Paliani Hotel is a modern boutique hotel in Mestia, the main town of Svaneti, one of the most remote and spectacular mountain regions in Europe. Here, in the high valleys of the Greater Caucasus, medieval stone defence towers rise above the villages, glaciers spill from peaks above 4,000 metres, and an ancient mountain culture survives with its own language and traditions. Paliani offers a comfortable, affordable base for exploring it all.
Paliani Hotel is a modern boutique hotel in Mestia, the main town of Svaneti, one of the most remote and spectacular mountain regions in Europe. Here, in the high valleys of the Greater Caucasus, medieval stone defence towers rise above the villages, glaciers spill from peaks above 4,000 metres, and an ancient mountain culture survives with its own language and traditions. Paliani offers a comfortable, affordable base for exploring it all.
Location: Mestia, Svaneti, Georgia
The hotel stands on Avtandil Khergiani Street in Mestia, at around 1,500 metres in Upper Svaneti, in north-western Georgia, close to the Russian border. Mestia has a small airport with flights from Tbilisi and Kutaisi, weather permitting, and it can also be reached by a dramatic mountain road from Zugdidi, roughly three hours away.
Upper Svaneti is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, celebrated for its medieval tower houses, churches and frescoes, and for the remote village communities of Ushguli, about 45 kilometres from Mestia, among the highest permanently inhabited settlements in Europe. Mount Ushba, with its twin summits, and Tetnuldi rise above the valleys.
The Svans have lived in these valleys for centuries, isolated by mountains and snow for much of the year, and their distinctive towers, built between the ninth and thirteenth centuries, served as both homes and refuges during feuds and invasions. Many families still own the towers next to their homes, and some can be visited.
Rooms and suites at Paliani
The hotel has around 18 rooms, in double, triple and family configurations, along with a separate hostel section for budget travellers. Rooms are modern and comfortable, with a contemporary style that contrasts with the ancient stone towers around the town, and some have views of the mountains.
The mix of rooms makes it suitable for couples, families and groups, and it is popular with hikers starting or finishing treks in the region.
Rates are modest, making it an excellent choice for travellers on a budget, and the hostel section offers an even cheaper option for solo travellers and groups. The friendly staff can help with local advice, transport and bookings.
Facilities at Paliani
The hotel's restaurant serves a mix of Svan and European cuisine, with indoor and outdoor seating, and there is a bar for relaxing after a day in the mountains. Svan specialities, such as kubdari, a spiced meat-filled bread, and tashmijabi, a rich dish of potatoes and cheese, are well worth trying, along with Svan salt, a blend of herbs and spices famous across Georgia.
The town has a museum of history and ethnography, with remarkable icons and manuscripts, and several towers that can be climbed. The hotel can help arrange guides, horse trekking, jeep transfers to Ushguli and, in winter, skiing at the nearby Hatsvali and Tetnuldi ski areas.
The mountain moment
The defining moment is the hike to the Koruldi Lakes, high above Mestia, where on a calm day the twin peaks of Ushba are reflected in the still water, with the whole of the Svaneti valley spread out below. It is a long, steep walk, but one of the finest viewpoints in the Caucasus.
Equally memorable is the journey to Ushguli, where clusters of medieval towers stand against the vast, glaciated wall of Shkhara, Georgia's highest mountain, at more than 5,000 metres.
Why Paliani is one of the best mountain hotels
Paliani Hotel earns its place in our Affordable stays collection because it offers a comfortable, well-located base in one of the most extraordinary mountain regions in Europe, at a fair price. It is a modern, practical hotel rather than a historic one, and facilities are modest. But Svaneti itself is the attraction, and Paliani makes it easy and affordable to explore.
It also adds a second region of Georgia to our collection, alongside Rooms Hotel Kazbegi: together they show the very different faces of the Greater Caucasus, from Kazbek's volcanic cone to Svaneti's towers and glaciers.
When to go to Paliani
The best time to visit is summer, from June to September, when the high trails are open, the meadows are full of flowers and the road to Ushguli is easiest. Late September brings autumn colours and clear skies. Winter, from December to March, brings snow, skiing and a magical, quiet atmosphere, though roads and flights can be disrupted by the weather. Spring is the muddy shoulder season, as snow melts in the valleys.
Questions, answered
- How do you get to Mestia?
- By small plane from Tbilisi or Kutaisi, weather permitting, or by road from Zugdidi, roughly three hours away.
- Is Svaneti a UNESCO World Heritage Site?
- Yes. Upper Svaneti is listed for its medieval tower houses, churches and villages.
- Can you ski near Mestia?
- Yes. The Hatsvali and Tetnuldi ski areas are close to Mestia.
