{"id":1012,"date":"2026-01-30T09:48:52","date_gmt":"2026-01-30T05:48:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hostship.ge\/marco-polo-gudauris-first-full-scale-hotel-and-one-of-the-foundations-of-resort-development-from-1988-to-the-present\/"},"modified":"2026-02-03T15:17:07","modified_gmt":"2026-02-03T11:17:07","slug":"marco-polo-gudauris-first-full-scale-hotel-and-one-of-the-foundations-of-resort-development-from-1988-to-the-present","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hostship.ge\/en\/marco-polo-gudauris-first-full-scale-hotel-and-one-of-the-foundations-of-resort-development-from-1988-to-the-present\/","title":{"rendered":"“Marco Polo” – Gudauri’s first full-scale hotel and one of the foundations of resort development from 1988 to the present"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Back when Georgia wasn’t yet on the tourist map…<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

At a time when Georgia wasn’t yet visible on the international tourist map, Hotel Marco Polo began operations in Gudauri.
A hotel that not only started welcoming guests but also laid the foundation for mountain tourism, winter sports, and hospitality culture in Gudauri.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meet “Marco Polo” – Gudauri’s first full-scale hotel and one of the foundations of resort development from 1988 to the present.


First steps in the resort’s history<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Marco Polo Gudauri opened in 1988<\/strong> – precisely when Gudauri was being used as a military assembly base by the Soviet Union and simultaneously began its development as a ski resort.
It was the first hotel equipped with full infrastructure<\/strong> in Gudauri and was initially conceived as the main tourist facility of the resort – with its scale, location, and service standards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Indeed, Marco Polo became the cornerstone that laid a real foundation for the development of winter tourism and, moreover, even turned it into a four-season resort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
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An idea that proved stronger than challenges<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The idea of Marco Polo emerged in the 1980s – when Gudauri was taking its first steps as a resort.
The hotel’s opening in 1988 was associated with serious challenges:
Infrastructure was practically non-existent. Team formation, service standards – everything had to be created from scratch, while the economic and political environment was extremely unstable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nevertheless, these difficulties couldn’t overshadow the main vision – Gudauri’s potential as an international ski resort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Development that never stopped<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From 2009, Marco Polo Gudauri came under unified management.<\/a>
From this stage, the hotel’s infrastructure renewal, service standardization, and gradual development began, which continues to this day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stability, experience, and emphasis on high standards became the main axis that distinguishes Marco Polo’s operation from others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khizhina – a gathering place for mountain lovers <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khizhina<\/strong>, like Marco Polo, is an integral part of Gudauri’s history.
This space was initially a resting place for workers, then a radio and medical point, and today, one of the liveliest apr\u00e8s-ski restaurants in the mountains<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


In 2023, Landmarker Group<\/a><\/strong> fully restored Khizhina, and it has become a favorite gathering place for loyal Gudauri residents and guests, both for dining and entertainment – in an authentic mountain environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What problems do Marco Polo and Khizhina solve in Gudauri <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Marco Polo Gudauri” and “Khizhina” address two significant challenges in the region:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First – positioning Gudauri as a four-season “destination”<\/strong>.
Neither facility depends solely on the winter season and attracts different types of tourists throughout the year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Second – creating stable jobs and establishing service standards<\/strong>, which directly contributes to the development of the hospitality industry in the region and strengthening the local economy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What we’re proud of<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

“The most prideful fact is that we have the longest and most stable operation<\/strong> in Gudauri.
Marco Polo since 1988 and Khizhina since 2009 – under unified management. Over these years, high-standard service has been established, local staff have been strengthened, and hospitality culture has developed.” – Anni Kokaia Co-Founder of Landmarker Group<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Marco Polo Gudauri<\/a><\/strong> is a full-scale mountain hotel with 123 rooms and 3 chalets.
It features a spa zone, pool, sauna, restaurant and lounge bar, meeting rooms, apr\u00e8s-ski events, entertainment activities, and the world’s highest padel court.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Khizhina Mountain Restaurant<\/a> – <\/strong>a panoramic mountain restaurant with Georgian and European cuisine, an apr\u00e8s-ski zone, direct access to ski slopes, and full of seasonal musical and entertainment events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Marco Polo Gudauri remains Gudauri’s most reliable facility to this day, having withstood the test of time, maintaining high standards, and continuing to care for the region’s development and creating a perfect experience for guests.


Article author: Ana Tchintcharauli<\/p>\n\n\n\n

https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/marcopolohotelgudauri<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/khadahutte<\/a>
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Back when Georgia wasn’t yet on the tourist map… At a time when Georgia wasn’t yet visible on the international tourist map, Hotel Marco Polo began operations in Gudauri. A hotel that not only started welcoming guests but also laid the foundation for mountain tourism, winter sports, and hospitality culture in Gudauri. 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