Best hotels and guesthouses in Svaneti (Mestia and Ushguli)

By Nino Gelashvili, Travel News Editor · 16/10/2026

Selected by the GTour desk from the national register of licensed places. Updated October 2026; reviewed yearly. No place pays to appear.

Svaneti sits in Georgia’s high Caucasus, reached by the long mountain road described in our guide to getting to Svaneti. Mestia, the region’s main town, has grown from a village of stone defensive towers into the base for trekking, horseback trips and day drives to Ushguli, the cluster of villages often cited as the highest permanently inhabited settlement in Europe. Accommodation here still leans heavily on family-run guesthouses, though Mestia now also has boutique and higher-category hotels, while Ushguli itself remains smaller and more rustic.

This list was put together by the GTour desk from the national register of licensed tourism accommodation, filtered to properties actually located in Mestia, the surrounding Svan villages, or Ushguli. Selection criteria were location relative to the town centre or trailheads, an established and verifiable presence in the register, and what each place offers a traveller — room type, setting, or proximity to sights. No payment was involved in compiling this list and no ratings beyond what operators state themselves are claimed.

1. Becho House

Becho House is a family hotel in the village of Becho, about 16 km from Mestia, making it a quieter alternative to staying in the town itself. It suits travellers who want a base closer to the Becho valley and surrounding trails rather than the busier Mestia centre.

2. Galash-R

Galash-R is a guesthouse on Ushba Street in the centre of Mestia, 1.3 km from the Museum of History and Ethnography. Its central location suits visitors who want to walk to museums, cafés and the start of town trails without needing transport.

3. Guesthouse Luka

Guesthouse Luka is located in Chazhashi, part of the Ushguli community at the end of the road from Mestia. Guests can order traditional Svan cuisine and breakfast on request, making it a practical stop for travellers overnighting in Ushguli to see its towers and surrounding peaks.

5. Hotel Gistola In Mestia

Hotel Gistola is a 5-star hotel on Boris Kakhiani Street in Mestia, combining Svanetian design elements with a higher level of comfort than the typical guesthouse. It suits travellers looking for upgraded facilities while still based in the heart of Mestia.

6. Hotel Paliani

Hotel Paliani, on Avtandil Khergiani Street, is a stylish property designed to reflect the local natural and cultural environment of Mestia. It works well for visitors who want design-conscious lodging within the town rather than a basic family room.

7. HOTEL USHBA

HOTEL USHBA is located on Tamar Mephe Street in Mestia, named after the dramatic twin-peaked mountain visible from much of the town. It is a straightforward register-listed option for travellers wanting a central Mestia base.

9. Kakhshiani Mestia Cottages

Kakhshiani Mestia Cottages, on Ioseliani Street, offers cozy wooden cottages positioned as a mountain retreat within Mestia. The cottage format suits travellers who prefer a self-contained, quieter setup over a standard hotel room, while staying close to town.

10. Latour mestia

Latour Mestia is a hotel on Erekle Parjiani alley, close to the Mestia town centre. It suits visitors who want an easy walk to the centre’s restaurants and the museum while keeping a short distance from the main road.

11. Lileo

Lileo is a hotel on Zurab Phaliani Street in Mestia, listed in the national tourism register with verified contact and map details. It is a further centrally located option for travellers organising a Mestia stay around day trips to Ushguli or nearby trailheads.

12. Mestia Panorama

Mestia Panorama is a boutique guesthouse on Avtandil Khergiani Street, overlooking the historic Lanchvali district and about 500 metres from it. Its elevated outlook suits travellers who want views over Mestia’s old quarter alongside guesthouse-style accommodation.

How to use this list

Travellers basing themselves in Mestia for day trips, trekking or onward transport should look to the central options on Khergiani, Phaliani, Parjiani and Tamar Mephe streets, while those planning an overnight in Ushguli should check availability at Guesthouse Luka in Chazhashi well in advance given the village’s limited capacity; for a quieter stay outside the town, Becho House offers an alternative base near Becho village. Confirm current details directly with each property before booking, and pair this list with the GTour guide on getting to Svaneti for route planning.

Quick answers

Is it better to stay in Mestia or Ushguli? Mestia has more accommodation choice and services, while Ushguli is smaller with limited options like Guesthouse Luka, so many travellers base themselves in Mestia and visit Ushguli as a day trip or single overnight.

Are these places guesthouses or hotels? The register includes a mix, from family guesthouses such as Galash-R and Mestia Panorama to hotels like Hotel Gistola, Hotel Paliani, Lileo and HOTEL USHBA.

Is there budget accommodation in Mestia? Cottage-style stays such as Kakhshiani Mestia Cottages and guesthouse rooms offer alternatives to the larger hotels for travellers seeking simpler lodging.

How do I get to these places? See the GTour guide to getting to Svaneti, Mestia and Ushguli for route and transport details before planning where to stay.