Hotel London 1889 & Casino

Rooms and decor

Picture a hotel that sits right in the middle of Batumi's Old Town: a few minutes out of the lobby and you hit Europe Square, the plaza at the heart of the tourist district. That's the first bit of charm at Hotel London 1889 & Casino. The building leans into a warm, classic interior to match the name, with a European old-money mood from the moment you walk into the lobby. Rooms and suites are clean and uncluttered, done in warm tones with wood and good fabrics, the beds soft and well-kitted, the bathrooms neatly finished. Several rooms sit high enough to open onto the Old Town skyline, with its rows of European-style buildings, and a few angles even catch the Black Sea. A window seat is made for a morning coffee while the city slowly wakes. Plenty of reviews agree the rooms are clean and well-kept and the location makes everything walkable - and the higher the room, the wider the city view and the quieter the feel.

Food and amenities

The heart of a stay here is having everything in one building. There's a casino for anyone who fancies a flutter in a polished setting, then a full-service spa to loosen up tired legs after a day around the Old Town and the beach, with treatment rooms for a proper soak, and a gym for anyone keeping up a routine on the road. Come evening there's a lounge bar for a relaxed drink before or after a wander into town. The food side holds its own too: the restaurant serves real Georgian dishes like khachapuri, the hot baked cheese bread, and khinkali, the country's famous soup dumplings, plus an international menu for every meal. The whole thing feels like having it all in one place - head out to sightsee, come back for the spa, end the night with a drink at the bar or a turn in the casino, no need to leave. Many reviews praise the cleanliness, the full set of facilities and the value for the price.

Location and getting there

Location is the real trump card here. Hotel London 1889 & Casino sits in central Batumi Old Town near Europe Square, the European plaza at the heart of the tourist district, about a 5-10 minute walk from the door. The square is ringed by handsome European-style buildings and anchored by the golden Medea statue, a landmark visitors photograph every evening. A little further on you reach the Black Sea beach and the seafront boulevard, which stretches out for an easy stroll in the breeze. From here you can explore the restaurants, smart cafes, bars and photo spots of the Old Town almost entirely on foot. The district hums day and night - a world apart from a hotel stuck out beyond the city. If you want to step out and start sightseeing right away, reach both the square and the sea in minutes, then come back to a building with a casino and spa in one place, this location delivers.

Things to know before booking

Straight talk to help you decide. First, because the hotel has a casino and lounge bar in the building, some nights - especially weekends and high season - that zone can get lively and noise carries a little. Light sleepers, or anyone traveling with young kids, should ask up front for a floor well away from the casino and bar for a quieter stay. Second is the decor, which runs classic and ornate to fit the London concept. If you prefer the sleek, minimalist look of the city's newer glass towers, this may feel classic or less modern - but if you like a European old-money mood, you'll love it. Last, because it's in a busy old-quarter, street-facing rooms can pick up noise from the lively district at times, and when crowds peak, check-in or some service can run slower than usual. Come for the central location and the all-in-one-building convenience first, and treat quick service as a bonus.

Our take

After reading through more than 1,150 real reviews, Hotel London 1889 & Casino is a hotel that sells a central Old Town location - a few minutes' walk to both Europe Square and the Black Sea beach - paired with the convenience of a casino, spa, gym, lounge bar and restaurant in one building, at good value. If the trip in your head is waking up to stroll the European plaza, photograph the Medea statue, walk the seafront in the breeze, come back for a spa session, then close the night with a drink at the lounge bar or a turn in the casino, this is a well-judged, well-priced pick for the city. But if you're after a sharply modern design or quiet well away from the busy district, weigh up the casino mood and the central location first. Overall we give it 8.7/10, best for couples, groups of friends and travelers who want to stay in the center, walk to every sight, and have a casino and spa all in one place.