Intourist Kazbegi
by the TopOfHotel team
Intourist Kazbegi is the modern 4-star pick for travelers who want to base in Stepantsminda and still ski Gudauri.
Intourist Kazbegi is the modern 4-star pick for travelers who want to base in Stepantsminda and still ski Gudauri.
In-Depth Review
Intourist Kazbegi carries the old Intourist name from the Soviet-era hotel chain, but the building has been renovated into a modern 4-star. The combined review score is 8.7/10 on Booking.com, and most reviews land on the same two points: the cleanliness and the room quality, both well above what you'd expect in a small mountain town.
Rooms and decor
Rooms lean modern and neutral, with wood and earth-tone fabrics, soft beds, and new bathrooms. The hot water and heating both work well in winter, which matters here. The comment that shows up most often is about cleanliness, with guests genuinely surprised it beats hotels they've stayed in back in bigger cities. Rates start around $83 a night, and the Deluxe Mountain View is the room to ask for if you want the view.
Food and amenities
Staff are professional and speak English and Russian, and they'll set up tours to the Gergeti Trinity church, the Truso Valley and ski days at Gudauri at prices they quote up front. The buffet breakfast covers both Georgian and Western options, and the hotel restaurant and bar pour local wine and Chacha, the Georgian grape spirit, if you want to try it.
Location and getting there
It sits in central Stepantsminda, right on the Georgian Military Highway, so you can drive up from Tbilisi straight in. The Gudauri ski resort is about 32km away, roughly a 40-minute drive, which makes it a good single base if you want to explore the mountains around Kazbegi and ski Gudauri on the same trip. Tbilisi Airport (TBS) is about a 3-hour drive (155km) away.
Things to know before booking
It costs more than the other 3-star options here that score the same or higher, so the premium is for the renovation, not the rating. Not every room has a balcony, and whether you get a mountain view depends on the room you're assigned, which is why it's worth asking for the Deluxe Mountain View directly. And it's a hotel, not a resort, so there's no spa or pool to fall back on if the weather closes in.
Our take
If you want one clean, modern base for both Kazbegi and a few runs at Gudauri, this is the pick. Pay a little more than the guesthouses, get a renovated room and a front desk that handles the logistics in good English, and keep your trip in one place.
Score Breakdown
Assessed by our editorial team from data and real guest reviews
The Honest Verdict — pros & what to know
- Recently renovated, so the rooms and design hit an international standard rather than a small-town one.
- Cleanliness is the single thing reviewers praise most, and several say it beats hotels they've stayed in back in bigger cities.
- Central location in Stepantsminda means you can walk to restaurants and the Alexander Kazbegi Museum.
- Staff speak good English and Russian and will arrange Gudauri ski trips and tours to the Gergeti Trinity church and Truso Valley at transparent prices.
- Solid all-round 4-star with a combined 8.7/10 review score, breakfast included, free Wi-Fi and a 24-hour front desk.
- It costs more than the other 3-star options here that score the same or higher, so you're paying for the renovation rather than a better rating.
- Not every room has a balcony, and whether you get a mountain view comes down to the room you're assigned.
- It's a hotel rather than a resort, so don't expect a spa or pool to fill an off-day.
Who It’s For
Match Score by travel style
Amenities
Location & Nearby Spots
Things to do near Kazbegi (Stepantsminda)
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Insider Tips
- Ask for the Deluxe Mountain View room specifically, since not every room looks out on the mountains.
- Have the front desk set up your Gudauri ski day and the Gergeti Trinity church or Truso Valley tours, since the prices are quoted up front.
- Try the local wine and a glass of Chacha (the Georgian grape spirit) at the hotel bar before a day on the highway.