Hotel Mariam R, Tbilisi, Georgia: My Stay That Felt Just Like Home

Tbilisi is the capital of Georgia, and the whole city is split by the Kura (Mtkvari) River, giving you 2 different vibes in one place:

Old Tbilisi: The heart and soul of Georgia’s capital. It’s all about history—narrow streets, cobbled lanes, cute wooden balconies, little cafés tucked into corners, and the famous sulphur bathhouses make it feel like the city has been living for centuries.
Modern Tbilisi: Where 19th-century history meets a 21st-century city. Cool architecture, sleek bridges, stylish cafés, and creative spaces give it a modern, energetic vibe.

When I was planning my trip, I knew I needed at least one night in Old Tbilisi to really soak up that historic vibe. So for my first day in Georgia, I booked a room at Mariam R—a small, guesthouse-style hotel right in the heart of the old town. Since my flight arrived in the morning, staying there for one night actually gave me almost 2 full days to explore the area, which worked out perfectly.

Today, I’m sharing my honest review of Mariam R to help you decide if it’s the right place for your trip. (I didn’t take many photos during my stay, so a few of the photos here are from Agoda 😆.)

📍 Where is Mariam R

Mariam R is located right in the heart of Old Tbilisi, just a short walk from the city’s most famous landmarks:

Sharden Street: 3–5 minutes on foot
Sioni Cathedral & Bridge of Peace: 2–5 minutes away
Freedom Square / City Hall, Rike Park, Narikala Fortress: all within easy walking distance

The hotel is also about a 20–30 minute drive from Tbilisi International Airport, depending on traffic.

Staying at Mariam R doesn’t just give you a bed—it drops you right into the living, breathing heart of Tbilisi’s Old Town. Because everything’s so close, you don’t waste time commuting; you get more time wandering, exploring, and soaking up the city’s vibe, which for me made the stay feel way more authentic.

✅ The Room I Booked

I went for the Single Large Room with breakfast. The room came with a comfy single bed, a decent-sized toilet with a shower, plus basic toiletries like shampoo and shower gel—which is always a plus when you’re traveling light.

There’s also a small wardrobe for hanging your clothes, and the room felt spacious enough without being too big or too cramped. I really liked the window right next to the bed too—it kept the room bright and made it feel a lot more welcoming. They provide fresh towels and linens, and overall, everything was clean and well-maintained.

What made it feel extra cozy was that the building doesn’t have that typical “hotel” vibe at all. It honestly feels more like staying in someone’s family home, with rooms spread between the upstairs and downstairs. There’s also a little front yard with an outdoor table where you can hang out, drink coffee, or just chill before heading out. The gate is open 24/7, so you can come and go whenever you want without any fuss. Overall, it made the whole stay feel way more relaxed and homey—almost like I was living with a local family rather than staying at a hotel.

Agoda.com

✅ The Staff

The moment I arrived, I was greeted so warmly by a lovely lady, who I’m pretty sure is the owner. It was around 11:00 AM, and I looked absolutely exhausted from my red-eye flight. I already knew it wasn’t check-in time yet, so my plan was just to drop my backpack and head out to wander around until the room was ready.

But she noticed how tired I was right away. We chatted a little about my flight, and without me even asking, she checked whether my room was ready so I could rest. I honestly didn’t expect that kind of gesture—it was such a pleasant surprise.

She told me the room was almost ready, and didn’t want me waiting around half-asleep, so she brought me into the kitchen and heated some water so I could make myself a coffee while the finishing touches were being done. We ended up talking about my trip, and I told her how relieved I felt finally arriving in Georgia—especially after my trip to Kazakhstan, where I was struggling with a language barrier.

By 11:20 AM, she handed me my key and let me check in early so I could finally get some proper rest. That level of kindness honestly set the tone for my whole stay.

Agoda.com

Agoda.com

✅ The Breakfast

The breakfast was a simple but delicious Georgian breakfast. Nothing fancy, but everything you need to start your day. What I loved most wasn’t even just the food, but how it was served. The owner set everything up in this shared-kitchen style, almost like a family dining room, which instantly made the whole experience feel warm and welcoming.

The kitchen itself isn’t big—just a small service counter with around 5 dining tables—but that cozy setup actually made it easier to chat with other guests. That morning, I ended up talking to an older couple from London and another solo traveler from Germany who was seated at my table.

The owner kept encouraging everyone to talk and get to know each other, and it honestly created such a wholesome vibe.

Agoda.com

✅ How Much Did I Pay?

During my stay, I paid RM162.00/night ($40), which was honestly such a good deal for a place right in the heart of Old Tbilisi. For that price, I got a comfortable room, breakfast included, and a location that made it super easy to explore without needing taxis or long walks uphill.

I booked mine through Agoda, but of course, the price can change depending on promotions, seasons, and how early you book. Sometimes the rates drop during off-peak months, and sometimes they go higher if it’s a busy travel period. So if you’re planning to stay at Mariam R, it’s worth checking a few dates to compare.

For me, the value for money was definitely there—affordable, convenient, and cozy enough to feel like I was staying at someone’s home rather than a standard hotel.

Totally worth it.

⭐ Final Thoughts

I genuinely recommend staying at Mariam R if you’re visiting Tbilisi, especially if you’re a solo traveler. The whole place has that homey, family-style vibe that just makes you feel safe, welcomed, and cared for, which is something I really appreciated on this trip.

If my budget had allowed, I honestly would’ve stayed a few more nights before moving to modern Tbilisi. Saying goodbye to Mariam R was harder than I expected. I truly loved everything about it and can’t wait to come back someday.

You can check out the hotel here: [Mariam R, Tbilisi]

Until my next visit,
Auri Duham ✈️