NEWS
Rotana adds mountain hospitality in Georgia
Rotana has signed Gudauri Ski Resort, marking the group’s first ski resort and the introduction of a new hospitality category to its global portfolio. The project is located in Gudauri, one of the most established ski destinations in Georgia, within the high-altitude landscape of the Greater Caucasus mountains. With direct ski-in, ski-out access to the Gudauri ski lift station, the resort is designed for both winter sports and year-round travel. The development also deepens Rotana’s partnership with Pontus in the Georgian market.
The signing took place during an official ceremony in Tbilisi on 22 May, attended by senior representatives of Rotana, Pontus and NOA, the Italian architectural studio specialising in mountain hospitality design. The event also served as the public presentation of NOA’s architectural concept for the resort and the formal exchange of the management agreement. The project will include two distinct properties offering approximately 400 keys, supported by a wide range of leisure, wellness, dining and entertainment facilities.
The resort has been planned as a destination with strong year-round appeal. Its location, around 120 kilometres from Tbilisi International Airport, gives it access to visitors arriving from the UAE, Europe and the wider Middle East. Guests will be able to use signature and specialty dining venues, a cigar lounge, six meeting rooms, après-ski terraces, full-service health clubs and spas, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, ski equipment retail and rental, and extensive kids’ and family entertainment. A dedicated wellness facility will connect both properties by a bridge, creating a shared health and relaxation offer across the development.
The design concept by NOA is led by architect Lukas Rungger and takes inspiration from the Mandili, the traditional Georgian headscarf. Its fluid form has been reinterpreted through the resort’s rooflines and spatial identity. This approach is intended to create a destination rooted in Georgian cultural identity, where architecture, landscape and local heritage are combined with contemporary design and modern resort facilities.
Gudauri Ski Resort is the second project to come from the partnership between Rotana and Pontus. Their collaboration began three years ago with the signing of Pontus Rotana Resort & Spa, Gonio on Georgia’s Black Sea coast, which is due to welcome guests in 2027. The new mountain resort reflects a shared long-term commitment to raising hospitality standards across Georgia, while also expanding Rotana’s presence in new and emerging destinations.
The project also comes as Georgia continues to strengthen its position as a growing tourism economy in the wider region. According to the release, the country welcomed more than 7 million international visitors in 2025, supported by a strategic focus on year-round destinations and premium hospitality infrastructure. With rising interest from the GCC, Europe and neighbouring markets, Gudauri Ski Resort is positioned to benefit from this momentum while adding a distinctive mountain resort experience to Rotana’s global portfolio.
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