Telegraph Hotel — Hotel in Tbilisi, Georgia

In short

The Telegraph Hotel occupies the former central post and telegraph building on Rustaveli Avenue, in the Republic Square area of central Tbilisi. The hotel describes itself as a 5-star property with 239 rooms and suites across nine categories, restored by design studio Neri & Hu under the direction of Silk Road Group’s George Ramishvili. The hotel states that the design pairs the building’s Soviet-era brutalist structure with walnut, fluted glass and brass detailing. On site are nine named restaurants and bars, a wellness studio with gym and Pilates room, and meeting and event spaces including a ballroom, with further pool access arranged next door at the Radisson Blu Iveria.

The building and its history

The hotel occupies a landmark of Soviet-era Tbilisi: the city’s former central post and telegraph office on Rustaveli Avenue. According to the hotel, the building was designed by Georgian architects Lado Alexi-Meskhishvili (referred to elsewhere on the site as Lado Meskhishvili) and Teimuraz Mikashavidze, and is recognised as an example of Soviet modernist architecture, with a distinctive façade, monumental cornices and a layout adapted to Tbilisi’s sloping terrain. The hotel’s own pages give slightly different dates for design and construction, which are reproduced below as stated.

• 1964 — the building is designed by architects Lado Meskhishvili and Teimuraz Mikashavidze, according to the hotel.
• 1970s — construction is completed and the building opens as Tbilisi’s central post and telegraph office, serving, in the hotel’s words, as “a vital communication hub during the Soviet period.”
• 1983 — the building receives Georgia’s National State Award, which the hotel cites as recognition of its architectural importance.
• Present day — the building is restored by design studio Neri & Hu for Silk Road Group’s George Ramishvili and reopens as the Telegraph Hotel, with the hotel describing the result as “a dialogue between Soviet-era brutalism and contemporary refinement.”

The hotel states that the restoration retained the building’s concrete structure and double atriums while introducing walnut panelling, fluted glass, brass fittings and a green colour drawn, according to the hotel, from vintage switchboard lamps.

Rooms and suites

The hotel states it has 239 rooms and suites, which it groups into nine categories, described as ranging “from intimate classic rooms to expansive luxury suites.” The categories named on the hotel’s own rooms page are:

• Classic Room King — 30 sqm / 322 sqft
• Classic Room Twin — 30 sqm / 322 sqft
• Deluxe Room — 41 sqm / 441 sqft
• Deluxe Terrace Club Room — 41 sqm / 441 sqft
• Executive Club Room — 58 sqm / 624 sqft
• Junior Club Suite — 63 sqm / 667 sqft
• Executive Club Suite — 75 sqm / 807 sqft, described by the hotel as having a living area and private balcony
• Grand Club Suite — 95 sqm / 1,022 sqft
• Grand Terrace Club Suite — 86 sqm / 925 sqft
• Telegraph Presidential Suite — 260 sqm / 2,790 sqft

All rooms and suites are described by the hotel as designed by Neri & Hu. The hotel states that rooms look out either over the city streetscape of Rustaveli Avenue or into the hotel’s inner courtyard.

Restaurants, bars and venues

Philosophico is described by the hotel as an Italian restaurant offering what it calls “authentic flavors, warm hospitality and timeless style,” in a setting intended for long lunches, intimate dinners or celebratory gatherings.

The Grill is presented by the hotel as a steakhouse-style venue built around open-flame cooking, serving steaks and whole grilled lobster in a setting the hotel describes as blending vintage charm with a modern edge.

Tatuza Jazz Club is named, according to the hotel, in honour of Georgian jazz musician Tatuza Kurashvili, and operates within the hotel as a late-night jazz venue.

Laan Thai is described by the hotel as serving Thai home-style cooking, with a menu by Chef Rose Chalalai Singh that combines traditional Thai technique with Georgian ingredients, alongside tea-based cocktails.

Grand Café is described by the hotel as combining European and Georgian dining traditions, including tableside flambé service and dessert preparations.

Rolling Stone Rooftop Bar occupies the hotel’s rooftop and is described by the hotel as a venue for curated events and city views.

Wine Library is described by the hotel as a lounge space built around a curated wine selection, intended for reading and conversation as much as drinking; the hotel notes that reservations are not required.

Courtyard Bar sits in what the hotel calls the hotel’s “chic indoor courtyard,” serving cocktails; the hotel states reservations are not required here either.

Bell & Gray is described by the hotel as a café serving superfood bowls, poke and plant-based dishes, with cocktails supplied from the hotel’s central bar, and seating that includes a fireplace; reservations are not required, according to the hotel.

The hotel’s website also lists a number of additional venues on Republic Square that are associated with the same ownership group rather than the hotel itself, including Filini, Umami Tbilisi, Iveria Café, Oxygen Bar and Republic Restaurant, among others.

Wellness, pool and fitness

The hotel operates a wellness studio that it describes as combining a fully equipped gym, treatment rooms and a dedicated Pilates room. The gym is stated to be available to guests and members, with personal trainers on site. Treatment rooms offer massage and recovery treatments, and the hotel also lists a 30-day “SLIM Programme” built around training, nutrition and recovery. For swimming, the hotel states that pool access is complimentary for its guests at the Anne Semonin Wellness Center next door at the Radisson Blu Iveria, which also includes its own gym and treatments.

