Letters From the Lobby

While we appreciate our presence on global platforms, reserving your space directly through the official Blue Balcony website is the only way to experience our philosophy of hospitality from the very first click. By bypassing intermediaries, you establish a direct thread to our team, ensuring every detail of your visit to the capital of Georgia is handled with the attention to detail that defines premium heritage accommodation.

The advantages of choosing our official channel:

• Beyond Loyalty Status: Even if you hold a high Genius status on Booking.com, our direct rates—enhanced by exclusive website-only promo codes—always offer the most significant value. We ensure that travelers seeking an authentic Georgian experience find the absolute best terms here, at the source.
• The Human Connection: Forget scripted call centers and automated bots. When you book directly, you gain access to our team through familiar, everyday chats. We prefer an informal, witty, and swift style of communication, resolving your questions or bespoke requests in real-time, with a lightness and speed that large travel engines simply cannot match.
• Instant Certainty: Your reservation is synchronized with our system in the blink of an eye. Booking directly eliminates the risk of technical sync errors between third-party platforms, giving you a 100% guarantee that your sanctuary is secured the moment you confirm.
• Superior Flexibility: Life in the South Caucasus is vibrant and unpredictable. Direct bookings grant us the freedom to be more flexible with your terms—whether it’s a sudden change of travel itineraries or a specific preference for your room’s view and layout.

If you are looking for something non-standard or require a tailored arrangement that doesn’t fit into a typical form, simply let us know.

At Blue Balcony, our digital calendar is meticulously synchronized with our live inventory to reflect real-time availability. If no rooms appear for your selected dates, it means we are currently at full capacity. However, travel in the Birthplace of Wine is famously fluid, and the rhythm of legendary Georgian hospitality often brings unexpected shifts in travel plans.

Before looking elsewhere, we recommend:

• The Direct Line: Reach out to us via our official messaging channels. While the calendar is accurate now, we can reshuffle our internal room management or optimize our upcoming schedule to potentially open a sanctuary specifically for your visit.
• The Priority Waitlist: We maintain a bespoke list for travelers whose hearts are set on the Blue Balcony experience. Should a cancellation occur due to the dynamic nature of international travel, you will be notified immediately.

If we remain at capacity, we want your journey into the ancient city’s heartbeat to be exceptional. To ensure your travel itinerary remains flawless, we recommend exploring these esteemed colleagues who represent the absolute peak of high-end lodging in Georgia:

• For Design-Driven & Iconic Boutique Stays: We highly suggest Rooms Hotel Tbilisi, Stamba Hotel, Shota @ Rustaveli Boutique Hotel, Monograph Freedom Square, Museum Hotel Tbilisi, The House Hotel Old Tbilisi, Vinotel Boutique Hotel, The Telegraph Hotel, Unfound Door Hotel, and Kisi Hotel.
• For Intimate Charm & Hidden Corners: Discover the ambiance of Communal Hotel Sololaki, Taste Tbilisi, and Wine Point — each with their own voice and character, nestled into the folds of Tbilisi’s most storied districts.
• For Grand Scale & Panoramic Luxury: Look into Paragraph Freedom Square, The Biltmore Hotel Tbilisi, Radisson Blu Iveria, Tbilisi Marriott, and Sheraton Grand Tbilisi Metechi Palace. These landmarks are perfect for those seeking five-star service and expansive city views.
• For Modern Comfort & Prime Location: Consider Swissôtel Tbilisi, Wyndham Grand Tbilisi, Courtyard by Marriott, and Moxy Tbilisi. These hotels provide a reliable urban retreat within walking distance of the main cultural sights.

We remain at your disposal to help you find the perfect home in this city, whether it is behind our vibrant colorful doors or with our respected peers in the Mtatsminda, Sololaki, or Vera districts.

There’s something quietly magical about arriving in Old Tbilisi as the city begins to wake. While our official check-in time starts at 2:00 PM, we understand that early arrivals are part of the natural rhythm of travel.

Although a guaranteed early check-in depends on the departure schedule of our previous guests, we are happy to welcome you from 9:00 AM onward. Our lobby becomes your first refuge in the city — a place to pause with a cup of coffee or tea, leave your luggage in safe hands, and step out into the winding streets of the Old Town unburdened.

If your journey requires confirmed access to your room earlier than 2:00 PM, simply let our team know. We will always do our best to adapt to your plans and prepare your sanctuary as early as possible.

At Blue Balcony, hospitality is not measured by the clock, but by attention, flexibility, and care.

To begin your stay with ease and elegance, we recommend our private airport transfer — a seamless alternative to conventional taxis. From the moment you step into the arrivals hall, your journey into Old Tbilisi begins with comfort, clarity, and care.

Unlike ride-hailing or curbside pickups, our dedicated airport service connects you directly to the hotel’s doorstep in the heart of the historic district. We monitor your flight in real-time, ensuring that even early landings or unexpected delays are gracefully accommodated. Your driver will wait as long as needed, so you can move through customs and baggage claim unhurried.

