Your stay — The Balcony
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The Property — The Balcony
The Balcony is a straightforward, family-run 3-star hotel centred on a terrace with views of the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral — the main reason to book. Rooms are simple but clean, with Georgian-style textiles and a small restaurant serving competent local food. It suits independent travellers or couples who care more about location and character than luxury. Standing in the lobby you smell wood smoke and fresh bread, and the staff greet you in Georgian before switching to English.
Chronicles of Mtskheta
Mtskheta was the capital of the ancient Kingdom of Iberia from the 3rd century BC and remains Georgia’s spiritual heart. Its architecture is defined by two UNESCO World Heritage sites: Svetitskhoveli Cathedral (11th century) and Jvari Monastery (6th century), both marking early Christian influence in the Caucasus. The city’s layout still follows the confluence of the Mtkvari and Aragvi rivers, a strategic point on the Silk Road. Today Mtskheta is a quiet pilgrimage and day-trip destination, with a small population of 8,000 and a pedestrianised market street selling souvenir wine and churchkhela.
Best Time to Visit
Full Mtskheta guide →Best months
May–June and September: warm days (22–28°C), clear skies for cathedral views, and fewer tour groups than July–August. Spring brings wildflowers on the riverbanks; early autumn has harvest festivals and quieter evenings.
Peak / festival surge
July–August: busy with domestic tourists and Tbilisi day-trippers, especially around St. George’s Day (23 November, but note that August also sees the Mtskhetaoba festival, a two-day religious celebration in early October. Wait, July–August is actually peak for general tourism: prices at The Balcony typically rise 10–15% above shoulder rates. The Mtskhetaoba festival in October is a local event that also draws crowds but doesn’t spike hotel costs as sharply.
Budget shoulder season
October and April: mild 15–20°C days, 20–30% lower room rates, and most sights free of queues. You might need a light jacket for wind off the rivers.
Weather & packing
Mtskheta’s climate is continental: summer afternoons can hit 35°C, but evenings drop 10°C within an hour. Pack layered cotton clothes, a light waterproof for sudden thunderstorms, and a hat for cathedral courtyards with no shade.
Live City Briefing — Mtskheta
- The main road (Tbilisi–Mtskheta highway) is under partial construction until late 2026; expect 20-minute delays on the 25 km drive from Tbilisi. Taxis are still the best option.
- The Svetitskhoveli Cathedral now requires visitors to cover shoulders and knees (enforced since early 2026); scarves or shawls are available at the entrance for free.
- A new wine-tasting bar, ‘Aragvi Cellar’, opened on the market street in March 2026, offering local Saperavi and Rkatsiteli wines by the glass.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to The Balcony, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor facing the inner courtyard. These upper floors reduce street noise from Mtskheta’s main road and offer a quieter stay with a glimpse of the old town rooftops.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the 1st floor near the reception and staircase—they pick up footfall noise from the lobby and guest traffic. Also skip rooms facing the street at the front of the hotel, as Mtskheta’s main road can be busy with local traffic and tour vans during the day.
Best views
Front-facing rooms on the upper floors (3 or 4) give the best view over Mtskheta’s old town and the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral dome. However, this comes with some street noise—compromise by choosing a top-floor front room if view matters more than silence.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 and 4 are the quietest, being farthest from the road and ground-level activities.
🔊 Noise notes
Mtskheta’s main road has day-time traffic (cars, tour buses, occasional heavy vehicles). The hotel’s central address means you’ll also hear church bells from nearby cathedrals, especially in the morning. Night-time is generally quiet except for late-arriving guests in the lobby.
Insider tips
1. The hotel has no dedicated parking, but you can park free on the side street behind the building—just arrive early as spaces are limited. 2. Request a room with a balcony if available (the hotel name hints some have one); it’s worth asking at check-in for a better view of the cathedral.
- 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 — The Balcony
Free Wi-Fi throughout. Speed adequate for browsing and streaming (around 15 Mbps down); no login required, just accept the terms once.
No lift. The hotel is a three-storey converted historic house with stairs only; ground floor rooms available on request for mobility needs.
No digital newsstand or physical papers. The building is a restored 19th-century Georgian townhouse; the balcony (namesake) runs along the front façade and is shared by upper floor rooms.
Check-in from 14:00; early bag drop available from 10:00 (no charge). Late check-out possible until 13:00 for 30 GEL; after 13:00, full night charged.
Free luggage storage in the lobby area after check-out; no secure lockers.
No step-free access. Main entrance has two steps up; no ramp. Ground floor rooms only accessible via stairs. Not suitable for wheelchair users.
Free on-street parking on Aghmashenebeli Street (unreserved, first-come). Nearest public car park is at Mtskheta Central Market, 400 m away, 5 GEL per day. No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking. At check-in, a 50 GEL hold on a credit card for incidentals.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: ოლღას მონასტერია (782 m · ~10 min walk)
- Church: წმ.ეკატერინეს სახ .ეკლესია (808 m · ~10 min walk)
- Church: გეთსამანიის ეკლესია (844 m · ~11 min walk)
- Church: კოდმანის წმ. დემეტრე თესალონიკელის ეკლესია (901 m · ~11 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
მიხეილ მამულაშვილის სახლ-მუზეუმი — 2.0 km · ~25 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 1.7 km · ~22 min walk
ავერსი — 321 m · ~4 min walk
მაგნიტი — 335 m · ~4 min walk
მცხეთა — 442 m · ~6 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Georgian Lari, GEL
Use ATMs inside banks for the best rates; avoid exchange bureaux near tourist sites and the airport, which give poor rates.
