It was 7pm when we arrived for an overnight stay at the Grand Opera Hotel in Kutaisi, Georgia’s third-most populous city. The check in was cursory with no folder for the key card, the Wi-Fi code was just given verbally and there was no explanation about the facilities or meal times.
Our room 103 on the first floor was relatively small with a large, but comfortable bed dominating the space. There were bedside tables and lights with good charging points, but as the key card operated power, we could only charge when in the room. There was a fully stocked mini bar, complimentary water and tea and coffee making facilities. The combined wardrobe, shelving and suitcase rack was all open plan, but there was no safe.
The bathroom was in proportion to the room, with enclosed really powerful shower, a huge basin, lots of complimentary toiletries, slippers, plenty of hooks and rails for hanging towels and a good hairdryer/mirror combination.
Wi-Fi was good, but when we returned to the room in the evening and couldn’t get the AC off, we rang reception who switched it off centrally.
The hotel was well located in the middle of town and although there were nearby restaurants, we chose to eat in, as by the time we’d showered and changed it was getting late, and we wanted to use the Wi-Fi. The third-floor bar/restaurant had a covered terrace with good views of the town and the statues on the roof of the next-door opera house. In the absence of local beers, we ordered a couple of Coronas before opting for a bottle of red as there was no white available. There was no wine list, but two options were brought out for us to look at: a Saperavi at 50 Lari (£15) and another more expensive one. Chicken tacos were unavailable, but the waitress suggested the house Cesar salad, which was actually a cooked and sliced warm chicken breast served with a salad. Perhaps because of the vista, the terrace attracted several non-resident guests for a variety of evenings – dates, parties, coffee etc.
Breakfast was available from 8am in a rather dark basement restaurant, which was a shame as it would have been lovely on the terrace. There were juices, coffee served (although it would have been easier to help ourselves), cereals and yoghurt. The only fruit was a basket of relatively unripe whole fruits, and by the time I’d peeled a kiwi, there wasn’t much left. Along with cold meats, cheese, breads and salads there were a couple of hot dishes including frankfurter style sausages, scrambled egg, and rice. Unfortunately we were the only guests, and had the full attention of two young waitresses who watched our every move and mouthful with a beady eye.
Although we were there only a short time, the lift service was erratic and didn’t work twice: the first time when we visited the third floor bar, and the following day on leaving when we had to ask for help with our bags.
Whilst the hotel was fine for an overnight stay, I wouldn’t recommend it for longer.