Private Transfer Options:

• Standard Sedan (up to 3 guests): 90 GEL
• Spacious Minivan (up to 6 guests): 150 GEL

If you’d like to arrange a pickup, simply get in touch with our team. We’ll handle the details — so your arrival in Georgia begins not with logistics, but with lightness.

Blue Balcony is nestled in the genuine Old Town, occupying a restored 18th-century building that sits at the crossroads of Tbilisi’s history and modern energy. We aren’t just “near” the center; we are part of the city’s historic fabric, located within a scenic stroll from the capital’s most iconic sights.

From our doorstep, a walk of less than 10 minutes brings you to:

• Freedom Square (Liberty Square): The grand heart of the city where historic architecture meets the pulse of modern Tbilisi (6-minute walk)
• Shardeni Street: A vibrant pedestrian artery famous for its cozy wine bars, galleries, and evening atmosphere (6-minute walk)
• Sioni Cathedral: One of the oldest and most spiritual landmarks in the historic center (4-minute walk)
• The Bridge of Peace & Rike Park: The futuristic glass bridge that offers breathtaking views of the Mtkvari River (8-minute walk)
• Gabriadze Clock Tower: The whimsically “leaning” tower of the world-renowned puppet theater (7-minute walk)

If you’re willing to wander just a few minutes further, you’ll find the domed Sulfur Baths (Abanotubani) and the cable car station at Rike Park, which whisks you up to Narikala Fortress and the Mother of Georgia statue for a panoramic view of the entire valley.

Tbilisi is a city of early risers and late-night poets — and whether your day begins with espresso or khachapuri, you’ll find yourself spoiled for choice. Some places have become destinations in themselves, mentioned in every guidebook and whispered about over dinner tables across the city.

Among the most iconic names in town:

• Cafe Stamba — a blend of polished design and leisurely brunch culture
• Fabrika — industrial chic, café courtyards, and creative breakfasts
• Kikliko — opens early in Vake, loved for its warm pastries and quiet charm
• Pasanauri — a local favorite for khinkali and fast service
• Barbarestan — elegant and historic, based on a 19th-century cookbook
• Cafe Daphna — sleek design, modern approach, and khinkali ordered one by one
• Funicular Restaurant — city views, ponchiki, and nostalgia on Mtatsminda
• Gardenia Shevardnadze — a blooming retreat for slow breakfasts and photo moments
• Keto & Kote — tucked-away, candlelit, and timelessly Georgian

These aren’t personal endorsements — simply the city’s most talked-about and photographed names.

For our guests:
Inside each room, your interactive TV system includes a handpicked list of breakfast spots just a few minutes’ walk from Blue Balcony. These are places we genuinely recommend — known for consistency, proximity, and morning charm.

Prefer something tailored to your mood or schedule? Our reception team is always happy to suggest options that match your taste, whether you crave simplicity, sophistication, or just a seat in the sun.

The narrow, winding streets of the Old Town were designed long before the era of automobiles, giving the district its unique charm but making dedicated private parking a rarity. While Blue Balcony does not have its own parking lot, we are always on hand to help you navigate the local logistics.

If you find it challenging to locate a spot upon arrival, our staff will be happy to share local insights and point you toward the most convenient places to park nearby. We can suggest quieter spots on adjacent streets where parking is available and, in many cases, free of charge. This is especially useful for travelers arriving by car and staying in a hotel in the city center of Tbilisi, where Old Town parking can be limited.

Parking in the Center:
Zonal Parking: Some areas in Tbilisi utilize an hourly zonal system. We recommend downloading the Tbilisi Parking app (iOS / Android) for seamless management of any municipal parking fees via your smartphone.

Arrival Tip: Feel free to reach out to us as you enter our district; we can provide real-time guidance on which nearby streets currently have the best availability, ensuring your transition from the car to our lobby is as smooth as possible.

In a city as layered as Tbilisi, transportation should be simple, transparent, and suited to your pace. While taxis are abundant, we recommend relying on trusted ride-hailing apps for comfort and clarity.

The two most reliable services in Georgia are Bolt and Yandex Go. These apps offer fixed prices, route tracking, and card payments — essential features in a city where street taxis do not use meters at all. We strongly advise never negotiating a fare directly with a driver — rates can fluctuate dramatically, and the experience often becomes stressful.

By using these platforms, you skip confusion and ensure fair, predictable pricing throughout Tbilisi — whether you’re heading to a hidden wine bar in the Old Town or returning from an evening on Mtatsminda.

As a general guide:
A ride from Tbilisi International Airport to our location near Freedom Square typically costs between 30 and 50 GEL, depending on time and vehicle class.

For those who enjoy the rhythm of local life, Tbilisi offers a direct public bus from the international airport — a route that gently unfolds the city’s layers as you move from the runway into the heart of the Old Town.

Bus 337 departs directly from the arrivals terminal and, without requiring any transfers, takes you through the city toward Freedom Square. It stops just 50 meters from our door — a rare precision in a city known for beautiful disorder.

This is not merely a budget option. It’s for those who prefer independence over instruction, who enjoy navigating cities on their own terms, and who appreciate the quiet poetry of traveling light.

