Orbeliani Square is a microcosm of modern Tbilisi.
This is a corner of the city with deeply rooted traditions and aeons of history folded into its brickwork and cobbled streets. At the same time, an important part of that history has been its role as a place for experimentation: where diverse peoples and world views intermingle, where the status quo is questioned, and where new ideas are born.
Today, the neighbourhood is changing fast as new restaurants and boutiques take up residence inside the dozen or so restored historic facades that line the pedestrian streets.
Herein lies the challenge: Find a way to preserve the core values and character of the district – to honour that history – while still offering visitors something new and exciting. You can see this dilemma playing out all across Tbilisi and Georgia right now.
Having just launched this May, Bazzar Hotel set itself the challenge to find a balance between the historic and the contemporary and create something special in the process.
The hotel design, especially the bold colour scheme, is what first caught my attention. I was very happy to discover the property’s ethos goes far deeper than just sublime aesthetics: This is a place with heart and substance.
A big thank-you to the Bazzar Hotel team for hosting me in Tbilisi so I could experience this imaginative property for myself and write this review. As always, all opinions, endorsements and criticisms voiced here are 100% my own.
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The story
Despite only officially opening a few months ago, Bazzar Hotel already feels like the centerpoint of this neighbourhood.
Since the end of the 19th century, this has traditionally been a place of trade and commerce. From 1876 it was the site of the Soldier’s Bazaar, one of the major marketplaces in Tbilisi. As the story goes, on weekends Russian soldiers from the nearby Tbilisi garrison would meet here for their more clandestine pursuits. Many love stories were born in the narrow alleyways between the fruit and veg stalls. After the October Revolution, soldiers brought their uniforms to the market to sell – hence the name Soldier’s Bazaar.
Many older Tbilisians still refer to the square by its historic name, Kolkhoznaya. Officially, the square and nearby flower market are named after Grigol Orbeliani, a Georgian poet and military man. The Orbeliani family is associated with many other properties in this area, including the stunning Orbeliani Palace – now the official residence of the President of Georgia – which is just around the corner from the hotel.
In 1951, a new covered marketplace was built on the square. Last year, the upper part of the building relaunched as the Orbeliani Bazaar.
In 2019, several blocks around the square were restored and partially pedestrianised under the New Tiflis Project, which also facilitated the transformation of Aghmashenebeli Avenue in Chugureti and Gudiashvili Square in the Old Town.
Atoneli Street and the surrounding lanes are now lined with stately buildings, 13 of which are classified as Cultural Heritage Monuments. A consort of cafes, gourmet grocers and bistros have since moved in, transforming this area into a vibrant dining and shopping precinct. Behind closed doors, some of the painted-and-tiled entryways have also been restored.
Bazzar Hotel sits amongst this history. It preserves the memory of the old Soldier’s Bazaar in its name, while also connecting itself to the new Orbeliani Bazaar.
The Persian-derived word ‘bazaar’ is critical to the hotel’s concept: As a Silk Road city, the marketplace has always been part of Tbilisi’s social fabric. Bazzar extends on this idea by making the hotel a place where strangers from far-flung places can meet and interact with locals.
The location
Today, Orbeliani Square is truly one of the best locations to stay in Tbilisi – this is the neighbourhood where I always stay when I visit.
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Aside from the layers of history, it’s very convenient in a practical sense, footsteps from the new gourmet marketplace Bazar Orbeliani and Atoneli Street and its many eateries. The hotel is a short stroll from the Dry Bridge Market, and Freedom Square and the core of the Old Town are also nearby. Public transport access is easy, with buses and the Liberty Square Metro Station within walking distance.
Unlike the restored Aghmashenebeli Avenue, Orbeliani Square is peaceful and less commercial. On weekends, it often hosts pop-up markets and events, with live music, food trucks and artisan stalls.
Set against a backdrop of heritage facades, this area perfectly captures the old-meets-new atmosphere that has traditionally defined Tbilisi.
The rooms
Bazzar Hotel is not located behind a heritage facade, rather it sits inside a brand new building on Pkhovi Street. Its sleek frame doesn’t overpower the heritage buildings that are its neighbours. The wall of glass windows reflects the brightly-coloured buildings opposite.
Rooms are located over four floors, with a restaurant-bar on the lower level. The top floor has a street-facing balcony and every room (bar a couple at the back) boasts views of the street below and Mtatsminda Holy Mountain beyond. I had a perfect view of the Tbilisi TV Tower and funicular from my room.
Bazzar has 20 rooms in total, including small, twin and king rooms for different price points. The top level Terrace Suite and Bazzar Suite both have private balconies. There’s also a fully accessible room for wheelchair users.
Bazzar is unlike most other boutique hotels in Tbilisi in that the design is definitely not your typical ‘classic Tbilisi’ style. Instead of a heritage vibe, the local designers went for something more contemporary, which I think works perfectly in this neighbourhood.
The hero is the colour scheme: Vibrant shades of plum, burgundy and gold offset by bold black-and-white-striped upholstery. The carpet feels like velvet under your feet – it’s definitely a sensory experience. The colours are loud, but the rooms feel calming at the same time. The pale blue walls throughout and big windows that supply ample natural light are soothing.
I was very impressed with the attention to detail in the room layout, especially in the lighting design. As well as a big, comfy bed, a desk and an occasional chair, my room had a Smeg kettle and a coffee maker, built-in cupboards with plenty of storage space, a safe, and a fridge.
Bathrooms have an even more daring design, with vertical gold-and-white striped tiles throughout. Prija natural products are supplied.
Breakfast & Bazzar Restaurant-bar
The lower-level restaurant and bar is definitely the heart of Bazzar Hotel. Taking cue from the old market that stood here, it’s designed to be a convivial meeting place where people can come together over a drink or a meal.
Complimentary breakfast is served for hotel guests and walk-ins daily from 8am. I’ve eaten a lot of hotel breakfasts in Tbilisi and this is one of my favourites so far.
The menu is still a work in progress, but so far the selection includes cured meats and cheeses, a delicious wilted spinach and mushroom dish, plus matsoni yogurt, fruit and nuts, fresh bread and a selection of preserves. Eggs and pancakes can be ordered a-la-carte.
Service with soul
Orbeliani Square is fast becoming its own little community, and an important part of Bazzar’s vision is to make the hotel an anchorpoint for the neighbourhood where tourists and locals can socialise. The bar-restaurant is warm and inviting, especially the outdoor terrace area that opens out onto the heritage street.
Bazzar aims to offer a more personalised hotel experience. As a business it’s extremely polished, yet it’s still small enough to have an intimate, boutique feel.
Bazzar Hotel: The details
- 3 Pkhovi Street, Tbilisi
- +995 322 22 84 44
- Facebook Page
- Bookings can be made direct through the website: BazzarHotel.com
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