Meetings and events

The hotel describes itself as “the premier event destination in the heart of Tbilisi” for corporate events, leisure groups and celebrations. It offers meeting spaces described as flexible and equipped with modern technology, suited to gatherings from small meetings to large conferences. Beyond its own meeting rooms, the hotel lists a set of “Signature Spaces on the Square” available for private or semi-private bookings, including Tatuza Jazz Club, Rolling Stone Rooftop Bar, the Presidential Suite and Terrace, the Telegraph Ballroom, Noble Savage, Republic Event Hall, Republic Restaurant, Republic 24 and Oxygen Bar. The hotel also offers off-site catering, stating that its team can manage menus, décor, staffing and entertainment at an external venue.

Awards and memberships

The hotel states that the original telegraph building received Georgia’s National State Award in 1983 in recognition of its Soviet modernist architecture. Guests can also join Silk Rewards, which the hotel describes as “the first Georgian loyalty application in the hospitality industry,” allowing points to be earned on payments and redeemed across Silk Hospitality venues, including the hotel’s own restaurants and bars.

Prices and booking

The hotel’s website does not publish standard room rates; current prices are shown on the official booking page at the time of enquiry. The site does list several direct-booking offers, including a suite package combining daily breakfast, a welcome amenity and a USD 200 on-site credit; a “Book Direct” offer giving 10% hotel credit redeemable through the Silk Rewards app; a wellness offer providing a USD 100 wellness studio credit per room, per stay; a Romance Package with sparkling wine, breakfast in bed and spa access; a prepayment offer giving 15% off when booked at least three days ahead with full non-refundable prepayment; and a “2+1” extra-night offer. Full terms for each offer are stated on the hotel’s offers page.

Location and getting there

The Telegraph Hotel is located at 31 Shota Rustaveli Avenue, 0108 Tbilisi, Georgia, on Republic Square in the historic centre of the city. The hotel states it is 18 km (11 miles) from Tbilisi International Airport (TBS) and offers paid, uncovered on-site self-parking with EV charging available. Narikala fortress is listed by the hotel as 1.38 miles (2.22 km) away, reachable by cable car from Rike Park, and the Old Town area around the Metekhi ridge — with its mosque, synagogue and historic churches within a few minutes of each other — is listed as 0.72 miles (1.16 km) from the hotel.

Good to know

• 239 rooms and suites across nine categories, from Classic Room to the 260 sqm Telegraph Presidential Suite.
• The building formerly served as Tbilisi’s central post and telegraph office and was restored by design studio Neri & Hu.
• Nine named restaurants and bars operate within the hotel, plus further dining venues on Republic Square under the same ownership.
• Pool access is complimentary for hotel guests at the Anne Semonin Wellness Center at the neighbouring Radisson Blu Iveria.
• On-site parking is paid and uncovered, with EV charging points available.
• Guests can join the Silk Rewards loyalty app to earn and redeem points across the hotel’s venues.
• The hotel is about 18 km (11 miles) from Tbilisi International Airport.
• Several direct-booking offers are available on the hotel’s own website, including suite packages and a prepayment discount.

Questions travellers ask

What was the Telegraph Hotel building used for before it became a hotel?

According to the hotel, the building served as Tbilisi’s central post and telegraph office, designed by architects Lado Alexi-Meskhishvili and Teimuraz Mikashavidze and built during the Soviet period.

How many rooms does the Telegraph Hotel have?

The hotel states it has 239 rooms and suites, arranged across nine categories ranging from Classic Rooms to the Telegraph Presidential Suite.

Does the Telegraph Hotel have a swimming pool?

The hotel itself does not list an on-site pool; it states that guests have complimentary access to the indoor pool at the Anne Semonin Wellness Center at the neighbouring Radisson Blu Iveria.

How far is the Telegraph Hotel from Tbilisi airport?

The hotel states the distance from Tbilisi International Airport (TBS) as 18 km, or 11 miles.

Which architects designed the original Telegraph building?

The hotel credits Georgian architects Lado Alexi-Meskhishvili (also referred to as Lado Meskhishvili) and Teimuraz Mikashavidze with the original design, which received Georgia’s National State Award in 1983.

Every restaurant and bar at Telegraph Hotel — our dedicated pages

• Philosophico
• The Grill
• Tatuza Jazz Club
• Laan Thai
• Grand Café
• Rolling Stone Rooftop Bar
• Wine Library
• Courtyard Bar
• Bell & Gray

Sources

• Telegraph Hotel — official website (telegraphhotel.com)
• Telegraph Hotel: About
• Telegraph Hotel: Learn More
• Telegraph Hotel: Restaurants & Bars
• Telegraph Hotel: Learn More
• Telegraph Hotel: Fitness & Wellness
• Telegraph Hotel: Offers

Profiled in depth by the GTour desk on 27 October 2026 from the property’s official website; photographs are the property’s own, from its official website, credited under each image. Not sponsored; tell us if something has changed.