Some hotels are designed to help you disappear. But Stamba Hotel is where you go to be in the middle of things. Inside a former Soviet publishing house in Tbilisi’s Vera neighbourhood, the hotel operates at its own particular frequency: an amalgamation of a grand hotel, a cultural institution, and a neighbourhood living room. There are books and brutalism, natural wine and late nights, a resident dog named Kimchi, and a revolving cast of locals who make the place feel perpetually in motion.
After six stays in 18 months, Australian travel writer, advisor, and the founder of the curated travel platform It’s Beautiful Here Georgia Hopkins has stopped pretending to be impartial. For her, Stamba is quite simply “the best city hotel in the world”. Here, she tell us why.
Place: Stamba Hotel
Address: 14, 0108 Merab Kostava St, Tbilisi
Contact: +995 32 202 1199
Designed and curated by … Led by founder and absolute visionary Temur Ugulava, Stamba was designed by the in-house architectural team Adjara Arch Group (part of Adjara Group), transforming a 1950s Soviet-era publishing house into a luxury hotel, opening in April 2018.
I stay here because… There is nowhere else like it. For me, this is the best city hotel in the world. Dynamic and constantly evolving, Stamba is far more than just a hotel – a repurposed publishing house in Tbilisi’s leafy Vera neighbourhood, centred around a dramatic, five-storey atrium threaded with greenery. Always buzzing, it’s as much a creative hub for locals as it is for guests. A true reflection of the city’s energy and creative climate.
My last visit was… The most fun. I was back in April for the Bar Brutal Barcelona takeover – loud, loose, and full of very good wine. I’ve stayed at Stamba at least six times in the past 18 months, which says everything.
What I love about the room… Everything. The aesthetic is perfectly nostalgic – elegant yet bold, with subtle industrial and brutalist influences. Rooms are super spacious (around 50sqm), with high ceilings, exposed brick walls, and floor-to-ceiling bookshelves that act like a private library. Large windows overlook greenery, while cloud-like beds, leather headboards, and a deeply comfortable sofa add warmth and softness. At the centre: a freestanding brass bathtub and a circular, standalone shower.
Amenities worth a mention… At Stamba, everything flows. From Warehouse Wines – arguably the best natural wine bar and shop in the world – to Café Stamba, which carries you effortlessly from morning to night. There’s a strong creative pulse throughout, from the Tbilisi Photography & Multimedia Museum (TPMM) to the in-house Atelier. Add D-Block co-working (complimentary for guests), SpaceFarms’ vertical garden, and The Shop, and it becomes somewhere you never really need – or want – to leave.
It’s the details that count… Nothing is accidental. Much is custom, much personally selected by Temur himself – from the freestanding bath and lighting to in-room La Marzocco machines and McIntosh sound systems.
Room service order… Modern Georgian with an international twist. I order the same thing every time: the Adjarian khachapuri (Georgian boat-shaped flatbread) and the pistachio cake (amazing).
What to expect in the mini bar… A perfectly curated selection – Torres crisps, nuts and produce from their own Udabno regenerative farm, cocktail kits, recipe cards, games.
Places nearby worth frequenting… Keto and Kote for dinner (stop by the Rooms Studio showroom in the same building beforehand). The brand new 27 Wine Cellar & Shop for natural wine. They Said Books for coffee and browsing. Walk down Rustaveli Avenue to the beautifully restored Mtatsminda cable car station, with its two spiral staircases, and take the cable car up at sunset – it’s a special experience.
The one thing I always return home with is… Too many photos of Kimchi (Stamba’s beloved house dog), a t-shirt from The Shop, and a slight headache from too much wine and chacha.
To experience RUSSH Home Issue 05 in its entirety, it will be available on newsstands from Monday 27 July 2026 and through our shop. Find a stockist near you.
