Your stay — Erma
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The Property — Erma
Erma is a compact, family-run three-star in Telavi’s old town, with a vine-draped courtyard and a terrace facing the Greater Caucasus. The lobby feels lived-in: worn parquet, a small wood stove, and the owner’s dog asleep by the reception desk. It suits solo travellers or couples who want a quiet base within walking distance of the main square and the Shumi wine cellar. The USP is the genuine hospitality—breakfast comes with homemade cheese and churchkhela—and the views from the upper rooms.
Chronicles of Telavi
Telavi was founded in the 4th century as the capital of the Kakheti kingdom, rising to prominence under King Erekle II in the 18th century. Its architecture mixes medieval fortifications, Persian-influenced baths and restored 19th-century merchant houses with wrought-iron balconies. The town centre, built around the statue of Erekle II, retains a low-rise, car-friendly grid of plane-tree-lined streets. Contemporary Telavi balances its role as Kakheti’s administrative hub with a steady flow of wine tourists and backpackers heading to the Alazani Valley.
Best Time to Visit
Full Telavi guide →Best months
September and October: settled autumn weather, harvest season with fewer crowds than peak summer, vineyards turning gold. May: green hills, wildflowers, and mild 20°C days before the heat sets in.
Peak / festival surge
June through August. Telavi fills with domestic tourists and international tour groups. Hotel prices at Erma can double from a low-season 80 GEL to 180 GEL per night. The Telavistoba festival in late June draws crowds for folk music and wine competitions.
Budget shoulder season
April and November: cooler (12–18°C), cheaper rates, and empty churches and wineries. Rain is more likely, but you’ll have the city to yourself.
Weather & packing
Telavi sits in a rain-shadow east of the Caucasus, so summers are hot and dry while winters are cold but not snowy. Pack layers: a light jacket for evening breezes even in June, plus sturdy shoes for the cobbled streets and vineyard hillsides.
Live City Briefing — Telavi
- The main road from Tbilisi to Telavi (the Gombori Pass) is undergoing resurfacing until August 2026; expect 20–30 minute delays weekdays between 8am and 6pm.
- Kakheti Travel now runs a direct minibus from Tbilisi airport to Telavi central square, departing at 2pm and 6pm daily, which bypasses the Didube bus station.
- Telavistoba festival runs 28–29 June 2026, filling the streets with wine tasting stalls, live folk music, and a street food market near Batonis Tsikhe fortress; book dinner tables early.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jun 2026Before you check in to Erma, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the top floor facing the courtyard. These are usually quieter and catch morning light without the street noise.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms directly above the lobby or bar — noise from the breakfast area and late drinkers carries up. Also skip rooms near the lift shaft.
Best views
Ask for a room on the street side if you want a view of Telavi's main square or the Caucasus range. But expect some road noise until late evening.
Quietest floors
Upper floors (3rd and above) are generally quieter. Fewer footsteps above you and less street-level hum.
🔊 Noise notes
Like most Georgian hotels, walls are solid but windows can be single-glazed. A room off the main road makes a big difference. Bring earplugs if you're a light sleeper.
Insider tips
1) Book directly with the hotel — they sometimes upgrade you to a larger room for the same 3-star rate. 2) Ask for a room with a balcony; many 3-stars in Telavi have them but they're not guaranteed unless requested.
- 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 — Erma
Free Wi-Fi in all rooms and lobby, speeds around 15 Mbps, no login required
No lift – stairs only to first-floor rooms; ground-floor rooms available on request
No complimentary newspapers or digital newsstand; lobby TV shows local news
Check-in 14:00–00:00 (24-hour front desk); early bag drop allowed from 10:00; late check-out until 14:00 costs 50 GEL, after 14:00 charged full night
Free at reception for day-of-arrival before check-in and after checkout
Step-free entrance at main door; no wheelchair-accessible bathroom or lift; one ground-floor room may suit limited mobility
Free on-site parking for 6 cars (first-come, first-served); nearest public car park is 300 m away on Kostava Street, 5 GEL per night; no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking; 200 GEL incidental hold on credit card at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: ღვთისმშობლის ეკლესია (1.3 km · ~16 min walk)
- Church: ქეთევან წამებულის სახელობის ეკლესია (1.4 km · ~17 min walk)
- Church: მთავარანგელოზის ეკლესია (1.4 km · ~17 min walk)
- Church: თელავის ღვთაების ეკლესია (1.5 km · ~19 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
თელავი მოლი — 2.4 km · ~31 min walk
ნადიკვარი — 1.2 km · ~16 min walk
ერეკლე მეორის სასახლე — 1.3 km · ~17 min walk
თელავის ვაჟა ფშაველას სახელობის პროფესიული სახელმწიფო დრამატული თეატრი — 1.1 km · ~13 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 124 m · ~2 min walk
სახალხო აფთიაქი — 828 m · ~10 min walk
სანაპირო — 382 m · ~5 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Georgian Lari, GEL
Use ATMs in town for the best rates; avoid currency exchange desks at Tbilisi airport or tourist bureaux in Telavi, as they mark up the rate by 5-10%.
