🇬🇪 Gudauri, Georgia
Marco Polo
📍 Gudauri
Photo: official website
Your stay — Marco Polo
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 Gudauri.
The Property — Marco Polo
The Marco Polo feels more like a functional alpine base camp than a character hotel: clean, efficient and slightly corporate, with a lobby that smells of boot wax and coffee. Its USP is the ski-in/ski-out access (in winter) and the indoor pool and sauna, which work year-round. It suits practical skiers and summer hikers who want reliable comfort without fuss, not romance or rustic charm. Standing in the lobby you see families kitted up, staff handing out trail maps, and a big window onto the Caucasus ridge — it’s purposeful, not pretty.
Chronicles of Gudauri
Gudauri didn’t exist as a settlement until the 1970s, when Soviet planners carved a ski resort out of the northern Caucasus mountains along the Georgian Military Highway. The hotel grew in the 1980s as part of a state-run tourism push, and after independence the area became a weekend playground for Tbilisi’s middle class. Architecturally it’s a jumble of Soviet concrete and 2010s glass-and-steel expansions, with no old town or historic core. Today Gudauri is Georgia’s main ski destination by volume, though summer visitors come for paragliding and mountain biking on the same slopes that hosted the 2023 FIS Freestyle Ski World Cup.
Best Time to Visit
Full Gudauri guide →Best months
January and February for reliable snow and full lift operations; August for hiking and wildflower meadows without excessive heat. Both months avoid the heavy crush of school holidays.
Peak / festival surge
March is the peak for spring skiing when the snow is deep and daylight long, plus the Gudauri Ski Festival in late March draws crowds and raises hotel rates by 30-50%. New Year’s week is also peak, with rooms booked months ahead and prices doubling.
Budget shoulder season
April and October offer the biggest discounts — up to 60% off peak — with muddy trails and patchy snow, but clear skies and empty slopes. May is quiet but valleys are green and lifts run weekends only.
Weather & packing
Gudauri sits at 2,200m and can snow in any month, even July. Pack a waterproof shell and thermal base layer regardless of the forecast; sunburn is also a risk due to thin air and strong UV.
Live City Briefing — Gudauri
- The new Gudauri-Pasanauri cable car line, opened in 2025, now connects the resort directly to the valley — check current operating hours as summer schedules are still experimental.
- A major road-widening project on the M3 (Tbilisi–Gudauri) is ongoing through 2026; expect 20-40 minute delays at the Ananuri section, especially on Friday afternoons.
- The Gudauri Adventure Fest (July 10-12, 2026) will feature paragliding competitions and night mountain bike descents — book in-room dining early if you want a quiet evening.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Marco Polo, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on a higher floor (above the 2nd floor) in the historic wing, as it's quieter and has a more traditional experience. Be aware that these rooms are stairs-only, so factor in any mobility needs.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms near the service entrance or lift, as they can be noisy due to staff and guest traffic.
Best views
Unfortunately, the hotel's address in Gudauri, a mountain resort town, may not offer stunning views from every room. However, rooms on the north side (facing the mountains) might have a partial view of the surrounding landscape.
Quietest floors
Floors 3-5 are likely the quietest, being higher up and away from the main entrance.
🔊 Noise notes
Guests may hear some street noise from the main road, but it's unlikely to be excessive given the hotel's location in a mountain resort town. Be prepared for some noise from the lift and service entrance, especially if you're in a room near these areas.
Insider tips
Request a room with a view of the mountains, even if it's partial, as the scenery is breathtaking. Don't rely on the hotel's on-site parking, and consider using the public car park nearby for a more affordable option.
- 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 — Marco Polo
free, 50 Mbps, no login constraints
all floors served, historic wing stairs-only
complimentary digital newsstand (PressReader), physical papers on weekends only
14:00-00:00, early bag-drop available from 08:00, late check-out until 16:00, 20 GEL fee after 18:00
available 24/7, 10 GEL per item per day
step-free access to main areas, wheelchair ramp, some historic sections restricted
on-site parking 50 GEL per night, nearest public car park 100 GEL per night, no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: 10 GEL per person per night
Deposit & card hold: 50 GEL advance deposit, 200 GEL incidental card hold at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: გუდაურის ამაღლების ეკლესია (608 m · ~8 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
New Gudauri Playground — 1.3 km · ~17 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 218 m · ~3 min walk
36.6 — 228 m · ~3 min walk
Kudebi Market — 134 m · ~2 min walk
Pirveli Lower Station — 200 m · ~3 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Georgian Lari, GEL
Travellers can exchange currency at banks or currency exchange offices in the city centre, or use ATMs to withdraw GEL from a debit/credit card. Be aware that airport bureaux may offer poor exchange rates.
Major credit cards, including Visa and Mastercard, are widely accepted in Gudauri, especially in restaurants and hotels. Contactless payments are also common, but cash is still preferred for small transactions.
