) if you are more than 15 minutes’ walk from the nearest ski lift; fewer restaurants; less of a ‘ski resort’ vibe compared to the other areas; traffic noise might be an issue depending on the location.

A guesthouse room with green walls and heating at a hotel in Gudauri, Georgia.

Our room at Dandelion Hotel, a mid-range hotel in Gudauri.

Where to stay along the Military Highway

Ati Ambavi Boutique Hotel: This boutique hotel and restaurant is located along the Military Highway, close to the Shino Chairlift bottom station (free shuttle service available). Each of the 10 rooms is beautifully appointed, and there is a spa-sauna and terrace. If you are looking for somewhere memorable to stay, this is the best designed hotel in Gudauri in my opinion.

→ Check prices & availability on Booking.com.

Monte Hotel: Also close to Shino and with a free shuttle service for guests, Monte has an incredible mountain-facing terrace and a good onsite restaurant. Rooms are a little basic for the price point, but this place is all about the views.

→ Check prices & availability on Booking.com.

Quadrum Ski & Yoga Resort: This sleek, ultra-modern hotel features efficient rooms that are stacked like shipping containers. Each one has a jaw-dropping mountain view – but because of the unconventional layout, there is no elevator. The suite with its mountain-facing jacuzzi is particularly cool. Common spaces are equally lovely with more stellar panoramas. The restaurant (including the hotel breakfast) is highly regarded.

→ Check prices & availability on Booking.com.

Dandelion Hotel: This mid-range, family owned hotel is a new build with very comfortable, warm rooms. We found the staff to be very friendly and helpful during our short stay. The complimentary breakfast was a bit underwhelming, but still appreciated. Overall it’s great value for money. The hotel is a 1.4 kilometre walk from the nearest chairlift (New Gudauri), so be prepared to order a taxi (~10 GEL one-way) if you don’t have your own car.

→ Check prices & availability on Booking.com.

Family Hotel Mtamta: If you’re looking for a guesthouse vibe and Georgian hospitality in Gudauri, this family-run hotel offers simple but clean rooms for 2-3 people. The location south of Old Gudauri (1.5 kilometres from the Pirveli Lift) is not the most convenient, but the hosts will gladly ferry you back and forth free of charge when you need.

→ Check prices & availability on Booking.com.

Stepantsminda (Kazbegi)

A final option you might consider is staying north of Gudauri in the town of Kazbegi (Stepantsminda). In this case, you could use the Kobi-Gudauri Cable Car to travel to and from the ski resort. This is really only feasible if you have your own car and can drive to the gondola station in Kobi (located 20 minutes by car from Kazbegi town). Taxis are available, but the costs will add up fast.

A white van parked in front of a snow-capped mountain in Kazbegi, Georgia.

Kazbegi.

Kazbegi has a lot more in the way of budget-friendly accommodations – mostly family-run guesthouses. Eating and drinking in Kazbegi is significantly more affordable compared to Gudauri, so you could potentially save a lot of money by staying here (note that not all venues in Kazbegi are open throughout the winter, though).

If you’re not big on skiing/snowboarding, you will find that Kazbegi has a lot more variety in terms of other activities. Kazbegi is a town (as opposed to a ski resort) with residents who live there year-round. It therefore has a very different feel.

If you are content with just one day of skiing, you can feasibly take a day trip to Gudauri from Kazbegi.

If you are visiting Georgia in summer, Kazbegi is the natural choice for an overnight stay in this area. There is no real reason to stay in Gudauri outside of winter.

Pros: More guesthouses; other points of interest such as Gergeti Trinity Church; budget-friendly options for food and drink.

Cons: Far from the ski fields – requires a car to get to the cable car station plus an additional 30-60 minutes to reach Gudauri.

A comfortable guest room with wooden ceilings and floors at Guest House Tamta in Kazbegi, Georgia.

Guest House Tamta, one of my favourite budget accommodations in Kazbegi.

Where to stay in Kazbegi

Rooms Kazbegi is the most popular hotel in Kazbegi and one of Georgia’s most iconic accommodations overall. Guest House Tamta is a great example of a budget-friendly guesthouse with excellent facilities and Rooms-like views at a fraction of the price.

Hotel Central Plaza and the Intourist are two more options that I am quite fond of.

For a full break-down of the best locations and more hotel recommendations, see my guide: Where to Stay in Kazbegi.

More resources for Gudauri & Kazbegi

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