Ushguli Hotel Villa Lileo — Hotel in Samegrelo-Upper Svaneti

We arrived from Mestia low on cash, because all the ATM machines in Mestia were out of cash. We paid about 180 USD for a spartan hostel style room with 4 bunk beds for our family of 4, which was way more expensive by any standard, particularly in Georgia, and that was almost all the cash we had. And they don’t take cards. ||In the morning, we saw some bread and cucumber and tomatoes laid out, so we asked about lunch since we arranged a horseback riding trip, and we were told very rudely that lunch is 10 GELs: They knew we were out of cash. ||The fabled Georgian hospitality apparently doesn’t apply here. How hard is it to pack a couple pieces of stale bread so our kids wouldn’t go hungry? Most people in the world would do that for strangers. Maybe we should’ve traded our shoes away for bread?||The old woman who brings out breakfast and dinner is incapable of smiling. A permanent frown. She appears to be the matron of the family.||And, the big, ugly, new building that is this guesthouse is an abomination in the middle of this lovely medieval town. ||My take is that these people see us travelers entirely as walking ATM machines. ||Ushguli is a stunning place. But it’s way too popular, and perhaps the overflowing tourism has destroyed the humanity and soul of this place as it did many other places around the world. It’s sad, and definitely left a bitter taste...

I have travelled extensively and I must say that this is the worst place I have ever had the misfortune to stay.||All I can say is avoid. Pay extra to get some comfort and respect.||The rooms are horrendous. Smaller than single makeshift beds, the rooms are open without segregation so you are effectively sharing with strangers.||Unfortunately I was adjacent to the staff room and they spoke loudly with each ofher until gone 2am and then again from 5am. When challenged they were abusively shouting at me in Georgian and one literally slammed a door in my face.||The shared bathroom facilities are the worst I have seen in many a year.||My only advice would be to AVOID.||Great yogurt at...

After a day of hiking, this is a very dependable and civilized place to come back to. It is located in the middle of a rugged and still fairly intact Svanetian village, so don't expect spas, etc., but the owners are very helpful, the breakfasts and dinners are very good, and you can pack a lunch to take on hikes out of the village - it is only a 15 minute walk to most trailheads. The internet is good, so you can send out photos of the unparalleled view you can get here. For relaxation in the evening they have a full bar with Georgian wines and beer, and there are some excellent books/photographic essays and maps to look at in the lounge. They also have some...