Your stay — Hillside Guesthouse
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Borjomi.
The Property — Hillside Guesthouse
The Hillside Guesthouse is a straightforward 3-star option perched on a leafy slope above Borjomi’s central avenue. The lobby is cosy but unpretentious, with a wood-burning stove, worn armchairs and a shelf of guidebooks left by previous guests. Its main draw is the terrace: a shaded deck looking out over the Kura valley, where you can drink cheap local wine and watch the evening train roll through. It suits independent travellers who want a base within walking distance of the springs and the cable car, rather than any spa pampering.
Chronicles of Borjomi
Borjomi grew up around its naturally carbonated mineral water springs, first documented in the 19th century when the Russian imperial family built a summer palace here and turned the valley into a fashionable spa resort. The town’s eclectic architecture mixes late-Imperial villas, Soviet-era sanatoriums and a clutch of newly renovated hotels, all crammed into a narrow gorge of the Kura River. After Georgian independence the resort trade collapsed, but Borjomi has reinvented itself as a budget weekend destination for Tbilisi families and a stop on the Transcaucasian backpacker trail. Contemporary Borjomi is a bit frayed at the edges—pavements are patchy, Soviet concrete is crumbling—but its natural setting and free public water fountains still draw crowds. The town’s identity remains tied to the sweet, slightly salty taste of its bottled water, sold across the former USSR.
Best Time to Visit
Full Borjomi guide →Best months
June and September: warm days (25–28°C), little rain, clear skies for hiking in Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park, and the spring-fed pools are open but not packed. May is also good, though the river can still run high and cold.
Peak / festival surge
July and August are the absolute peak season, driven by domestic tourists escaping Tbilisi’s heat and families during school holidays. The town swells, hotel prices at places like Hillside can jump 30–50% above shoulder rates, and the central promenade gets crowded from late morning. No major festival, just heat + holidays.
Budget shoulder season
Late May and September offer the best budget window: room discounts of 15–25%, the national park trails are at their greenest, and you can often find same-day deals at Hillside. October also works if you don’t mind cooler evenings (10–12°C).
Weather & packing
Borjomi’s microclimate is noticeably cooler than the rest of the Kartli lowlands—expect a 5–8°C drop from Tbilisi in summer—and it can alternate between blazing sun and sudden valley showers within an hour. Pack a lightweight waterproof jacket and sturdy walking shoes; sandals alone will leave you stuck inside when the afternoon rain hits.
Live City Briefing — Borjomi
- The cable car to the Borjomi plateau has been running with reduced hours in summer 2025—check the morning schedule at the lower station as it often closes for maintenance by 3pm.
- The newly paved riverside walk from the central park to the Romanov Palace has opened, but the access path from 9 April Park is still gravel and can be muddy after rain.
- Several cafes along Rustaveli Street now accept cards, but the public water-filling station (park side) still takes only cash—bring 2 GEL for a bottle refill.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Hillside Guesthouse, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the upper floors (2nd or 3rd) facing away from Gogiaskhitsi Street. These rooms will be quieter and likely have better views over the town or valley.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms and any facing the street directly — Gogiaskhitsi Street is a main road through Borjomi, so traffic noise can be significant, especially in summer.
Best views
Rooms on higher floors facing away from the street may offer views over Borjomi's hills or the Mtkvari River valley, depending on exact orientation.
Quietest floors
Floors 2 and 3 (if the building has them) — higher floors reduce street noise and are away from the lobby and any ground-floor activity.
🔊 Noise notes
Gogiaskhitsi Street is a main road in Borjomi, carrying local traffic, taxis, and pedestrian flow. Windows may not be double-glazed at a 3-star property, so street noise can be audible.
Insider tips
1. Check if there is a small balcony or window with east/west orientation — morning or late afternoon light can be lovely. 2. If you arrive by car, street parking is likely limited; ask the hotel in advance about any off-street or paid parking options nearby.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Hillside Guesthouse
Free Wi-Fi throughout. Speed adequate for browsing and video calls (approx. 25 Mbps). Login via room number and surname; no time limit.
No lift. Three-storey building with stairs only. Rooms on ground floor accessible via two steps at entrance.
No printed newspapers. Digital news access via a shared tablet in the lobby with a few international news sites bookmarked.
Standard check-in from 14:00. Bag drop from 10:00 if room not ready. Late check-out until 12:00 free; after 12:00 charges 50 GEL. Check-out by 11:00.
Free luggage storage in a locked room behind reception. Leave and collect anytime during working hours (08:00–22:00).
No step-free access. Two steps at main entrance. No wheelchair-accessible bathroom or bedroom on the property.
No on-site parking. Nearest public car park is 200 m north on Gorgasali Street, 5 GEL per night. No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking; a 100 GEL incidental hold on a credit card at check-in.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: წმინდა ნიკოლოზის ეკლესია (138 m · ~2 min walk)
- Church: ღვთისმშობლის სახელობის ეკლესია (878 m · ~11 min walk)
- Church: წმ.გიორგის სახელობის ეკლესია (968 m · ~12 min walk)
- Church: წმინდა ილია წინასწარმეტყველის სახელობის ეკლესია (1.5 km · ~19 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
მერაბ კოსტავას სახელობის პარკი — 154 m · ~2 min walk
ბორჯომის მხარეთმცოდნეობის მუზეუმი — 727 m · ~9 min walk
ბორჯომის თოჯინების სახელმწიფო თეატრი — 291 m · ~4 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 255 m · ~3 min walk
ნეოფარმი — 486 m · ~6 min walk
ილიკო — 241 m · ~3 min walk
ბორჯომი-პარკი — 273 m · ~3 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Georgian Lari, GEL
Best rates at banks in Borjomi centre; avoid exchange points at Tbilisi airport or tourist bureaux — poor rates and fees.