Key Details for Your Journey

• Operating Hours: 07:00 to 23:00, with buses departing every 15–20 minutes
• Fare & Payment: 1 GEL. No cash accepted — pay directly at the onboard validator with Visa, Mastercard, Apple Pay or Google Pay

Taking the bus from Tbilisi International Airport to a boutique hotel in the Old Town offers not just movement, but a gentle initiation into the city’s texture, light, and contradictions — before you arrive at your own quiet balcony.

Tbilisi is often called one of the safest cities in Europe — and for good reason. Crime against tourists is extraordinarily rare, especially in the historic areas. You can walk the narrow streets of Old Tbilisi late at night without fear. There are no dangerous districts to avoid, no reputation for scams, and virtually no street crime.

As a visitor, you’re unlikely to encounter anything more threatening than the city’s occasional chaotic traffic. And unlike many popular destinations, petty theft, pickpocketing, and tourist-targeted scams are virtually nonexistent here.

That said, no city is perfect. While crime is rare, it is not impossible. We always advise general awareness — just as you would anywhere in the world.

A few small exceptions worth noting:

• Avoid accepting offers from unregistered taxis. Use trusted apps like Bolt or Yandex Go for transparent pricing and peace of mind.
• Steer clear of a handful of shady nightlife venues (such as certain strip clubs) that may inflate your bill with fabricated charges.

Beyond that, Tbilisi is remarkably safe — even late at night, even alone. And Sololaki, our historic neighborhood, is one of the most peaceful and photogenic parts of the city.

In Tbilisi, paying by card is the norm, not the exception.

Visa and MasterCard are accepted almost everywhere — in supermarkets, taxis, boutiques, restaurants, museums, salons, and more. American Express is also frequently accepted, though slightly less common than the major networks.

That said, we recommend carrying a small amount of Georgian lari in cash, especially for casual markets, small kiosks, or impromptu moments — the kind that make wandering through Old Tbilisi so delightful.

If your itinerary includes more rural areas such as Racha, Svaneti, Borjomi, or Tusheti, we advise preparing a bit more cash. While cards are increasingly accepted even there, mobile signal and banking infrastructure can occasionally be unpredictable.

Currency exchange in Tbilisi is simple and straightforward. Most exchange booths accept USD, EUR, and RUB, and the rate differences between locations are usually modest. For consistently fair rates and no hidden commissions, we suggest the Rico Credit network — with branches across the city and 24/7 service.

To truly uncover the secrets of Georgia, from the majestic peaks of Kazbegi to the sun-drenched vineyards of Kakheti, you need the freedom of the open road. For a seamless experience that prioritizes local expertise over corporate bureaucracy, we recommend choosing a service that connects you with the best independent rental companies across the country.

LOCALRENT — DISCOVER GEORGIA WITH LOCAL EXPERTISE

Why we recommend this platform over global chains:

• Fair Pricing: Unlike brands like Budget or Europcar, this aggregator offers more competitive rates by working directly with local providers. This is especially valuable if you plan to rent a car in Tbilisi and explore Georgia’s diverse regions by road.
• Flexible Terms: You can easily filter for vehicles with full insurance and a ‘no deposit’ policy, avoiding the need for large cash holdings or credit card freezes — ideal for independent travelers on a road trip through Georgia.
• City-Wide Delivery: You can arrange for your car to be delivered directly to our doorstep in the Old Town, saving you the time and effort of visiting a rental office.
• Diverse Fleet: From rugged 4x4s for mountain passes to charming convertibles perfect for cruising through the wine valleys, you’ll find a much wider variety of cars suited for Georgia’s unique terrain.

We understand — some places are more than a setting; they are a story waiting to be captured. Blue Balcony is often discovered not through guidebooks, but through photographs: shared moments, soft light, vintage lines, and signature colors that seem to ask for a lens.

As one of the most Instagrammable boutique hotels in Tbilisi, we’re happy to welcome photoshoots, wedding sessions, styled editorials, and content creation of all kinds. Whether you’re a creative professional, a couple celebrating a special moment, or a traveler collecting beauty — our doors are open to ideas.

We’re open to various formats — from classic location rentals to creative collaborations, brand partnerships, or barter agreements. Every project is different, and we’re happy to consider what works best for both sides.

Kindly note:
Blue Balcony is a working boutique hotel, and the comfort of our guests is our highest priority. As we’re often fully booked and every corner of the house is in use, we kindly ask that you contact us in advance to discuss your vision. This gives us the chance to coordinate your shoot in a way that ensures access to the spaces you need — without disrupting the rhythm of the house, or your own.

We’d love to hear what you have in mind, and we’ll do everything we can to help bring it into focus.

Absolutely. We’re always happy to assist our corporate guests, and we regularly work with legal entities and business travelers visiting Georgia. Whether you’re traveling for a client meeting, a creative collaboration, or a cultural residency, we can issue a full invoice for your company stay.

To ensure that all official documents and receipts are prepared smoothly, we recommend booking directly through our official website. You can simply add a comment to your reservation noting the name of your company or the contact details of your administrator. We’ll handle the rest — no forms, no back-and-forths.

At Blue Balcony, we believe that business accommodation should be as calm and seamless as the trip itself.