Borjomi Palace & Spa Hotel

The bedding was decent, but there wasn't much else to like. The room felt worn, and its tiny bathroom was covered in limescale. You could see wear throughout the property, only partly balanced by the bed linens. Check-in was distinctly unfriendly: “You got booking?! Give me your passport!” Breakfast was forgettable, and the toaster seemed to test your patience more than toast anything. The pool is tucked deep inside the building, with guests more interested in drinking than swimming, which killed any desire I had to get in. Even our slippers came as two mismatched left feet, a fitting detail for a stay that felt off-kilter. It wasn't a horrible stay, but for the money, the value seems to have taken a holiday. The place has little of a Palace beyond its name, and anyone expecting something like a European “Palace” should look elsewhere.

The food was average, and the breakfast buffet didn't offer many choices. Our room was shabby and dingy, with an uncomfortable mattress that dipped on one side. The staff came across as rude and unprofessional. We visited in summer, and the AC wasn't working. They initially said they couldn't move us. It took 30 minutes of arguing to get across how hot the room was, and they finally gave us another one as if they were doing us a favor. A very poor experience and not worth the money.

The dining room was well managed, with a varied menu and food that was nicely prepared and presented. Special thanks to Sabo and George for their excellent work. The building itself was clean and efficient, and some staff were truly outstanding, though a few could use more customer service training. Spa treatments ranged from very professional to mediocre. I spent 17 days there and was the only American guest, which was both a benefit and a burden. English isn't widely spoken, but you can manage. If you want to relax, this could be the place for you.

I had a really enjoyable trip there last summer. The rooms aren't anything special, but I still loved the place.