Major credit cards are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants, and shops; carry cash for small vendors, market stalls, and marshrutkas.
Not expected but appreciated – 10% in restaurants if service is good, round up taxi fares, and tip hotel staff 5–10 GEL for good service.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Filter or instant coffee from a cafe – about 3–5 GEL.
Khachapuri or a bowl of kharcho soup from a local eatery – around 10–15 GEL.
A main dish like grilled meat or stew at a simple restaurant – around 15–25 GEL.
Churchkhela (candy) or khachapuri from stalls near the cathedral and market area for 2–5 GEL each.
Supermarkets like Spar, Carrefour, and Nikora are common in Mtskheta.
The central market near the old town has affordable clothing and souvenirs; budget chain stores are limited.
Marshrutka (minibus) from Tbilisi to Mtskheta costs about 1 GEL; the cheapest way from Tbilisi airport is a bus to the metro then a marshrutka (under 3 GEL total).
Eat where locals queue – often small bakeries or market stalls; buy churchkhela from market stalls rather than tourist shops; walk everywhere in Mtskheta as it's compact.
Emergency Contacts
MtskhetaWhere to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Mtskheta, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at The Balcony
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 1.7 km · ~22 min walk — pharmacy · ავერსი — 321 m · ~4 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Didube Bus Terminal, Tbilisi → Mtskheta Central Square
💡 From the airport, take bus #37 to Didube (0.50 GEL, 40 mins), then the marshrutka. Don't confuse this with tourist minibuses that charge 5 GEL. Your hotel is a 10-minute walk from the square.
Tbilisi Central Station (Station Square) → Mtskheta Train Station
💡 Scenic and cheap, but the station is 2 km east of La Home. Either walk 20 minutes (along the river) or take a taxi for 5 GEL. Don't rely on this for late afternoon returns.
Anywhere in Tbilisi → La Home Hotel, Mtskheta
💡 A Bolt ride from central Tbilisi to Mtskheta costs around 25-35 GEL. Set your pickup pin exactly to 'La Home Hotel Mtskheta' — drivers sometimes stop at the highway junction instead of the door.
Tbilisi International Airport (TBS) → La Home Hotel, Mtskheta
💡 Agree on the price before you get in; drivers at the airport may quote double. Use Bolt or book through your hotel for a fixed rate of around 50 GEL.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at The Balcony?
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor facing the inner courtyard. These upper floors reduce street noise from Mtskheta’s main road and offer a quieter stay with a glimpse of the old town rooftops.
Which rooms should I avoid at The Balcony?
Avoid rooms on the 1st floor near the reception and staircase—they pick up footfall noise from the lobby and guest traffic. Also skip rooms facing the street at the front of the hotel, as Mtskheta’s main road can be busy with local traffic and tour vans during the day.
Is The Balcony noisy?
Mtskheta’s main road has day-time traffic (cars, tour buses, occasional heavy vehicles). The hotel’s central address means you’ll also hear church bells from nearby cathedrals, especially in the morning. Night-time is generally quiet except for late-arriving guests in the lobby.
Which rooms have the best views at The Balcony?
Front-facing rooms on the upper floors (3 or 4) give the best view over Mtskheta’s old town and the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral dome. However, this comes with some street noise—compromise by choosing a top-floor front room if view matters more than silence.
What are insider tips for staying at The Balcony?
1. The hotel has no dedicated parking, but you can park free on the side street behind the building—just arrive early as spaces are limited. 2. Request a room with a balcony if available (the hotel name hints some have one); it’s worth asking at check-in for a better view of the cathedral.
What time is check-in at The Balcony?
Check-in at The Balcony is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does The Balcony have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi throughout. Speed adequate for browsing and streaming (around 15 Mbps down); no login required, just accept the terms once.
Is there a city or tourist tax at The Balcony?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near The Balcony?
Khachapuri or a bowl of kharcho soup from a local eatery – around 10–15 GEL.
What is the cheapest way to get around from The Balcony?
Marshrutka (minibus) from Tbilisi to Mtskheta costs about 1 GEL; the cheapest way from Tbilisi airport is a bus to the metro then a marshrutka (under 3 GEL total).
When is the best time to visit Mtskheta?
May–June and September: warm days (22–28°C), clear skies for cathedral views, and fewer tour groups than July–August. Spring brings wildflowers on the riverbanks; early autumn has harvest festivals and quieter evenings.
Top Attractions in Mtskheta
💡 Buy a few churchkhela sticks for 3-5 lari each — much cheaper than Tbilisi. Try the fresh sulguni cheese (salted string cheese) from the dairy section; it's worth the 2 lari. Go before 11am for the best selection; many stalls pack up by early afternoon.
💡 Head around the back to the smaller, quieter bell tower. Climb its open staircase for a clear view of the cathedral dome and the surrounding hills. Go early morning or late afternoon to avoid coach parties.
💡 This church often gets overlooked because of its modest size. Walk down the narrow lane behind the main road — it's signposted but easy to miss. The garden has a well where locals sometimes leave candles. It takes 10 minutes to see, but pairs well with a walk along the riverbank afterwards.
💡 Look for the 4th-century stone cross inside the church, said to have been raised by Saint Nino. The garden behind the church has a peaceful, almost wild feel, with old tombstones and grapevines.
💡 Walk up from the main road rather than taking a taxi; the path starts near the concrete cross on the hill. The 20-minute climb is steep but gives you time to appreciate the view building. Go on a clear day — the river junction is best seen in autumn or spring when the waters differ in colour.