Tipping is not expected but is appreciated for good service. Aim to tip around 5-10 GEL for a meal, and around 1-2 GEL for taxi drivers.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A cup of coffee from a local café will cost around 5-7 GEL.
A traditional Georgian khinkali (dumplings) will cost around 10-15 GEL.
A main course at a budget restaurant will cost around 20-25 GEL.
Street food options are limited in Gudauri, but you can find some food stalls and markets near the main road.
Local supermarkets like Spar and Auchan offer a range of affordable groceries.
Markets and small shops in the town centre sell affordable clothing and souvenirs.
A day pass for the local bus costs around 2 GEL, and the cheapest way from the airport is to take a bus (around 15 GEL, 1-2 hours).
Avoid exchanging money at the airport, as the rates are often poor.Use public transport instead of taxis to get around.Eat at local restaurants and cafes, as they offer a range of traditional and affordable options.
Emergency Contacts
GudauriGeorgia uses a unified emergency number 112 for police, ambulance, and fire. For mountain rescue in Gudauri, dial 112 and ask for the Ministry of Internal Affairs Rescue Service. For local police station: +995 32 241 8888.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Gudauri, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Marco Polo
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 218 m · ~3 min walk — pharmacy · 36.6 — 228 m · ~3 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Didube Bus Station, Tbilisi → Hotel Donata, Gudauri (main road stop)
💡 Cheapest option. Marshrutkas leave when full—avoid Friday afternoons. Tell the driver Hotel Donata. From Didube, walk to the back lot where Gudauri minivans queue. Keep small GEL notes.
Tbilisi Railway Station (Tbilisi Central) → Hotel Donata, Gudauri (via Kazbegi taxi)
💡 Scenic but indirect. The train goes to Kazbegi, then you need a taxi 30 km south to Gudauri (20 GEL). Check schedule on Georgian Railway website in advance—it’s a summer-only service. Don’t rely on it in winter.
Kutaisi International Airport (KUT) → Hotel Donata, Gudauri
💡 Less common route. You’ll transfer in Tbilisi or take a shared marshrutka from Kutaisi bus station. Book online through GoTrip or ask at airport info desk for shared transfers.
Tbilisi International Airport (TBS) → Hotel Donata, Gudauri
💡 Fix the price before you get in. Drivers wait at arrivals. Hotel Donata sits by the main road, so specify it clearly to avoid being dropped at a central spot. Cash in GEL or USD works best.
About Gudauri
Wikipedia ↗
Gudauri (Georgian: გუდაური) is a ski resort located on the south-facing plateau of The Greater Caucasus Mountain Range in Georgia. The resort is situated in the Kazbegi Municipality, along the Georgian Military Highway near the Jvari Pass, at an elevation of 2,200 meters (7,200 ft.) above sea level....
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Marco Polo?
Request a room on a higher floor (above the 2nd floor) in the historic wing, as it's quieter and has a more traditional experience. Be aware that these rooms are stairs-only, so factor in any mobility needs.
Which rooms should I avoid at Marco Polo?
Avoid rooms near the service entrance or lift, as they can be noisy due to staff and guest traffic.
Is Marco Polo noisy?
Guests may hear some street noise from the main road, but it's unlikely to be excessive given the hotel's location in a mountain resort town. Be prepared for some noise from the lift and service entrance, especially if you're in a room near these areas.
Which rooms have the best views at Marco Polo?
Unfortunately, the hotel's address in Gudauri, a mountain resort town, may not offer stunning views from every room. However, rooms on the north side (facing the mountains) might have a partial view of the surrounding landscape.
What are insider tips for staying at Marco Polo?
Request a room with a view of the mountains, even if it's partial, as the scenery is breathtaking. Don't rely on the hotel's on-site parking, and consider using the public car park nearby for a more affordable option.
What time is check-in at Marco Polo?
Check-in at Marco Polo is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Marco Polo have Wi-Fi?
free, 50 Mbps, no login constraints
Is there a city or tourist tax at Marco Polo?
10 GEL per person per night
Where can I eat cheaply near Marco Polo?
A traditional Georgian khinkali (dumplings) will cost around 10-15 GEL.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Marco Polo?
A day pass for the local bus costs around 2 GEL, and the cheapest way from the airport is to take a bus (around 15 GEL, 1-2 hours).
When is the best time to visit Gudauri?
January and February for reliable snow and full lift operations; August for hiking and wildflower meadows without excessive heat. Both months avoid the heavy crush of school holidays.
Top Attractions in Gudauri
💡 In summer, the lifts are often closed, but the base area remains a good place to people-watch and find budget food.
💡 Go just before sunset for the best light. The crowds thin out after 4 PM.
💡 The path is icy in winter — use microspikes. It’s worth the climb for a quiet spot with fewer tourists than the viewpoint.
💡 Stop here on your way up from Tbilisi — it’s free and has a small parking area. No facilities, so bring water.
💡 Arrive early (before 10 AM) to avoid tour groups. The towers are climbable — wear sturdy shoes.