The Marco Polo Gudauri – Hotel Review: An In-Dept Look at My Personal Experience
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I have recently returned from an unforgettable ski trip in Gudauri, Georgia. And let me tell you, it exceeded my expectations in every way possible. I was blown away by the breathtaking views, the highly underrated ski resort, and the overall atmosphere of the area.
And, one aspect that really made it a trip to remember was my stay in the Marco Polo Hotel, as someone who has been luckily enough to experience their fair share of ski holidays, I have yet to experience a stay like this. And that is what I want to talk about today, I am going to be providing you with an in-depth look at my stay at the Marco Polo Gudauri.
Now, before we dive in, I do want to mention that I did visit Gudauri as a part of a press trip with the Georgian Tourism Board and Traverse Events but as always all opinions are my own, and truly honest!
First Impressions
On arrival, I was highly impressed with the Marco Polo hotel, the staff where extremely accommodating and went out of their way to ensure that we had a nice welcome.
We arrive over four hours early for check in and they made it a priority to get our rooms ready as quickly as possible.
The lobby area was beautifully designed, it’s a wide open space with nice modern touches and some traditional Georgian decor which created a welcoming and warm atmosphere.
I also LOVED the sofa’s, they where really comfortable to relax on after a long drive from Tbilisi.
The Staff
The staff are the main reason my stay at the Marco Polo felt extra special. They went above and beyond to accommodate us to we had a comfortable and enjoyable.
They answered all of our questions about the local area, and even arranged a taxi service for us on our final day (we had a lot of bags and where struggling with bolt).
On our trip, we also misplaced a GoPro, they went above and beyond to help us locate it, from contacting the taxi service we used the night previous, checking the CCTV footage to help us remember where it had been left and texting us with updates along the way.
It meant a lot to us that they where so attentive and we eventually found the GoPro which was a big bonus 🎉
The Rooms
I was really impressed with the rooms at the Marco Polo Gudauri, they where nothing short of amazing. They where clean, spacious and had everything needed for a relaxing stay.
I stayed in a standard double room with a balcony and it felt magically to wake up each morning with a stunning view of the snow-capped mountains.
I highly recommend waking up for sunrise because that is when the view really comes to life.
The room came with two soft bath robes, slippers and complimentary water each day. The beds where incredibly comfortable which for me is one of the most important factors of a ski holiday. I like my sleep 🤣
I also like that each room comes with a smart TV, which gave me the option to take it easy and relax in the evenings.
The ensuite bathroom was quite generous in size, I LOVED the rainfall shower. The water was always hot, I also like that guests are provided with complementary soap and shampoo.
However, the only downside to the room was the WiFi, while it was strong enough to browse social media apps and send messages I did struggle to do a bit of work while there. However, the signal was strong enough in the reception for some more heavy duty internet tasks.
The Location
I really liked the location of the Marco Polo hotel, I felt spoilt being able ski in and out each day! This is my first time having to option on a ski trip and I don’t think I can go back to carrying my ski’s to and from my accommodation 🤣
I just can’t get over how easy it is to to be onboard a chair lift in a matter of seconds, bright and early for the first run of the day.
However, with that being said, while the hotel is in the ideal location for those wanting to hit the slopes bright and early there isn’t really much Aprés Ski options in the area. Most of the nightlife seemed to be in New Gudauri which was a 10 minute bolt ride away.
I didn’t mind this all so much as I was quite happy to enjoy a bit of atmosphere on the slopes in the evening and then return to the hotel for a dip in the pool or a game of bowling but if partying into the early hours is more your vibe this is something to consider.
I also liked that I had to option to easily return to my room if I wanted to take a break in the middle of the day. I never did, but I liked that I had the choice if needed.
Dinning Experience
Breakfast was included in our stay which was a really nice touch as we needed all the fuel we could get before hitting the slopes.
It was served buffet style, the food was always fresh and included some cold and hot options, from fresh fruits and pastries to eggs, omelettes and crepes.
We also ate most nights in the onsite restaurant, again the staff here where extra attentive and the food was quite tasty.
The menu had a great variety of food choices from traditional Georgian dishes to quick bite options such as pizza and chips.
There is also an outside area with heaters for those who prefer to sit out in the stunning winter setting.
Facilities
Another thing that surprised me about the hotel was it’s amazing range of activities, after a long day on the slopes we tended to spend the evening enjoying the Marco Polo’s onsite offerings.
The gorgeous spa features an indoor pool, sauna and steam room. The pool area has large open windows which look out at the snowy landscape. And you can even avail of a range of spa treatments throughout the stay.
If you’re looking to stay entertained in the evenings then I recommend visiting the bowling alley for a game or two. They also have few pool tables onsite. We had so much fun here throughout our stay.
To the left of the reception there is a small bar tucked away in the corner. Which wasn’t too busy, making it a great spot to enjoy a drink or two with friends. It was probably my favourite places to relax in the evenings.
Oh! And there is a small gym with treadmills and weights for anyone looking to workout on their trip.
Ski Rentals & Lockers
There is also a ski rental service onsite, which I highly recommend. The staff there where more than accommodating and offered a very good rate for 6 day ski rentals (starting from €20 a day).
They also allow you to pay by card which is a nice bonus as most other rentals insisted on cash.
Beside the rental shop is a locker room where you can store your ski’s. Each room is provided with a locker and a unique code. The only downside to this is the room closes at 6pm, so if you do decide to take part in Aprés Ski shenanigans you will have to walk around to the main reception for the staff to open the lockers. In fairness, they where always more than happy to accommodate us when we returned back later than 6.
Cleanliness
I was really impressed with the cleanliness of the hotel, there is daily housekeeping which provides guests with fresh towels, complementary water and clean sheets (if needed).
Cleanliness
I can not recommend Gaudauri more for anyone who is looking to go on a affordable ski trip! The quality and conditions are just as good as the alps yet everything is for a fraction of the price. While they have limited ‘expert’ runs, they do have some fantastic off-piste skiing for those looking for more of a thrill. I had such an incredible time on my trip and I can not wait to visit again one day!