Cards accepted in most hotels and larger shops, but many smaller cafes and markets are cash-only; contactless works in supermarkets.
Tipping not mandatory; 10% in restaurants if service was good, rounding up in taxis, and a few lari for hotel staff.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Filter coffee or instant at a cafe: 3–5 GEL.
Khachapuri or a simple soup from a cafe: 8–12 GEL.
Main course at a local diner: 15–25 GEL.
Limonati and grilled corn from stalls near the park; churchkhela from market vendors.
Willmart and Nikora are the main budget supermarkets in this part of Borjomi.
Borjomi market or Tbilisi's Dry Bridge for second-hand; no high-street chains here.
Minibuses (marshrutkas) within town cost 1 GEL; from Tbilisi airport take a bus to Didube station then marshrutka to Borjomi (about 15 GEL total).
Eat at local bakeries for cheap bread and pastries; buy water from shops not tourist stands; use shared taxis (split with others) for nearby sights.
Emergency Contacts
BorjomiAll emergencies in Georgia use the single number 112. Operators speak English and Russian. For non-urgent help, dial 113 for police or 114 for ambulance. The Borjomi police station is at 25 Chavchavadze Street; the hospital is at 36 Rustaveli Street.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Borjomi, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Hillside Guesthouse
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 255 m · ~3 min walk — pharmacy · ნეოფარმი — 486 m · ~6 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Tbilisi International Airport (TBS) → Borjomi town centre
💡 Pre-book with Bolt or a local driver for about 100-130 GEL. Avoid touts at arrivals by walking 50m to the main road.
Your hotel in Tbilisi → Borjomi town centre or hotel
💡 Book through your hotel or a trusted driver on Facebook groups like 'Tbilisi Taxi'. Negotiate the price before getting in; 140 GEL is fair for a comfortable sedan.
Didube Bus Station, Tbilisi → Borjomi Central Bus Station
💡 Get to Didube via metro (central Tbilisi) then follow signs for Borjomi. Fill up on water and snacks — no stops on the mountain road.
Tbilisi Central Station (Tbilisi 2) → Borjomi Railway Station
💡 Take the morning direct train for the scenic valley route; buy tickets at the station counter (no online booking) at least 30 mins early.
About Borjomi
Wikipedia ↗Borjomi (Georgian: ბორჯომი) is a brand of naturally carbonated mineral water from springs in the Borjomi Gorge of central Georgia. The artesian springs in the valley are fed by water that filters from glaciers covering the peaks of the Bakuriani mountains at altitudes of up to 2,300 m (7,500 ft). Th...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Hillside Guesthouse?
Request a room on the upper floors (2nd or 3rd) facing away from Gogiaskhitsi Street. These rooms will be quieter and likely have better views over the town or valley.
Which rooms should I avoid at Hillside Guesthouse?
Avoid ground-floor rooms and any facing the street directly — Gogiaskhitsi Street is a main road through Borjomi, so traffic noise can be significant, especially in summer.
Is Hillside Guesthouse noisy?
Gogiaskhitsi Street is a main road in Borjomi, carrying local traffic, taxis, and pedestrian flow. Windows may not be double-glazed at a 3-star property, so street noise can be audible.
Which rooms have the best views at Hillside Guesthouse?
Rooms on higher floors facing away from the street may offer views over Borjomi's hills or the Mtkvari River valley, depending on exact orientation.
What are insider tips for staying at Hillside Guesthouse?
1. Check if there is a small balcony or window with east/west orientation — morning or late afternoon light can be lovely. 2. If you arrive by car, street parking is likely limited; ask the hotel in advance about any off-street or paid parking options nearby.
What time is check-in at Hillside Guesthouse?
Check-in at Hillside Guesthouse is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Hillside Guesthouse have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi throughout. Speed adequate for browsing and video calls (approx. 25 Mbps). Login via room number and surname; no time limit.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Hillside Guesthouse?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Hillside Guesthouse?
Khachapuri or a simple soup from a cafe: 8–12 GEL.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Hillside Guesthouse?
Minibuses (marshrutkas) within town cost 1 GEL; from Tbilisi airport take a bus to Didube station then marshrutka to Borjomi (about 15 GEL total).
When is the best time to visit Borjomi?
June and September: warm days (25–28°C), little rain, clear skies for hiking in Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park, and the spring-fed pools are open but not packed. May is also good, though the river can still run high and cold.
Top Attractions in Borjomi
💡 Arrive before 9am to avoid the queue. The water is coldest and fizzes hardest first thing.
💡 Bring an empty bottle. The warmer water from the outdoor tap tastes less metallic than the chilled dispenser inside the pavilion.
💡 Go early to book a free guided walk in English — they run at 10am if enough people sign up. Otherwise grab the map and do the 'Beech Trail' on your own.
💡 Most labels are in Georgian only. Use the Google Translate app on your phone — there's free WiFi inside.
💡 The ticket includes the garden and a short film. Skip the film and walk straight to the rear terrace for views up the valley.