Cards (Visa/Mastercard) are accepted at most hotels, supermarkets, and mid-range restaurants, but cash is essential for markets, marshrutka vans, and smaller family-run eateries.
Tipping 10% is appreciated at restaurants if service is good, but not obligatory; for taxis round up to the nearest lari; hotel staff: no need to tip unless exceptional service.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Turkish-style coffee or instant coffee at a local cafe — around 3-4 GEL.
Khachapuri or a simple soup at a neighbourhood bakery — roughly 10-15 GEL.
A main dish like khinkali or a stew at a casual family restaurant — about 15-20 GEL.
Cobs of roasted corn and fresh churchkhela (nut-and-grape sweets) sold by vendors along the main street and near the central square in the afternoon.
Popular supermarkets include Nikora, Carrefour Express, and Spar — all have multiple locations within Telavi.
Basic clothing is available at second-hand shops (shelts) and the small market stalls along Cholokashvili Avenue; no chain fast-fashion stores in town.
Walk within town (most places are 15-30 min on foot); for longer distances take a marshrutka (minibus) — around 0.80 GEL per local ride. From Tbilisi airport, take the public bus to Avlabari metro, then the 350 or 351 marshrutka to Telavi (about 10-15 GEL total, but allow 2.5 hours).
Buy fresh fruit and vegetables from the morning market near the central square for half the price of supermarkets. Cook your own meals if you have kitchen access, as eating out for every meal adds up. Use local minivans (marshrutkas) rather than taxis for trips between towns.
Emergency Contacts
TelaviGeorgia uses a single number, 112, for police, ambulance and fire. English-speaking operators are available. For non-urgent tourist help, call the Tourism Police at 322 414 244. In Telavi, the main police station is at 19 Chavchavadze Avenue.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Telavi, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Erma
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 124 m · ~2 min walk — pharmacy · სახალხო აფთიაქი — 828 m · ~10 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Tbilisi Central Station (Station Square) → Telavi Railway Station
💡 Scenic but slow — the train meanders through the Alazani Valley. Check updated timetables at tkt.ge; the station is 2 km south of Erma Hotel, so budget for a short taxi ride.
Erma Hotel → Telavi Old Town / Alaverdi Monastery
💡 Use Bolt for short hops — local drivers might start at 10 GEL. For trips to Alaverdi or Tsinandali, agree a flat 20-30 GEL round trip with wait time.
Didube Bus Station, Tbilisi → Telavi Central Bus Station
💡 Marshrutkas leave from Didube’s east side, not the main terminal. Tell the driver 'Erma Hotel' — they’ll drop you near the central square, a 5-min walk uphill.
Tbilisi International Airport → Erma Hotel, Telavi
💡 Book a driver through Bolt or a local agency like GoTrip.ge for fixed rates. Avoid unmarked taxis at arrivals — they'll quote double.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Erma?
Request a room on the top floor facing the courtyard. These are usually quieter and catch morning light without the street noise.
Which rooms should I avoid at Erma?
Avoid rooms directly above the lobby or bar — noise from the breakfast area and late drinkers carries up. Also skip rooms near the lift shaft.
Is Erma noisy?
Like most Georgian hotels, walls are solid but windows can be single-glazed. A room off the main road makes a big difference. Bring earplugs if you're a light sleeper.
Which rooms have the best views at Erma?
Ask for a room on the street side if you want a view of Telavi's main square or the Caucasus range. But expect some road noise until late evening.
What are insider tips for staying at Erma?
1) Book directly with the hotel — they sometimes upgrade you to a larger room for the same 3-star rate. 2) Ask for a room with a balcony; many 3-stars in Telavi have them but they're not guaranteed unless requested.
What time is check-in at Erma?
Check-in at Erma is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Erma have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi in all rooms and lobby, speeds around 15 Mbps, no login required
Is there a city or tourist tax at Erma?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Erma?
Khachapuri or a simple soup at a neighbourhood bakery — roughly 10-15 GEL.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Erma?
Walk within town (most places are 15-30 min on foot); for longer distances take a marshrutka (minibus) — around 0.80 GEL per local ride. From Tbilisi airport, take the public bus to Avlabari metro, then the 350 or 351 marshrutka to Telavi (about 10-15 GEL total, but allow 2.5 hours).
When is the best time to visit Telavi?
September and October: settled autumn weather, harvest season with fewer crowds than peak summer, vineyards turning gold. May: green hills, wildflowers, and mild 20°C days before the heat sets in.
Top Attractions in Telavi
💡 Walk up from the old town via Chavchavadze Street. Best at sunset for the light on the mountains. Bring water and wear decent shoes for the steep path.
💡 Start at Erekle II Square and head south along Akhvlediani Street for the best preserved facades. Most houses are private, so respect residents.
💡 Wear modest clothing covering shoulders and knees. Women may be asked to cover their head. Best to visit on a weekday morning for quiet. The wine cellar here produces qvevri wines, but tastings are by appointment only.
💡 Go early morning to avoid tour groups. The museum itself is small—you can see everything in under an hour. Free on the last Saturday of the month.
💡 If you just want the gardens, skip the palace tour (another 3 GEL) unless you're keen on period furniture. The wine tasting is touristy but decent value at 5 GEL for three wines.